10 Stat Sheet Stuffers from GA Elite Classic 8th Grade Game

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416392"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":416393,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The top Running Back of the game was unquestionably u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='416392' first='Andrew' last='Beard']u003c/strongu003e, who rushed 12 times for 129 yards and the game's opening touchdown. His efforts went a long way in securing the National team's victory, as he accounted for over 68% of hid team's rushing yards. The muscular, stocky back averaged nearly 11 yards per carry in the game and was highlighted by a 45-yard clip. Throughout the game he showed ability to run behind his pads between the tackles, as well as the agility to get loose and show off some speed. There's a reason he's thought of as one of Georgia's, and the nation's top 2027 Running Backs. Looking at the social media reports, Beard was one of the favorites on the first day of practice. As the typically do, the great ones stood out early, often and throughout.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["580496"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Fittingly enough, it was a regular season teammate of [player_tooltip player_id='416392' first='Andrew' last='Beard'] at North Gwinnett that put up the biggest numbers of the day at the Quarterback position, in u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='580496' first='Elam' last='Rahman']u003c/strongu003e. Despite playing on the American team, against his teammate since 7U football, and coming up on the wrong side of the contact, Rahman had a great day. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Southpaw accounted for both of the team's touchdowns as he went 8-of-12 for 164 yards. Those stats are a bit padded as one of his touchdown passes went for 91 yards, but there's no taking away from his performance. Showed significantly improved mobility and overall athleticism since the last time I saw him play. He was efficient, smart and made the most of his opportunities.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["571882"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A prospect I admittedly knew nothing about ahead of the game, u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='571882' first='Davis' last='Moncus']u003c/strongu003e showed that he's going to be a kid that should start heating up on the recruiting trail. The 5-foot-10, 145-pound Wide Receiver our of Long Cane Middle School showed a ton of speed and big play ability as he had three receptions for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the contest. Moncus' big play, and really the biggest play of the day, came in the third quarter when Rahman connected with him on a 91-yard masterpiece. Rahman launched the ball from the goal line and Moncus hauled it in at the 35-yard line before winning a foot race to paydirt.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["416494"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Swinging it back to the National team, the walking, living, breathing mismatch that is u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='416494' first='Grant' last='Haviland'] u003c/strongu003eout of Milton also made the most of the stage he was on. Haviland efficiently caught two passes for two touchdowns and 76 yards receiving in the game. His first score came late in the second quarter on a fourth down play when u003cstrongu003eHudson Marinkou003c/strongu003e threw it up and trusted the 6-foot-4, 180-pounder to go up and make a play—which he did—to put the National team back on top. His second touchdown of the day game in the third quarter when u003cstrongu003eLuke Stansell u003c/strongu003efound him for a 70-yard catch and run to help out the stat column and put the National team up by the same 14-point margin they'd go on to win the game by.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["580115"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another skill guy that had quite the day was u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='580115' first='Keyon' last='Standifer']u003c/strongu003e out of Athens Academy. Standifer's name came across my desk a few months back, but I hadn't had the opportunity to go through and evaluate him. However, after what I saw in the Gerogia Elite Classic, I don't need to sit on the fence anymore about him. He was nothing short of consistent all day long in giving his Quarterbacks a reliable, sure-handed place to go when they needed it most. He finished the day with a game-high seven grabs for 53 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown late in the fourth quarter was the final nail in the coffin of the American team. The touchdown reception was personally my favorite offensive play of the game, as Quarterback Hays Maginnis scrambled to his right (while taking a big shot as he released it) and connected with Standifer. He needed every inch of his 5-foot-8 frame to sky up, bring down the prayer of a pass over two defenders, and then battled through said defenders and extended the ball into the pylon for the endzone.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["243535"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":580577,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Talented backu003cstrongu003e [player_tooltip player_id='243535' first='Mikel' last='Stephen']u003c/strongu003e also had a business-as-usual showing in the game for the American team. Formerly of Mississippi, Stephen moved to Georgia prior to this season and over the last two years, has quickly become a Running Back prospect that a lot of people like – including myself. The Gainesville Middle Schooler finished with 32 yards on the ground on four carries and he also proved his versatility and value as a receiver, notching five receptions for 35 yards. His output resulted in a well-balanced 67 yards in the contest, with an average of 7.4 yards per touch. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that 7.4 yards a pop is a good way to keep the chains moving and the opposing defense tired.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["378384"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Despite a losing effort for the American team, u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='378384' first='Elijah' last='Peeks']u003c/strongu003e had a monster day and was the game's leading tackler as a Defensive Lineman. Yes, you read that correctly. Peeks is no stranger to success on the field with his ability but with five total tackles, including a pair of tackles for a loss, even I was impressed with the way the two-way linemen looked. Up to 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds now, he is/was a force on both sides of the ball and looks to be special. Was super impressed with his get off and violent hands. Really shining at Defensive End, he played insanely smooth in space for a guy of his size, at this level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["492889"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another guy off that American team that showed out was u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='492889' first='Chris' last='Johnson']u003c/strongu003e. Johnson is really good-looking football prospect at 6-foot-3 and 190-pounds with a frame and a build that has future D1 written all over him. He traditionally plays a little bit of everything but he certainly looked the part as the Defensive End opposite [player_tooltip player_id='378384' first='Elijah' last='Peeks'] along the front. Finished with 4.5 total stop, 2.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble. The forced fumble came in the second quarter as the National team was on the 10-yard line marching in, already up 14-7. Johnson came off the line unblocked and closed down on the Quarterback who was already in the paws of Peeks, forcing a fumble that was recovered by u003cstrongu003eColin Durning.u003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["308502"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_player_featured_image":580530,"_player_evaluations_8_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"The play of u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='308502' first='Blaize' last='Battaglia']u003c/bu003e forced me to run the tape back a few times during this game as well. Battaglia, another part of that tough Milton team from this past year, had a good day with 3.5 tackles. He's an active player that spends time at Outside Linebacker but could end up as a Strong Safety type depending on how he grows. One of the main things that stood out to me was his willingness to attack the ball carrier, but he did it under control. On several occasions he was able to diagnose the play quickly and fly to the ball all while breaking down and making sure tackles. Another thing that stood out, that won't show up in a stat sheet was him helping to flatten the edge. As he came up to make a play against an outside run he kept square to the line of scrimmage, keeping an outside shoulder free to help with containment. He may, or may not have made the tackle, but sometimes forcing a the ball carrier back into the mess of the line is just as good.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["580536"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Finally, I came away impressed with Cornerback u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='580536' first='Hayden' last='Dixon']u003c/strongu003e of the Creekside Jr. Seminoles program. I had seen him once or twice prior to watching this game and thought he had ability was just on the smaller side. Well, he grew a bit since last year and his play has only gotten better. Tallied four solo tackles for the victorious National team, including a tackle for loss. Showed the ability to run with pretty much everyone and am REALLY looking forward to seeing him live some more this spring/summer. He's turning into something really, really nice.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b4927886463"} /-->