Gardendale Vs. Homewood: Scout Watch

This Friday matchup showed why there's nothing better than Alabama high school football. This game featured talent at every position, D1 prospects, and sleepers that are on the rise. Gardendale would come out victorious with a 35-27 win over Homewood and extend their season for another week. Here are some of the standouts that caught our eye in this competitive matchup. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="125528" first="Kelby" last="Collins"]  DE Gardendale</strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="125528" first="Kelby" last="Collins"] is a defensive end that gets the job done with brute force. He has a college-ready build and will only get stronger with a college nutrition and training program. Collins shows a high motor and a relentless drive to disrupt plays. He has active hands when engaging with blocks, making it hard for opposing linemen to get a clean shot at his chest. He also showed variation in his attack as a rusher by winning with bullrushes, club moves, and occasional swim moves. Collins is fully aware of his 250-pound frame and uses it to his advantage every play. Collins is easily one of top prospects in the 2023 class and has the elite offers to show for it. </span> https://twitter.com/kelby_collins/status/1451260238863208449?s=20 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127674" first="Woods" last="Ray"] QB Homewood  </strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Woods is a young quarterback with the tools to rise and be an upper-echelon quarterback of the 2023 class. Ray has a rifle for an arm. Can throw the ball with velocity on opposite hash throws and throw the deep ball with his feet set or on the run. Ray possesses a traditional over the top release that is fast and efficient. He is solid in the pocket when his feet are set and showed an excellent ability to square his shoulders when throwing on the run. It’ll be fascinating to see what Ray develops into as he looks to be a major player in next year’s class. </span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Caleb Harrell DT </b><b><u>Gardendale</u></b><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"> </b></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Harrell is an explosive athlete for his size and can be used as a disruptor in the middle. While weighing nearly 300 pounds he showed a showed substantial agility and lateral quickness when being used in stunts. Used a nice spin move to free himself of a block and stop a ball carrier for no game. Harrell is very nimble on his feet but also plays with toughness when clogging gaps and collapsing pockets. With the size, skill, and athleticism Harrell will easily translate to next level and be an impact player wherever he lands. </span> https://twitter.com/calebharrell93/status/1457773512718884871?s=20 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>LT Sanders RB </strong></span><b><u>Gardendale</u></b> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lt Sanders rushed for 298 yards against Homewood and became his school’s leading rusher in Friday’s victory against Homewood. Sanders’s ability to cut back and see the play ahead of time allows him to attack the defense at every crease. In addition, he is a running back who embraces physicality, shows excellent balance, and can absorb contact while continuing his run. With elite lower body strength, solid speed, and excellent lateral quickness, Sanders proved he can put a team on his shoulders and run them to a victory. </span> https://twitter.com/ltsanderss/status/1459591975980650498?s=20 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Aaron Marsch WR Homewood</strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Marsh is an effective slot receiver who is dependable and consistent in his contributions. He does a solid job of working in the slot and creating separation. He uses his subtle burst that to throw the defender’s timing off. Marsch is also sure-handed and makes catches in stride, and adjusts to the ball when needed. In addition, he is solid with gaining yards after the catch with grit and shiftiness. He also proved to be a factor as a return man where his straight-line speed is shown. </span> &nbsp;