Small School Standouts from the BCC’s Freedom Silver Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our deep-dive of the Big Central Conference's Group I schools. Today we scouted some of the top returning starters for the conference's Freedom Silver Division. This Division features the following high schools: Manville, South Hunterdon, Middlesex, Dunellen, and Belvidere.</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":"Chiekezie Ogbuewu","_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":"5'11u0022","_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":"Dunellen","_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 what I would describe as a Tight Double Wing-T offense, the Dunellen Destroyers are fortunate to have the services of Chiekezie Ogbuewu. The 5'11'' 190lb wingback, who also lined up as the Wildcat QB, ran 129 times for 1090 yards and 13 TDs last fall. He also accumulated 2 passes for 56 yards and 1 TD; 2 kick off returns for 94 yards and 1 TD; converted 8, two-point conversions; and made 53 tackles, 10 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR.rnrnOgbuewu is a very hard runner - when in the open field he looks as if he is galloping. He is very gifted with his speed, nearly beating his blockers to the point of attack consistently. He is very disciplined in sticking to his track when running the rock and will fight and claw for extra yardage with every carry. When he gets the perimeter, Ogbuewu is devastating. If I am game planning against him, my goal is to protect the perimeter and get Ogbuewu to stop his feet.rnrnWith Ogbuewu on their side, there is no reason why Dunellen will not continue to destroy defenses in 2023.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16954264/Chiekezie-Ogbuewuu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64024af699375"} /--> <!-- 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='990344' first='Edward' last='Cooper']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_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":"South Hunterdon","_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":"As a player, versatility on the field is an asset that propels many teams and makes them that much more difficult to scheme against. The South Hunterdon Eagles have that type of player in [player_tooltip player_id='990344' first='Edward' last='Cooper']. Lining up mostly at LB, this 5'11u0022 205lb athlete also played interior defensive lineman. Cooper also got reps on offense too. For the season, he made 85 tackles and 1 sack; offensively he caught 4 balls for 38 yards and rushed 46 times for 176 yards and 3 TDs. Cooper also plays baseball for the Eagles.rnrnUnlike most LB's I scout, Cooper included several non-interception clips of him in pass coverage. These clips show that he does a nice job of carrying receivers to appropriate coverage depth and then passing them off to the next level. When stopping the run, he reads, flows, and fights over the top to make stops. What I appreciate most about his game is that even when engaged with offenders, he manages to maintain gap integrity by keeping his gap-arm free. He accrues many tackles that ordinary players would not make this way.rnrnI can see, with a rigorous offseason, Cooper knocking his 40 down and completely tormenting offenses in the fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JihqHu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64024af699431"} /--> <!-- 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='1529749' first='Brayden' last='Stefan']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_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":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Belvidere","_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 was a tough campaign for the Belvidere County Seaters; however, one reason for an optimistic future was sophomore LB [player_tooltip player_id='1529749' first='Brayden' last='Stefan']. The 5'8u0022 147 pound linebacker recorded 71 tackles on the season. He contributed offensively as well, rushing 40 times for 135 yards. He even pitched in at QB, completing 6/26 passes for 1 TD and 4 Ints.rnrnStefan is a nit u0026amp; grit type player. He does a nice job of flowing with the play in front of him, leading him to make stops. He also hustles and is willing to chase ball carriers down sideline to sideline. Stefan will make a savvy play time and again, as shown by his effort to punch the ball loose.rnrnFor Stefan's trajectory to jump from a strong to a great player, I would like to see him develop the discipline to consistently take his read steps. This will keep him moving and bring him to the play quicker.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JnyK2u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64024af6994de"} /--> <!-- 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":"Nick Jamieson","_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":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Middlesex","_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 Middlesex Bluejays might have the most physically impressive player on today's scouting report. That player leads their offensive and defensive lines. Coming in at 6'5u0022 215lbs is Nick Jamieson. For the 2022 season he made 21 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 FR, and 1 sack.rnrnFrom his offensive guard spot I immediately noticed that he uses the snap count to his advantage. By doing so, he gets to the defensive second level in a hurry. Jamieson works double teams well, blowing down linemen off the ball and into the laps of linebackers. He has even show the grit and willingness to cut block down to 1 techniques too. When in your chest, he loves to churn his legs. I know it may be difficult given his height, but should Jamieson manage to play with slightly lower pad level, and thus running with his knees bent, he will totally dominate in the trenches.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14519659/618ffcbf19af220ca8c5cee7u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64024af699572"} /--> <!-- 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":"Aaron Zalesick","_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":"South Hunterdon","_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":"With teammate [player_tooltip player_id='990344' first='Edward' last='Cooper'] manning the middle of the defense, South Hunterdon's Aaron Zalesick patrols the secondary. Also a WR and basketball player, this 6'1u0022 170lb Eagle slashed 5/99/1 on offense, while making 46 tackles and intercepting 4 passes on defense.rnrnZalesick is very aggressive in run support from his CB spot. He explodes to make stops on bubble/rocket screens, with many of his tackles being impressive. He is also a hustle player, often being selfless in trying to chase down ball carriers from one end of the field to the other. I love the aggressiveness in run support; however, Zalesick must be certain to not blow his force assignment and give up the boundary.rnrnWith two quality defenders on the second and third levels of the defense, South Hunterdon ought to be stingy this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64024af699602"} /-->