Rising Prospects: Big Central Conference’s United Gold Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A football team consists of more than just the glorified pass catchers and touchdown scorers. There are 22 different positions on the field at any give moment. Each position is nuanced in how to evaluate their performance, but yet equally critical to accomplishing a team's goal on any given play, game, or season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's scouting report features a few recruits that we typically do not see crack our reports too often. One is a kicker and the other is a freshman. Combined with their, arguably, more seasoned teammates, these prospects for today impact the game immensely. </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":"Davon Grant","_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":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Aquinas","_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":"Defensive ends are perhaps the most crucial position on the defense. They are relied on to bring pressure, rush pass drops, as well as set the edge of the defense to avoid big plays from happening. St. Thomas Aquinas' defense features a standout that fits this mold: Davon Grant. The 6'1u0022 215lb Grant, who also plays basketball, made 81 stops last fall, including 21 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 FF, 1 safety, and 1 blocked kick.rnrnGrant is kind of like a shark in the water - he is always on the prowl looking for the next big hit. He makes more than a few plays by harnessing good pursuit and the motor of a locomotive. Grant combines these attributes with his equal ability to crash down the line backside to make TFLs and string out stretch plays until his teammates rally. When pass rushing Grant does a nice job of getting his hips around to get skinny and limit his blockable surface area. He will incorporate his hands time-to-time as well. Grant will benefit from a big offseason where he adds size and strength. This will equate to him becoming more explosive and a bull to try to run at.rnrnAs a cornerstone of the defense returns, so do rising expectations for both the player and the team. With a recent run of success, it will be interesting to see if Grant and St. Thomas Aquinas keep their stretch of excellence going.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b491163"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15331727/63799974ff020603a4170fd5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b4911b0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DavonGrant_","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/DavonGrant_ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Leo Haselmann","_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":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_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":"Summit's offensive line has a key cog - their bookend left tackle - returning for the 2023 season. A mountain of a man, Leo Haselmann measures 6'4u0022 225lbs, and plays with a nasty mean streak.rnrnHaselmann plays things close to the vest and works to grab defenders close to the chest. This allows him to take his assignment for a ride. Haselmann is a bulldozer, grading the way on play side downblocks. He does so with so much might and power that the defense has no shot and recovering and fighting pressure. Similarly, his outblocks drive defenders to the sideline. Haselemann is on the brink of evolving from a standout player to a big time propsect because of his footwork. When run blocking he has ideal, short, choppy steps and manages to get his hands on his assignment each time. He weaponizes the snapcount to effectively to seal the edge on outside zone plays. Finally, Haselmann demolishes down linemen on double teams. Areas to grow, specifically if Haselmann wishes wants to play college football, are to get add clips of him coming off of doubles for scraping LBs and more clips of him in pass protection.rnrnHaselmann might be one of the biggest bullies from the Big Central Conference. Size, quick feet, and nastiness make him a projected bonafide college prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b491258"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15189156/6390d4d5d21ae40d38a68ec2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b491281"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/leohaselmann_fb","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/leohaselmann_fb </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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='1002386' first='Andrew' last='Avent']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"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":"Freshmen who crack the varsity lineup typically are cornerstones for the future. When a freshman gets significant burn and is relied upon heavily at such a young age, provided they do the u0022right thing,u0022 great things are likely coming for his program and their future. Rahway has this type of player in RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1002386' first='Andrew' last='Avent']. Also a wrestler, the 6 foot, 190lb standout slashed 94/418/4 rushing, caught 1 pass for 15 yards, and made 49 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 5 hurries, and 1 PBU.rnrnAs a lead blocker, Avent is awfully physical and looks to level defenders. He is well coached and keeps his eyes inside when sealing. When he is given carries, he runs his track into the hole and bursts through it. When defenders zero in on him, Avent covers the ball with both hands/arms to protect it through the contact zone. One area for Avent to improve is as a blocker. He should carry himself more like a tailback who is looking for contact and not stop his feet.rnrnEntering is sophomore season Avent is definitely a player we will continue to follow during his high school prep career. It is only a matter of time before he is the lead chief for the Rahway High School Chiefs.rnrnu003ca style=u0022font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serifu0022 href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/29019/Boys-Varsity-Footballu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b49134f"} /--> <!-- 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":"Jack Bronikowski ","_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":"Lining up atop the defense for the Summit Hilltoppers is their stud CB Jack Bronikowski. Also a basketball player, the 5'9u0022, 160lber was only credited with 1 Int on the season; however, I upon watching film he blocked 1 kick that he also recovered and made u003cemu003ecountlessu003c/emu003e pass breakups.rnrnBronikowski's tape shows that he plays mostly in press or at the LOS. He is able to do this, rather than playing back, because he has the ability to run with receivers. He sticks to WRs like white on rice. Given his height, he is fantastic at playing his matchup's hands to make numerous PBUs. Bronikowski will not easily give up on a play, hustles to make plays across and down the field. One area for this true, man-to-man corner to grow in is his physicality. If he can jam receivers and jack-up blockers along the perimeter, offenses will be in for frustrating games all season long.rnrnWith Bronikowski lining up on the same side of the ball as [player_tooltip player_id='653907' first='Tyler' last='Kessel'] and Luke Harris, this trio is certain to make offenses uncomfortable and defend the hill top all season long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b4913f1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15188223/6371dd50c1250a07c0f27ac5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b491413"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jbronikowski1","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/jbronikowski1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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='916268' first='Jack' last='Joyce']","_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":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Aquinas","_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":"It is not often that we see kickers on our lists, but when we do come across one they are all-in with being a kicker. St. Thomas Aquinas' kicker/punter [player_tooltip player_id='916268' first='Jack' last='Joyce'] is no exception. Joyce finished the season 23/26 on PATs and a perfect 7/7 kicking FGs, with his longest make being 39 long (from the left hash). He scored 44 total points on the season.rnrnAside from scoring, Joyce consistently changes field position when kicking off. He often kicks touchbacks at least 4 yards deep in the end zone. He can punt the ball at least 45 yards from the line of scrimmage. What I admire about Joyce the most is that as a kicker he is fundamentally sound, consistent in his approach, and as stoic as a statue when there is mayhem all around him. Joyce keeps his head down, focusing on the ball at all times and follows through swinging his leg to get maximum force and distance on each kick. He also is disciplined, waiting for the ball gets placed down before entering his kicking motion.rnrnPressure either can make diamonds or bust pipes. Because of the faith he has in his process, I anticipate Joyce banging through key kicks and launch bombs that totally change field position all season long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b4914ab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16314645/6373f94e3dec7a035449f48b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641083b4914cf"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JackMJoyce1","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/JackMJoyce1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->