PRZ Iowa | New to the Scene | Part 11

August 26th feels like it is forever away and then some. It may not seem like it, but the season will be here before you know it. There are plenty of household names that everyone has on their board and will be keeping a close eye on, but there is also plenty of lesser known or undiscovered talent that could make 2022 their year. These athletes have already done some very impressive things on the field, have shown flashes of serious ability, or dominated the underclassman scene that make them legitimate breakout candidates and names on the rise. Get to know these guys now before the season is here as they are sure to make plenty of noise and become known across the state. [player_tooltip player_id="320772" first="Eli" last="Carpenter"], RB, Dallas Center-Grimes, C/O 2024, 5’11 190, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13336884/61b0d05917635008a48e57a4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EliCarp2024">Twitter</a> The Mustangs are going to be looking to rebound from a 2021 season that saw them average just 3.7 yards per carry as a team and finish with a 3-6 record. They were able to find success through the air at times and their defense kept things competitive, but they just couldn’t hit their stride on the ground. Sophomore Running Back [player_tooltip player_id="320772" first="Eli" last="Carpenter"] finished as the team’s leading rusher and he showed glimpses over the course of the year that signal a breakout season could be just around the corner. Carpenter is very shifty and nimble; if he were able to make his moves beyond the line of scrimmage instead of at or behind it things might have looked quite a bit different last year. One of his five scores a season ago came from 14 yards out on a simple Power. The defensive line ate up space immediately and it looked like Carpenter had nowhere to go. He cut on a dime through the smallest of rushing lanes that was open because an undisciplined Linebacker tried to avoid a block. Carpenter turned nothing into something on this play and this seems to sum up his season in a nutshell. Bauer Caspers, WR, Assumption, C/O 2024, 6’3 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14961740/61a52f23d225a10a449f376c">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BauerCaspers">Twitter</a> Assumption spent the 2021 season pounding the rock on the shoulders of one of the state’s top downhill power Running Backs. That tune could change a little bit in 2022 with a very capable target with a huge frame and wingspan by the name of Bauer Caspers coming up. He didn’t see any Varsity action as a Sophomore, but there will be plenty of opportunity for him to seize targets and burst onto the scene as all four of the Knights’ top pass catchers from a year ago will graduate. It is realistic to expect that Caspers could become a very legitimate threat early on given the way Assumption loads up formations and opposing defenses have to stack the box to defend the run. The way one on one opportunities against man coverage will present themselves could lead to some big plays. What makes it so believable is how well Caspers moves for his size; he is quick and has impressive body control, especially for his size. There isn’t any awkwardness in the way he moves and he appears to have a strong grasp on and plenty of knowledge of running routes. His is a name to know. [player_tooltip player_id="320384" first="Eric" last="Entrekin"], TE/FB, Centennial, C/O 2023, 6’2 205, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11935307/619b000fff0cdc09788d0529">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/entrekin_eric">Twitter</a> The way H backs have become a staple in many offensive formations and even the way traditional, throwback blocking Tight Ends and Fullbacks have come back into the picture lately make having a player like [player_tooltip player_id="320384" first="Eric" last="Entrekin"] quite valuable. Having that sixth blocker who can contribute on the ground or hang in on passing downs to help keep your Quarterback clean is a major asset. On one of his highlights he took an angle to a Linebacker right at the snap on what appeared to be a broken Screen and absolutely buried him. The way he squared his opponent up, kept his hips underneath him, delivered a blow, and pounded his insteps on contact makes it very clear that he understands how to and is not afraid to mix it up. It also doesn’t hurt that he was able to develop some good rapport with the Quarterback who is a lock to be the Jaguars’ starter moving forward. Centennial appears to have some depth on offense and at the position in general, but Entrekin has the size and ability to earn a job and make an impact. He could make a name for himself over the course of his Senior season. Kaden Flott, OL, Glenwood, C/O 2023, 6’1 250, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12908454/Kaden-Flott/highlights">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/B00gie66">Twitter</a> Flott, an all-district selection as a Center his Junior season, is an excellent interior Offensive Lineman and certainly a name to get on your board when it comes to Iowa’s big boys. It is rare to find a Center at the high school level who blocks as well as Flott does. The number one priority is usually just trying to find someone who can get clean and consistent snaps. Flott does that and a whole lot more. The velocity with which he gets out of his stance, the coordination he moves with when blocking in space, and the leverage he maintains while locked on opponents is very impressive. Glenwood ran a QB Counter back into the boundary against Atlantic, who was lined up in an over front, and Flott got all the way to the 3 technique to open up a huge lane for his Quarterback to burst into. Flott was out of his stance and on his opponent seemingly before the Defensive Tackle could even get a foot in the ground. Flott ran right through his hip with well placed hands, drove him for a few yards, and got him completely turned around. Flott could very well be one of the state’s top Centers. Chase Hutchinson, DB, Valley, C/O 2023, 6’2 185, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13110714/618fdfb01600b60330515c94">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChaseHutch17">Twitter</a> Hutchinson recorded 27 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery for the Tigers in 2021. The big, rangy Corner plays an exceptionally deep zone and it would be easy to see him playing Free Safety at an equally high level depending on the scheme he is in. Hutchinson made an exemplary play against the pass out of what appeared to be Cover 2 Sky in the state semifinals. He rolled back late, got sufficient depth, kept everything in front of him, and broke on the slot receiver who was running a wheel route up the sideline. Hutchinson delivered a huge hit that dislodged the ball from his opponent’s hands on what could have been a big downfield play for the offense. He is just as useful against the run. Earlier in the year against Roosevelt, who ran a Zone Read off-tackle and right at Hutchinson, he read run right at the snap, got off a stalk blocking Wide Receiver with ease, and took a perfect angle to the Quarterback’s outside hip after he had pulled the ball for a big TFL. Hutchinson impressively compressed the thighs, ran his feet on contact, and drove his opponent into the ground.