Thanksgiving Feast: Best Pancake Blocks of the 2022 Season

<p>Alright, alright - I know pancakes aren't necessarily a Thanksgiving food by any means, but let's pretend they are for today's sake. Thanksgiving is here and you already know the big guys up front are excited. This is one of those times in the year that is offensive line heaven with plenty of food on the table and great football on all day.</p>   <p>In the spirit of Thanksgiving, it only feels right to honor some of the state's best offensive linemen for their best block of the season. We all see the highlights of the skill position guys making plays all year - let's show the guys up front some love too!</p>   <p></p>   <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='108896' first='Luke' last='Rogers']</strong> <strong>| Brandon</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/L_rogers52/status/1595230953806372864 </div></figure>   <p>The Southern Miss commit has been playing out of his mind this year for the Bulldogs. Love getting to see offensive linemen in space in the screen game. This is a skill defenders biggest fear! Full head of steam and Rogers comes in with the kill shot!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='311644' first='Will' last='Echoles'] | Houston</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MsLylesEcholes1/status/1595433694738939904 </div></figure>   <p>First off, let's talk about this formation. Everybody loves spreading the field and throwing it around to the wide outs, but this is where offensive linemen start having fun. Watch Echols pull on this counter in the redzone and wipe out his blocking assignment. Clean, easy path to the end zone for the ball carrier. Run behind #52 for a good time!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='344084' first='Brady' last='Parkerson'] | Neshoba Central</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/parkerson_brady/status/1595287662734331905 </div></figure>   <p>When it comes to offensive line play, these guys are always coached to "play through the whistle" and "finish every block." Junior [player_tooltip player_id='344084' first='Brady' last='Parkerson'] takes that quite literally! Watch him get hands on his man and drive him all the way to the back of the home sideline! Holy smokes! Don't let this guy get engaged otherwise you are going on a long, long ride that only Parkerson can end.</p>   <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='108898' first='Malachi' last='Breland'] | Laurel</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/malachibreland1/status/1595235084055060480 </div></figure>   <p>The Memphis commit has been played at a high level all season for Laurel and will be a great contributor for the Tigers. Look at the way Breland works to the second level and de-cleats the opposing linebacker! For a big guy, Breland moves well in space. If you are in his path, you better duck or get out of the way!</p>   <p><strong>2023 Chris Hayes | Starkville</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_iamchrishayes/status/1595245505675759617 </div></figure>   <p>Hayes, a Southern Miss commit, has played a great season so far and looks to continue his success this Friday. As powerful as he is, he has made life for defensive ends miserable. Watch the way he explodes off the ball to down block the end before the end has any time to get hands on. Kill shot with the walk over at the end!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='312360' first='Jordyn' last='Erves'] | Hartfield Academy</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JordynErves/status/1595205188637585409 </div></figure>   <p>Any time you can get your offensive linemen out on backers in space, you get excited. Love this play here from Hartfield Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='312360' first='Jordyn' last='Erves']. The guard pulls well, gets hands on the overhand, and takes him for a ride before finishing the block in the dirt. Watch those legs keep driving through the whistle!</p>   <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='340828' first='Jeremy' last='Flora'] | Pascagoula</strong></p>   <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13584026/6325de166e82e30564f736bb">Link to Hudl</a></p>   <p>The 6'5" 350 [player_tooltip player_id='340828' first='Jeremy' last='Flora'] was making plays left and right against Wayne County this year. Watch the way he handles the defensive end, then works up to the backer for the kill shot on play one of the highlight reel. Textbook! This guy was crushing defenders left and right all game, and all season for that matter.</p>   <p><strong>2023 Robert Clark | Madison St. Joseph</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachCheatham58/status/1595280439991754753 </div></figure>   <p>Block of the year? Robert Clark's is certainly in contention. On a simple throwback screen, Clark gets the pleasure of playing in space and taking care of anybody who tries to attack the ball carrier. Clark did a great job at setting his feet and letting all his power loose on this corner, sending him flying into the air. A defensive back's nightmare!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='349437' first='Kobe' last='Williams'] | Amory</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kobewilliams76/status/1595266320634871810 </div></figure>   <p>My goodness. [player_tooltip player_id='349437' first='Kobe' last='Williams'] ought to get credit for a touchdown of his own after this block. Watch the way he gets hands on the defensive lineman and drives him all the way to the back of the end zone. This was a block that went on for well over 20 yards. Topping things off, Williams puts the defender in the dirt and Amory scores a touchdown.</p>   <p><strong>2023 Brandon Davis | Gautier</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Brandond672023/status/1595419180551262208 </div></figure>   <p>Being such a pass heavy team, Gautier's linemen have done a great job in protection all season long. Sometimes you've got to reward the guys with a run play too though. Love this effort from Davis working all the way up to the second level to de-cleat the opposing linebacker. Look at the athleticism he shows at 300 pounds!!</p>   <p><strong>2024 Connor Hillman | Tri-County Academy</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ConnorHillman4/status/1595286957311098880 </div></figure>   <p>This is the most violent position in all of sports. Connor Hillman embodies that in a big way on this play. Watch the way he works up to the linebacker only to throw him to the ground and dive on top of him to make sure he doesn't get up. That is physicality 101 right there! It's no wonder why Tri-County had the success they had this season the a mentality like that.