Game Preview Upper Arlington Versus Pickerington Central

<strong>Upper Arlington versus Pickerington Central</strong> <strong>Upper Arlington</strong> Upper Arlington has been a runaway freight train for most of the 2021 season.  2022’s Simon Monnin and [player_tooltip player_id="91583" first="Carson" last="Gresock"] are pieces parts that have that train rolling down the tracks. Gresock is a stout running back with good balance and solid speed.  He’s an absolute load to bring down.  At quarterback Monnin does a great job at finding the vertical seams and stressing defenses that are trying to hard slow the Golden Bear rushing attack.  It’s an offense that hasn’t really been slowed this year. 2022 WR Sam Cannon is a favorite target of Monnin. 2022 DB Doak Buttermore and 2022 LB [player_tooltip player_id="120187" first="Carter" last="Brock"] are the leaders on defense. <strong>The key to Upper Arlington winning</strong> is they get the running game going and put pressure on the Pickerington Central’s defense. &nbsp; <strong>Pickerington Central</strong> Pickerington Central has had a lot of talent, and a lot of success over the past handful of years.  This year is no different.  2023 Hybrid S/LB Alex "Sonny" Styles is their do it all guy.  Styles just committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes this past Saturday.  His combo of size and athleticism is elite.  At 6’4 210 he’s rangy and athletic enough he can line up at Safety, and is a nightmare for any wr thinking about going over the middle of the defense.  He’s big and strong enough that he can line up at linebacker and make plays against the run.  Styles is a rare talent, and one I’m sure that Ryan Day is really glad he was able to keep home considering he had offers from pretty much every blue blood program in the country.  The D1 caliber talent does not end at Styles however.  CJ Doggette Jr. is a defensive lineman who has D1 offers from Cincinnati as well as MAC interests.  I like him as a interior pass rusher at the next level.  Opposite Doggette is Edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id="34417" first="Tyler" last="Gillison"].  Gillison is an athletic edge who holds up in the run game but can get to the QB as well.  Gillison has D1 offers from Cincinnati as well as several MAC schools.  Then you have [player_tooltip player_id="91502" first="Dakari" last="Frazier"] who’s a gifted edge rusher who’s committed to Ball State University.  Rounding out the DL is Kobi Gorman who has offers from Indiana, Cincinnati, Marshall, and Bowling Green. On offense, OT [player_tooltip player_id="34456" first="Kyle" last="Imboden"] is getting D1 attention.  At 6’4 300 pounds he plays with a strong base and has good upper body strength that he uses to steer defenders out of the way.  2022 OG [player_tooltip player_id="91517" first="Kwabena" last="Asamoah"] is a thick bodied interior offensive lineman who’s committed to Greg Schiano and Rutgers University.  2023 OL Keilan Smith has an offer from Bowling Green and is also starting to pick up P5 interest.  2023 Rasheem Biles WR has offers from Bowling Green and Pittsburgh.  2023 QB [player_tooltip player_id="173935" first="Braden" last="Mantooth"] 6’5 is a nice looking prospect.  He shows good poise in the pocket and ability to distribute the ball.  He also does a nice job on rollouts and throwing on the run.  Braden is currently getting MAC interest. <strong>Other players to watch</strong> 2022 Roman Pearson ATH 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="123248" first="Khalil" last="Walker"] OL <strong>The key to the Tigers winning</strong> is for their defensive line to slow the Upper Arlington rushing attack and put pressure on the quarterback.