Illinois Round 2 Playoff Games & Athletes to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Round 1 of the Illinois Playoffs are in the books! We saw upsets, blowouts, individual athletes take over games, and exciting finishes. It was a great start to the most competitive portion of the season. The win or go home battles continue later this week and their are a few games that I will be very interested because of the uncommitted talent on both rosters. Those games and athletes are who we focus on today. Let's get into it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Richards Bulldogs vs #6 Glenwood Titans</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271839"],"_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":"Glenwood is going to have to be prepared for the dual threat senior QB out of Richards. Through the air, Dijon has a quick release and is able to get solid velocity behind the ball. He showed in Round 1 that he has the accuracy to hit targets in stride all over the field. On the ground, the senior has proven to be very elusive. His jump cuts and jukes have allowed him to operate through the front seven without taking hits. His vision with the ball in his hands makes him even more dangerous. Plus when he gets into the open field he can go the distance. Dijon might not have the size to continue to play QB at the next level, but he has the athleticism to help somewhere on the field. Check this kid out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65416445f3f51"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331455"],"_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":"In the backfield for Richards will also be standout junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='331455' first='Myles' last='Mitchell']. The RB currently sits as one of the best in the Class of 2025 in our Rankings. Myles is one of those kids who seems to stand out from the rest of the field. So much so that he is able to make big plays any way he wants to. His quick twitch athleticism allows him to cut on a dime and then burst to top speed to make defenders miss and then leave them in the dust. Mitchell will also simply run right through tackle attempts, piling up the yards after contact. Myles is a talented back with a wide array of next level traits. They will need a big game out of him this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65416445f3fff"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mark Helm","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Glenwood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"An exceptionally talented OL to watch in this game is Mark Helm of Glenwood. The senior is dominant in the run game. He has great athleticism that allows him to reach DL a gap over or fly out to Level 2 and close on LBs before they can try to make him miss. Helm is also a powerful athlete. He bulldozes DL off the ball, and in those instances where he attacks LBs you see him maul defenders. The senior is has a few higher level offers, but the tape tells me he needs even more eyes on him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65416445f410b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["278890"],"_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":"The slot WR for Glenwood is an exciting mismatch. The junior tracks the ball and can twist his body to make the catch while staying in stride. He has natural hands that quickly pluck the ball out of the air. Where I was most impressed was after the catch. After the catch Gavin is a strong runner. You see him pull free of arm tackles. He even moves the pile of DBs that try to bring him down. Plus Simmons has the agility you want to see in the slot both while route running and after the catch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65416445f419d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Morgan Park Mustangs vs #5 Sycamore Spartans</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["213605"],"_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":"Morgan Park has an intimidating, talented junior at safety. The FBS caliber DB checks off so many boxes. He has the range to play deep, and make plays all over the field. Jovan is very powerful, delivering big hits that instantly end forward progression and plays. Clark also excels in coverage where he is able to quickly read the QB and put himself in position to bait and then make the play. Jovan is a player with a high football IQ, great size/strength, and the athleticism to be a high end next level prospect. Lucky for us, we get to watch him a little while longer at the HS level first.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65416445f422b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["201957"],"_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":"Another talented junior to know on this Morgan Park roster is starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='201957' first='Marcus' last='Thaxton']. He has a live arm that can attack every inch of the field. When he steps into one and lets it rip the ball can get to the deep level of the field without much arc under the ball. The junior sets himself apart from most strong armed QBs by also showing good touch and accuracy. He can place a ball really well, and drop it into spots instead of always trying to use power. On top of trying to guard against his arm, you also need to prepare for him on the ground. I'm excited to follow Marcus' postseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6541644600078"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271875"],"_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":"We currently have Tyler in the Watch List as a DB, but this season the senior has made an impact at RB. The senior has looked good carrying the ball between the tackles. He will lower his shoulders and churn his legs to pick up the tough, dirty yards. You can count on him to move the pile and run through tackles. Tyler has a well rounded game too. He has the agility and wiggle in those tight spaces to create room to pick up yards. Don't sleep on the senior athlete.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6541644600100"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358308"],"_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":"I really like what the junior out of Sycamore is showing at WR this season. The rising prospect creates separation with route running. He is sudden, has good balance to make sharp cuts or double moves. York can also burst out of those breaks quickly. Carter adjusts to the ball well downfield, and has reliable hands. The junior is aggressive at the catch point, and will go up and get it in jump ball scenarios. He will need a big game to help secure the win this week. Keep an eye on the junior going forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654164460018a"} /-->