Week 0 Review: Taylorsville (Utah) Warriors vs Chatfield Chargers

A look at the two best offensive and defensive performances from this cross-border contest.   Review   Coming into this game, many considered it to be one of the more exciting matchups of the weekend considering the Warriors were traveling out to Colorado to take on the Chargers. Unfortunately for Taylorsville, however, Chatfield proved to be way too much to handle as the game was an absolute beat down from start to finish - never really feeling close at any point during the game. The Chargers raced out to a quick lead early and never took their foot off the gas, ultimately winning this game about as thoroughly as a team can win a game, crushing the Warriors 49-0. With a score like that, you might not be shocked to here that all the players on this list were from the Chatfield side of the field. With that being said though, here are who I believe were the two best offensive players and two best defensive players from this matchup.   Players of the Game   [player_tooltip player_id='251265' first='Jake' last='Jones'], Chatfield Chargers (QB)(Sr.)(13) – In the first start of his senior season, the returning signal caller for the Chatfield offense was probably the most productive player on the offensive side of the ball, accounting for 3 total touchdowns against the Taylorsville defense. Jones was a force in every facet of the offensive side of the ball, as he went an effiecient 5 of 8 (63%) for 90 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns against an interception, and a QBR of 101.0 while also accounting for 10 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown as well. When you turn on the film of Jones' debut performance against the Warriors defense, you can see that Jones is a sturdy (6'1, 185 lbs), long armed passer with enough arm strength to hit every level of the field, consistently challenging the shell of the defensive backfield. Highly efficient passer that makes good decisions with the ball, rarely trying to do too much or force throws. Savvy, smart QB that takes what the defense gives him and displays a good understanding of coverages and what route combinations work off of those coverages. Deceptive athleticism allows him to be a threat running the ball when scrambling or on designed runs. Good pocket presence that allows him to move around and buy enough time for his receivers to create separation downfield. Jones is currently ranked the number 17 QB and the number 143 player overall in the class of 2024, which feels very low given his importance to the success of not only the Chargers offense, but the Chatfield team as a whole. However, if he can continue to play like he did on Friday, the Chargers will be tough to beat.   [player_tooltip player_id='251279' first='Drew' last='Rohlman'], Chatfield Chargers (TE)(Sr.)(27) – I had previously written about Rohlman for my TE preview in the Kickoff Series before the season started, and he wasted no time in confirming his status as one of the best TEs in the state during the Chargers' demolishing of the Warriors. Rohlman proved himself an elite receiving threat at the TE position, as he registered an impressive 55 yards receiving and 2 receiving touchdowns on just 2 receptions (27.5), with those numbers probably being even larger had the game not been so lopsided. Diving into Rohlman's film from his night against the Taylorsville defense, the first thing that stands out to you is his great foot speed and explosiveness for the TE position. Lethal combination of good top end foot speed, lateral agility, and acceleration in and out of his breaks allows him to beat most LBs and slower DBs that try to run with him in coverage. A good frame and overall size (6'3, 185 lbs) allow him to beat most DBs that are asked to cover him with physicality and size alone. Extremely versatile TE that can play on the line and off-the-line, in the slot where he can operate in space, or even on the boundary in red zone scenarios. Shows consistently strong, physical hands when high-pointing the ball in the red zone and on short-to-intermediate routes over the middle, in traffic. Highly aggressive, physical ball carrier after the catch. Displays great ability as a blocker, routinely driving second and third level defenders back several yards through the point-of-contact. Rohlman is currently ranked the number 7 TE and the number 83 player overall in the class of 2024, with that ranking feeling low given the excitement surrounding Rohlman and the importance of his role in the Chatfield offense.   Reed Narva, Chatfield Chargers (LB/DB)(Jr.)(24) - Narva was easily one of the more dominant players in the game on either side of the ball for Chatfield, making his presence felt in every facet of the defense. Looking at the stat line from Narva's night against the Taylorsville offense, he accounted for a well-rounded 3 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a touchdown. When you look at the film of Narva's performance against the Warriors, you can see that he is an extremely high motor player that relentlessly pursues the play, even when the play is well down field. Highly intelligent outside backer that understands his role and doesn't stretch beyond his responsibilities while also displaying a tremendous understanding of his run fits and gap responsibilities. Shows consistently sound form at the point-of-contact when attacking the ball carrier, showing good form when making a tackle - getting his head across the core, wrapping up, and driving through contact with the ball carrier. Shows great first step explosiveness when coming out of his stance and coming downhill towards the line of scrimmage in run support. Shows excellent ability in pass coverage whether he's being asked to run with TEs and RBs in man coverage or drop into zone coverage, he is extremely difficult to get past as a receiver lined up against him. Narva is currently unranked on recruiting boards for the class of 2025, but if he can continue to play at a high-level like he did against the Warriors, the Chargers will be tough to move the ball against.   Avery Deweese, Chatfield Chargers (LB)(Sr.)(47) – Deweese was another player on the defensive side of the ball for the Chargers who had an extremely well-rounded game against the Warriors offense. Deweese was a force at all three levels of the defense on Friday, as he registered a team-leading 7 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a pass deflection with those numbers probably being higher had the game not been a one-sided contest and not truly reflecting how significant his impact on the Chatfield defense was. Turning to the tape of Deweese's performance against the Taylorsville offense, he immediately stands out as an extremely high motor player that relentlessly pursues the ball carrier. Smart, disciplined LB that understands his responsibilities, run fits, and while playing aggressive doesn't get caught over-pursuing the ball carrier, consistently maintaining the edge well. Shows consistently sound form at the point-of-attack when making contact with the ball carrier, getting his head across the core, wrapping up, and driving his legs through contact. Shows good first step explosiveness when coming out of his stance and crashing downhill towards the line of scrimmage. Shows a good ability to stack-and-shed the opposing blocker when working towards the ball carrier. Deweese isn't currently generating any recruiting buzz in the class of 2024 but nevertheless, will be an incredibly important piece to a Chargers defense that hopes to have a strong season in 2023.

A look at the two best offensive and defensive performances from this cross-border contest.