Players to Know on Two Top Virginia Playoff Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff brackets are set, and Virginia is ready to crown the next champions across the state. I will spend the playoffs looking at players who have contributed to their team's regular season success and look to continue that success into the postseason. In this article, I focus on players for the Liberty Christian Academy Bulldogs (Class 3) and the Salem Spartans (Class 4). Both teams had outstanding seasons. The Bulldogs went undefeated, and the Spartans' only loss came to the Bulldogs in their Week 1 matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs (9-0) host the Fluvanna County Flying Flucos (5-5) tonight at 7pm.<br>The Spartans (9-1) host the Liberty Eagles (5-5) tonight at 7pm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>View the 2023 VHSL Playoff Brackets <a href="https://www.vhsl.org/brackets/football/">here</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934">@GoLions1934</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Khamari Garner","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Salem High School (Salem, VA)","_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":"Khamari plays CB and WR for the Spartans. He has good Athletic Ability, displaying very good acceleration to his top speed, with good agility, change of direction, foot quickness, and explosiveness.rnrnu003cstrongu003eWide Receiveru003c/strongu003ernrnKhamari has adequate height for a collegiate WR. He has good Release off the line of scrimmage with quick acceleration and can leverage himself to make a move on the defender. His quick feet and mental processing of routes and defensive coverage allow him to create separation, often finding himself with multiple yards of space creating a lane for the QB to throw the ball to him. His film displays good Body Control and the ability to adjust to throws with good Hands to secure the catch. He is elusive after the catch and able to gain more yards.rnrnu003cstrongu003eCornerbacku003c/strongu003ernrnKhamari has solid height for a CB at the collegiate level. He primarily plays in Off Coverage, and he has good Run/Pass processing at the beginning of the play. He displays good physicality in his play. He will get his hands on WRs, is able to step up in run support, and is a sure tackler on film. He has fluid hips and is able to make sharp breaks out of his backpedal, with good ability to match and mirror routes and close on the ball to make a play.rnrnu003cemu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14761101/Khamari-Garneru0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e / u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/Khamari_Garneru0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["853895"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eSafetyu003c/strongu003ernrnJayden is a sophomore prospect who has been a key feature on the backend of the Bulldog's defense. He finished the year with 4 INTs, 4 Fumble Recoveries, and 31 Total Tackles. His Range sticks out on film as he is able to effortlessly move around the field to make a play. His 8 turnovers on the year show he has very good instincts and the film shows it as well. He is also a willing tackler, able to run downhill to stuff the run, and he also has good processing to make an open-field tackle. I expect he will be making key plays for the Bulldogs in the playoffs.rnrnu003cstrongu003eRunning Backu003c/strongu003ernrnAt Running Back, he rushed for 329 yards, averaging 7 YPC with 2 Rushing TDs. His offensive production at Running Back was limited, but the Bulldogs' starting RB is 2025 Clemson commit Gideon Davidson. Perhaps we will see Jayden run the rock more over the next two seasons. He is a straight-line runner who can run through tackles. He is not the most elusive runner, but you can see the power in his steps as he runs the ball.rnrnu003cemu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16284999/Jayden-Cowartu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e / u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/Cowart_jaydenu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Weston Woodard","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Liberty Christian Academy","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Weston is a 30-front down Defensive End for the Bulldogs defense. He has very good height and has already been noticed by schools receiving offers from u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WestonWoodardDE/status/1715156748594544971u0022u003eVirginia Techu003c/au003e, u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WestonWoodardDE/status/1671994650620571654u0022u003eLibertyu003c/au003e, u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WestonWoodardDE/status/1700123055438098662u0022u003eMorehead Stateu003c/au003e, and u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WestonWoodardDE/status/1682958667153375233u0022u003eVMIu003c/au003e. At the snap, he is able to quickly get his hands engaged on the offensive lineman and leverage himself to shed the block. He has good strength, lateral agility, and quickness. He has developed a Spin, Rip, and Hand Swat counter moves that allow him to shed blocks and he is a good tackler when he gets to the QB or RB. Expect Weston to be a force to the Bulldogs defense during the playoffs.rnrnu003cemu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16244967/Weston-Woodardu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e / u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WestonWoodardDEu0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1235203' first='Jackson' last='Bryie']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Salem High School (Salem, VA)","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Jackson is the Right Tackle for the Spartans offense. He is smart in the classroom with a 4.125 GPA and is also a 2x State Wrestling Qualifier. He is able to get his hands on defenders early and utilizes his good strength to hold the line and drive them. He has good ability in the Base Block, Down Block, and Double Team Block. He also can get to the second level and block the linebacker and continues to look for blocks downfield for his ball carriers. Love the effort he shows every play. He is an anchor on Salem's line and his play will be vital to them making a push in the playoffs.rnrnu003cemu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16119987/Jackson-Bryieu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e / u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/Jacksonbryie55u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Wesley Cross","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Salem High School (Salem, VA)","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Kickers deserve some love too, and Salem has a good one. Wesley is a left-footed kicker with power. On Kickoffs, he can boot the ball to the back of the endzone gaining about 67-69 yards of distance. Field Goals and PATs get good elevation above the linemen preventing the kick from being blocked at the line. He shows good poise and can remain focused with accurate kicks when facing pressure from the rush. The film shows his field goal as long as 45 yards, but there is room to spare. Every kick on film also goes through the middle of the uprights showing his accuracy on kicks. Wesley will be a vital part of Salem's playoff run if they get into tight games.rnrnu003cemu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/14761084/Wesley-Crossu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e / u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/WesleyCross_20u0022u003eTwitteru003c/au003eu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654bc45e5cd85"} /-->