Opening Day Preview: St. Frances Academy vs. Buford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first inside look at Opening Day 2023 for MD area teams!! SFA at. Buford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'0 175 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='172210' first='Michael' last='Van Buren'] - St. Frances - Oregon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no surprise that the future Oregon Duck QB is one of our featured Opening Day players. [player_tooltip player_id='172210' first='Michael' last='Van Buren'], or MVB, will most certainly account for at least two touchdowns in his opening game against Buford. His dynamic play out of the read-option formation is simply too much for a lot of defenses at this level to handle, so we will see if the Buford defense is up to the task on their home turf. Van Buren runs the offense with calmness and maturity, and I have no doubt that both of those characteristics will be on full display during this upcoming first game. Overall, I am definitely predicting a 2,200 plus yard and 25 plus total TD season from Van Buren this year. He will be playing with some of the most confidence of any QB in the nation, and I fully expect him to put on a show on opening day. Everybody better have their popcorn ready when MVB takes the field!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/I4zf4QoKHV">https://t.co/I4zf4QoKHV</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'0 185 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='172225' first='Ify' last='Obidegwu'] - St. Frances - Oregon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172225' first='Ify' last='Obidegwu'] will be joining his quarterback at U of O next year, and this means that the SFA Panthers will be represented on both sides of the ball for the Ducks in the Fall of 2024. Obidegwu is a phenomenal playmaker in the defensive secondary, and he disguises his rush attacks at a very elite level. As well as a handful of interceptions, Obidegwu is bound to earn multiple sacks from the defensive back position this year. He's a spectacular athlete with an extremely high ceiling, therefore Eugene and all of Duck nation should be ecstatic about his commitment. As they attempt to complete the perfect season, all eyes must be on [player_tooltip player_id='172225' first='Ify' last='Obidegwu'] and the SFA Panthers this Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15749258/637af46a0c53d30c6c06a96f">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15749258/637af46a0c53d30c6c06a96f</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'5 295 OL - [player_tooltip player_id='172214' first='Logan' last='Bennett'] - St. Frances - Michigan State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172214' first='Logan' last='Bennett']'s presence up front for St. Frances really takes them to a different level compared to most high school teams in the nation. His blocking ability opens up the offense in such a way that, on any given play, his quarterback has multiple options as to how he can pick apart the defense. Bennett allows for his dynamic ball carriers to improvise and make plays, and it almost always leads to great success on the offensive end for the Panthers. The Michigan State commit can take on two blockers at a time if need be, and he's also a very skilled downfield blocker because of his underrated speed and athleticism. [player_tooltip player_id='172214' first='Logan' last='Bennett'] is the engine that makes this SFA offense go, and I believe the Buford defensive line will have a lot of problems dealing with him on opening day. He's going to do great things for the Spartans in the BIG10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15939249/6418cbebd21b5e0e3493db98">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15939249/6418cbebd21b5e0e3493db98</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 5'11 170 RB - [player_tooltip player_id='218627' first='Peyton' last='Nelson'] - St. Frances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='218627' first='Peyton' last='Nelson']'s transfer from Good Counsel to SFA was one of the most talked about stories of the entire football offseason. Nelson is an all-around playmaker, and he's coming off of a huge season with the Good Counsel Falcons. With more than 300 total yards and 3 TDs in just five games played, there's no doubt that [player_tooltip player_id='218627' first='Peyton' last='Nelson'] has what it takes to play a huge role on offense this year. In a backfield that's already loaded with talent, [player_tooltip player_id='218627' first='Peyton' last='Nelson'] adds a ton of versatility, speed, and elusiveness. He's very difficult to tackle, and he also has great hands that make him a cheat code as a backfield receiver as well. [player_tooltip player_id='218627' first='Peyton' last='Nelson']'s mere presence in the backfield as a decoy makes the Panthers nearly impossible to contain on offense, and I believe that the three star ball carrier will show just that come opening day. My prediction is that he starts off fast with a huge game at Buford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/SzyjxmflIG">https://t.co/SzyjxmflIG</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 5'11 180 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='218625' first='Kevyn' last='Humes'] - St. Frances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='218625' first='Kevyn' last='Humes'] is ranked in the top 100 for DBs in the 2025 class, and he's currently the #11 ranked DB in the state of Maryland. Humes is on track to have the best season of his career in 2023, and he's absolutely dripping with D1 talent. There's very good reason behind the fact that his final 8 school choices are: Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Maryland. Humes will play an integral role on the defensive end for the SFA Panthers this Fall, and I believe that his positive impact will be felt immediately on opening day against Buford. [player_tooltip player_id='218625' first='Kevyn' last='Humes'] is a phenomenal representation of how well-rounded this SFA team will be in 2023, and, with elite players like [player_tooltip player_id='218625' first='Kevyn' last='Humes'] on their roster, I absolutely think that the Panthers have a chance at achieving a coveted undefeated National Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/fuSAeYFVjk">https://t.co/fuSAeYFVjk</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->