Most Crucial players in the D3 Regional Finals
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The Regional Finals always serve as one of the best weekends in High School Football. Specifically, in Division 3, the field is wide open, and I truly believe that each and every team playing this weekend has a chance to…
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Continue ReadingThe Regional Finals always serve as one of the best weekends in High School Football. Specifically, in Division 3, the field is wide open, and I truly believe that each and every team playing this weekend has a chance to advance to the semifinals. Today, I’ll be going over six of the most crucial players in this regional round. These are all players that need to play very well in order for their team to advance!
LB/RB | Bryce Eliuk | Linden
Against an elite DeWitt team known for their physicality, players like Bryce Eliuk need to perform well. A 2x all-state linebacker, Eliuk reacts fast and isn’t afraid to hit hard. Just by looking at a little of his film, it’s obvious that Eliuk has some insane linebacker skills, and he’ll hopefully continue his stellar performances against one of the best teams in the state. Offensively, he’s a balanced, strong RB. Against Fenton, he was dead to rights in the backfield before staying up and balanced, breaking it for an 8-yard touchdown. This kid had talent, and he’ll be the most crucial piece of the Linden defense on their goal to Ford Field.
DL | Evan Walters | Zeeland West
When Zeeland West and Muskegon met up last time, there was little defense, with 74 total points having been scored. I truly believe games are won and lost in the trenches, and that’s where Evan Walters comes into play. Walters is a 6’4, 240lb DT with a lot of skill. Hence his size, he’s able to outmuscle most offensive linemen while getting consistent pressure on the QB and stopping the run. Muskegon’s O-Line is one of the best in Michigan, and he’ll have to be on his A-Game. Though if Walters is in the zone, it could make things much more difficult for the Muskegon offense.
OLB | Dominick Calloway | Trenton
Trenton needs some defensive players to step up against Mason’s offense. Calloway is one of those guys that needs to be locked in if Trenton wants to make it to the semifinals. He’s a good LB, oftentimes lining up on the edge, and he’s a sound tackler who could be more aggressive at times. The further you go in the playoffs, the more focused, decisive, and fundamentally sound you must be as well. Calloway has the potential to play a step up from what he has been, and if he does, then Trenton could win this game.
RB/S | AJ Martel AJ Martel 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Mason | 2024 State MI | Mason
I’m not 100% sure Martel is playing because of a nagging wrist injury he suffered in the preseason, but he’s had a great season despite the issues. If Martel plays, he’ll be Mason’s most valuable player. The tenacity that this dude runs with is unparalleled, and he’s truly one of the greatly underrated backs in Michigan. His help on the defensive side of the ball surely helps out as well.
QB | Blake Marrogy | Brother Rice
Brother Rice will go as far as Marrogy will take them. That’s a sentence I’ve said time and time again, and it still rings true as the Warriors prepare to face the defending state champions. Now, the MLK defense isn’t unbreakable, and In my opinion, they’ve regressed from last season. Since Marrogy had a great game against Walled Lake Western, I feel that he could have an even better performance against MLK, but we’ll have to see.
QB | Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI | Detroit MLK
Well, if this wasn’t obvious. Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI remains the #1 recruit in Michigan by a mile, and it’s difficult to imagine this team without him. He slices and dices secondaries with pinpoint accuracy and is the most fundamentally sound QB in the nation. Now, Brother Rice always has a well-coached secondary, and Rice has done well against some of the great passing offenses in Michigan. This will be a test for Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI , and the winner of this game will be the state-champion favorite. Dante has risen to the occasion time and time again, but can he do it again?