Top Prep Performers: Week 5
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The New Jersey Prep players didn’t disappoint this week as we have some outstanding performances in yardage and in scoring. We have a few newcomers to the top performers as well and word to everyone, get on your HUDL pages!…
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Continue ReadingThe New Jersey Prep players didn’t disappoint this week as we have some outstanding performances in yardage and in scoring. We have a few newcomers to the top performers as well and word to everyone, get on your HUDL pages! I have a long list of college contacts and I’ll tag them on twitter to show them your performances. These coaches need to see your work! As always I can be reached on twitter: antoinehicks@hicksthewriter and Prepredzone.com/NJ.
Receiving Yards
Zach Thomas Zach Thomas WR Morris Catholic | 2022 State NJ , Sr., Morris Catholic v. Verona:
8 rec, 82 yds, 1 TD
Usually more of a possession receiver, Zach was able to get down the more and exploit some holes in the Verona secondary for some chunk yardage. Underrated as a defender, he has a knack for getting through traffic for big plays, often limiting the yardage on what would have been long He also made some key contributions in the kicking game, with a 40+ yard kick return and recovering an onside kick to keep his team in the game late. Great all-around game for Zack.
Jahmeer Cartagena, Sr., St. Joseph’s Academy v. Eastern (Vorhees):
2 Rec, 92 yds, 2 TDs
Sometimes a stat line just speaks for itself, and touching the ball twice and taking the both catches to the house pretty much does that. Jameer is a smooth athlete and the top deep threat for South Jersey Powerhouse, St. Joseph’s Academy. Not just a one trick pony, he can be counted on to be equally effective on short WR screens as he is deep balls and also plays corner for the Wildcats defense.
Elijah Steward Elijah Steward 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Holy Spirit | 2022 State NJ , Sr., Holy Spirit v. Pleasantville:
7 rec, 108 yds, 3 TDs
The Holy Spirit Head Coach, AJ Russo and his staff brilliantly used multiple formations to position their players for success which led to a 58-0 route of Pleasantville. Elijah is a great route runner who snaps his head around to catch quick out routes for possession catches and can stick his foot in the ground for hard slants across the middle. He then turns the short routes into an incredible stop and go move. The last catch on the film was so ridiculous it got praise from ESPN and Randy Moss himself!
Rushing
Gavin Roman Gavin Roman WR Holy Spirit | 2023 State NJ , Sr., Holy Spirit v. Pleasantville:
18 car, 101 yds, 3 TDs
Kanye Udoh Kanye Udoh 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB St. Augustine | 2022 State NJ , Sr., St. Augustine v. Millville:
29 car, 157 yds, 3 TDs
I’m glad to see there are still a few teams that believe in a good old fashioned “Feed the Beast” running game. Kanye has over 100 carries on the season, which, when you have a 200 lb RB and a big offensive line is like punching someone in the face for 12 rounds of a heavy weight fight. This game featured a very talented Millville team and both teams were undefeated, but Udoh ran through arm tackles, sometimes dragging defenders for over 150 yards and 3 scores beating Millville 31-17. The Senior RB is second in the state in rushing and is the #2 RB in the PrepRedzone 2022 Player Rankings, with D1 offers from Boston College, Rutgers and West Virginia.
Marques Hicks Marques Hicks 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ , Jr., Camden Catholic v. Audubon:
9 car, 180 yds, 3 TDs
Marques only has 33 carries on the season, but he’s made the most of them averaging 12.1 yds per carry and scoring 6 TDs. Audubon was undefeated on the season and had the longest win streak in South Jersey going back to last season but the Irish were undeterred, beating Audubon 49-6. The thing that stands out about Hicks is his combination of size and speed. At 195 pounds he hits the hole and quickly accelerates to the second level, running through arm tackles for big games as he averaged 20 yds per rush in this game. He’s got the break away speed too with touchdowns runs of 30, 40 and 60 yards in this game. Marques is the #2 ranked RB in the PrepRedzone 2023 player Rankings and already has a D1 offer from Temple.
Passing
A.J. Rodriguez, Sr., Depaul v. St. Peter’s Prep:
11 of 21, 212 yds, 1 TDs; 15 car, 65 yds
This was a very good performance for Rodriguez, as he showed the ability to see the whole field and deliver in a tough 7-10 loss to powerhouse St. Peter’s. He was particularly impressive on the deep ball, stepping up in the pocket and delivering several post patterns for big gains throughout the game. He even exploited the Marauder’s love of man coverage by ripping off a few crucial runs in the ground game for some big first downs.
Alex Brown Alex Brown 6'3" | QB Red Bank Catholic | 2022 State NJ , Sr., Red Bank Catholic v. Manasquan
12 of 15, 183 yds, 1 TD
7 car, 52 yds, 1 TD
The word “mobility” is often used to describe Quarterbacks, but that doesn’t describe what Alex does. He is a legit threat to run, but he keeps his eyes down field looking to his weapons like Tight End Alex Bauman Alex Bauman 6'4" | DL Red Bank Catholic | 2022 State NJ down the seam or Receiver Najih Rahman Najih Rahman 5'11" | 195 lbs | WR Red Bank Catholic | 2023 State NJ deep. I’ve seen him run through sure sacks to run for first downs and extend drives or scramble for long runs, frustrating defenses the whole game. He is accurate on the run too, often throwing passed where only his receiver can make a play on the ball. Alex is committed to play for Bucknell University, and they’re getting a good one. Great game Alex.