Like Look Playoffs: Mt. Carmel Caravan

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 Caravan standouts from last Friday. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232792" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/7D2F10C9-BDF2-41C8-A46F-6D842159868B-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Cornerback [player_tooltip player_id="134831" first="Derek" last="Whaley"] (6’1” and 200lbs) @DerekWha1ey The Minnesota St commit showed exactly why they coveted him, long athletic and can run with anyone. Whaley has a ton of versatility as well, he could line up in the slot, on an island or even at the back end as a safety. Batavia didn’t go his way often and he they did, it didn’t turn out well for them. I won’t go in too much detail about Whaley since he’s a senior that is committed, but I had to mention his due to his stellar play. 2024 Running back [player_tooltip player_id="148856" first="Darrion" last="Dupree"] (5’10” and 190lbs) @darrion_A A great looking sophomore that has a very good running style. He’s got a lot of speed that can get him to the outside, although the Batavia linebackers were so good that the filled the holes very quickly. There’s some good shiftiness to Dupree’s game along with power as well. A very good player right now, that will surely get better as he get’s older and more experience. 2023 Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="158042" first="Jaden" last="Bossie"] (5’9” and 175lbs) @BossieJaden Although on the smaller side, Bossie plays bigger than his listed height. He uses his good hip flexion along with solid feet as well. Bossie runs very well, he didn’t get beat peeking too much into the backfield as the Batavia run game was a much bigger part of their game plan. Bossie might not end up on the outside, but as a slot corner there is so much potential. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232791" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/51C31376-7CCA-4FD9-BB14-E5CE872EEDE9-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="168922" first="Danny" last="Novickas"] (6’2” and 210lbs) @DNovickas_2023 When I first met Novickas, he was a defensive end. I told him that day, his future was at linebacker. Late last season that exact change was made and seeing him live, it was absolutely the correct decision. He was a menace for the Batavia offense, making plays all over the field. Novickas was great in run support, but his understanding of playing defensive end on passing downs made the difference. He had two sacks, both of them were in big situations and a multiple tackles. The fact that he’s still learning the position is so scary, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Novickas sign with a P5 school next year. 2023 Linebacker Nickolas Naujokas (6’1” and 190lbs) @2023Naujokas The Killer N’s, Naujokas was not quite as impactful as Novickas but the pair were awesome. Very good size at the moment but fantastic instincts, reads plays well and is fast to react and make the tackle. Naujokas was all over the field either impacting the play with a tackle or forcing a runner to go into a space where his teammate could make the play. There’s potential that he might not stay at linebacker and move to safety, but the skills will still play at that position. 2023 Quarterback Blaine Dowling (6’1” and 180lbs) @BlaineyDowling A solid player that still needs some growth, especially as a thrower. He’s got solid arm strength, but needs to work on his timing and a bit on accuracy. Dowling makes better throws on short and intermediate routes, his deep balls need some refining. There is good size for him and Dowling has some good running abilities. If he can improve as a passer, there is potential that he could be a solid quarterback down the road. 2024 Offensive lineman Rahfeeq Katumbusi (6’2” and 310lbs) @RahfeeqK A young lineman that was stout at the point of attack, Katumbusi has a very thick frame. He moved well also, but at the moment he projects to stay inside even if he gets a bit taller. Katumbusi’s shorter arms will keep on the interior, but his solid athleticism will make pulling very easy for him in the future. I really like seeing young linemen get early playing time at the varsity level, it’s not easy battling players who are two or three years older and when they hold their own like Katumbusi did, it stands out. 2023 Lineman Asher Tomaszewski (6’4” and 280lbs) @ashertomaszews1 The Carmel line is young and Tomaszewski is part of their youth movement. He played on both sides of the ball, but I really liked him better as a defensive end. He’s got the reach that you like to see, and has the power that would make a great strong side end. Tomaszewski isn’t fast enough right now to really make a difference rushing the passer, but as a run stopper, he’s fantastic. I’ll be interested in seeing how he progresses this coming offseason, there’s a ton of potential for him to explode next fall. 2024 Wide receiver Darrion Gilliam (6’3” and 175lbs) I’m a sucker for long, athletic wide receives and Gilliam fits that mold. His touchdown grab was a great route, paired with showing his solid hands. Gilliam is a bit raw right now, his flashes of potential are tantalizing and you can’t teach the frame. He’s probably not quite as heavy as his listed weight, but with three more years to add onto his frame, by the time Gilliam is a senior, he’s going to be a very sought after receiver. <p style="text-align: left;">2022 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="106707" first="Brandon" last="Rogers"] (5’11” and 190lbs) @BrandonRogers8</p> Unfortunately for Rodgers, an injury in the spring took virtually all of his senior season. He did come back and play in a few series, but you could tell that he was on a snap could due to his injury. If Carmel is able to make a deeper run, Rodgers could make more of a difference at quarterback. I still love the potential and grit, he’s for sure a leader in that locker room, it’s just unfortunate that he could not show teams his skill set this fall.