Most Crucial players in the D1 Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 1 Semifinals are this week! It seems like no time at all has passed since the beginning of the season, and it's daunting to think about the grand finale being less than two weeks away. Now, the Michigan Division 1 playoffs are a different animal, with some saying it's the most difficult playoffs in all of the midwest. In this division, there are 4 teams that are all just as likely to hoist the State Championship trophy. Today, I'll be listing the players that will make the most difference in the semifinals! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Caledonia vs. Clarkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB | Theren Sanders | Caledonia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I truly believe that Theren Sanders will be the most important player for Caledonia this Saturday. The whole front 7 needs to do a phenomenal job, but Sanders seems to be the leader of the pack, and he'll have his work cut out for him against the best rushing offense in Michigan. Against Grand Ledge, he was solid, which makes me optimistic for saturday's contest. Sanders needs to be aggressive, never lose balance, and always wrap up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB | [player_tooltip player_id='243468' first='Ethan' last='Clark'] | Clarkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't disclude Ethan from this list. The senior RB has had a historic season, and it's easy to see why when looking at the tape. For one, his burst is insane once he finds a hole. Two, his offensive line is excellent. This is a player you lose sleep over if you're an opposing coach. If Clark is able to turn this game into a shootout, then give me Clarkston for the W. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH | Derek Pennington | Caledonia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pennington is a key blocker and defender with an extremely high motor. Here's a guy that refuses to back down from anyone, and someone that has risen to the occasion time and time again. Offensively, Pennington oftentimes serves as a key run blocker, as he's able to deliver clean, hard hits to defenders. On defense, he sports a high IQ, impressive strength, and I've never seen him give up on a play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB/WR | [player_tooltip player_id='253268' first='Desman' last='Stephens II'] | Clarkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another guy who is impossible to disclude from this list. One of Clarkston's two-way players, Stephens is a tall and talented skill player. At receiver, he can high point the ball over shorter defenders pretty easily. Though, defense is where Stephens shines. As a DB, he sports a high IQ, motor, and has a knack for the ball. You don't often see DBs at his size, but trust me when I say he's one of the most elite in Michigan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Belleville vs. Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH | [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] | Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will the stage ever be too big for this freshman superstar? Primarely a WR this season, [player_tooltip player_id='212358' first='Corey' last='Sadler'] has been one of the best High School athletes in the state, and he's only a freshman. He's athletic as they come, extremely twitchy, and can make some unbelievable catches. He got dozens of offers in middle school, and it's apparent why. Expect Belleville to try and slow Sadler down, and expect a lot of colleges with a close eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB | [player_tooltip player_id='247690' first='Bryce' last='Underwood'] | Belleville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can't leave the top player in the class of 2025 out of this. Underwood has played well in high-pressure situations before, but has seldom against a defense like Cass Tech. Truly, he'll be facing one of if not the best secondaries and defensive lines in Michigan, so he'll have to play at his absolute peak. You could argue he doesn't have much else to prove after dozens of Power 5 offers, but he's eyeing another ring for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DE | [player_tooltip player_id='162650' first='Jalen' last='Thompson'] | Cass Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Thompson's senior season, and the #2 player in the class is going to want to leave with a 2022 ring. Thompson is the definition of a freak, standing at 6'4 250, sporting excellent pass rush moves, run-stopping ability, and hit power. You know he'll want to get to the QB plenty of times, and if he can hurry Underwood, that bodes very well for the Cass Tech secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB/RB | [player_tooltip player_id='187999' first='Jeremiah' last='Beasley'] | Belleville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beasley has a high workload every week, and he'll have to be on top of his game this week. As a runner, Beasley is as strong as they come with elite power, great vision, and good balance. As a defender, he's quick to the ball, doesn't wait for contact, can defend the pass well, and has great pursuit angles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->