The most jaw-dropping performances I saw in 2021

Sometimes during the 2021 season, I would go to a game and be blown away by an athlete that I didn’t expect to dominate. Some were performances from top prospects that you really can’t appreciate unless seeing them in person, and some were from players who came out of nowhere. Here are the most surprising performances I saw in 2021! <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">See it to Believe it</span></strong> <strong>Traverse City Central MLB/QB [player_tooltip player_id="30131" first="Joshua" last="Burnham"] vs Caledonia</strong> I had heard a ton about Burnham leading up to Traverse City Central’s matchup against Caledonia, but I never thought I’d be so impressed. I swear, even in a snowstorm, you could easily spot Burnham from 100 yards away. He’s a freak of nature at 6’4" 220lbs and there are plenty of reasons why he’s a huge recruit for Notre Dame. He was truly one of those guys who looks great on film, but you had to see him in person to truly see why he’s so highly touted. <strong>DeWitt WR [player_tooltip player_id="30211" first="Tommy" last="McIntosh"] vs Detroit MLK </strong> The Wisconsin commit totaled 6 receptions, 90 yards, and a touchdown in the state championship as DeWitt came up just short. McIntosh and [player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"] were far and between the best receivers I watched all season, and McIntosh was one of those guys who told a different, better story than his online tape. He doesn’t have a weakness as he’s a big receiver with great speed, footwork, release, route running, etc. I was immensely impressed by the senior during the state championship even though I knew he was dang good. <strong>Detroit MLK QB [player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"] vs DeWitt </strong> Mr. Football impressed greatly against an elite DeWitt defense. Overall, it was just great to see Moore play in person. We all know he’ll be able to play anywhere he wants in college, and every single one of his skills are elite. <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Surprise Superstars</span></strong> <strong>Grand Blanc QB [player_tooltip player_id="93695" first="Hunter" last="Ames"] vs Forest Hills Central AND Rockford </strong> Ames came up clutch in huge situations all throughout 2021. I had the chance to watch him ball out in clutch time against two great playoff teams this year. Against Forest Hills Central, he was responsible for a game-winning touchdown with less than 30 seconds left, and against Rockford, he outplayed Ahern on his home turf and led Grand Blanc to their first-ever semifinal bid. He’s still got baseball season coming up where he and Grand Blanc will be championship contenders. <strong>Grandvillle RB Cade Pilczuk vs Rockford</strong> The Bulldogs almost dethroned Rockford during week 4. There were many jaw-dropping performances on both sides, but Cade Pilczuk totaled 301 yards and 5 touchdowns in the game. It was a monster performance that nobody saw coming. He ran with ferocity against one of the best defenses in the West. It was a performance he will not soon forget, and it was a shame that Grandville fell in double overtime. <strong>Fruitport [player_tooltip player_id="249469" first="Richard" last="Wiggins IV"] vs Cadillac</strong> Wiggins is just 5’8" and he played leaps and bounds better than his fellow lineman during week 2. The class of 2024 lineman faced off against a front 7 that was big, mean, and blitz-happy. Wiggins consistently picked up the blitz and held his own against that amazing line. <strong>Michigan Collegiate QB Deion Black vs Lansing Catholic </strong> A name that almost nobody knows about, Deion Black did absolutely everything he could in their State Championship loss to Lansing Catholic. He looked like Lamar Jackson constantly extending the play and dodging sacks. His stat line looks ugly on the surface, but the 6’4" QB ran miles and miles at Ford Field and attempted to make some big plays in the 4th quarter.