Standout Six: Millard West v Millard South
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The Battle of Q street had Buell Stadium packed and energized. Going into the game, questions surrounded both teams with Millard South losing a great senior class to graduation and Millard West trying to find the mojo that had them…
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Continue ReadingThe Battle of Q street had Buell Stadium packed and energized. Going into the game, questions surrounded both teams with Millard South losing a great senior class to graduation and Millard West trying to find the mojo that had them annual playoff contenders in past years. I will be covering six standouts, three from each team, that made an impact in the game and put themselves on an upward trajectory to start the year.
Considering football is not Camden’s primary sport and he is a new offense with a new head coach, I would say his 365 total yards and 3 touchdown performance makes him a breakout candidate this year. The Vanderbilt baseball commit was efficient, completing 65% of his passes and seemed in complete control of the offense. Kozeal has a strong arm and can fit balls into tight windows, although you can see his baseball mechanics some when he throws. He showed plenty of athleticism when the pocket broke down and showed he can hurt opponents on the ground as well. As Kozeal gets more comfortable in the position and the offense, barring a baseball absence, he could be one of the top dual-threat QBs in the state.
Highlights
https://twitter.com/brockmurtaugh1
After a fantastic junior year, Murtaugh comes into 2022 a physical and emotional leader on the team. He is a sideline-to-sideline player who dishes punishment on both sides of the ball. Murtaugh had one of the first big plays of the game spinning out of a tackle and rumbling toward the sideline where it took two defenders to bring him down, yet he still got up hyped. He is a tone setter and brings a swagger to the defensive backfield. Murtaugh recently got an offer from Air Force and should be a hot commodity for colleges, once contact dates open.
Highlights
Austin Trotter
Austin Trotter
https://twitter.com/austintrotter24
If there was anyone that had more of a breakout game than Kozeal, it was Trotter. Known more for his skillset on the basketball court, Trotter burst on the scene Friday night with 106 yards and a touchdown receiving, along with an interception in the endzone to stall a Wildcat drive. Trotter showed reliable hands, not dropping a ball and catching fastballs from Kozeal on slants. His length creates matchup problems on both sides of the ball as he can win a high point matchup in jump ball situations and can keep receivers within an arm length on defense. Trotter’s development could be key to a Patriot run.
https://twitter.com/JWilliams2828
Williams was the most electric player on the field Friday night. He amassed 164 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 95 yarder, along with 79 yards in the return game. Williams has speed to burn and runs crisp routes allowing him to create separation. In the open field, he is elusive and has a top end speed that makes him tough to get hands on. Williams field vision is a strength on returns, allowing him to find creases to exploit. Williams’s talent will be a focal point for defensive gameplans for the rest of the year, however I am not sure the gameplan will matter once he touches the ball.
Highlights
https://twitter.com/bobbyjoseph__
Joseph has good size and strength at the running back position. He is an upright runner who runs downhill with some power. Joseph was excellent coming out of the backfield in the screen game, nearly taking one to the house from 70 yards out. Millard South’s defensive line was stout, and the running game never had a chance to get going but Joseph had an impact on the game with his catches. With the talent Joseph displayed, the Wildcats will need to get him more involved in the gameplan and his stock could be on the rise.
Honorable Mentions:
- Gavin Nunnally Gavin Nunnally 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Millard South | 2023 State NE | Millard South | WR/DB – 70 yards of offense with two touchdowns
- Simon McClannan Simon McClannan 6'0" | 150 lbs | K Millard South | 2023 State NE | Millard South | K/P – 1/1 FG, 6 touchbacks and controlled the line of scrimmage
- Reid Hazen Reid Hazen 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB Millard West | 2023 State NE | Millard West | OLB/FS – Speed and size at the linebacker spot. Reads plays well.
- Bryson Zimmerman Bryson Zimmerman 5'10" | 200 lbs | DL Millard South | 2023 State NE , Lance Rucker Lance Rucker 6'3" | 205 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2023 State NE , J.R. Lecuona | Millard South | Defensive Line – Relentless pressure. Lecuona had a fumble recovery called back that he returned over 50 yards.