Hazelwood Central vs Parkway Central: Top Prospects & Performers

On Saturday afternoon the Hazelwood Central Hawks, featuring multiple future D1 players, hosted the Parkway Central Colts. I was there and have the following observations on the top prospects and performers during the game.   HAZELWOOD CENTRAL   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='321963' first='Tionne' last='Gray'] | 2024 | DT/OT/TE | 6'5" 275 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-198.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-461913"/></figure>   Junior big athlete who is versatile enough to play multiple positions along the offensive and defensive lines along with tight end. Gray is in his third year as a varsity start after transferring from Carnahan high that closed down last year. He's very athletic for his size and has good speed and get off playing defensive end. That athleticism and explosiveness will translate well to DT in college where he tells me most schools are looking at him for. He also showed very nice blocking ability at left tackle using his hands well, sustaining his blocks and using that athletic ability in pass pro to keep his QB clean. He has the frame to be an athletic 300-pound offensive linemen if not playing DL. Tionne was a standout at the 2022 Elite Football combine and shortly picked up an offer from Arkansas following his performance. He has since landed offers from Missouri and Kansas, with schools such as Oregon, Kansas State and others.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='322070' first='Brandon' last='Mason'] | 2024 | OT | 6'5" 255 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-461919"/></figure>   Another very athletic line prospect for the Hawks is the long-armed and lean offensive tackle prospect [player_tooltip player_id='322070' first='Brandon' last='Mason'], who is raw and still learning but has the drive and determination to get better. He has tremendous reach and good foot work with above average pass protection ability. Also does a nice job finishing his blocks after opening holes in the run game. Uses his hand well and runs very well to get downfield on blocks. Has worked out at defensive line extensively in the off season which helped him prepare for the outstanding junior year he is having. Has the frame to add 50+ pounds and keep his athleticism. Missouri is showing interest early.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Jason "JT" Davis | 2024 | DT/OG | 6'4" 290 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-199.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-461920"/></figure>   Massive defensive tackle prospect who is quick, strong and can run really well. Junior defensive line prospect JT Davis started on varsity as a freshman as an offensive linemen but was injured last year and has come back looking very good as a DE/DT for the Hawks in 2022. He is not only a space eater with good strength that requires more then one OLs attention, but he showed good athleticism and quickness to the point of attack with his ability to run at 285-290. He's still learning the position but is getting better and is devoting time to improve his DL skills. A player to watch this year and next.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Jayden Trotter | 2023 | LB | 6'1" 200 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-201.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462165"/></figure>   Trotter is a good athlete and playmaker on the field who seemed to be everywhere. He's a ball hawk with a nose for the ball who runs sideline-to-sideline to make plays and also has shown solid cover skills at his linebacker position. One of the top overall athletes on the team, he has also played some at running back and rarely leaves the field. It looks like he was in on a half dozen tackles on the day but was always around the defensive stops it seem. A very active linebacker with speed who you can see why he leads his team in tackles with 50 through 5 games to go along with 2 sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. A physical hitter who has a love of the game.   Jackson Sommerville | 2024 | QB | 5'11" 185 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-211.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462094"/></figure>   Junior dual threat Quarterback who had a great game leading his team to the win. Has had a pretty good season through 5 games passing for 763 yards and 7 TDs and also rolled up an additional 248 yards and 4 TDs. Jackson directed his team very well and ran the offense to a season high 45 points and the win. He had a good passing day completing 11 of his 15 pass attempts for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns. He's a good athlete overall with good speed who could play several positions on offense or defense but is excelling at QB this year. He has a strong arm and fires it in there showing good accuracy in the game. Didn't force things and limits mistakes making good decisions.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Kareem Burns | 2026 | RB | 5'10" 170 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-210.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462122"/></figure>   A breakout game for the Hawks freshman with 4 impressive touchdown runs of 52, 22, 10 and 5 yards on the day. Burns is an aggressive running that is hard to tackle with his constant movement, quick feet and keeping his legs turning. He has impressive speed and is a quick twitch athlete who runs hard and showed some power, but what really impressed me was his stop/ start ability and how he could bounce it outside when the hole closed quickly, and then hit an extra gear to pick up big yards for a touchdown. He has good vision and a strong skill set for his age. Kareem had 116 yards officially but it seemed like he had more with the runs he had. A bright future for this freshman if he keeps progressing.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <ul><li>[player_tooltip player_id='103473' first='Elijah' last='Burnett'] - 2023 speedy WR had a nice 76 yard TD catch and run on the day. The transfer from Hayti has big play ability as a receiver and returner.</li><li>Tobias Williams - Another 2023 playmaker at WR who had a nice 32 yard touchdown catch and led the team with 5 receptions on the day for 68 yards total.</li><li>Marvin Martin - 2025 defensive back with good ball skills who makes plays and covers well.</li><li>Daronne Wright - 2024 S prospect who is among the leaders in tackles for his team. Very active defender.</li></ul>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   PARKWAY CENTRAL   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='172138' first='DJ' last='Burgess'] | 2024 | RB | 5'8" 190 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-208.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462175"/></figure>   Very impressive two-way starter for the Colts at running back and linebacker. Goes 100 miles per hour at both positions. A tough, physical runner with good speed who can run over or around you. Loves contact and shows his good strength to power through tackles and pick up yards after contact. Also has the speed to break a long run to the house. Leeds his team in yards rushing ( 502) and touchdowns (11) through the first 5 games of the season. Brings the same toughness and tenacity to the linebacker position. Big hitter who can run down plays all over the field. Only had 5 tackles on the day but made them count.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Caleb Mues | 2024 | DE | 6'3" 210 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-204.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462179"/></figure>   Junior DE/EDGE was very active on the day and led his team in overall tackles with 7 showing a good motor and athleticism getting after it and chasing down ball-carriers and after the QB. Battled hard against much bigger offensive linemen and made plays. Looks the part of a future college prospect at his position if he continues to grow and puts in the work like it's obvious he has been doing. On the season Mues has 20 total tackles through 5 games for his Colts.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Ryan Franey | 2024 | OL | 6'2" 290 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-205.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462212"/></figure>   Powerful 290-pound junior offensive lineman did a nice job run blocking and opening holes for the Colts runners as they averaged 4.44 yard per carry for 174 yards rushing on the day. Franey very moves well at his size, can run well and did a good job finishing his blocks. Good strength and battles to the whistle and plays with an attitude.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Brandon Macon | 2025 | S/WR | 6'2" 175 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Hazelwood-Central-vs-Parkway-Central-206.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-462224"/></figure>   A rangy sophomore with speed who transferred from East St. Louis in the off season showed some of the same potential I watched when he was a freshmen with the Flyers. Macon is ahead at the safety position at the point using his speed and quickness to makes plays and had 5 tackles during the game. He does a good job closing on run plays and getting to receivers. On offense he looks like he is close to showing big play potential there. When it clicks for him he will be a weapon for the Colts. Had a nice 16 yard kick off return. A player to keep an eye on the next couple of years.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>

On Saturday afternoon the Hazelwood Central Hawks, featuring multiple future D1 players, hosted the Parkway Central Colts. I was there and have the following observations on the top prospects and performers during the game.