Live Look Playoffs: Batavia Bulldogs

This game went down to the wire, as Batavia fought valiantly but ultimately came up just short as the home team Mt. Carmel won on a last second touchdown. Both teams looked like they could have won, and each had plenty of talent of their side of the field. Here were the Bulldog standouts from last Friday. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232052" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/3EBB305D-191D-4544-8D21-86FACE73F38E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="139445" first="Drew" last="Bartels"] (6’3” and 220lbs) @drew_bartels The looks of a collegiate linebacker, Bartels has the skill set that you look for in a productive one at the next level as well. He moved extremely well, has enough speed to play from sideline to sideline. Bartels read plays nicely, attacked the holes and was able to corral ball carriers all night. I love the potential here, a lot of upside for Bartels who is currently uncommitted. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232054" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/1044777E-9E59-4C63-AAB8-0F882DEC9CE6-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Defensive back Ryan Whitwell (6’1” and 190lbs) @RyanWhitwell3 Fantastic size for a safety, Whitwell runs well and has very good recognition of play development. Mt. Carmel did not throw very much in this game so he was not tested often in the passing game, but multiple times Whitwell came downhill on running plays and made tackles. This team is absolutely loaded with a lot of young talent and I expect that Whitwell will see a jump in his recruitment very soon. 2022 Defensive tackle Fikayo Afolarin (6’2” and 290lbs) @Fastafola An absolute load in the middle of the defense line, Afolarin did a great job of containing the offensive linemen at the point of attack. Yes, many times players at his position won’t show up in the stat sheet, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have an impact. By keep the Carmel lineman from getting to the second level, it allowed the impressive set of linebackers to make plays all evening. A very solid player, Afolarin could certainly make an impact in the right scheme at the next level. 2023 Linebacker Jack Sadowsky (6’2” and 220lbs) @JackSadowsky Another one of Batavia’s linebackers that made in impact was Sadowsky. He also possess a fantastic frame, runs very well and comes up and hits hard. Multiple times Sadowsky was making plays in the backfield, his timing for blitzing was very good. Extremely strong at the point of attack, shedding blocks was pretty easy for the talented linebacker. He’s a name that not many know right now, but after seeing him live, that should change as Sadowsky heads into his senior season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232051" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/B20E525C-719E-428E-B053-FA14B7F7054E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="65871" first="Tyler" last="Jansey"] (6’1” and 215lbs) @TylerJansey The hype is certainly real with Jansey, he’s not just a player who everyone sees a ton of potential in, he’s great right now. Multiple times he was in Mt. Carmel’s backfield, making plays behind the line of scrimmage. I don’t think I’ve seen a better unit of linebackers all year, Jansey being the crown jewel of Batavia’s group. He’s super quick, reads plays very well and knows how to finish. Jansey is a bit small but has plenty of room to continue grow, although he might end up moving back to safety if he doesn’t grow a few inches. Either way, Jansey is a high-level prospect with a ceiling to match. 2022 Running back [player_tooltip player_id="134542" first="Jalen" last="Buckley"] (6’ and 205lbs) @JalenBuckley27 Although Buckley rotated in and out for the majority of offensive snaps, he’s got the build of a workhorse back. Great balance and quickness, he hit the holes well and has good vision. I tend to think his best football is ahead of him, the Batavia offense really didn’t pose much of a threat through the air, so Carmel was able to key in on the run. Buckley would be a great fit for many teams. 2024 Lineman Jacob Anaya (6’2” and 240lbs) @Jacob_Anaya_ Playing both ways, Anaya showed that he’s got considerable upside for a player his age. If he doesn’t get tall, he’ll stay inside at guard or even on the other side of the ball at tackle. He’s quick at the point of attack, has plenty of strength and moves very well for his size. A sophomore that starts for a very good squad always should turn heads, and that’s exact what Anaya did on Friday. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232053" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/D7B7B589-47FF-456F-AFDB-62F967E451EC-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="155317" first="Tyler" last="Sapit"] (6’4” and 220lbs) @tsapit55 The length stands out immediately, Sapit’s long arms are what many teams are looking for out of defensive ends. He runs extremely well, constantly getting in the backfield and disrupting running lanes and where Carmel wanted to throw the ball. Sapit is strong with his hands, able to get off blocks very well then make a play. He is currently uncommitted and needs to find a home, Sapit has a lot of good football ahead of him. 2024 Quarterback Ryan Boe (6’3” and 180lbs) @ryan__boe Another younger that made a difference for Batavia was Boe. He’s got the height that quarterback need and as he get’s older will pack on the pounds in order to run through more tacklers and his arm strength will improve as well. He’s more of a runner at the moment, but again, Boe is very young and getting some great experience at the varsity level. Remember his name over the next two years, Boe certainly could blow up next year during his junior campaign.