7v7 Scrimmage Notes: Mid-TN Wolfpack vs. Chatt. Wolfpack

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offseason has officially begun, which means it's time for camps and 7v7 tournaments to get started. Saturday afternoon from the campus of the Blackman Blaze, two Mid-Tennessee programs converged for a joint practice and scrimmage between the Chatt-Wolfpack and their family members, the Mid-TN Wolfpack where both teams were able to work and develop alongside each other and finish the day with some strong competition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a cool day out on the turf field but things quickly heated up as both teams began the day with some teaching and positional work and it was some good action as you could tell several kids were a little rusty coming off the Fall season but talent was evident.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After about 30 minutes of position drills, everything moved over to situational work for both teams as each squad wanted to see what the kids knew and how they would react. It was quite interesting as both Wolfpack teams showed flashes of brilliance but definitely also proved that more work must be accomplished before either squad gets to the level they need to win tournaments.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the first part of the joint practice, both teams took a 20 minute break before we cranked things back up with a live scrimmage and this is the part of the day that everybody was excited to get to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/supasettraining/status/1617339875396825091?s=20u0026amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA","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/supasettraining/status/1617339875396825091?s=20&amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scrimmage Notes&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Both Wolfpack squads have a variety of skills within their team and the receiver position is one area where both teams have definite standouts that had stellar showings at the scrimmage on Saturday. Signal Mountain rising senior <strong>Blake Wolford </strong>was an absolute beast as he was almost unguardable, using his size and speed on the outside to get on top of the defense and make plays down the field for his Chatt-Wolfpack squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wolford is a tall and long wideout that proved to me on Saturday that he can run and has the upside to reach the FCS or D1 level. He does need to keep adding more size to his long frame but the physical traits and athletic skills are there to reach the collegiate level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the home Mid-TN Wolfpack, Centennial two-way athlete <strong>Jyrine Otey </strong>had a standout showing as the most athletic playmaker on the field as he made several highlight reel catches as well as lock down some receivers over on defense. Otey was tough to guard yesterday as he used his speed to separate from defenders to find open spaces in the defense and provide his quarterback a clean target to throw at.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars rising senior is an intriguing talent as he can be utilized in multiple ways on offense due to his speed and athleticism while also showing the upside to play cover corner or nickel on the college gridiron.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The quarterback position for both teams on Saturday was an area that saw strong leadership, multiple pinpoint passes and potential for the Wolfpack squads to lean on some guys that could push either team to future tournament titles. Possibly the best quarterback on the day was Walker Valley (TN) and Chatt-Wolfpack junior <strong>Evan Schwarzl</strong>. This 6'0 smooth throwing passer was excellent on the day showing decisive throws along with some zip on the ball that even surprised me. Schwarzl sports nice mechanics, solid arm strength and poise that should entice several collegiate coaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mid-TN Wolfpack threw out a trio of quarterbacks in yesterday's scrimmage with Centennial rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='148876' first='Elisha' last='Nieves'] </strong>taking the start followed up with two other rising seniors in Marshall County's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398083' first='Silas' last='Teat'] </strong>and Blackman gunslinger <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250833' first='Carter' last='Gregory']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ElishaNieves11/status/1617308808325525506?s=20u0026amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA","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/ElishaNieves11/status/1617308808325525506?s=20&amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nieves is a big guy at 6 '4 that showed off his big arm at several occasions throughout the contest but also showed areas of needed improvement as well. He has big upside and college potential but must continue to grow throughout the coming offseason.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teat is a precision passer that has a certain moxy about himself that showed up strong on Saturday. He made several pinpoint passes during the scrimmage that showed college upside. The Tigers quarterback had a couple of throws that he would have liked to have back but he bounced back well each time, proving that he could be a force to watch this offseason. Same could be said for Gregory as he jumped into the action late but definitely showed off his big arm that will be showcased this Fall with the Blaze.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Both squads sported a pair of big tight ends to keep an eye over the coming months. The home Mid-TN Wolfpack has a “dude” in Cannon Co. junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='445122' first='Tucker' last='Kyne']</strong>, who has all the physical traits you want in a pass catching tight end and he displayed those abilities and then some on Saturday. This dude can bend and dip to turn into his routes with precision then use his big frame and hands to provide his quarterback an easy target.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road team had a nice looking big man as well in Dalton (Ga) junior <strong>Jeffson Locke</strong>, who presented a problem as a power forward style receiver that got in the way of defenders to clear out a path for others or was that dependable guy during short yard passing downs. Much like Kyne above, Locke is a two-way talent that might have a bigger upside on the next level as a pass rushing D-lineman.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Tucker09620574/status/1617342276984000513?s=20u0026amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA","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/Tucker09620574/status/1617342276984000513?s=20&amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Scrimmage Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘24 (WR/DB) <strong>Elmo Stewart </strong>- Greenwood, Ky (Mid-TN WP): This tall and long athlete is a name to watch as through two weeks of practice and yesterday's scrimmage, Stewart has flashed big time potential as this guy can run, he is smart and he brings versatility to the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘25 (Ath) <strong>Lon'Deon Kellogg </strong>- Chatt. Prep (Chatt WP): Kellogg impressed at several moments throughout the day, especially during the scrimmage where he used his speed and quickness off the line to separate from defenders. This is an all-purpose style running back that showed excellent pass catching hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LonDeonKellogg/status/1616955799938400256?s=20u0026amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA","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/LonDeonKellogg/status/1616955799938400256?s=20&amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘24 (Ath) <strong>Caleb Owens </strong>- FCA (Mid-TN WP): Used in multiple ways on Saturday, Owens is a well built young man that can play a variety of roles on the football field. His biggest contribution during the joint practice was his speed and ability to get open throughout the scrimmage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘24 (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250869' first='Hunter' last='Burton'] </strong>- Independence (Mid-TN WP): Another versatile player for the MTWP, Burton had several strong moments throughout the day, including an interception during scrimmage play. This Eagles junior has a nice build and the abilities to develop at multiple positions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘24 (Ath) <strong>Derrion Calloway </strong>- Brainerd (Chatt WP): This guy may be undersized (5'6) but he played much bigger yesterday as Calloway was tough to guard or stay on pace with. This Chattanooga area prospect is ultra quick off the line then uses his speed to separate from defenders into the open field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- ‘24 (LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277761' first='D.J.' last='Curll'] </strong>- Centennial (Mid-TN WP): Saturday's scrimmage vs. the Chatt-Wolfpack was an outstanding beginning to the 2023 offseason for Curll as he was the best linebacker of the day, displaying his ability to drop and cover but also be a reliable target on offense at tight end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/coachmurda90/status/1617033860985896962?s=20u0026amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA","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/coachmurda90/status/1617033860985896962?s=20&amp;t=yO2YgCgKtyTSeb40frhgqA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->