Hillcrest vs. Baldwin County: Scout Watch

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">This west-Alabama matchup featured explosive plays and a tremendous QB battle that resulted in a great Friday Night. The Hillcrest Patriots will advance in the 6A playoffs with a 28-22 victory over the Baldwin County Tigers. Here are the standouts we noticed during this intense matchup. </span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ethan Crawford QB Hillcrest</strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Crawford continues to make his case for being the best QB in the 2023 class with his electrifying play. Crawford’s a pure dual-threat who can dominate the game with both his arm and legs. Crawford’s low center of gravity and shiftiness make him an elite runner and hard to tackle in the open field. He also possesses a running back mentality when making defenders miss and running behind his pads in the open field. As a passer, Crawford’s smooth release delivers accurate passes at all levels of the field. He’s decisive in the quick game, can throw the ball in tight windows versus zone coverage, and can throw the deep ball with anticipation and accuracy. Crawford’s command of the offense, poise, and arm talent has garnered offers from power five programs, but if he continues this level of play, there’s no doubt he could be a blue-chip recruit. </span> https://twitter.com/3thanCrawf0rd/status/1392572497594359816?s=20 <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="127524" first="Tiaquelin" last="Mims"] II Baldwin Co.</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mims is a dynamic dual-threat QB whose elusiveness, speed, and arm strength are next level. His elusiveness is among the best in the state regardless of position. He uses his 4.4 speed as a runner and can hit a gear that many can’t reach when in the open field. He nearly always makes the first guy miss and uses his legs to buy time for his receivers to get open downfield. He shows dexterity when throwing the ball on the run and can throw accurately, running right or left. Mims biggest asset, however, may be his cannon of an arm. He showed the ability to get the ball downfield and accurately get his receivers the ball throughout the night. Mims stood toe to toe with one of the elite QB’s and the state and showed why he will be attending Southern Miss in the Fall. </span> https://twitter.com/tymims23/status/1405223902465466368?s=20 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Kendrick Davis LB Hillcrest </strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Davis stood out as a playmaker on the defensive side for the Patriot. He’s a speedy weakside linebacker who can make plays sideline to sideline. Also is quick enough to spy and shadow quarterbacks when necessary. He does an excellent job of not taking false steps when pursuing the ball. Good technique on tackles and is ideal in bringing down ball carriers in the open field. Davis is also good at being disciplined and not overrunning the play, setting the edge, and staying on assignment. He is an exceptional linebacker who will be a significant name in the 2023 class. </span> https://twitter.com/kendrickdavis08/status/1459606851088228364?s=20 <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Terrence Callaway WR Hillcrest</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Callaway is a physical receiver who knows how to use his frame and get the most out of it. He does an extraordinary job of stacking corners and boxing them out of the play when the ball is in the air. Callaway also does a tremendous job of looking the ball in, which is uncommon with most RAC receivers. At 210 pounds, Callaway is hard to take down when running after the catch and showed balance and strength when taking on defenders and breaking tackles. Lastly, Crawford is an excellent blocker for a wideout. He does an excellent job opposing his will by driving defenders out of the play. He even was used as a tight end where he sealed a linebacker and helped produce ample space for his running back. Crawford will be effective at the next level with his effort, size, and winning attitude. </span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ahmad Baker SS Baldwin Co. </strong></span> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Baker is a safety that enforces the run game and contains big plays from turning into touchdowns. He does a good job playing behind the play from the safety position and ensuring he has the angle to prevent scores. Showed an ability to break down and tackle in the open field in 1v1 situations and make sound tackles. In addition, he can be a serviceable sub-linebacker with his ability to attack and sufficiently cover slots and TES. Rather he lines up at safety or linebacker, Baker consistently flows to the ball is rarely out of position. </span> &nbsp;