Top Returning Starters from Big Central’s Patriot Silver Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whenever we talk about the top talent in New Jersey, we are often compelled to look at Group V, Group IV, and Parochial schools. This is an outright injustice to the talent the Garden State produces at Group III-and-below schools. Finding, evaluating, celebrating, and telling the stories of these teams and their outstanding players is where Prep Redzone excels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we scout the Big Central Conference's Silver Division - specifically their top returning players. This division features the Hillside Comets, New Providence Pioneers, Arthur L. Johnson Crusaders, Roselle Rams, and Metuchen Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378671"],"_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":"Leading the way for Hillside in 2022 was the DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='378671' first='Marcus' last='White']. During his junior campaign, White registered 19 catches for 303 yards and 3 TDs. He was a one man wrecking crew from the secondary en route to 66 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 FF, 5 Ints, and 2 defensive TDs.rnrnAt only 6 feet tall and 170lbs, White seems and plays much bigger on tape than what he is listed at. Playing mostly single-high safety, he does a great job breaking on the ball when it is in the air and can leap seemingly out of his shoes to intercept passes. It appears that he reaches top speed in three-steps-or-less. This, combined with shifty hips, makes him a terror in the open field. He trusts his top speed as well, undercutting many passes for picks or pass break ups. White does an outstanding job in run support from the third level as well. Despite maintaining discipline in his back pedal, he is aggressive, flying up field to make plays. I would love to see White open up his offensive game a bit more. With his dynamism he could make explosive plays with the ball in his hands.rnrnIf you watch Hillside play this fall, just know that baller flying around like a comet for the Comets is [player_tooltip player_id='378671' first='Marcus' last='White'].rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16285321/6372729fa0185c0d5cb2c3d8u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fee136c1c96"} /--> <!-- 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":"Sean Donnelly","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"New Providence","_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":"On the heels of a 9-2 campaign in 2021, New Providence looked to continue their success. Defensively they looked to the 6'2u0022 225lb DE/TE Sean Donnelly. Lining up mostly as a standup DE in an odd front and a down lineman in -and long situations, Donnelly amassed 52 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FR, 1 TD, and 1 blocked kick. Offensively when he was not moving bodies off the line, he registered 143 yards and 1 TD, while nabbing 11 balls for the Pioneers.rnrnDonnelly is a well-coached, disciplined defender. When faced with flood routes, he continues his rush and passes off shallow-depth receivers to the coverage behind him. If he cannot get home when rushing the passer, he has the presence of mind to jump and get his hands up. He deflected more than a few passes in 2022 doing this. When backside, he stays home to diagnose before pursuing. Offensively, Donnelly is selfless and versatile. He lines up as an in-line TE, split out in the slot, and even as a fullback. He enjoys delivering and initiating contact as a blocker, while keeping his feet buzzing through contact and playing until the whistle. Donnelly will benefit on both sides of the ball from working his hands more. If he is able to get his hands on the offensive player in front of him every play, he will thwart the run game and shed more blocks.rnrnDonnelly has all the physical tools and discipline to make waves for himself as a college prospect.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15105492/636e975ba681a5076849de74u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fee136c1d48"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["606209"],"_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 2022 rendition of Arthur L. Johnson's HS football team played with heart and soul. If you watch just a single clip of any of their games, it immediately pops out that LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='606209' first='Emilio' last='Menicucci'] embodied these attributes. Stats show that the 5'11u0022 190lb prospect totaled 44 carries for 199 yards and 3 scores, while making 51 stops, 2 TFL, 2 FR, and 1 TD; however, I suspect that these stats are incomplete. Menicucci is a tri-sport athlete, also wrestling and playing lacrosse.rnrnMenicucci is jubilant when playing the game. His love for the game shows with the emotion he plays with and how he refuses to take plays off. No play epitomizes this more than one punt return clip where he drove his matchup on the line into the sideline. When at OLB he is awfully physical when setting the edge. He also flashes the ability to use his hands to evade blockers. Menicucci is a hard-nosed runner, specifically up the middle. He loves to lower his shoulder and keep his feet running through contact for extra yardage.rnrnWith a strong offseason of speed and agility training, plus a focused, disciplined camp, I expect Menicucci's production to spike entering the 2023 season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jg9T6u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fee136c1da0"} /--> <!-- 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":"Matt Perillo","_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":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"New Providence","_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":"New Providence had the benefit of a strong offensive line in 2022. The good news is that they are not replacing many starters along that same offensive line for 2023. A key spoke in their offensive line's wheel was the performance of 5'9u0022 220lb guard Matt Perillo. Also a contributor on defense, Perillo was credited with 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks.rnrnFrom a guard standpoint, Perillo keeps a strong base when in pass protection. Because of his height, he plays with good leverage and is often the low man when drive blocking. Perillo also comes off the ball well when run blocking - he wants to initiate contact and bully defenders. Perillo's game will further develop as his feet do. I would like to see his feet continue to move, both in pass pro and in run blocking. This will allow his shoulders to stay square and drive opponents backwards.rnrnShould the Pioneers have the season they are hoping for, Perillo's production as a guard will be a big part of it.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fee136c1e24"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->