Scrimmage Notes/Recap: Mt. Juliet vs. Clarksville

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The Golden Bears hosted the Wildcats on Friday evening for a scrimmage that allowed both teams to develop and improve but also learn about themselves </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's two weeks away from the start of the Fall football season here in Tennessee but before that, we have scrimmages taking place and Prep RedZone was on hand Friday night for a contest between the home Mt. Juliet Golden Bears and the road Clarksville Wildcats.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game didn't have an official winner as score wasn't being kept but it was a strong way to see what both teams have headed into the season as well as an opportunity for some younger talent to gain snaps.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I did see was a Mt. Juliet team that has some strong talent and veteran leadership that can push the Golden Bears on a deep playoff run while the road Wildcats have some growing to do with a young roster and several guys looking to establish themselves into new roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":407082,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/20220805_185914-scaled-crop-1755x1152-1659801985.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-407082"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If score was being kept, Clarksville would have won the game but a lot of their scores came against the 2nd or 3rd team defenses for the Golden Bears. When the Wildcats did face off against the 1st team, it was a struggle as players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102205' first='Ethan' last='Crisp'], Sam Oliver, [player_tooltip player_id='153474' first='Osize' last='Daniyan'] </strong>and others made it hard for the opposition to move the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mt. Juliet starters had clear control of this game and showed why they should be a strong contender in the Class 5A ranks this season. They sport a strong defense, led by the three seniors mentioned above as well as a fast and athletic secondary that has several interchangeable parts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Golden Bears showed a well balanced offense that does need to keep improving but delivered signs of strong play throughout the night. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='157392' first='Griffin' last='Throneberry'] </strong>will run the show at quarterback this year and he will be a problem for opposing defenses due to his athleticism and speed along with the ability to spin it as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line is the one area that does need more work. The Golden Bears do have two solid pieces up front in seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102188' first='Ayden' last='Bussell'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250822' first='Maston' last='Kimbrough'] </strong>but the other three guys are undersized and struggled at times throughout the scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":407117,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/20220805_183508-scaled-crop-1598x1050-1659802663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-407117"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other sideline, Clarksville looks like a team in transition with a lot of unknowns and young talent taking on bigger roles. They do have two key veterans in quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102232' first='Davin' last='Garinger'] </strong>and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102202' first='Jamar' last='Carnell'] </strong>starring in key roles but surrounding those guys is still a question mark headed into the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carnell in particular is an active, high football IQ guy who can chase down the ball sideline to sideline and someone that could play his way into an FCS recruit by the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, it was a well run scrimmage by the coaching staffs and two Class 5A teams continuing to learn about themselves before things officially crank up in two weeks. Both the Golden Bears and Wildcats will be strong outs for anybody they face this year but Mt. Juliet looks like the team that could have a special season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Youth Shows Out For Mt. Juliet&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Friday night was a good opportunity for the youth on the Golden Bears team to take snaps and impress the coaching staff and they did just that. What some of the youth did more than anything was show that this year's Mt. Juliet team should be well balanced with a nice mix of veteran leadership and young talent that could help push the Golden Bears deep in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three guys that stood out the most in the scrimmage against Clarksville were sophomore defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250859' first='Atticus' last='Fiorita']</strong>, sophomore running back <strong>Jon-Mikael Crudup </strong>and sophomore athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='344645' first='Harrison' last='Edwards']</strong>. All three of these sophomores flashed brilliance on Friday and did so in multiple ways. Fiorita was very active off the edge where he produced two sacks and chased after the quarterback on several other occasions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crudup is a strong, physical back that is tough to bring down on initial contact and displayed deceptive speed in the open field. This guy could be the Golden Bears bell cow back over the next couple of years. Edwards is a nice compliment to Crudup as a speedster that can find the end zone in a hurry and he did just that last night on multiple occasions. He can continue developing at running back but Edwards is athletic enough to excel at receiver or defensive back as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All three of these sophomores should be featured players for Mt. Juliet over the next few years and look like strong building blocks for the future of the Golden Bears football program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tackling Machine is Carnell&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Clarksville will have some struggles this year but the one area the coaching staff doesn't have to worry about is middle linebacker where <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102202' first='Jamar' last='Carnell'] </strong>roams the field, making tackles everywhere and showing a non-stop motor. Carnell was very active on Friday night, flashing multiple times displaying his ability to diagnose the play early and attacking without hesitation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This senior backer is a key cog for his Wildcats team as he is not only the starting middle linebacker but also their feature back on offense where he is a load to handle. Carnell is a physical runner that is very hard to bring down and the Mt. Juliet defense struggled at times corralling this Middle Tennessee prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this time in his recruitment, Carnell has picked up a few lower level college offers but after his play last night, the Wildcats backer showed me that he could play his way into FCS status by season's end. He can run and track down the ball anywhere, so he definitely showed the upside warranted of being recruited by bigger college football programs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Golden Bears Will Lean on Star Veterans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Could this be the season that Mt. Juliet finally reaches the Class 5A championship in Chattanooga? It's a possibility but it only happens if the key veterans on this Golden Bears team plays up to their capabilities and leads everybody else. The X-factor on offense this season I believe will be Throneberry as he is such a good athlete that brings dual threat abilities to the quarterback position and a game changer that opposing defenses will have a hard time slowing down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throneberry will be complimented by solid skill at receiver and running back but it will be his play that will dictate how the offense is led and how it performs on a weekly basis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking over on defense, the Golden Bears have three strong defenders that are not only team leaders but three of the more talented prospects on the roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='102205' first='Ethan' last='Crisp'] </strong>is the name everybody knows and he looks in prime condition for the upcoming season and someone that the opposition will work to stay away all year long. Crisp is an active, athletic guy that sets the tone on defense but his teammates in defensive end <strong>Sam Oliver </strong>and senior safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153474' first='Osize' last='Daniyan'] </strong>are major compliments to him and two future college guys.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver works well against the run, setting the edge well but can also rush the backfield on a consistent basis. He sports an active motor and gives his all on every play and should be in store for a breakout season. Daniyan is a raw but big and athletic defender that is transitioning fully to safety this year and last night, he looked quite impressive in his debut. The 6'2 defensive back laid several big hits against Clarksville while also flashing range and putting himself on the spot to make plays on the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Mt. Juliet is to have a big 2022 year, these four senior performers have to have banner season's and play up to their potential. If last night was an indication, Throneberry, Crisp, Oliver and Daniyan are ready for the season and primed to lead these Golden Bears towards a special year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":407111,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/20220805_184528-scaled-crop-1755x1152-1659802470.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-407111"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->