Eau Claire Memorial vs La Crosse Central: Recap & Top Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week Two found me in La Crosse, WI for a picture perfect evening of WI HS football. 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky at kickoff inside Roger Harring Stadium had me ready for the top athletes to shine; and shine they did. It had been a long time since I found myself taking in a defensive battle, but tonight we got one. From the opening drive, this was a slug fest between two defenses not willing to give up any ground. Memorial LB <strong>Jack Conner</strong> instantly made his presence felt with an opening drive INT. Not to be outdone, Central CB <strong>Boston Brindley</strong> picked off a pass of his own to take momentum back for Central. He grabbed two total in the first quarter. Not a surpsie after he finished with the second most in 2021. The amount of turnovers through the air were at an all tie high for games I've been in attendance for. Three drives later we saw another pick as Memorial CB/WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='315073' first='Peter' last='Albert']</strong> reeled in one for himself. Following that pick, Memorial finally found a way to sustain a drive. They methodically worked their way into the redzone where QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='300651' first='Ryan' last='Thompson']</strong> found WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='104574' first='Reagan' last='Hub']</strong> in the back of the endzone after scrambling to buy time. This is where it looked like the game might start to open up. Central wasn't going to be outdone. They took the field, converted a 4th down, and worked inside the Memorial 10. From there, RB <strong>Gavin Shepard</strong> broke through a handful of arm tackles before plowing into the endzone to tie it up at 7. A couple drives later, Memorial put together a drive that got them inside the Central 10 with :06 left in the half. They booted a field goal through for the 10-7 halftime lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third half started with more fireworks on defense as CB <strong>Boston Brindley</strong> secured his THIRD pick of the game! I haven't seen a better nose for the ball than Brindley's. It feels like the ball seeks him out instead of the other way around. However, the pick didn't turn into anything after ECM forced a fumble with their backs against the wall. From there, we saw three straight drives ending in turnovers. After ECM secured a final pick with after Central had a two minute drill scenario the game came to a final score of Eau Claire Memorial: 10 La Crosse Central: 7. A dog fight with a score that well represents it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Prospects of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630a3ad4bec86","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104574"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Reagan is an impressive looking prospect. He checks in at 6'5u0022 170 lbs and has 4.7 speed giving him the ability to stretch the field. His biggest play came on Memorial's lone TD where he was able to find space in the back of the endzone, and give his QB a big target to put it up high so there was no risk of anyone else bringing it in or breaking it up. The outside receiver is best when put in situations to stretch the field. He can help a team at the next level with that ability.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1563323989027885056[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["300651"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Ryan is a pocket passer who has a solid 6'2u0022 195 lbs frame. In Week Two, Ryan carved up the defense between the 20s with his precise, accurate short to intermediate passes. That is where he has always done his damage. His ability to understand the play, make quick reads and decisions allows him to get the ball where it needs to be quickly and on time. He also has the ability to slide and move in the pocket to give his guys more time. That was key on his lone TD pass to Hub. Thompson is a name to know at the D3 level. Keep an eye on his progress this season. He leads a talented team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["315069"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 510u0022 185 lbs athlete was an impressive prospect in person. He was clearly the go to guy on offense, and he made just as big of an impact at CB. At receiver, Peter was at his best after the catch. He essentially turns into an RB after the catch. he run with power, has good contact balance, and he showed off a  strong stiff arm. On defense, Albert was all over the field. His recognition and burst allowed him to make every type of play. He had TFLs, a sack, and a pick on the night to go along with the offensive work.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1563319837006626818[/embed]","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Jack Conner","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Eau Claire Memorial","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Jack was a kid that I didn't know about coming into the night, bu the made sure I knew his name by the time I left. He opened the game with an INT, and from there he put on a show demonstrating his best trait. Owning the middle of the defense, and shutting down any sort of inside run game. The 6'1u0022 200 lbs LB is a downhill, hard hitting prospect. His stat sheet might not prove it, bu the was able to also create a lot of pressure on the QB. His well timed blitzes and power allowed him to collapse the pocket from the inside on multiple occasions flushing the QB and cutting the field in half.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1563328652468580354[/embed]","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Gavin Vachowiak","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Eau Claire Memorial","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A junior to know this fall for the Ol' Abes is the massive, 6'3u0022 275 lbs LG. Gavin is a huge prospect who showed a little range with his ability to pull across gaps. The key to his game is his power, though. He is best going straight ahead, getting hands on quickly, and driving linemen into the second level. Right now, Gavin looks like a D3 prospect, but with two seasons of development and an offseason ahead of him don't sleep on him. He was the top OL prospect in action.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Boston Brindley","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"La Crosse Central","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The palymaker of the night was Boston. That isn't new from any other night, though. Brindley found his way to three INTs on the night following his 7 from the 2021 season. The 6' 180 lbs CB finds the ball like no other. He plays a lot of cover three allowing him to read the QB, which plays right into his strengths. His anticipation is net level ready. His hands are as  sure as a receiver; he plays receiver also. Put him at safety at the D3, potentially D2 level, and you have an athlete who will impact the passing game.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1563320816506286080[/embed]","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Antoine Hardie","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"La Crosse Central","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The junior is a name that I will be following. He has a compact, strong 6' 195 lbs frame. His play at the middle of the defense held a talented Memorial backfield in check all night long. Antoine roamed from sideline to sideline, was a sure tackler, and showed a few times that he has the strength to shed some blocks. If he can keep improving his strength and block shedding then he will be a force on the inside by his senior season. Last night, Hardie was also effective spying and blitzing the QB. He is a talented athlete.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1563338625764323330[/embed]","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->