Hazelwood East vs U. City: Top Prospects & Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon I had the opportunity to watch some talented young football players battle hard for four quarters, as Hazelwood East traveled to University City for a game. Here are my observations on some of the top prospects &amp; performers I witnessed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HAZELWOOD EAST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Burks | 2025 | RB |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477619,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-127.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477619" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speedy sophomore running back Burks was impressive. He has great vision and acceleration with an extra gear he can hit to blow up angles against defenders or run past or through arm tackles. He looked like he had to score every time he touched the ball and had two long touchdown runs, with a third one called back on a penalty, while finishing with 113 yards rushing on 5 carries, averaging 22.6 yards per carry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tayvon Gregory | 2026 | LB |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477620,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-131.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477620" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman linebacker is a tackling machine who led his team with 10 tackles against the Lions in an impressive defensive display by the young Spartans. Gregory plays sideline-to-sideline and is a ball hawk able to be in the right place to make big plays. He also had nice interception that he returned for a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacquez Everett | 2024 | LB | </strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477627,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-139.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477627" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physical linebacker/running back who hits like a ton of bricks whether he is tackling ball carries or running the ball. Big down hill runner who delivers the blow to defenders and blows up plays on defense. Plays with intensity and attitude and makes offensive players pay. Everett was second on his team in tackles with 9 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130232' first='Bobby' last='Cole'] | 2026 | S/QB |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477633,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-129.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477633" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another talented Spartans freshman who primarily played safety the entire game, but was able to come in and play QB when the starter went down with an injury and the offense didn't miss a beat. Cole is a good athlete with speed and a very good understanding of the game. He's a playmaker and sure tackler that finished with 5 on the day. Has a bright future to watch for over the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Melvin Sledge | 2025 | DB/WR |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477635,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-134.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477635" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore defensive back impressed me with speed and ability to read and make plays. He has good hands and is a threat to make picks if QBs are not careful and playing attention to where he is. He's quick and breaks on the ball with good speed to make plays. Also looks like he has good ability to play receiver, although the Spartans are primarily a running team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oscar Chatman | 2026 | OT/DE |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477637,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-125.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477637" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of several talented freshman who contributed to the Spartans win. Chatman saw most of his action at tackle for the Spartans and showed an impressive skill set for a freshman handling some experienced defensive linemen with his aggressive run blocking. He's athletic and can get out on blocks quickly and sustains them. He also did a nice job at defensive end and had a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UNIVERSITY CITY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mekhai Gover | 2023 | QB/DB |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477638,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-145.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477638" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talented senior signal-caller Gover was one of several Lions who saw double-duty on offense and defense. He ran the offense smoothly and had a good understanding of it and where to deliver the ball. He has a strong arm and nice accuracy. He's athletic enough to pick up yards with his feet but is at his best in the pocket finding receivers. He finished the day going 16 of 32 for 187 yards against a tough Spartans defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De'Mario Battest | 2023 | WR/DB | </strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477639,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-143.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477639" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most talented players on the field overall was Battest. He never left the field playing wide receiver, defensive back and on a special teams. He did a little bit of everything for the Lions with 3 receptions for 52 yards, 3 tackles on defense and returned kicks. He's a physical DB who has good ball and coverage skills. On offense he ran nice routes and did a good job making grabs in coverage, and holding on to the ball after taking a hit and didn't shy away from contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Lemen | 2023 | LB/S |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477641,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-144.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477641" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical, hard hitting LB/S prospect left it all on the field and finished the day with 8 tackles. Lemen is Mr. Consistency and gets after it doing his job. He displayed good speed and playmaking ability against the run and in coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derron Finnie | 2023 | WR |</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":477642,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Hazelwood-East-vs-U-City-141.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-477642" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speedy slot receiver was a bit under the weather but still managed to make some nice grabs for the Lions and finished the day with 4 catches for 59 yards on the day. Finnie is a proto-type slot with his quickness, speed and ability to make plays in space after the catch or running the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->