Week 3 Review: Legend Titans vs Castle View Sabercats

A look at the five best performances from this ranked, nonconference clash.   Review   In a weekend chalk-full of great matchups, the game between the 23rd ranked Legend Titans and the 20th ranked Castle View Sabercats was one of the most exceedingly anticipated battles of Week 3. Early on, it seemed like this game would turn into a shootout - with the Sabercats getting on the board early in the 1st quarter. The Titans would respond on their ensuing possession with a touchdown of their own to make the score 7-7 entering the 2nd quarter. The Castle View offense would score on two consecutive possessions in the 2nd quarter, adding a field goal and a touchdown through the air while the defense would shutout the Legend offense; giving the Sabercats a commanding 17-7 lead going into the locker room at halftime. Both teams would sputter through most of the 2nd half offensively, with the only points in the half coming on a Castle View field goal late in the 4th quarter to seal the 20-7 Castle View victory. For the Sabercats, this was a massive win early in the season - but for the Titans, a tough lesson that will only make them better from here. While there were a number of great performances from players on both teams in this game, these were the five who I felt had the strongest impact on the outcome.   Players of the Game   [player_tooltip player_id='1035285' first='Derek' last='Gordon'], Castle View Sabercats (QB)(Jr.)(14) - Gordon was probably the most valuable player on the offensive side for the Sabercats, efficiently distributing the ball for all four quarters. Despite the Legend defense having a strong night overall, they still struggled to slow down Gordon in the biggest moments of the game as he went 19 of 25 (76%) for 207 yards passing, 2 passing touchdowns, and a QBR of 126.6. When you turn on the tape of Gordon's night against the Legend defense, you can see he shows excellent touch on deep balls, boundary throws, and intermediate passes in between zone coverage - consistently placing the ball into tight windows where his receiver can secure the ball. Consistently gives his receivers the best chance possible to make a play on the ball on contested catches in the red zone or when squeezing the ball in between multiple defenders on short passes in the middle of the field. Displays good arm strength that allows him to hit most throws to all three levels of the field. Incredibly poised and savvy passer that can quickly work through his progressions while also displaying the ability to stare down the pass rush and deliver throws in the face of pressure. Deceptively athletic passer with a compact frame for the position (6'0, 180 lbs) and a smooth release that allows him to get the ball out quickly. Gordon is currently unranked on recruiting boards for the class of 2025, which feels surprising given his potential. Either way, if he can continue to stack performances like the one he had last week, the Castle View offense will be tough to slow down.   [player_tooltip player_id='1035011' first='Jackson' last='Blanchard'], Castle View Sabercats (TE)(Jr.)(19) - Blanchard was a monster at the TE position for the Sabercats, easily being their most prolific threat through the air in this matchup. Blanchard made big play after big play for the Castle View offense as he accounted for a team-leading 82 yards receiving and a receiving touchdown on 4 receptions (20.5 YPR). When you dive into Blanchard's night against the Legend defense on film, you can see he shows exceptional top-end foot speed and explosiveness for the TE position. A lethal combination of outstanding top-end foot speed, lateral agility, and acceleration in and out of his breaks allows him to beat most 2nd and 3rd level defenders that try to run with him in man coverage. A good frame and overall size (6'4, 215 lbs) allow him to beat most smaller DBs that are asked to cover him with physicality and size. Very versatile TE that can play in-line with his hand in the dirt, off-the-line, or in the slot where he can operate in space. Displays consistently strong, aggressive hands when high-pointing the ball in the red zone and on short and intermediate routes through traffic over the middle. Displays excellent ability as a run blocker, consistently showing the ability to drive 2nd and 3rd level defenders back several yards through the point-of-contact. Blanchard isn't currently ranked on any recruiting boards for the class of 2025, with that certainly being puzzling considering his combination of traits and production that all translate to the collegiate level. If Blanchard can continue to play at a high level though, it'll be hard to ignore him and the other Sabercats this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='475378' first='Jaden' last='Lawrence'], Legend Titans (RB)(Jr.)