Silver Lining: BCC National Silver Division’s Top Starters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big Central Conference's National Silver division might just be its toughest, most competitive division. With state quarterfinalist Edison, #3 overall seed North Brunswick, and 6-time Sectional Champion Sayreville, the National Silver boasts some of the state's most vaunted competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With strong senior classes having taken their final bows, we will analyze some of this divisions top returning talent for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378672"],"_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":"First up is the 6'1u0022, 230lb LT [player_tooltip player_id='378672' first='Payton' last='Wieczerzak'] of the North Brunswick Radiers. The Raiders flaunted the ability to run or pass all over opponents with ease last season. Wieczcerzak's presence had a lot to do with that.rnrnWieczerzak is a stalwart when it comes to pass protection. He is sure of his slide steps in protection and does not concede his inside gap. His feet keep a consistent distance/base when he steps. This allows him to keep his assignment in front of him at all times. He also has a sense of when to turn his pass block into a drive block.rnrnWhen running the ball, he does a nice job of getting hands on the defender and takes confident, quick first steps. He likes to play to the whistle and is always looking to finish his blocks with a defender on their back.rnrnWieczerzak can take his game to the next level by working his hands in both run blocking and pass protection. He must always fight for inside leverage when run blocking to control defenders; and when pass blocking he needs to punch and recoil to keep defenders at bay.rnrnFor North Brunswick to continue their run of recent success, Wieczerzak must be a big part of what they do.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KBDG3u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d4079973a8e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378669"],"_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":"When you think of the Sayreville Bomber's brand of football, you typically think of though, gritty, blue-collar players with undertones of dynamism to them. Combo lineman [player_tooltip player_id='378669' first='Connor' last='Walsh'] must bleed Bomber blue then, because he embodies all of those traits. Starting at RG Walsh was a big contributor all season long. He also played both DE/DT spots, tallying 34 tackles, 4 TFL, and 1 FR. Walsh also wrestles for the school.rnrnAs a defender, Walsh's signature is his quick, sudden, and explosive get off. He reacts to movement so well and starts working into the backfield in a hurry. He is very strong, tossing offenders away like discarded trash using solely his upper body strength. He does a nice job of extending his arms and ripping into gaps. When squeezing, he gains appropriate depth in the backfield and will not allow the OL to get free releases to LBs - he gets his hands on them and disrupts their path. When pass rushing, he relies on his get off to have the OL on their heels and off balance in a hurry. His signature move to get past them is the swim move.rnrnAs an offensive linemen, he is a nasty young man. He constantly buzzes his feet, which you will see allows him to win stalemates at the LOS. He correctly check pulls on power and keeps his feet moving through contact on kickouts, demolishing anyone in his path.rnrnI would like to see Walsh add to his pass rush by developing secondary moves. He also should look to improve his hips to get skinny when knifing into the backfield. Offensively, he must remember to fight with his hands for inside leverage when drive blocking.rnrnWith Walsh and a bevy of other juniors on the rise, Sayreville will be a tough out this coming fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14749893/63651e50ff02960c089114f8u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d4079973b17"} /--> <!-- 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":"Samaad Hicks","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"New Brunswick","_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 New Brunswick Zebra's season did not go as planned this fall; however, it was not due to the play of their dynamic RB Samaad Hicks. The 5'8u0022 160lb back paced the Zebra's offensive attack. Compared to his production on-tape, I believe his stats were under reported this season.rnrnHicks often ran as the wildcat back and profiles as a one-cut runner. Often, his first step is a lateral step that allows him to see the OL's first step and find a hole/cutback immediately. Once he plants his cut foot, he gets upfield in a hurry. He has an elusive lower body, evading would-be tacklers as he shifts his hips and moves his feet. He also possesses above average speed and can create separation from defenders in pursuit.rnrnI did not see much of Hicks neither carry the ball from a traditional back-set nor run between the tackles. Given his speed and build, I understand why he is best served as getting along the perimeter. Involving him in the passing game (RB flares, Texas routes, screens) would be an interesting way to feature Hicks for 2023.rnrnI am sure the coaching staff will be thrilled to have an explosive player such as Hicks donning Zebra stripes in 2023.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jgm6ju0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d3dc95a76ab"} /--> <!-- 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":"Makail Muhammad","_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":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Franklin","_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":"In a winless season for the Franklin Warriors, a bright spot was the play of second year starting LB Makail Muhammad. This 5'10u0022 180lb wrecking ball totaled 71 tackles with 13 for a loss. He pitched in offensively and in the return game with 28 carries for 129 yards and 1 TD and 8 returns for 139 yards and 1 TD.rnrnThe first thing that popped out to me about Muhammad's play was that he is a fierce, violent, and physical tackler. Every collision he initiates is like a head-on car crash. He initiates this degree of violence by accelerating downhill quickly. He is also comfortable taking his sets in his pass drops.rnrnWith a full offseason to grind, Muhammad would be served to continue working on speed and agility drills. This will make his collisions even more devastating. When camp breaks, Muhammad needs to hammer home reading his keys. This will limit false movements and makes for more tackles for bigger losses/less gains.rnrnAt Franklin, Muhammad is definitely part of the solution moving forward.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16410999/6361a1455cb3dc0ba8cecc7au0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d3dc95a765e"} /--> <!-- 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":"Sebastian Vera","_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":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Edison","_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":"Returning for Edison this fall is the 6'0u0022 260lb DT Sebastian Vera. In his first year as a full-time starter, Vera totaled 58 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 safety.rnrnVera does a nice job shedding blocks, squeezing, and pursing down the line to make plays. When he is not shedding blocks, you will find creating a new LOS by jacking up smaller, weaker opponents into the backfield like the bully he is. He makes a lot of plays by getting his hips around defenders. He is also very tough to move off his spot when faced with a double team.rnrnTo make another jump going into his senior year, Vera should work to lower his pad level when he plays and use his hands more than he currently does. This will also help him generate a consistent pass rush.rnrnThe last thing an offense wants to deal with is pressure up the middle. That is exactly what Vera provides. Wise word to offenses: be on alert.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jtc0Mu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d3dc95a75af"} /-->