Millbrook vs. Heritage – Defensive Standouts
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I was on the sidelines for the Week 7 matchup between Millbrook and Heritage, both teams were undefeated and ranked going into the game. Two of the state’s top defensive units battled the offensive units throughout the game. The listed…
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Continue ReadingI was on the sidelines for the Week 7 matchup between Millbrook and Heritage, both teams were undefeated and ranked going into the game. Two of the state’s top defensive units battled the offensive units throughout the game. The listed players performances caught my attention during the game.
Millbrook
Xavier Pugh Xavier Pugh 5'10" | 190 lbs | DB Millbrook | 2023 State NC – SS, 5’10” 195 (No. 36 DB, No. 344 Overall). Xavier plays on both sides of the ball for his team. He displayed good speed and change of direction while covering receivers, making it difficult to complete a pass on him. He finished the game with 2 tackles.
David Santiago David Santiago 6'3" | 230 lbs | ATH Millbrook | 2023 State NC – OLB, 6’3″ 230 (No. 19 ATH, No. 104 Overall). David plays on both sides of the ball for his team. He displayed good lateral movement and speed to cover a lot of ground quickly to make stops. He used his quickness and upper body strength to control blockers while moving past them to close in on the ball carrier. The Charlotte commit finished the game with 5 tackles, 1 of the tackles was for a loss.
Jayden Ferguson Jayden Ferguson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Millbrook | 2024 State NC – OLB, 6’0″ 195 (No. 22 LB, No. 158 Overall). Jayden displayed good lateral movement and speed to cover a lot of ground quickly to make stops. He used his quickness and good technique to control blockers while moving past them to make stops. Jayden finished the game with 5 tackles, 3 of the tackles were for losses, and 2 sacks. He had the most impressive performance on the defensive unit.
Ian Rembert Ian Rembert 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Millbrook | 2023 State NC – MLB, 6’3″ 215 (No. 27 LB, No. 269 Overall). Ian displayed patience to let the play develop before reacting quickly to close in on the ball carrier for stops. He used his quickness and good technique to control blockers while moving past them to make stops. Ian finished the game with 6 tackles, 2 of the tackles were for losses.
D.K. Bryant – CB, 5’11” 150. D.K. displayed good speed and technique to cover receivers, making it difficult to complete a pass against him. He intercepted a pass and returned it for a TD.
Chase McClary Chase McClary 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Millbrook | 2023 State NC – CB, 6’3″ 180. Chase displayed good speed and technique to cover receivers, making it difficult to complete a pass against him. He finished the game with 3 tackles.
Heritage
Elijah Smith Elijah Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Davie Co. | 2023 State NC – DE, 6’1″ 240. Elijah was quick out of his stance to make contact with blockers while moving past them for stops. He displayed good technique and good use of hands to control blockers while closing in on the ball carrier. Elijah used his quickness to move past blockers into the backfield to keep constant pressure on the quarterback.
Jacob Holloway Jacob Holloway 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Heritage | 2025 State NC – DE, 6’3″ 230 (No. 6 DL, No. 39 Overall). Jacob was quick out of his stance to make contact with blockers while moving past them for stops. He displayed good technique and good use of hands to control blockers while closing in on the ball carrier. Jacob used his quickness and upper body strength to move past blockers into the backfield, sacking the quarterback several times.
Brandon Crutchfield – CB, 5’10” 165. Brandon displayed good speed and change of direction to cover receivers, making it difficult to complete a pass against him. He displayed good technique in man-coverage on the receivers. Brandon intercepted a pass and returned it for a TD.