Juniors with the Juice: Top 2024’s from Central NJ

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Jersey has always been considered the "Rhineland" of New Jersey. With its boarders not clearly defined, neither North nor South Jersey has ever taken a definitive claim to it. This packed suburbia has always been somewhat lost in Jersey's geography </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Its occupants, however, are proud and are unabashed to let you know it. They are particularly proud of their high school football too. Don't sleep on the 'burbs, for this next set of juniors put on for Jersey and their home towns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["220153"],"_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":"On the heels of a 2021 state championship season for the Hillsborough Raiders, [player_tooltip player_id='220153' first='Jonathan' last='Lobelo'] had an active season as a sophomore. Little did we know he would be even more efficient as a junior. He tallied 82 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 2 Ints, 2 PD, 1 FC, 2 FF last fall. These stats across represent an u003cemu003eincrease u003c/emu003efrom 6.8 tackles/game in 13 games as a sophomore to 9.1 tackles/game in 9 games as a junior.As a LB he does an excellent job reading his keys. He reacts and runs full speed. This enables him to plug gaps before offenders get there. When backside, he does a great job shooting the u0022windowu0022 and either forcing the issue or making a TFL. He also awfully physical in his tackles and when engaging with linemen. He times his blitzes wells and his running starts helps him evade the OL. He wants to be a part of every single play as evidenced by his hustle. With his pass drops, he gets appropriate depth and seems to have a sense for route development has it happens behind him - opening his hips and dropping with the correct shoulder. He has shown to be physical in jamming receivers within 5 yards of the LOS. Lobelo is a really good high school talent. You can tell he is disciplined and well coached. Right now his reads are so accurate and he trusts them, which allows him to make so many plays. An uptick of quickness will take his game to an insane level. If he gains a step he will be an absolute terror as a senior.u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14840373/636112778cde510d38e0aa9bu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ca105c1281e"} /--> <!-- 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":"Caleb Rivera","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Phillipsburg","_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":"The North V overall #1 seed Phillipsburg Stateliners had an incredible season, led by an incredible group of seniors. These seniors were supplemented by two juniors in particular. The first we will discuss is FB/DE Caleb Rivera, who also is a wrestler. Traditionally a hard-nosed, blue-collar program, P-burg is a breeding ground for strong, physical, and gritty athletes. Rivera fits this mold. As a FB in a run-first team that totaled just under 2500 yards, Rivera finished second on the team with 101 carries for 608 yards and 9 TDs. He also caught 6 balls for 164 yards and 1 TD. He also contributed on defense finishing 6th on the team with 37 tackles, 3 for a loss and a team high 5 sacks. He also had a nose for the ball with 4 fumble recoveries and 1 pass defended.I t will be interesting to see how Rivera is used this fall. Will he replace his graduating senior teammate as the featured ball carrier? Or will he stay in his FB role where he excelled? Either way, knowing how P-burg manufactures players I am certain he will succeed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ca105c128f4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["520848"],"_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":"Although he only served one season as head coach of the Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers, legendary coach Rick Mantz's impact on the program was immense. One player in particular, [player_tooltip player_id='520848' first='Joe' last='Spirra'], may have benefited from Mantz arrival the most. This stout 6'1u0022 200lb LB's fingerprints were all on the Panther's defense this season, as he racked up 86 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 Sacks, and 1 Int, breaking out in a big way as his second year as a starter. Spirra, a team captain who also plays baseball for the Panthers, played mostly in the middle. He does a really nice job of pressing his gap and sizing up ball carriers as they enter the hole. He also has shown athleticism to play outside the box, only to bounce back in the box to make plays. He is willing to chase ball carriers all over the field. I would love to see Spirra make more plays in the backfield, which I think he can do. By doing so, he will force the issue, forcing running backs to make  business decisions. By staying faithful to reading his keys, this kid ought to get it done. Coach Mantz and Spirra crossed paths at the right time. Equipped with leadership qualities and some great experience, I expect a big jump for the quarterback of the Panther's defense this fall. u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15339180/631a14117bd3450a743392cbu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ca105c12966"} /--> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='994302' first='Will' last='Deady']","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridge","_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":"Another FB in a run-first offense makes today's list. This time it is Will Dead of the Ridge Red Devils. As the FB in a Wing-T offense, Deady led the Devils with 1265 yards on 189 carries for 15 TDs. He also did a nice job out of the backfield catching 27 passes for 442 yards and 2 TDs. He lined up at safety too, accumulating 47 tackles, 3 for a loss, 3 Ints, and 1 FR. On tape you can see that Deady is a tough runner, which you need to be in this offense. He is tough to bring down. He will hurdle defenders and possesses much balance for a player at his position. He has enough upper body strength to push defenders off of him and aware enough to stop and allow defenders to over pursue when chasing. He has soft hands when catching passes in the flat or running Texas routes. Upon catching the ball, he will immediately look to get upfield. As a safety he does a nice job of watching routes develop in front of him and is rarely out of position. This allows him to jump routes - where he routinely makes plays on the ball (including his three picks). He also will take an appropriate pass drop and then explode downhill, filling the alley at full speed. He isn't one to plant his foot, cut, and get vertical; he is more of a straight ahead, downhill runner. A strong offseason of resistance running will add a step or two. That will make him lethal. I wonder how he plays vertical threat WRs from his safety position, as the film did not show many vertical attempts while he is on defense. u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JnirNu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ca105c12a1a"} /--> <!-- 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":"Kevin Burgess","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Phillipsburg","_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":"The Phillipsburg Stateliners had a dynamic offensive duo that propelled them to the #1 overall North Group 5 seed this last season. We covered the u0022thunder,u0022 Caleb Rivera. Now we will discuss the u0022lightning,u0022 Kevin Burgess. Measuring 5'10u0022 140lbs, this Junior receiver totaled 18 receptions for 309 yards and 3 TDs across 12 games. At first glance, these numbers come off as pedestrian. However, consider the context in which he preformed. P-burg ran the ball nearly u003cemu003ethree times more u003c/emu003ethan they passed. His 18 receptions represent nearly 20% of all their completions on the season, his yardage is 22% of total reception yards, and TDs are 23% of all reception TDs. In short, Burgess represented about 1/5 of their total passing offense. In addition, coaches rave about his blocking skills, which is often unheralded, but critical to what the Stateliners do. Defensively, he contributed with 21 tackles, 3 Ints, 1 FF, 1 FC, and 5 PDs. Burgess also plays baseball for the Stateliners. Let's see how Burgess continues to develop his game in preparation for his senior season. Stay tuned!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ca105c12ac8"} /-->