Jefferson runs away from Harrisburg late for First Title

Jefferson has had an impressive second season in existence and looked to cap off a perfect season and win their first ever title against the defending champions, the Harrisburg Tigers. I think the experience of the big game play the difference in the first half, with Harrisburg striking first and leading most of the first half. However the Cavs would take a late 21-14 lead into the half, and would rattle off three more touchdowns in the second half. The Tigers would score to start the 4th Quarter, but Jefferson would seal it with another late score and clinch the first 11AAA Championship in school history. Here are the standouts from the game:   Final: Sioux Falls Jefferson 48, Harrisburg 21   Sioux Falls Jefferson   QB- #7 [player_tooltip player_id='56545' first='Taylen' last='Ashley'] kept the offense rolling the whole game. Once he got in rhythm with the offense, they became extremely hard to slow down as a unit. He made great improvements that I've seen in his throwing motion and decision making. He threw some nice darts to his receivers, and some nice touch passes as well, each ball was on point to his targets. His poise in the pocket seemed to improve as well, seemed more comfortable back there as well as deciding when to tuck and run. He had some good pulls on the read option late in the game that led to late TD's.   LB- #27 [player_tooltip player_id='101183' first='Tayten' last='Sanow'] was flying all over the field. Whether it was filling on run support or flying around finishing tackles out on some short passes. He got his reads and filled quickly, avoiding blockers as he scraped to his gap. He made it very difficult for the opposing offense to get their run game going, usually making tackles within three yards of the line of scrimmage. He could also be very physical as well, he took on blockers and drove them into the run gap, plugging it that way as well. He had good form in his tackles, wrapping around the legs and hanging on until the play was over.   RB- #34 [player_tooltip player_id='56567' first='Nelson' last='Wright'] gave the Cavs offense a dangerous running threat. He is a big and physical back that will bully his way through the defense on each carry. He did a good job following his blocks to get through the line, then lowering his pads and running through the first defender to get to him. His ball security was great too, nobody was going to rip that ball away from him in the pile-ups. His difference factor was his speed. When he broke out of the pile and no one was back deep to slow him down, he was not getting caught. His long run he had, he left defenders in the dust, he knew he was gone with about 30 yards left on the run, but his motor kept him sprinting the whole way through the goal line.   RB/LB- #44 Kaiden Johnson stepped up late in the game defensively. When the opposing offense was starting to gain momentum, he always seemed to find a way to make a big play in the backfield and taking the momentum back. He had a good first step off the snap from his defensive end position and put a good rush on the QB every play. He kept good contain and kept the run game inside of his contain. He had good technique to shed blockers quickly and make tackles in the backfield. He also did an excellent job plugging gaps to take away the run game as well.   DL- #97 [player_tooltip player_id='289599' first='Dashawn' last='Rohlik'] provided a huge spark for the Cavalier run game. They seemed to like running to his side and letting him open the gaps for the backs. He is very explosive off the ball and keeps a good pad level the whole play. He engages the defender cleanly and drove him off the ball each and every play. He was also a good puller and kicked out his guy every play with authority. He just seemed to like to whack kids in the other jersey and bury them into the turf.   Harrisburg   DL- #30 Gueibondy Doelue was huge on the defensive line for the Tigers in this game. He was constantly disrupting the run game early in the game. He plugged both A gaps on each play and pushed the blockers in the backfield, making it really difficult to get the ball moving. He was quick off the ball and shot gaps quickly to get a good pass rush going and made the QB get the ball off quickly. He has the speed to string plays out to the perimeter and take away the cut back lanes. He made a lot of good tackles in the pile as well.   WR- #10 [player_tooltip player_id='418230' first='Max' last='Carlson'] was one of the go-to targets when the offense needed a play. He was more of the possession receiver that was the target when a first down was needed. He ran good routes and got separation to make an easy catch. He has speed and will be physical when running the ball. He takes snaps at QB as well and is a good runner, following his blocks and gaining yards in chunks at a time. He can also throw a good deep ball and make big plays that way for the offense.   WR- #84 [player_tooltip player_id='500575' first='Tytan' last='Tryon'] was the deep threat target. Any time the Tigers wanted a big play, they threw it Tryon's way. He has excellent speed and acceleration to get the separation early on a deep route. He can run crisp routes to also get his separation. He is very sure-handed, even in tight coverage. He does a good job making moves off the line of scrimmage to avoid getting pressed in press coverage. He also has quick hands to shake the defenders hands off of him if they were able to get hands on him. He made good adjustments in coming back to the ball and making a play after the catch.   QB- #4 [player_tooltip player_id='287085' first='Dylan' last='Elrod'] had a real good game throwing the ball for the Tigers. I liked his pocket presence and poise with pressure in his face. His was mobile enough to extend plays, escape the pocket and keep his eyes downfield to make a play. He has pretty good accuracy both with planted feet and on the run, does a real good job throwing a spiral and leading his receiver. He has good touch on the deep ball and does a goo job dropping it in the bucket. He can also through a laser on the short passes and let the receiver make a play after the catch. He did not force many passes that weren't there, really good with his decisions.   OL- #52 Connor Fitzgerald really stood out to me on the line of scrimmage. He was very quick off the ball and seemed to be in his position to make his block before the defender could get off the ball. He used his frame and quick feet to keep good pad level to make his blocks both in the run and pass game. He kept in hands in perfect position to not draw flags and keep his defender from making the play. He really opened gaps on his down blocks with his quickness and power. He did a good job kicking out defenders when he pulled as well. He used his feet really well in pass protection, he was able to stay in front of his defender and keep them off the QB. He didn't play much in the second half due to injury.

Jefferson has had an impressive second season in existence and looked to cap off a perfect season and win their first ever title against the defending champions, the Harrisburg Tigers. I think the experience of the big game play the difference in the first half, with Harrisburg striking first and leading most of the first half. However the Cavs would take a late 21-14 lead into the half, and would rattle off three more touchdowns in the second half. The Tigers would score to start the 4th Quarter, but Jefferson would seal it with another late score and clinch the first 11AAA Championship in school history. Here are the standouts from the game: