Scouting the State Finals: PIAA Class 1A Championship

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>Union Area (12-3) VS. Steelton Highspire (13-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["530829"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638c2236386c3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braylon Thomas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Union Area","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638c2236387a6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jamel Mitchell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Union Area","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638c22363881d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many outside of the know continue to be surprised by Union Area with each passing week. Admittedly, I wasn't aware of the level of talent this team deploys, that being said, it's about time we stop pretending this program can't win the State Championship, they are on the doorstep of that coming to fruition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='530829' first='Kaden' last='Fisher'] immediately jumps onto our rankings after taking a look at his full tape after the Bishop Canevin matchup. His counterparts will also be in consideration no matter the result of this Championship game. Taking a look at some of the size and skill this team possesses and it's tough to understand how I missed representing pretty much every prospect. Union Area won't be sneaking up on anyone now, as many I speak to expect the program to defeat Steelton High in this matchup. The Rollers will have their work cut out for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense is going to run through the complete athletic skillset of junior QB/ATH Braylon Thomas. Thomas can gain yards on the ground, tough enough to take keepers between the tackles but willing to gain yards on sweeps as well. He can also make the easy throws on time and accurately in the red zone. His overall package makes him tough to gameplan against, he might not be the premier athlete on the run or through the air, but his ability to keep a defense honest and guessing is valuable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excited to see how Steelton's tackles hold up against Jamel Mitchell, a sophomore edge rusher whose name is building quite the buzz amongst scouting circles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between Mike Gunn in the backend, and athletes like Maddox Thompson and Dayne Johnke, you can get a feel for how versatile and complete this team is at this present time. I'm excited to learn more about the program in person and see things that film won't tell me, all in hopes of better representing this group this time next year. They are deserving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/amazingbraytho/status/1599258607249260545?s=20u0026amp;t=B-dLNZW21Niz_9LTjS9VVQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/amazingbraytho/status/1599258607249260545?s=20&amp;t=B-dLNZW21Niz_9LTjS9VVQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["64022"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":false,"anchor":"acf-block-638e6d37a412a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["142402"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638e6d37a417f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249025"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638c2236388d3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A ton of hype building around Union Area, deservedly so. Steelton Highspire won't be able to drag their feet in this one. Thing is, the same goes for Union Area. Union Area will have to play their absolute best to earn a victory over this hungry Roller football team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> [player_tooltip player_id='64022' first='Alex' last='Erby'] stands as one of the best quarterback prospects in the state regardless of class. Union Area will have to make Erby uncomfortable in the pocket. Even if successful at pressuring Erby behind center, the kid is still good enough to beat you with his improvisational skills on the go. The chemistry built between he and [player_tooltip player_id='358008' first='DaQuan' last='McCraw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='259542' first='Durrell' last='Ceasar'] will be tested, I have a feeling said chemistry will come up huge in this one. The offense is more than capable of hurting you on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='319409' first='Tylishaun' last='Parker'], Ronald Burnette, Jaieon Perry are capable of big plays on the ground with each carry. All of this and I haven't even spoken about Jahkai Noss, a kid that I've witnessed take over a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can go on and on about this incredible roster, yet the defense hasn't necessarily looked its best in the last few weeks. I imagine they won't need many stops to win this football game, yet each stop will be crucial towards the main cause. A complete performance put on by this defense might be deemed too much for Union Area to overcome. A shutdown performance would solidify a victory as I don't see many programs shutting down this high-powered attack. Take Steelton out of 1A and I still don't know many secondary groups that could handle the trio of Erby, McCraw, and Ceasar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Excited to see everything unfold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ErbyAlex/status/1599835308568084481?s=20u0026amp;t=B-dLNZW21Niz_9LTjS9VVQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ErbyAlex/status/1599835308568084481?s=20&amp;t=B-dLNZW21Niz_9LTjS9VVQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->