Game Preview Marysville Versus Springfield

<strong>Marysville versus Springfield</strong> <strong>Marysville</strong> The Marysville Monarchs defense is what has carried them to this point in the playoffs. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">They’ve only give up double digit points in three of their 12 games this season.</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> They make their opponents earn every yard.  The Monarchs defense is lead by future Buckeye 2022 LB [player_tooltip player_id="34375" first="Gabe" last="Powers"].  Powers is a big (6’4 230) and athletic backer who simply makes plays all over the field.  If comes to the line of scrimmage he must be accounted for or bad things are going to happen.  On offense, as a running back Gabe makes plays both on the ground and through the air.   Little brother 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="92623" first="Colton" last="Powers"] also plays linebacker and while not as big also plays a physical brand of football like his older brother.  He’s great in his read and react, and just blows up anyone in between him and the ball.  On offense 2022 OL [player_tooltip player_id="34440" first="Gavin" last="Rohrs"] (6’3 285) leads the way.  He’s a physical run blocker who loves to finish with some nasty.  </span> <strong>Other players to watch</strong> 2022 Erryl Will DL/(College LB) 2022 Cam Jones DB 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91503" first="Ben" last="Bickerstaff"] DL/(College LB) <span style="font-size: 1rem;">2023 RB [player_tooltip player_id="93336" first="Griffin" last="Johnson"]</span> <span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>The key to  Marysville winning</strong> is finding sustained success running the ball which will also serve to keep the ball away from an opportunistic Springfield offense.</span> &nbsp; <strong>Springfield</strong> Springfield 2022 QB [player_tooltip player_id="34392" first="Te’Sean" last="Smoot"] is in his 3rd full season as starter of the Wildcat offense.  This season they try to take it all the way coming off a season where they made it to the state semifinals.  Smoot is a pocket passer with the athleticism to make plays out of the pocket.  He has no shortage of weapons to throw to.  2023 WR [player_tooltip player_id="34498" first="Anthony" last="Brown"] is committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  [player_tooltip player_id="189472" first="Shawn" last="Thigpen"] is getting considerable D1 interest from D1 mid-majors and is starting to gather interest from P5’s. The defensive unit is the strength of the team.  It all starts up front for the Wildcats with 2022 DT’s [player_tooltip player_id="123251" first="Tywan" last="January"] and [player_tooltip player_id="34433" first="Jokell" last="Brown"].  They’re just so good at getting into the opposing backfield and blowing things up.  One of my favorite defensive players in the state is Jaivian Norman who plays linebacker for the Wildcats.  I project him to a safety at the college level and I think he’s a D1 kid if coaches will overlook his size.  He closes faster than any player I’ve seen in a long while.  Rangy 2022 FS [player_tooltip player_id="34383" first="Delian" last="Bradley"] has a stack of D1 offers to mull as this season comes to an end. 2024 CB Aaron Scott is a young corner with a ton of length and a kid I think will be a P5 kid before he’s done. <strong>Other players to watch</strong> 2022 Micha’ Johnson DB 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="123245" first="Vasean" last="Washington"] OL 2023 Ramon Browder RB 2023 Daylen Bradley 2024 Jayvin "Bay Bay" Norman RB/LB 2025 Jackson Heims DE <strong>The key to Springfield winning </strong> is finding a way to hit on some explosive plays on offense to open up the Marysville defense. &nbsp;