Francis Howell vs. Fort Zumwalt North Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wait is finally over, the 2023 high school football season is finally underway in the state of Missouri! To kick off the season, I got to see a very exciting game between two talented programs. The reigning Class 5 State Champions, the Francis Howell Vikings kicked off their season on Friday night, hosting the Fort Zumwalt North Panthers. The Panthers put up a strong fight but ultimately fell just short in a 21-17 loss. While there were several talented players on both sides in this game, here are the players that stood out to me the most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["188583"],"_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":"u003cpu003eJude James is a player that has high expectations this season. To start his senior year, he had some impressive moments. He showed versatility on offense, showing the ability to line up at both receiver and tight end. James showed impressive route running ability, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He also showed the speed to break away from the defense after the catch. James finished the game with one receiving touchdown. He also played a key role on defense at safety, showing the ability to fill the lane and make tackles against the run. Jude is committed to Missouri where I think he has the potential to develop into a productive player for them once he gets there.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Maddox Duncan","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Francis Howell","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cpu003eAnother offensive skill player for the Vikings that impressed was Maddox Duncan. The senior running back was very impressive out of the backfield, showing great vision and burst. He showed the ability to find the running lane and hit it with a sense of urgency once it opened. Once he hit the open field, Duncan showed impressive contact balance, showing the ability to break tackles without losing stride. He also showed that he is reliable in the passing game, taking a screen pass for a touchdown on Friday. Maddox currently holds an offer from Missouri Baptist and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["130185"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cpu003eNext up on my top performers list is the leader of the Francis Howell offense, [player_tooltip player_id='130185' first='Adam' last='Shipley']. The senior quarterback had a strong performance on Friday, throwing two touchdown passes. He showed great accuracy, showing the ability to hit his receivers out of their breaks so that they could make catches in stride. Shipley also showed a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to move in and escape the pocket to avoid opposing pass rushers. When the pocket collapsed, he showed the ability to tuck the ball and make plays on the ground to pick up positive yards. Shipley is committed to play college baseball at Saint Louis University but he has the talent to play quarterback at the next level if he wanted to.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["321988"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cpu003eAnother Francis Howell offensive player that stood out to me on Friday was [player_tooltip player_id='321988' first='Logan' last='Scrivner']. Logan lined up at left tackle where he was very impressive in pass protection. He showed impressive footwork and the ability to mirror opposing pass rushers off the edge. Scrivner also did a great job of keeping a strong base, not allowing for much penetration into the pocket. He was also impressive as a run blocker, showing the ability to explode out of his stance and drive his man off the line of scrimmage. Logan also played a role on the defensive line, showing the ability to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier to make tackles. Scrivner currently holds offers from Missouri State, East Central, William Jewell, and Missouri Western, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a very reliable offensive lineman at the next level.u0026nbsp;u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["126277"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='126277' first='Kendall' last='Gurley'] is another Viking that stood out to me on Friday. He played a key role on defense at corner, showing the ability to read the play and come downhill in a hurry to make tackles against the run-heavy Zumwalt North offense. On the few pass attempts, he showed great man coverage ability, opening up and staying the opposing receiver's hip to mirror their routes. Gurley was also electric on special teams, returning one kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. He also played a role on offense at receiver. Gurley showed the ability to use his speed and elusiveness in the open field to turn short passes into big plays. While Kendall doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["314832"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"As I just mentioned, the Panthers have a very run-heavy offense. On Friday, this offense was led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='314832' first='Shane' last='Pruitt']. He had an impressive game, running the ball 19 times for 140 yards and a touchdown. Pruitt is a physical, downhill runner that showed the ability to hit the running lane with a sense of urgency and run straight through defenders to pick up extra yards. He also has the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Shane also played a role on defense at linebacker, showing the ability to read his keys and get to the ball in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Pruitt doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1131034' first='Cameron' last='Sherman']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Fort Zumwalt North","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another Zumwalt North ball carrier that impressed on Friday was freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1131034' first='Cameron' last='Sherman']. In his first game of high school football, Sherman ran the ball 12 times for 119 yards. Sherman lined up in the slot as a wing back in the Panthers' option offense and used his speed to his advantage on outside runs. He showed the ability to come in motion and take the hand off in stride, using his speed to get to the edge and turn up the field before opposing defenders could get to him. Sherman also showed the contact balance and elusiveness to break tackles in the open field. Cameron will definitely be a player to keep an eye on during his high school career as he continues to develop and his role in this offense continues to grow.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Lucas Newcomb","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Fort Zumwalt North","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"While they didn't throw the ball much, quarterback Lucas Newcomb played a key role in the Panthers' option offense on Friday. He did a great job of making reads, showing the ability to decide when to hand the ball off, keep it himself, or make a pitch. When he kept the ball himself, he showed impressive physicality in his running style, lowering his shoulder and keeping his legs churning to pick up extra yards through contact. Newcomb finished the game with 15 carries for 56 yards. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Lucas will be a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["126275"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"To wrap up my top performers from Friday's game, I have [player_tooltip player_id='126275' first='Marq' last='Futrell']. On offense, Futrell lined up at receiver but mainly played a role as a ball carrier. He was used on jet sweeps where he was able to use his speed to take hand offs in stride and get around the edge. Futrell finished the game with three carries for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also caught their only pass completion for 15 yards. Futrell also played a key role on defense at corner, showing the ability to mirror receivers in man coverage and come downhill to provide run support. Marq doesn't currently hold any offers but has received some college interest and has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ebe87ccb9d5"} /-->