Ballers that are Trending Upwards: BCC United Silver Edition
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The more film I watch on the Big Central Conference, the more I feel that its United Silver Division, talent-wise, may be their most underrated division. Although their occupants, Governor Livingston, Carteret, JP Stevens, North Plainfield, and South Plainfield do…
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Continue ReadingThe more film I watch on the Big Central Conference, the more I feel that its United Silver Division, talent-wise, may be their most underrated division. Although their occupants, Governor Livingston, Carteret, JP Stevens, North Plainfield, and South Plainfield do not scream “football factory,” make no mistake about it: these teams each posses some quality, explosive playmakers on their rosters.
Today we look at a few of their standouts that should be climbers and are trending upwards this fall.
Jakir Thomas Jakir Thomas 5'8" | 150 lbs | ATH Carteret | 2025 NJ
Jakir Thomas Jakir Thomas 5'8" | 150 lbs | ATH Carteret | 2025 NJ
The Carteret Rambler’s ground attack was led by the explosive, 5’10” 165lb tailback Jakir Thomas Jakir Thomas 5’8″ | 150 lbs | ATH Carteret | 2025 NJ . On the season, Thomas rushed for 1100 yards on 142 carries, while having 5, 100-yard games and finding paydirt 9 times. Defensively he contributed with 33 stops (3 for a loss), 2 Ints, 9 PBU, and 1 FF/FR. Thomas also handled wildcat back responsibilities as well.
Thomas is a fluid runner who can make multiple smooth cuts when toting the rock. He can cut back against the grain easily and is always looking and moving toward open, green space on the field. Once in the open field or the secondary, Thomas will look to cut back to break free for enormous gains. What I appreciate most about him as a runner is that he manages to squirm through traffic to get loose and how he spins to get defenders off of him. Thomas will throw a block along the perimeter when asked to. Being such a young back, at times Thomas will look for premature bounces to the sideline rather than running his track. With more varsity experience this habit will eventually break.
As Thomas rambles on, so do the Ramblers. So my advice to Thomas in 2023 is to make like Led Zeppelin and “ramble on.”
Tyrell King
Tyrell King
The 2022 North Plainfield Canuck’s season did not go as hoped; however, their future is optimistic as they have one of the Big Central’s youngest and most physically gifted receivers: Tyrell King. Measuring in at 6’2″ 175 lbs, this sophomore wideout slashed 11/213/2 on offense and was credited with 7 tackles and 1 FF across 8 games. Given his production on tape, these statistics likely are underreported.
Tyrell might just be King of the deep ball. He does a nice job of getting vertical and getting loose for big gains. Because of him being such a deep threat, defenders tend to play back – which allows him to make breaks on curl routes and posts. Speaking of posts, King does a nice job of winning atop his post routes with body positioning. King has made more than a few acrobatic catches along the sideline as well. Finally, more so than other WRs he features several clips of him run blocking. Clearly, this is an aspect of his game he takes pride in and knows college coaches look for. One thing I would like to see King focus on as he prepares for his junior year is his route running. Given his size and aptitude as a deep threat, as he refines his route running this will expand his route tree – and thus play calling – to make for a deep tape at the end of his junior year.
Given his prototypical size and ability, Tyrell King is a name to remember – and a player we will be certain to track – this coming season as a recruiting board climber.
The 2022 South Plainfield Tigers had a breakout season. We already covered players such as standout AJ Perales, who anchored their defense; however, their offense was paced by the 5’8″ 165lb runner named Patrick Smith Patrick Smith 5’9″ | 150 lbs | RB South Plainfield | 2024 NJ . Taking, from I saw, the majority of his carries as a wingback in 9 games Smith rushed 78 times for 818 yards and 11 TDs. This averages out to 10.5 YPC, or a first down every carry and a score every 7 carries. He also caught 12 passes for 195 yards and 1 score; he made 42 stops, 1 for a loss, 1 sack, 1 FR, 1 Int, and 11 PBU; and returned the ball 20 times for 684 yards and 2 TDs.
Smith’s game is simple, but special. He is adept at jump-cuts – they are definitely his favorite move. In fact, he likes them so much so that he often makes multiple jump-cuts on one carry. This ability smiply makes defenders look silly. He plays the game very much so like he is in a real-life video game. What I mean by this is that he weaves in and out of traffic as if he was in a game simulation. My advice to Smith is that if he wants to be a RB in college, he ought to adds clips of him as a tailback to his film.
Need a first down? Give it to Smith. Looking for a big play? Give it to Smith.
Simply put: Give. The. Ball. To. Smith.
Highlights
Michael Geertsma
Michael Geertsma
Leading Governor Livingston’s arial assault was the junior QB Michael Geertsma. At 6 foot and 170lbs, this signal caller was 46/108, 627 yards, with 4 TDs, and 6 picks through the air, while picking up 262 yards and 3 scores on 69 carries. Atypical for a QB, he was a contributor on defense as well, managing to make 24 stops (1 for a loss), 1 FR, 1 Int, and 1 blocked kick. Given from what I saw on film, I suspect that his stats might be underreported.
What I appreciate most about Geertsma as a QB is that he has superior ball placement. On underneath routes, he puts the ball in spots only his guys can make the play. With a proclivity for the deep ball, Geertsma makes accurate throws downfield and often hits his receivers in stride. He mixes it up too, putting either mustard or touch on the ball when needed. As he throws a pass, the football just looks so pretty as it cuts through the air. Geertsma has even shown the ability to roll out to his left and complete throws across his body. Given that he is asked to run read-option plays, Geerstma should work his tail off this offseason and gain a step. He will morph himself into a truly dynamic player for the Highlanders.
Expect Geerstma to lead the Highlanders to the end zone all season long in 2023.
Jack Wlodarczyk
Jack Wlodarczyk
If Jakir Thomas Jakir Thomas 5’8″ | 150 lbs | ATH Carteret | 2025 NJ of the Carteret Ramblers was the beneficiary of a strong offensive line, then guard Jack Wlodarczyk was Thomas’ benefactor. Coming in at 6’1″ 267lbs, Wlodarczyk started at right guard all season long, while contributing on defense with 33 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 FF.
The most outstanding thing I saw him do on film was a play where he was actually the backside tackle. Seemingly effortlessly, Wlodarczyk got to the second level away-side LB and successfully reached him. As an OL coach myself, this is probably top 3 most difficult blocks we ask linemen to make. He might be the Rambler’s primary pulling guard. Many of his clips were of him executing a kick-out block. What I saw was that he keeps his feet running through contact and wants to drive defenders out of the screen. In the same vein, he does a great job getting a push on double teams. One thing I would impart on Wlodarczyk is to anticipate, and thus weaponize, the snap count. The offense has two advantages over the defense: knowing where the ball is going and the snap count. Getting a good jump will make Wlodarczyk even that much more effective.
With many key players at key spots returning, expect Carteret to compete for a division title and a playoff spot this fall.