Top Talent: Big Central Conference United Gold Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue to scout and evaluate the Big Central Conference's top talent, today we look at the United Gold division. This division is chock full of tight competition and tough talent. Between annual division leaders St. Thomas Aquinas and Cranford, a team with a 130+ year history in Summit, the always athletic Rahway teams, and an emerging program in Scotch Plains-Fanwood there are absolutely zero "gimmie" games and talented players littered all over the field. Let's take a look at some of the players these teams have returning for 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Luke Harris","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Summit","_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":"Your typical, unassuming high school football player might come in at 5'9u0022 170lbs. Well, if that player is named Luke Harris and plays for the Summit, you just assumed wrong. Lining up atop the defense for the Hilltoppers as either as a single high or cover 2 safety, Harris recorded 86 tackles, 13 TFL, 1 FF, and blocked one timely kick that sealed the game. He also plays lacrosse.rnrnWhat impressed me most about Harris' game is how physical he is. He is a downhill safety who tackles low and loves to hit, attacking ball carriers legs in order to make secure tackles. Harris also seems to be flying around the field at full speed at all times. This is a recipe for physicality, big hits, and impressive stops. He tracks the QBs eyes well in coverage, allowing him to cue up and time big hits on receivers. He is apt at this, routinely and effectively dislodging the ball when doing so.rnrnHarris is a dynamic player who opposing offenses should think twice about testing.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16332093/63323442da52570da01d7d9au0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ea770e722da"} /--> <!-- 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":"Marquis Diggs","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rahway","_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 season mired with tragedy and heavy hearts, the Rahway Indians overcame and delivered in honor of a fallen teammate. One player in particular who put on for his city and teammate was 6'1u0022 170lb Marquis Diggs. The junior DB was not tested very often, but when he was he locked the opposition down. He made 32 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1 Int, and 4 PBUs during the 2022 season.rnrnAt the snap of the ball Diggs has a fluid, steady, and quick backpedal. He looks contest every single ball thrown his way when it is in the air. He also does a nice job of positioning his body so he can play with correct leverage to wall off receivers. He forces the issue with blockers along the perimeter, being physical and quick to make plays along the perimeter. Although he lines up in press coverage technique he does not often press, but rather he trusts his ability to run with defenders. That said, I would love to see more of him press and jam his matchup at the line in 2023.rnrnDiggs is freaky athletic and with a big offseason behind him should explode this fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17825104/636321269676500694318c93u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ea770e7201a"} /--> <!-- 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":"Tyler Kessel","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"Summit","_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":"Quarterbacking the defense for the Summit Hilltoppers is the 6'1u0022 200lb LB Tyler Kessel. Kessel, who also plays baseball, did a little bit of everything on defense. He totaled 120 tackles, 20 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR, and 1 Int on the season for Summit while lining up both at MLB and occasionally OLB.rnrnWhat I love most about this kid is that, akin to a seasoned vet, if presented with a free shot he will take it every single time. He also has great instincts and the size to clog passing lanes, interfering with QB's passing window. Kessel is effective when reading his keys and is fast enough to rally and clean anything up. He does not stop moving and will not give up on a play. In one clip he chased the offensive player about 50 yards down field and forced a touchback in the end zone (think the Don Beebe-Leon Lett play in Super Bowl XXVII). For 2023 I want to see Kessel be more physical and violent with oncoming blockers; for now, he evades and slips past them via speed and reads. Reads and speed plus destroying blockers (if they even get to him) equals a long season for opposing offenses. He will totally demoralize them.rnrnWith two key pieces of their defense returning, I fully expect Kessel and teammate Luke Harris to lead a stingy and stout defensive unit this fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15189223/63742583a022a80974b695e0u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ea770e721ee"} /--> <!-- 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":"Ryan Schnall","_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":"Summit","_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 an offense that, in addition to their QB, frequently features three RBs there is a lot of competition for carries. However, what might just happen is that all three backs become superbly efficient. The Summit Hilltopper's Ryan Schnall epitomized this by making the most of his opportunities. At 5'8u0022 175lbs Schnall slashed 108/743/8 for the season (6.9 YPC) while also pitching in with 5 catches for 80 yards. He also converted a 2-point play.rnrnSchnall does two things extremely well: he follows his lead blockers as he hits the hole and stays disciplined in running his track. Blessed with the benefit of great blocking, Schnall only has to cut when necessary. He is not interested in making his cuts look cute either. If-and-when he does cut, he makes only one cut and gets vertical in a hurry. As a blocker out of the backfield he runs full steam ahead, often leveling defenders in his path. I can see Schnall having an intense offseason where he shaves a couple of hundredths of a second off his 40 time. This would make his feet quicker in the process too, opening up his game even more.rnrnThe way to the top for the Hilltoppers is to ride on the coattails of the locomotive knowns as the Ryan Schnall Express.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15189036/6376ab2b8cd49a09a0bd80ccu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ea770e72106"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Ryan Carracino","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"Cranford","_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 Cranford Cougars have recently experienced a run of recent success. Part of this is due to versatile athletes who contribute in a multitude of ways. The epitome of this last fall was LB Ryan Carracino.rnrnAlso a baseball player, Carracino did a little bit of everything for the Cougars. He rushed 7 times for 17 yards, while hauling in 18 receptions for 164 yards and 1 TD. Defensively he registered 23 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, and 2 FR. He even was a factor in the kicking game, going 8/9 in XPTs and 1/2 in FGA. He also punted once for 30 yards. However, given the buzz and notoriety Carracino has received in the offseason I believe that the available stats are incomplete.rnrnFor this these reasons, Carracino is a mysterious player we ought to keep tabs on and get a closer look at during 2023. With his acclaim and reputation, combined with solid film, he is certain to make collegiate recruiting waves if he chooses to.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ea770e71f20"} /-->