Jordan’s Notebook: 5A X Factors Heading into Round 3
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This week we’re heading into Round 3 of the IHSA Playoffs, with that being said we’re going to be taking a look at X Factors to keep an eye on for each team. This is going to run through 8A-1A…
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Continue ReadingThis week we’re heading into Round 3 of the IHSA Playoffs, with that being said we’re going to be taking a look at X Factors to keep an eye on for each team. This is going to run through 8A-1A football and showcase one player per team that, if having a good game, gives their team a good chance of winning. With that being said, let’s dive into it.
St. Patrick @ Sycamore
Alexander Goworowski 6’3 215 22’ LB Twitter
Mr. Goworowski fills holes in run support where he can meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage as well as shoot the gaps to get in the backfield quickly to make the play. When doing so, he uses his hands at the point of attack batting the offensive lineman’s hands down. This results in TFLs, QB sacks, and QB pressures. On passing downs, he has a quick first step where he uses a speed rush to beat not one but two blockers before delivering the hit on the quarterback. On offense, he’s used as a running back where he’s a hard runner keeps his feet driving until the whistle blows. Regular Season Highlights
Sam Carlson 5’7 170 22’ RB Twitter
Mr. Carlson is used in the return game where he has the ability to break it for a TD by weaving in and out of defenders while reading his blocks. On offense, he’s more of an E/W runner uses on outside the tackle runs out of the double wing as he has the speed to turn the corner. This young man can also catch out of the wing-back position where he high points the ball to come down with the catch and gets upfield once the catch is secured. When in open space with his lead blocker in front of him, he’ll be patient waiting for his block to get set up before accelerating past it for extra yards on the play. Mid-Season Highlights
Fenwick @ Nazareth Academy
Denium Juette Denium Juette 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Fenwick | 2022 State IL 6’3 175 22’ DB Twitter
Mr. Juette does a good job of getting hands-on when pressing the receiver, this allows him to bump the wideout off his route giving him opportunities to make plays. This is seen with him undercutting routes for interceptions/PBUs, high pointing the ball for interceptions, and clubbing the ball out while in backside pursuit to force a fumble on the play. He can also make open-field tackles and get off blocks to make a play on the ball. In my eyes, his matchups with the receivers are going to be one to keep an eye on as NA has plenty of weapons in their passing attack. Regular Season Highlights
Logan Malachuk Logan Malachuk 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Nazareth Academy | 2025 State IL 5’10 165 25’ QB Twitter
Mr. Malachuk is the new name on the block for his team late in the season, it’s not that often that you have a Freshman starting on Varsity let alone at the quarterback position. Since taking over the role, he’s held his own and showcased that he’s ready for the job. He can make level 3 throws where he adds a touch on the deep ball putting it into the receiver’s basket and can make level 2 throws between the linebackers/safety – traits that are impressive to have this early on. What’s going to be something to keep an eye on is how he handles himself in the pocket against Fenwick’s pass rush and the poise that he keeps in the pocket. Private due to Playoffs, once over can view them here: Regular Season Highlights
Marion @ Kankakee
Venson Newman 6’3 180 22′ WR Twitter
Mr. Newman makes his impact felt both on offense and in the return game where he produces touchdowns for his team. On offense, he high points the ball to make contested catches over the defender and gets upfield quickly once securing the catch. He can change direction quickly by switching up his speed and then accelerating quickly in an instant – this is most notably seen when he allows his blocks to be set up before bursting past them. In the return game, he weaves in and out of defenders while reading his blocks to find the open lane. Once he does, he’s off to the races. An overall playmaker that can be the difference-maker in this matchup. Week 1-6 Highlights
Pierre Allen 6’2 170 22′ WR Twitter
Mr. Allen is having himself a record-breaking season for his team. He’s doing so by being quick off the line of scrimmage which he utilizes to gain a step on the defender while he takes the top off of the opposing defense on deep post and fade routes. This young man isn’t afraid to go up for 50/50 balls and high point the ball to come away with the contested catch. Upon securing the catch, he gets upfield quickly where he can make the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness. The connection he has with QB Tomele Staples is one to keep an eye on. Regular Season Highlights
Mahomet-Seymour @ Morton
Mateo Casillas 5’10 195 23′ LB Twitter
Mr. Casillas lines up on the line of scrimmage at the defensive end position where he’s able to shoot the B gap to get into the backfield quickly to make the tackle on the play. He uses his hands at the point of attack with a swim move or simply pushing the offensive lineman back in his pass rush to get pressure on the quarterback. On running downs, he fills his gap in run support where he can meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield resulting in TFLs. Regular Season Highlights
Seth Glatz 5’11 185 22′ RB Twitter
Mr. Glatz’s first few minutes of his highlights is him getting into the endzone by breaking big runs showcasing his playmaking ability. He’s an N/S runner that hits the hole hard and bursts through the line of scrimmage, once he does he blows by the 2nd level of defenders where he’s off to the races. This young man has the speed to turn the corner and can bounce plays to the outside. All in all, he doesn’t go down easily by keeping his feet driving and playing through the whistle showcasing his downhill running. Weeks 1-6 Highlights
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