Mid Season: Central Valley and Western Beaver Prospects: Pt 1
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Central Valley is undefeated in conference play at 2-0 and 4-1 overall this season. Western Beaver, on the other hand, has a 1-1 conference record and 2-3 overall. The Warriors’ only defeat came from an undefeated Avonworth squad. All of…
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Continue ReadingCentral Valley is undefeated in conference play at 2-0 and 4-1 overall this season. Western Beaver, on the other hand, has a 1-1 conference record and 2-3 overall. The Warriors’ only defeat came from an undefeated Avonworth squad. All of Western Beaver’s defeats were hard-fought and competitive. CV is getting ready for another long postseason run in 2023. They’re always formidable and are blessed with talent on both sides of the ball this year. The Golden Beavers have the top passer in the WPIAL and a host of weapons on offense and defense. Let’s take a deep dive into the Warriors and Golden Beavers’ prospects in this 2-part series.
Brendan has FBS offers currently from Power 5 Penn State and Central Michigan in the MAC. If you’re wondering why Alexander has those FBS offers, look no further than the 2023 Warrior game film. Brendan is physical with the size and athleticism it takes to play at the highest college level. He’s flat out dominated opponents by executing drive, cut-down, and sift blocks so far this season. His pad level and flexibility were particularly evident at DT versus Hampton and Chartiers Valley this year. Alexander excels defensively, taking on pullers and causing havoc in the backfield. Brendan’s still improving his kick slide at OT, but his punch and finishing ability are of the FBS level.
Mikey is an FBS recruit who currently holds FBS offers from Michigan State, Boston College, UCONN, Ohio, Toledo, and Akron. Mikey has looked like a D1 player this year after having an abbreviated season in 2022 due to injury. Crawford ranks in the top 15 in receiving in the WPIAL in ‘23 with 359 receiving yards and 4 TDs. The funny thing is that Mikey may arguably be the best DB in Western PA. He’s got an FBS frame at 6’3, 185 lbs, with the ball skills to match. His footwork, hip movement, and coverage skills are all next-level traits all D1 DBs have. He excels at press coverage, open-field tackling, and contesting passes in coverage. Seeing Crawford play offense tells me he’s capable of being a returner to go along with other clear special teams abilities.
Newton is a physical 2024 prospect that has a knack for getting to the ball. He currently plays OLB, but at 6’1 and 221 lbs, he’s physical and big enough to play inside collegiately. He’s an adequate zone-dropper that displays a good motor in pursuit. Donte utilizes his athletic ability and strength to play off of blockers well, locating the ball carrier. Newton has the speed and physicality that’s needed to be a standout on special teams on the next level as well. His stock blocking at WR and on kickoff return showcase his hungry effort. He can be a punishing tackler and has displayed it on defense as well as on kickoff coverage.
Highlights
The 6’2, 195 lbs athlete has performed excellently to start the season. Dorian has had production not only at WR but also at DE/OLB. McGee is the fifth-leading WR in the WPIAL with 511 yards and 4 TDs on the year and has proven to be a reliable playmaker. McGee has displayed strong hands and the ability to score, showcasing his YAC capabilities. Dorian’s strength is very apparent when watching him break tackles and keep his balance on those long yards-after-catch runs. He’s capable of scoring on slants, fades, deep crossing routes, and other quick-hitting 3-step routes. Besides his clear deep-threat skillset, Dorian has looked good blitzing and causing TFLs off the edge on defense. Dorian looks like he’s capable of being a standout outside WR or an OLB on the scholarship level.
Mason Dixon is an athlete who’s been producing on both sides of the ball. As a running back, he runs with a mix of power, balance, and speed. On defense, he does a good job of quickly reading run to pass. His athletic ability helps him tackle people in the open field and make plays on the ball when zone-dropping. Mason Dixon is compactly built at 5’10, 200 lbs, runs a 4.6 40-yard dash, and has displayed it on multiple long TD runs so far this season. He’s a sound tackler on inside runs, and he’s a good blitzer that gets pressure on the quarterback. Mason Dixon’s strength can be seen when he’s breaking tackles and punishing defenders on long runs. He’s definitely one of the leaders of Central Valley who has contributed to their 4-1 record this year.
Highlights
Tyler is definitely one of the enforcers in the trenches. The senior NG plays with a low center of gravity, mixed with strength, making him a tough blocking assignment even when doubled. Ondrusek has proven to be a hole clogger that can provide pressure from the interior when pass rushing. He showcases strength locking out OL and establishes proper hand usage when keeping blockers away from his body. Offensively, he’s done a great job pulling and down-blocking at OG, opening up big lanes in the rushing attack.
Blaine Crislip
Blaine Crislip
Blaine is an underclassman from the 2026 class who has all the makings of a legitimate college prospect. Crislip possesses next-level measurements at 6’3, 270 lbs in the trenches. Blaine is very mobile for a lineman of his size. He has long arms and does a good job of latching onto DL quickly. He has a decent punch, but I would like to see him play with a lower pad level overall. Blaine does a good job of fulfilling his blocking assignments. His strength is pretty good naturally and will improve tremendously in a college weight program. Crislip is still improving on his kick slide but is agile enough to be an adequate pass protector. He showcased his physicality with 2 pancake blocks versus Neshannock this season.
Jaiden Underwood Jaiden Underwood 6'1" | 150 lbs | WR Central Valley | 2025 State PA
Jaiden Underwood Jaiden Underwood 6'1" | 150 lbs | WR Central Valley | 2025 State PA
Jaiden is a two-way prospect who has proven to be a valuable player for CV’s team. He’s decently sized at 6’1 and knows how to use his frame to shield DBs away from the catch. Underwood is a good route runner with good ball skills overall. He gives good effort stock blocking consistently. Against Hampton, he sprung his teammate for a score on one of his blocks. He does a good job reading the QB at FS and intercepted a pass on the goal line where he displayed sound DB footwork and ball skills. I’m very intrigued to see Underwood at DB going into the second half of the season. Offensively, it will be important for the Warriors to get the ball in Jaiden’s hands, whether lined up in the slot or outside.
Steven Rutherford
Steven Rutherford
This ’25 signal caller has been a good manager of the offense so far this year. Rutherford is a dual-threat QB who has good improvisation skills when he has the ball. He’s shown good QB mechanics, executing play-action on naked and bootleg concepts. Stevens’ scrambling ability is dangerous once he breaks the containment of the defense. His dual-threat ability allows him to buy time in the pocket when pressured. His footwork in the pocket is adequate, and he has the ability to throw the ball at different angles when pressured. Rutherford doesn’t get tunnel vision on one target and delivers a tight, catchable ball with good timing consistently. He had a nice 78-yard TD throw versus New Castle, where his scrambling and playmaking ability were on display.
Quinn Connolly
Quinn Connolly
Quinn is a junior WR prospect who’s starting to develop good chemistry with his QB. His 6’2, 175 lbs frame is advantageous for going up and snagging passes. Connolly is also strong enough to absorb the DB contact through receptions on the outside. He’s skilled at releasing versus cloud CBs and making hole shot receptions against Cover 2. His size and ball skills make him an immediate deep threat that’s capable of Mossing smaller DBs. Quinn also does a good job utilizing his frame on sideline grabs.