Closer Look at Lansing Area Quarterbacks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aspen Key</strong>es <strong>(DeWitt)</strong> | <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11683391/6328580d32dcd20528d97c97">Hudl</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into this season there was a big question mark at who was going to be the starting quarterback for <strong>DeWitt</strong>. <strong>Ty Holtz</strong> was a multiple year starter who won a lot of games for <strong>DeWitt</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aspen Key</strong>es became the starting quarterback for <strong>DeWitt Panthers</strong> this year as only a sophomore. <strong>DeWitt</strong> was very successful once again with Keys at quarterback, coming out victorious in 9 games this year and also making to the state semi-finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing that stands out about Keyes' game is his ability to throw accurately with touch. You seen numerous plays where he throws a high arcing ball that hits a receiver or running back right in stride. I love how quickly Keyes can see the field and does not hesitate to let it rip when he sees an open receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite <strong>DeWitt </strong>getting off to a slow 2-2 start this was a team that really started to play well down the stretch. They had lost a lot of seniors from the 2021 season but always seem to have young players coming up who are ready to make an impact. Keyes is a good example of one of those guys. Keyes will have star wide receiver <strong>Jensen Ridley</strong> returning next year and this <strong>DeWitt</strong> team should be in a good position to make a state title run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589851' first='Cason' last='Carswell']</strong> <strong>(Mason) <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12070034/638e17a5664b8800ecb9565c">Hudl</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carswell took over as the starter for the <strong>Mason Bulldogs</strong> towards the middle of the 2021 season. Mason at that point was off to a just a 2-2 start and not looking like a team that could make a deep playoff run. Carswell took over as the starter and <strong>Mason </strong>won 8 straight football games before loosing to in the state semi-finals to Detroit King. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carswell loves to throw the ball down field. He is very good off play action and does a good job of keeping calm feet and standing tall in the pocket. Carswell does a good job of throwing with anticipation as well. You will see him get the ball out of his hands before the wide receiver has even started to work break on a curl route. I got to talk to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589851' first='Cason' last='Carswell'] </strong>briefly at the Prospect Tour Camp in Wixom and he seems like a very calm and confident player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like Carswell's mobility and he certainly can make accurate throws on the run. I love that he will throw from different arm angles if needed and I like that he can get shorten his release and still put heat on the ball if needed. I'm looking forward to watching him throw the ball next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249813' first='Ben' last='Buzzard'] (Charlotte) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JmtGU">Hudl</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did an article on Buzzard recently. I am very impressed with his athletic ability. This is a guy who can play multiple positions on offense. Like the other two guys I talked about how Buzzard has played a big role in the success of the <strong>Charlotte</strong> football team </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlotte</strong> went 9-2 this past year with some notable victories over <strong>Lansing Catholic Central</strong> and <strong>Chelsea</strong> in the playoffs. This was Charlotte's best year since 2004. Buzzard and <strong>Charlotte</strong> will look to build off that success this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buzzard is an excellent runner and does a great job of executing the read option. He is very quick and has good change of direction. With Buzzard's size and strength he can easily bounce off defenders. Buzzard will be fun to watch next year and has a chance to lead his team to another deep playoff run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567889' first='Cooper' last='Parks'] (Grand Ledge) <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16736674/6323533b5eec0b07d8943d10">Hudl</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parks played on Grand Ledge's JV this past season. This year he will have a chance to be the varsity starter. <strong>Grand Ledge</strong> is a very good program who has high expectations as far as winning a lot of games each year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parks has very good speed and shows the ability to break long touchdown runs. Parks is a physical runner and can finish runs for touchdowns at the goaline. Parks does show the ability to throw with touch. He is a good athlete and can throw the ball on the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parks is a good athlete who you can tell has good command over the offense. Park's acceleration really stands out when he is running the option. He gets outside quickly and his ability to do that really puts a lot of pressure on the defense. He is a quick decision maker and knows when to tuck the ball and turn up field and get yardage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am fan of his game and really love his athletic ability. His running ability and accuracy at quarterback position give him a legitimate chance to be a good varsity quarterback. I will be excited to see if Parks takes the varsity quarterback job and then would love to see him lead the team to many wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->