Highland vs Cyprus : Players to watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where else would you rather be on a Friday night in Salt Lake City ? How about catching a game under the lights on a nice warm summer night watching two teams with great potential go at it. The 5A Highland Rams came to Magna, UT and faced off against the 6A Cyprus Pirates where both teams had players with good potential to play at the college level from division 1 to the JUCO level. It was a hard fought game as the Cyprus Pirates came out with a victory winning 16-14. Here are some of the players you should be looking out for......</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Garcia OT / 6'5 / 275 lbs/ Cyprus HS Jr. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garcia is one of the top players in the state and for good reason too. He's tall with bulk to cover his 6'5 frame and plays with a tenacious attitude playing physical from the start to end. He shows good explosion off his stance, leg drive to down block defenders and sustain control until the whistle. Sets base in pass protection showing good hand placement and quick feet to wall out pass rushers. Has good balance to move in space and block at the 2nd level. Currently ranked #8 in the country for offensive tackles and ranked #2 player in the state with offers from BYU, Utah, and Utah State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406902' first='Spies' last='Tia'] DE, TE / 6'2/ 220 lbs / Cyprus HS Sr </strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tia has a tall lengthy athletic frame covered with lean muscle and toughness. Has a good burst off his stance showing good awareness in the backfield before reacting. Shows good use of hand to get separation, shed blocks to make the tackle as an edge defender and get up field as a pass rusher. Good movement to the ball when in pursuit and make the sure hit as a tackler. Be sure to keep an eye out for this kid during the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294944' first='Manasa' last='Pela'] DB / 6'0/ 170 lbs/ Cyprus HS So</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pela's athletic frame with lean muscle allows him to play quick and physical. Has quick feet and fluid hips to change direction and downfield speed to catch up with ball carriers. Good in zone coverage and can make tackles at the line of scrimmage and in the open field. He's only a sophomore so he's only going to get better from here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406971' first='Sefa' last='Brown'] DE, WR /6'5/ 205 lbs / Highland HS Jr </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Browns has the size to play at the college level with his tall athletic frame filled with lean muscle. In Highland's defense, he plays as an edge rusher in a 2pt stance in which I feel gives him a slight disadvantage. I'll feel he'll be better with his hand on the ground allowing him to keep his pad level low and use his long arms to get separation. Has good potential and the season is still early so I would consider keeping an eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taione Vea DL,OL / 6'0 / 260 lbs/ Highland HS Jr </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vea may lack the size to play at a D1 school yet he doesn't lack the toughness and physicality that it takes to play in the trenches. Vea plays with a powerful get off and stoutness at the point of attack. Has the ability to hold double teams and shows good strength to push the pocket. Plays with a high motor allowing him to make tackles at the line of scrimmage so BE SURE to keep an eye in him as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->