(20) – Although he was on the losing side of this game, Lawrence was still one of the more dominant players offensively for either team. Lawrence was easily the leading performer on the ground in this contest, registering 103 yards rushing on just 12 carries (8.6 YPC), while also adding 40 yards receiving on 2 receptions (20.0 YPR) as well. Diving into the tape of Lawrence's night against the Castle View defense, you can see that he is a tremendously explosive, one-cut style runner that can turn an inch of daylight into a big play on any given carry. Displays excellent top-end foot speed in the open field that allows him to pull away from most 2nd and 3rd level defenders. A combination of incredible lateral agility and great vision allows him to be an elusive runner with the ball in his hands, while also allowing him to quickly find creases between blockers and make defenders miss in the open field. Exceptional receiving threat out of the backfield with consistent, strong hands and good route running that makes him a matchup problem for LBs and safeties. Versatile chess piece of an offensive weapon that can play both tailback and receiver at a high-level, having experience lining up in the backfield, in the slot, and on the boundary. Deceptively physical ball carrier that possesses a quietly powerful stiff arm in addition to a strong lower body that allows him to drive his legs through contact with the defender to churn out tough yards. Lawrence is currently ranked the number 2 RB and the number 17 player overall, which is certainly an appropriate ranking given his showing against a talented Sabercats defense. If he touches the ball more in the coming weeks, the Titans will absolutely rebound after this loss.   Nate Sandy, Legend Titans (LB)(Sr.)(5) - Sandy might have had the most dominant night of any defensive player in this game despite the Titans coming up short on the scoreboard. Sandy was all over the field against the Castle View offense, as he accounted for a team-leading 15 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass deflection. When you watch the film of Sandy's game against the Sabercats, you can see he displays a tremendous nose for being around the ball, always appearing to be around the play even when he himself isn't making the play. High motor, very intelligent LB that is rarely out of position; whether dropping into zone/man coverage or maintaining his gap responsibilities in run support. Shows good pop/strength at the point-of-contact with the ball carrier. Displays good form at the point-of-contact with the ball carrier, consistently getting his head across the core of the ball carrier, wrapping his arms, and driving his legs through contact. Extremely smart and highly relentless LB that can play every facet of the LB position at a high level. Despite playing more of a Mike backer role for the Titans, he projects as more of an in the box safety at the collegiate level. Sandy isn't currently ranked on any recruiting boards for the class of 2024, but regardless, he'll be a key piece of the Titans defense as Legend will look to rebound next week.   [player_tooltip player_id='754652' first='Jonathan' last='Nieto Villa'], Castle View Sabercats (LB)(Sr.)(56) - Nieto Villa was the heartbeat of the Sabercats defense in this game, making plays all over the field from start-to-finish. Nieto Villa was a tackling-machine for the Castle View defense the whole night, registering a team-high 14 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and a pass deflection against the Legend offense. When you put on the film of his performance against the Titans, you can see that Nieto Villa fits the mold of a modern Mike backer, displaying good size (6'0, 220 lbs) and exceptional athleticism for the position. Prototypical sideline-to-sideline LB that can easily cover TEs running downfield and tailbacks coming out of the backfield in man coverage. His combination of incredible explosiveness out of his stance and top-end foot speed allows him to crash downhill quickly when coming up in run support. Displays excellent force at the point-of-contact with the ball carrier, consistently stopping them dead in their tracks when contact is made. Shows outstanding technique and strength with his hand placement, consistently showing the ability to stack-and-shed opposing blockers quickly when pursuing the ball carrier. Nieto Villa isn't currently ranked on recruiting boards for the class of 2024, which comes as a surprise considering his combination of tape, production, and frame that all translate to the next level. Regardless, Nieto Villa is an extremely talented player that will continue to be a stalwart on the defensive side of the ball this season for Castle View.

A look at the five best performances from this ranked, nonconference clash.