Lee's Summit North vs De Smet: Top Prospects & Performers

Last Friday night the Lee's Summit Broncos traveled to St. Louis on a freezing night to face off against the De Smet Spartans in a Class 6 state quarterfinal match-up. Here are my observations and analysis of the top prospects and performers at the game.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   LEE'S SUMMIT NORTH   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='185397' first='Williams' last='Nwaneri'] | 6'5" 250 | DE | 2024 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/De-Smet-vs-Lees-Summit-North-125.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-522513"/></figure>   Will had a monster game for the Broncos seemingly living in the backfield all night long. When he wasn't sacking the quarterback 4 times on the evening, he was putting consistent pressure with hurries and tackles for loss. Nwaneri has continued to elevate his game over the course of last season and this and is playing on another level. He has great length and first step that is an explosive combination for high school tackles to handle. He continues to develop his D-line skills and combined with his speed and overall athleticism is making him one of the most heavily recruited defensive lineman in the 2024 class.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='37658' first='Cayden' last='Green'] | 6'5" 300 | OT | 2023 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/De-Smet-vs-Lees-Summit-North-113.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-522514"/></figure>   The Oklahoma commit had a dominant night with his run blocking and pass pro against some talented future college defensive ends. Green, who has been a varsity starter since he was a freshman, still impresses me each time I watch him play. His skill set is catching up with his athleticism, which is considerable, which is why the Sooners made him a high level target early, and why I think he is a name you will continue to hear about over the next four years. Cayden has great feet, body control and heavy hands. I look forward to watching him on the college level.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='177938' first='Isaiah' last='Mozee'] | 6'0" 185 | WR | 2024 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Isaiah-Mozee.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-470243"/></figure>   The speedy and sure-handed Mozee had himself a night with 3 catches for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. Isaiah was an impressive contributor last season as a freshman but has taken his skills to another level, and has continued to mature and grow both as a player and physically. He is a weapon in the receiving game, but can also be a threat running the ball or on special teams. He has great hands, body control and can be dangerous after the catch or as a deep threat. This is why he is one of the more heavily recruited sophomores in the nation.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='185373' first='Elijah' last='Leonard'] | 6'3" 215 | QB | 2024 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/De-Smet-vs-Lees-Summit-North-121.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-522525"/></figure>   Leonard continues to get better every time I see him play. The junior QB does a great job playing within himself and within the Broncos system. It's not a pass intensive one but Leonard makes the most of his opportunities using good judgement and decisions while throwing nice accurate and catchable balls to his receivers. He doesn't force things and despite having a big arm that can make all the throws, has nice touch and placement on his passes. Elijah is also a big QB who can run on a designed play or to keep a drive alive when driven out of the pocket. He's a good athlete and physisical enough to take hits.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='177944' first='Quincey' last='Baker'] | 5'9" 185 | RB | 2023 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/De-Smet-vs-Lees-Summit-North-109.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-523709"/></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure>   Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='177944' first='Quincey' last='Baker'] had a big night as he become the Broncos all-time rusher with 106 yards on 22 carries. The speedy Baker was clearly a man on a mission to advance to the state championship game and ran hard on a freezing night. Baker ran hard but was also elusive. He has always done a nice job utilizing his vision and following his blocks. Last Friday was no different. He has the speed to hit another gear when he sees an opening, and is also physical enough to move a pile of defenders.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='230439' first='Tanner' last='Howes'] | 5'8" 170 | RB | 2024 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/De-Smet-vs-Lees-Summit-North-122.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-523720"/></figure>   The junior running back continued his tough running in helping his Broncos eat up yards and clock on the way to their advancing to the Class 6 state championship. Tanner plays like a 200-pound back with his tough running style to go along with his speed and quickness. He's tough to catch with his quick feet and elusiveness but has no problem running between the tackles and lowering the shoulder pads on defenders to pick up YAC.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='328601' first='Chase' last='Pearsall'] | 6'1" 210 | 2025 | LB |   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/De-Smet-vs-Lees-Summit-North-111.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-524291"/></figure>   Talented sophomore linebacker Pearsall was part of a great team defensive effort and contributed 4 tackles on the night. Chase is a physical, athletic linebacker who can really run. He is a sideline-to sideline defender who can plug the gap or cover running backs and tight ends. Very versatile defender who will continue to grow physically and as a player over the next two years.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   DE SMET   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='322134' first='Caleb' last='Redd'] | 6'4" 215 | EDGE | 2024 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Caleb-Redd.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422212"/></figure>   Redd recently picked up his 3rd D1 offer from Kansas. The speedy edge rusher, who has set a school record with 20 sacks this season, was a focus of the Broncos offensive game plan. He frequently battle OU commit Green and played hard but wasn't a determining factor in the game. Redd is a high caliber athlete with tremendous speed and get off. He explodes off the edge and is disruptive whether he gets the sack or not with his ability to alter plays and chase down from the backside. Look for him to be a high double-digit offer D1 prospect over the next year.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='37662' first='Christian' last='Gray'] | 6'1" 175 | CB | 2023 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Christian-Gray-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-420568"/></figure>   Gray played up to his usual high level performance on defense, and also had an impressive deep catch that the Spartans failed to capitalize deep in the Broncos territory. Gray will take his elite speed and ball skills to Notre Dame in 2023. He is the proto-type cover cornerback that colleges desire and finished off a great high school career with 27 tackles, 3 interceptions and a sack in his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='37660' first='Chris' last='Cotton'] | 5'11" 195 | QB | 2023 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Christian-Cotton-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422222"/></figure>   Cotton did all he could against possibly the top defense I've seen in the 2022 season. He passed for 117 yards on 9 of 12 pass attempts but wasn't able to hit paydirt on the night for any score. The Broncos defense poured on the pressure and had 4 sacks and multiple hurries. Chris wrapped up a great high school career and senior season, which had his passing for over 1,700 yards and 14 TDs, while rushing for over 1,000 and scoring 18 touchdowns on the ground in 2022. Some college needs to scoop him up.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='300208' first='Elijah' last='Thomas'] | 6'0" 190 | S | 2023 |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Elijah-Thomas.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-422198"/></figure>   Thomas made a few big hits he has become well known for in the game against the Broncos. The super physical safety prospect showed up an played hard on the frigid night but the Broncos balanced offense was too much. The D1 defender closed out a good high school career and senior season with 44 tackles, a sacks and 2 picks in 2022. High school offensive players in the St. Louis area will be happy to see him take his talents to college next year.

Last Friday night the Lee's Summit Broncos traveled to St. Louis on a freezing night to face off against the De Smet Spartans in a Class 6 state quarterfinal match-up. Here are my observations and analysis of the top prospects and performers at the game.