</p>   <p><strong>2024 Tyler Montgomery | St Joseph Catholic</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TylerMontgomer1/status/1595274046127710210 </div></figure>   <p>Tyler Montgomery may not be the biggest lineman out there yet, but look at the attitude this guy plays with. Exploding off the ball, he quickly gets hands on the defensive lineman and pancakes him into the dirt 5 yards down field. Look at the hole that opens up for the ball carrier after that block! Wide open!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='344089' first='Taccofah' last='Lewis'] | Pearl</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/taccofah_lewis/status/1595210868912017408 </div></figure>   <p>Fold schemes like this can be tough for tackles at times, but they also get the benefit of having a running head start at the defense. Watch the way Lewis calmly works his feet before violently attacking the defensive lineman, putting him on the ground and opening up a hole for the ball carrier. It is no wonder why Lewis is hearing from schools across the southeast with plays like this on his resume.</p>   <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='402108' first='Wes' last='Wiggins'] | Smithville</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/wiggins_wes/status/1595229907390722048 </div></figure>   <p>I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot of freshmen to be in the submissions for this piece. Smithville's [player_tooltip player_id='402108' first='Wes' last='Wiggins'] is quite the surprise. Already 6'3" 240, this was a guy that played varsity football at an early age this season. It is tough to teach a lot of the things he is already doing. Look at the way he finishes these blocks! A FRESHMAN! Big things in Wiggins future ahead.</p>   <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='568699' first='Thomas' last='Coco'] | Jackson Prep</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tcoco7924/status/1595266874497175552 </div></figure>   <p>Coming off a 2022 MAIS state championship, [player_tooltip player_id='568699' first='Thomas' last='Coco'] as a lot to be thankful for this week. Only a sophomore, look a the way Coco fires off the ball and takes care of the nose tackle all by himself. He isn't just getting in the way either; Coco is crushing guys left and right!</p>   <p><strong>2024 Isaiah Morgan | Gulfport</strong></p>   <p></p>   <p>A center's job is one of the most difficult on the field. Look at how Morgan quickly gets the ball back to the quarterback, identifies the backer is blitzing, and gives him a quick shot before he can get in on the play. To finish things off, Morgan makes sure he is taken care of by following up with another big hit, leaving the backer on the ground. Tough play to make and Morgan does it great!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='910463' first='TJ' last='Lockhart'] | Winona</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TjLockhart3/status/1595247883405623297 </div></figure>   <p>At 6'6" 365, Lockhart looks like a man amongst boys out on the field. As big as this guy is, he should not be able to move like he can. Look at these clips from Lockhart - he is exploding off the ball and running like a skill player would. Love the way he can get to the second level and make linebackers and safeties pay for wanting to be apart of the play.</p>   <p><strong>2025 </strong><b>Quinta</b><strong>vis Taylor | Northside</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BigQt62/status/1595208651958108160 </div></figure>   <p>A sophomore offensive lineman, [player_tooltip player_id='653094' first='Quintavis' last='Taylor'] has a bright future ahead of him. Exploding off the ball, Taylor quickly gets hands on the defensive end and drives his legs while having good pad level. He takes the end so far back he knocks over his teammate and another defender on the same play! Got to love raw power like this, especially at a young age.</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='430698' first='Kaleb' last='Bailey'] | Adams County Christian</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kaleb_Bailey77/status/1595224401276014599 </div></figure>   <p>Pass protection is not passive! [player_tooltip player_id='430698' first='Kaleb' last='Bailey'] knows that. Watch how hard he strikes with his first punch to get the pass rusher off balance. Bailey then can finish off defenders by taking them to the ground, giving the quarterback extra time to hang out in the pocket. With such a powerful base to him, it is no wonder why Bailey let up so few sacks this season.</p>   <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='872378' first='Hunter' last='Holbrook'] | Potts Camp</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/thesipmademe/status/1595160877694844928 </div></figure>   <p>Another freshman! Love seeing the young guys playing early. At 5'9" 200, Holbrook looks the part of a freshman, but has 3 years left to keep growing. Watch the way he works to the second level and takes this linebacker on a ride. Love the finish in the dirt too. Big time play from such a young player!</p>   <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='557125' first='Cyson' last='Burk'] | Ridgeland</strong></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BurkCyson/status/1595219023104716800 </div></figure>   <p>Ridgeland was great at airing it out this season, but gotta love watching the offensive linemen hear their numbers called in the run game. [player_tooltip player_id='557125' first='Cyson' last='Burk'] does a great job here at coming off the ball with good pad level to attack the overhang before he even knows what is going on. Love the finish too - keep him down on the ground!</p>   <p></p>   <p>The submissions kept coming after we finished writing this article, so check out out Twitter @PrepRedzoneMS for more devastating blocks! Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!</p>

Alright, alright - I know pancakes aren't necessarily a Thanksgiving food by any means, but let's pretend they are for today's sake. Thanksgiving is here and you already know the big guys up front are excited. This is one of those times in the year that is offensive line heaven with plenty of food on the table and great football on all day.