Central Ohio Playoff Preview – Watkins Memorial vs Big Walnut

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Should be a great matchup in the 2nd round between these two great programs. Sunbury will travel to Watkins. I will detail the top prospects below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Watkins Memorial (Pataskala)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Darren Waters</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 Record: 9-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Fuchs</strong>, OLB/WR, 2023 - Tyler is a two sport star for Watkins. His competitiveness and hustle are off the charts. He is a special teams dynamo and takes pride in doing the little things correctly. He is fast, physical, and aggressive. He runs to the ball and is always around to make a play. At OLB he sets a good edge with the outside arm free. He can play on the LOS with his strength on off the LOS with his speed. He maintains good gap leverage and is strong enough to get to lockout quickly. Sheds easily and is a good tackler. Going to have to have a big game to stop the high powered Sunbury offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13721846/Tyler-Fuchs" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13721846/Tyler-Fuchs">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13721846/Tyler-Fuchs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patrick Carney</strong>, QB, 2024 - Patrick is an outstanding athlete at the QB position. Has had many big time game visits this fall. His speed is off the charts and runs the read play to perfection. His throwing mechanics are sound and moves well in the pocket with his eyes downfield. He can make all the throws with velocity. He has touch on the deeper throws. Reads the plays out properly. Has command of the offense. When he runs is a threat to score everytime. Keep a great eye on his progression through the playoffs and offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11777662/Patrick-Carney" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11777662/Patrick-Carney">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11777662/Patrick-Carney</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284815' first='Sean' last='Sheehan']</strong>, MLB, 2024 - Sean is an outstanding talent at the LB position. He runs with his hair on fire and gets to the ball quickly. He reads plays well and uses proper technique. He maintains good gap leverage with shed and escape to the ball. Runs sideline to sideline quickly and doesn't allow big plays. He pass drops into his areas with speed and cancels underneath routes. He blitzes well with timing and a relentless nature. Going to have to have a big role on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17703341/6355ae332ab16705081b1f47</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kevin Henry</strong>, CB, 2023 - Kevin is a great athlete with a couple of D1 offers on the table. Speed is off the charts and he is one of the fastest players on the field. At CB is very patient in his backpedal and transitions well once the play declares. He has great hips and can flip on a dime. Plays well in space in zone coverage and has good ball skills. He can play man and stay in phase with his running ability. He is a good block destroyer and tackler. Can also play Free Safety and is a tackling machine from the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13067559/Kevin-Henry" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13067559/Kevin-Henry">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13067559/Kevin-Henry</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DaaVion Long</strong>, RB, 2023 - DaaVion is a battering ram of a downhill runner.&nbsp; He is patient with great burst and the ability to run you over or wiggle by.&nbsp; He is a good zone back who can run the inside and outside zone well.&nbsp; He is a tough tackle and escapes tackles easily with a powerful lower half.&nbsp; In the open field has the ability to separate from defenders and score when he touches the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10044665/DaaVion-Long" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10044665/DaaVion-Long">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10044665/DaaVion-Long</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Ischy,</strong> DB, 2023 - Thomas is a very good football player on both sides of the ball. He weighs in at 185 and stands 5'11 with room to grow. On offense he plays slot receiver and runs good MOF routes over and under. He can fly on jet sweeps and hits the edge hard. He goes all out on every play and hustles. Defense is where he shines. Can play both safety positions at a really high level. He is patient in his reads, triggers fast, and stays over the top of the deepest. When down over number 2 is very physical with his reroutes and block destruction. He is a tackling machine. He also has a nose for the ball and makes game changing plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10137603/Thomas-Ischy" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10137603/Thomas-Ischy">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10137603/Thomas-Ischy</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big Walnut</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Robert Page</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 Record: 9-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicky Pentello</strong>, WR, 2023 - Nicky is a an absolute stud.&nbsp; He was 2nd Team All State this year.&nbsp; He is a great athlete with good route running ability.&nbsp; He makes sharp cuts and gets open in the void.&nbsp; He shakes off man coverage and takes the top off the defense.&nbsp; Attacks the ball in the air with his hands and eyes and wins the tweener balls.&nbsp; He can score whenever he touches the ball.&nbsp; Certainly worth a look on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12937487/Nicky-Pentello" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12937487/Nicky-Pentello">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12937487/Nicky-Pentello</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jake Nier</strong>, QB, 2024 - Jake is only a Junior and is part of a 2024 dynamic offensive duo for Big Walnut.&nbsp; He is a stud in Central Ohio and commands a lot of attention.&nbsp; Strong armed and athletic.&nbsp; Can make a variety of throws deep and intermediate.&nbsp; He throws with timing and has a quick release.&nbsp; He makes plays with his legs and can score when he pulls the ball down and runs. Has visited many MAC schools this fall and will have a lot of offseason attention. He is committed to his development and craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10935724/Jake-Nier" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10935724/Jake-Nier">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10935724/Jake-Nier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='430381' first='Garrett' last='Stover']</strong>,&nbsp;FS, 2024 - He is an absolute stud and does a lot of things well. Currently sitting at 4 stars with almost all of the Big Ten offering. He can stay on top of the coverage and uses his hips well to cover the deep routes.&nbsp; Plays through the hands and times the jumps well.&nbsp; He is a force in the run game and reads plays well.&nbsp; At FS he is unblockable and gets downhill fast and makes plays. This season was used as a hybrid player and used his superior athletic ability to dominate opposing offenses.&nbsp; He has 1 more off season to develop and he will be a Power 5 player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11443011/Garrett-Stover" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11443011/Garrett-Stover">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11443011/Garrett-Stover</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284822' first='Nate' last='Severs']</strong>, RB, 2024 - Nate was outstanding this season.&nbsp; He had close to 2000 yards on the ground.&nbsp; Nate is a can't miss prospect from the 2024 class.&nbsp; He is big, fast, and physical.&nbsp; He has game changing ability with strong legs and wiggle.&nbsp; He is the kind of player who can run you over and make you miss. He is patient inside the box with good burst. He sprints to the edge and is gone most of the time. He catches well out of the backfield. He is very strong and blocks well.&nbsp; Nate is one of the best players in Central Ohio and a can't miss prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11442994/Nathan-Severs" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11442994/Nathan-Severs">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11442994/Nathan-Severs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Clawson</strong>, DE, 2023 - Ethan is a monster of a DE. Has offers on the table from D2 and smaller D1. He stands 6'4 and weighs 220. His frame can handle more. He is very flexible and athletic. He explodes off the snap with good technique. He keeps and flat back and reads blocks well. The best part of his game is the pass rush. He gets extension quickly, has a good rip move, and bends well. Relentless tackler. Plays the run well in his gap on ball 2. Athletic enough to slip under and make plays. Runs hard on ball away and plays with his hair on fire. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14777173/Ethan-Clawson" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14777173/Ethan-Clawson">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14777173/Ethan-Clawson</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->