Game Notes, Bartram Braves vs. Chester Clippers

It was a tough Saturday afternoon for the Bartram Braves. The team has talent, there’s no doubting that, the team also has an experienced coaching staff calling the shots. Sometimes games go this way. Nonetheless, the Braves still have bright spots worth noting.

I have followed Aamir Pender Aamir Pender 6’1″ | 230 lbs | LB Bartram | 2023 State PA for quite some time, he has now become comfortable in his role on the defense. The young man has real linebacker instincts, despite his role at FB/RB and his occasional reps around the edge. Pender’s frame has been questioned, leaving his possible collegiate career position up in the air, yet he looks to be slightly slimmer, which should inevitably raise his stock. Pender played angry on Saturday, a good sign that shows he cares at the very least. Pender did what he could to throttle inside zone runs.

Symir Mckoy Symir Mckoy 6’1″ | 220 lbs | ATH Bartram | 2023 State PA also put forth a valiant effort. McKoy’s skillset and role are similar to Pender’s. McKoy’s a big kid whose future position is unknown as well. McKoy’s play off the edge and reps at running back weren’t enough to slow down the Clippers.

This was also my first time seeing Haleem Butler Haleem Butler 5’11” | 165 lbs | DB Bartram Highschool | 2024 State PA work. Butler came down with a few impressive catches when Bartram was able to throw the ball. There’s skill to be unlocked with Butler, he could be a project that college coaches would be willing to work on.

Samad Robinson is a name I will stash away. Robinson was the quarterback for the majority of the matchup. Despite the offensive woes, Robinson did make some throws and escaped the pocket well enough to warrant my attention. I will revisit this name at the end of the year.

I liked what I saw against Central, as did many watching the Philly Freshman sensation go off for seven touchdowns in his debut. In all honesty, I wanted to make sure this kid is the real deal before acclaiming him to be one of the best freshmen in the state. Say what you will about the talent level of Central and Bartram, I’m ready to say this kid is special.

Growing up in the Public League and following it for the past four years, I know an athlete playing the quarterback position when I see one. I know the difference between a dual-threat quarterback and an athlete behind center. Jalen Harris is undoubtedly a dual-threat prospect. Jalen Harris isn’t the perfect quarterback prospect by far, neither are Sidwar and Beals. Yet I was so impressed to see Jalen stay in the pocket and deliver dimes that require patience, timing, and chemistry. When you see Harris in the open field, you know immediately that this kid has no problem avoiding the initial rush and creating with his legs. What impressed me was his ability to avoid pressure, reset his feet after relocating in the pocket, and deliver accurate strikes in and out of the red zone. I don’t see Freshman quarterbacks doing this to this level. There is a clear understanding of the position from this kid. He knows his progressions, he has an understanding of timing. He can feel pressure without taking his eyes off his reads, he looks like a senior when doing so. Yes, I’d love for him to put on a show against an Imhotep or a Northeast defense, right now, I’ll take this and be excited about the future. My evaluation has an emphasis on showing how special of a passer this young man is for his age. This is all without expressing how easily he can beat you with his legs. Incredibly fun player to watch, who would rank very high on our freshman list if redone tomorrow.

Cymeer Brown deserves some love. Not many athletes can return the opening kickoff 80 yards and start at quarterback while scoring on the first offensive play. Cymeer Brown did that. Brown’s athleticism is evident, good on the Chester coaching staff to not let this talent go to waste. Brown looks to be a little more natural in the open field as well, he’s more than willing to take and deliver hits despite his size. This is a fun playmaker the Clippers can deploy almost anywhere.

Thanks to the coaching staff, we found Dominic Toy Dominic Toy 6’5″ | 225 lbs | TE Chester | 2024 State PA and immediately had to have him at our camp. His size and athleticism combination leaves him as the highest-ranked prospect on the field. It’s deserved too, Toy proved that this past Saturday. He and Jalen Harris were in sync, with Toy seemingly running free for the entirety of the game. This is going to be a fun connection to watch as the season progresses. The thought of having to deal with Harris’ multi-faceted game at quarterback, along with Toy’s explosiveness at TE/WR, should provide some sleepless nights for opposing defensive coordinators. Can’t forget about Toy’s prowess at defensive end. That’s an area future D1 schools could want him at, so reps there could prove valuable for his future development.

I’m going to have to rethink Noble Thompson Noble Thompson 5’9″ | 190 lbs | LB Stem Academy | 2023 State PA ‘s rank after this one. Thompson was flying all over the field, making tackles and forcing fumbles often. The senior manned the middle of the defense, presumably directing this talented defense. I prefer most RB/LB prospects to focus on defense if they want a future at the next level. Yet Noble Thompson Noble Thompson 5’9″ | 190 lbs | LB Stem Academy | 2023 State PA might actually be an outlier, I like #9 at running back. He showed vision and patience in this game, albeit against a beaten and hammered Brave defense.

Colin Ferrell Colin Ferrell 5’11” | 180 lbs | LB Chester | 2023 State PA and LaFenis Mays Jr. LaFenis Mays Jr. 6’4″ | 215 lbs | DL Chester | 2023 State PA are two ranked Clipper defenders whose rank I may also reconsider. Maybe not Ferrell’s, as we already think of him as a high-level D2 prospect, but definitely LaFenis Mays. Maybe I wasn’t seeing straight when I first watched the tapes this off-season, but this young man looks visibly bigger. The offseason has treated Mays well, the work to fill out his pads will more than likely be rewarded in time. I will make sure the college’s I speak to know of both these prospects.

Brother Jalen Harris’ production is easy to see and easy to promote because of his position. Sometimes lost in everything is his equally talented twin brother Daron Harris. Daron, outside of Toy, could very well be the best wideout prospect on this team. I’ll remind you, he and his brother are freshmen. Daron is incredibly light on his feet, he already has an understanding of zone/man defense, knowledge that he uses to his advantage in real-time. He’s also molding into a special defensive back. I’m excited to see which position will become more comfortable for Daron, as he now has two interceptions on the year for the Clippers in as many games.

Charles Thompson, DeAndre Pee, and Larry McDaniel are all names I’ve added to my personal Watchlist. Their play this past Saturday warranted a spot. Charles Thomspon and Larry McDaniel both provided solid reps on offense, while DeAndre Pee is a 6’2 freshman who was playing off the edge opposite Dominic Toy Dominic Toy 6’5″ | 225 lbs | TE Chester | 2024 State PA . I’ll have my eye on all three from here on out.