Saturday’s are for the Skills: Super FB Conf.’s Top Skills in ’23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rain or shine. Snow or hail. Friday or Saturday. It does not matter - football players will line up and play in just about any circumstance. Today we take another look at some of the Super Football Conference's top returning skill players entering the 2023 season. Some of these teams play on Friday, while others play on Saturday. Case and point: these athletes put on for their squads. Any time, any place, any where.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761025"],"_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":"Orange High School has a gifted talent roaming their hallways. Whether it be from a triple-threat position on the hardwood or out wide on the gridiron, [player_tooltip player_id='761025' first='Ma'khy' last='Acey'] is a tornado in and of himself, leaving carnage behind him. Last fall Acey made 26 grabs for 441 yards while scoring 8 times. He also rushed twice for 11 yards.rnrnAcey makes acrobatic catches look routine. What is more impressive about the way he catches the ball is way he leaves defenders in the dust en route to making those acrobatic catches. These catches are acrobatic because many times the ball is inaccurate, where Acey has to adjust to the ball while it is in-flight. Acey has developing vision as evidenced by how he is starting to set up his blocks when receiving rocket/bubble screens. He ain't no quitter either. He is willing to run crossing routes all the way across the field at full speed and has shown the willingness to bowl over, bullying defenders when he chooses to. My advice to Acey this year would to work on crisp route running. If he does, my word. Defenses should be put on notice.rnrnThe Orange Tornados barely missed a playoff spot after a few early season hiccups. I do not expect such hiccups to present themselves this year for this team on the rise.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6431b08fb41ab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17824157/634359e21761e6091800bc89' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6431b08fb4224"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761026"],"_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":"Paterson Eastside has been their city's team-to-beat the last few years. RB [player_tooltip player_id='761026' first='Romadon' last='Adams'] looks to keep the good times rolling for the Ghosts. He was credited with 41 carries, 324 rushes, and 3 TDs on the ground, 2 catches for 21 yards and a score through the air, 1 Int on defense, and completed his only pass attempt on the season for 43 yards and a TD. That said, based on his film I suspect that his numbers on the ground are incomplete.rnrnWe might have to rename him u0022Romadon Mubaraku0022 because the boy is certainly blessed. Smooth hips make for shifty cuts, while his foot speed leaves the defense in the dust. Adams looks like he is in a track meet every carry. His feet keep on churning when he approaches a pile. This allows him to either break free or squirm through for the yardage needed. Adams toys with lesser defenders by stopping/starting to make them look silly as he rips off a big gain. He is also a factor in the screen game, many times getting u0022lost in the sauceu0022 before ripping off a big catch-and-run. We see that Adams also possesses good balance as a runner. This allows him to gain the corner on the sideline, but also make sudden, quick cuts when he needs to. He is more than just glamour rounds though. He is a willing lead-blocker for his teammates who keeps his feet through contact and plows through the defense. Adding a few more pounds of muscle this offseason will add an element of power to his game that Adams has shown, but can rely on entering his senior year.rnrnAdams runs like every touch is his first of the game and a first down will seal the game. Rumor has it that his coach asked the rhetorical question: who can I count on? Romadon raised his hand and said, u0022Coach, lean on me.u0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6431b08fb42b1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17982047/636a7ea2a022fb0d8428d56f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6431b08fb42de"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RomadonAdams8","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/RomadonAdams8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761027"],"_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":"Passaic Valley has a dual-sport athlete in the batter's box hitting 'dingers and on the gridiron. When strapped up, this Hornet plays a bit of everything in hopes to put his team in a position to win. Enter ATH [player_tooltip player_id='761027' first='Eric' last='Allmendinger']. Allmendinger slashed 35/151/3 on the ground and 31/329/3 through the air while picking off one pass.rnrnAllmendinger is a YAC specialist. He takes short passes - either lined up at RB or WR - and gets to work. He possesses plus vision, allowing him to gain all those yards after the catch. Allmendinger slips tackles by contorting and turning his body so defenders cannot gab him. He does this by using their own momentum against them. Versus smaller defenders, Allmendinger out-muscles them. There was one instance where he simply u0022Mossedu0022 a DB and then turned up field and ran for more yards. Should Allmendinger clean up his route running a bit, he will get open sooner and big gains from YAC will turn into enormous gains.rnrnAllmendinger is a nifty talent to have on your team. He is one athlete who makes timely plays and seems to be always open. This allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6431b08fb4350"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18115272/6369791319a50509bc7a8cc5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6431b08fb4379"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761028"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='761028' first='Nate' last='Ford'] of West Milford is one of the few tri-sport athletes I have gotten to scout thus far. Also a baseball player and wrestler, last fall the 5'8u0022 160lb talent did a little bit of everything with the pigskin. He slashed 83/417/4 on the ground, caught 37 balls for 369 yards, intercepted a pass, returned a punt for a touch down, and a kickoff for a touchdown as well. Ford made plenty of highlight plays for the Higlanders.rnrnAs a back, Ford is a one-cut runner. He sticks his foot and gets vertical quickly when running. This slashing style leads to quick, solid, and efficient gains. To my surprise, Ford is faster than he looks. Time after time, we see him turning up field at a moment's notice and ripping off big runs. He is a threat in the passing game as well. Yes, things like screens, arrows, and Texas routes are in his repertoire, but he does a great job from the slot running a wheel and u003cemu003eactually u003c/emu003ebeing a threat to catch the ball when running it. I would love to see Ford add some muscle and bulk up entering next fall. Having the u0022tool-in-the-toolboxu0022 to run over defenders will complement his running style nicely - plus he has the speed burn a defense too.rnrnFord is a nice piece that will draw attention to wherever he is on the field. Match-up wisely, because if you sleep on him he will burn you.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64321df527e93"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14835077/637972290660c4052cc454ed' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64321df527ed9"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NateFord_5","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/NateFord_5 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761030"],"_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":"St. Joe's Montvale is a beacon for recruiting and bastion of talent (see [player_tooltip player_id='755442' first='Ricky' last='Anastasi'] as one example). One talent came to light later in the season it appears. Measuring 6 foot and 190lbs is RB [player_tooltip player_id='761030' first='John' last='Forster']. Forster ran 50 times for 451 yards and 5 TDs. He also caught 13 balls for 385 yards and 3 TDs. Finally, he returned 1 kickoff 87 yards for a TD as well.rnrnWith an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent on their roster, Forster seemed like either player who was blocked at other positions or triumphed through a long season of attrition. Either way, when he got his shot he kid did not miss. Appearing mostly in the slot or in the backfield, Forster has forward lean when he runs. I believe this helps him create and maintain balance. We see this balance on display as he runs down the sideline and when he shrugs off would-be tacklers. He also has some jets. Routinely we see him attack and abuse the seam of the defense, getting behind safeties! When running the ball, he runs with high knees through contact to break tackles. He is somewhat shifty in open space too, getting defenders out of position with a simple shimmy. You must not give up the corner against Forster either, you will pay for it. If RB is where he ultimately wants to play, I would coach Forster up to follow his blockers and hit the designed hole of the play call. This will lead to more big plays and more great film.rnrn[player_tooltip player_id='761030' first='John' last='Forster'] will be a name to remember. In fact, I have a feeling it will be ingrained in our heads by season end this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64321df527f49"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16602439/63292adc5ca91d0fc48ab49d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64321df527f69"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/johnforsterr","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/johnforsterr </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->