Spotlight Series: DE Returning from the Super Football Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the game's most critical position, defensive ends have enormous responsibilities. Yes, it is true they do get the glory and acclaim that come with accumulating impressive sack totals. While they want to pin their ears back on every single snap, they also must set the defense's edge. Should they lose contain, offenses look brilliant and unstoppable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next batch of defensive ends excel equally at both rushing the passer and setting the edge. They are dynamic, impact players who come up big when it matters most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379680"],"_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":"Known for their elite talent and team success, Bergen Catholic went 11-1 en route to another state championship this fall. One Crusader who led the way was [player_tooltip player_id='379680' first='Elijah' last='Kinsler']. Playing both interior d-line and edge, the 6'4u0022 250lb talent totaled 47 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, and 1 FF.rnrnKinsler accelerates very quickly. I think this all may start in his stance, which is a quintessential sprinter's stance. This allows him to lunge forward with force and ferocity. From there, he plays lower than the o-lineman, getting under his pads and playing with winning leverage. Kinsler gets hands on the blocker and then strains, separates, and sheds to make plays look routine. What I enjoy the most about Kinsler is how excited he is to play the game. He is constantly clapping and expressing himself when either he or a teammate make a big play. This enthusiasm is contagious and often a rallying cry for his fellow Crusaders.  An area to grow would be to keep working his hands and hips when he pass rushes. This will make him a bluechip prospecting in the fall of 2024.rnrnKinsler is exactly the type of player we are used to seeing play for Bergen Catholic: fast, twitchy, and explosive. The only question mark about him is where will he play college football?","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426444301293"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14756788/6384c31123520b0560ac9b2f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64264443012f3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KinslerElijah","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/KinslerElijah </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172518"],"_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":"Immaculate Conception in Montclair has a Lion roaring off the edge every single play. At 6'4u0022 240lbs there is no stopping [player_tooltip player_id='172518' first='Jahide' last='LeSaine']. LeSaine made 37 tackles (14 for a loss), 4 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, and 1 safety on defense. He pitched in on offense slashing 10/160/2 through the air and 3/17 on the ground.rnrnArguably the most physically gifted edge player in New Jersey, LeSaine is veryfast off the snap of the ball. Believe it or not, he actually reaches top speed even u003cemu003equickeru003c/emu003e than that. This speed and twitchiness is what causes him to get around the corner with ease, often untouched by offenders. He uses the snatch move effectively to shed blocks and pursue the play. LaSaine might be the most physically gifted edge player in the state; however, he can improve his stock as he begins to be more physical with pulling blockers and manhandles in-line blockers with more regularity.rnrnWill LaSine make the jump this year? I truly hope so, as he is a raw, physical specimen who has the potential to disrupt offenses and throw parties in the backfield every down he plays.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426444301362"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10549911/6369960938642d0c30dab626' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426444301386"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jahide51543429","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/jahide51543429 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["174155"],"_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":"Perennial power Don Bosco continued to be both of the state's and nation's top football programs in 2022. This year they challenged themselves by scheduling u003cemu003ethree u003c/emu003eout-of-state matchups. Their iron-clad defense did not bend too often, led by Ironman [player_tooltip player_id='174155' first='Lamont' last='Lester Jr']. The 6'2u0022 230lb standup LB made 65 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 PBU last fall.rnrnLester is quick off the ball, but even faster coming around the edge. He is simply too quick for bigger, plodding linemen to block when he decides to take the inside gap. What I appreciate most about Lester is that he forces the issue physicality-wise with oncoming blockers, delivering the blow and stopping them in their tracks. He then has the wherewithal to continue to look to make the tackle. He manages to get his gap-arm free to slow down the ball carrier. Lester does more than just play forward, however. He is called upon to cover the pass too, often playing off and in space during passing situations. We find him diagnosing screens and slipping oncoming blockers with ease. Once he squares you up for a tackle, ball carriers are immediately stopped in their tracks. My advice to Lester would be to continue working his hips and hands as he searches for a signature pass rush move to consistently win his matchup. His sack and pressure totals will add up quickly.rnrnIt is one thing to u003cemu003ejust have u003c/emu003eall the physical gifts. It is a complete other thing to know how to u003cemu003euse u003c/emu003eyour physical gifts. In the case of Lester, he happens to exemplify both on a down-to-down basis.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64264443013ef"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14810503/6383cfdd0dc1910d743d6cb7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426444301413"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LamontLester6","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/LamontLester6 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739691"],"_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":"The Delbarton Green Wave had a roller coaster-esque season with many highs and perhaps an equal amount of lulls. However, when their defense was humming, they rode the wave of their 6'4u0022 255lb DE [player_tooltip player_id='739691' first='Connor' last='Martin']. For the season, Martin made 47 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, and 3 FR. Martin played both on the edge and the interior last fall.rnrnMartin treats pulling blockers like a tractor trailer would to a passenger car. When he is unblocked he squeezes with force and power. This results in, more times than not, the pullers going flying backwards back towards where they came from. It truly is a sight to see. When facing an in-line blocker, Martin does a really nice job straining and separating in order to rip into either gap and make a play. Martin has enough speed to beat guys around the edge when rushing the passer, as well as enough strength to take on and defeat double teams. Interestingly, Delbarton trusts Martin's athleticism so much they will run a zone blitz with Martin dropping back into coverage after having his hand in the dirt. Speaking of hands, he gets them up when he does not get to the QB and hustles, pursing plays no matter where he is lined up.rnrnMartin offers a lot in terms of what he can do on the field - where he lines up, how he plays, and what he can do. With one last off season and one last dance coming this fall, do not be surprised if Martin is a quick riser on college recruiting boards because his stats and film pop off.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426444301475"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15075125/633cceb7ab92f00c80aad59b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426444301493"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/C_Martin2024","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/C_Martin2024 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739692"],"_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":"The Westwood Cardinals had an amazing season. They went 11-0 before finally falling in the Group II state championship game by a mere six points. Their defense lead the way, allowing just 30 points through 10 games and shutting out opponents 6 times along the way. The Cardinals were led by a 6'2u0022 200lb sophomore by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='739692' first='Dario' last='Mathurin']. Mathurin was credited with 82 tackles (2 for loss), 8 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 15 QB hurries, and 1 defensive TD.rnrnA nuance that Mathurin has to his game is that he has a good forward lean when coming out of his stance. This allows him to explode into o-linemen's chest plates when he gets hands on, stunning them and driving them backwards. He also knows to get his hands up when he cannot get home to the QB. Further, he can jump very high, giving the QB another element to contend with when dropping back. Mathurin rallies to the ball, wanting to be in on every tackle. He has also shown, when rushing the passer, the ability to bend, dip, and turn a corner. Remember, as only a rising sophomore the sky is the limit for Mathurin. He will further ascend quickly should he work his hands and gets his hips through when rushing the passer.rnrnMathurin is a really good, young talent. He and the Cardinals have all the potential in the world going into 2023 and the momentum to build upon a special season last year. My bet: they will be back with vengeance this fall as they have some unfinished buissness to settle.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/4043/Boys-Varsity-Football/highlightsu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64264443014f5"} /-->