Section V Players to Watch in 2024
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The end of the high school football season is now here. It has now hit to where there will be snow on the ground for a long period of time. Players will be training to keep their bodies in shape…
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Continue ReadingThe end of the high school football season is now here. It has now hit to where there will be snow on the ground for a long period of time. Players will be training to keep their bodies in shape in preparation for next season. There were a lot of underclassmen players that stood out this past season and will be returning at the high school level in 2024. This is the first article of some of the players to keep an eye on for next season.
When watching Cadearrell Sneed Jr Cadearrell Sneed Jr 5’10” | 175 lbs | RB East Rochester/Ganada | 2025 State NY run with the football his junior season at East Rochester High School, what really stood out is how smooth of an RB he is. The ability to run past or around defenders and to make it look so effortless was one of the biggest standouts on tape. Cadearrell is not the most physical RB that is going to bully over defenders, but he was able to break multiple tackles on a few big time runs for his offense. What is also an added plus for Sneed Jr. is he can be utilized in the passing game. East Rochester would line Sneed Jr. up in the slot and also out at the boundary, running many short or intermediate routes to move the chains. A few times, Sneed Jr. even hit some deep routes with success. If it was getting jet sweeps or screens, getting the ball in Cadearrell’s hands would result in electric plays for East Rochester. Sneed Jr. also impacted the defensive side as a FS recording 39 solo tackles and 1 forced fumble. When operating at that FS role, what was impressive to see was the ground Sneed Jr. was able to cover in a short amount of time. Being able to go from sideline to sideline was a major strength for Cadearrell. A bright senior season ahead for #4 here at East Rochester High School that certainly will impact both sides of the football for their team.
Highlights
This is an upcoming junior LB from Rush-Henrietta High School that had a very impressive campaign this past season. The pure athleticism to fly around the football field and to get into the backfield to create TFLs really showcased on tape for Ronin Walker Ronin Walker 6’0″ | 200 lbs | LB Rush-Henrietta | 2026 State NY . This young man stands in at 6’0” and weighs 200-pounds. The mental awareness to get low and create clean tackles on the ball carriers showed up a lot. The passion and aggressiveness to fire through open lanes is one of the biggest strengths in allowing Walker to be so proficient against the run game. Walker knows how to dip his hips, wrap up in a clean way, and drive his opponent into the turf for a safe tackle. This is a LB that Rush-Henrietta’s defense will be excited to see how he improves his junior season.
Highlights
Anthony Fallon
Anthony Fallon
This is an upcoming senior DB from Penfield High School that really has a lot of passion and heart for the game of football. Between fighting through tough blocks on screens to make tackles, to chasing open field ball carriers down from behind, Anthony Fallon is a fun DB to watch on tape. The want and willingness to make plays for his team pops all over the place. Fallon is a prime example of the types of players that teams would love to have on their side. When it came to the DB position, what was impressive to see was Fallon’s ability to stay patient in coverage. Not getting drawn into certain routes ran by receivers, and being able to time plays up correctly. The ability to read and react to where the ball was thrown was one of the biggest strengths in Fallon’s game. What was also impressive was Anthony did display the ability to read the QB while in coverage. This is a DB that has the ability to play in both man and zone schemes. A heavy amount of plays came from the boundary corner position in a lot of situations for Fallon
The other player that comes in on my list that had a great junior season was Bailey Frank Bailey Frank 5’10” | 170 lbs | RB Fairport | 2025 State NY from Fairport High School. Frank is an RB that really showed off his ability to accelerate, especially when it came to taking handoffs out of the shotgun formation. One of the biggest runs on Bailey’s tape was a run against Penfield High School, where the straight-line speed in the open field stood out tremendously while breaking away from defenders for the touchdown. The key for Frank moving into next season will be continuing to improve upon his balance and elusiveness between the tackles because it was what allowed him to break off big time gains. Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Bailey is a DB that has great eyes pre- and post-snap. Many times, I saw the work to read the motion that teams would run, and Frank would follow that designated player or communicate with his teammates about that player in motion. Frank was a very hybrid DB that could play in the box or back as a coverage safety.
Highlights
Aydin Stephens
Aydin Stephens
Turning to Aydin Stephens, who is an electric offensive weapon that just finished his junior season at Webster-Schroeder High School. Stephens is one of those dual-threat weapons that can catch the ball out of the backfield as a RB and has spent some time playing at the WR position. Many times at the RB spot, Aydin was sent in motion and was able to catch quick out route passes sent his way to pick up positive yardage. This was a huge part of Aydin’s game; to get the ball in his hands and let him get positive yards for Webster-Schroeder. Stephens is a player that can make any man miss in open space and stop on a dime. Weaving in and out of traffic, but also cutting back across the field if he sees an opening, was shown often. Stephens did also spend some time on the defensive side of the ball. Aydin showed the ability to sniff out runs and being able to show his aggressiveness on ball carriers. An upcoming senior that Webster-Schroeder will utilize at great lengths on the offensive side of the ball.
Marquan Grimes
Marquan Grimes
Coming to Marquan Grimes now who just finished his junior season at Edison Tech High School. Grimes plays at the CB and WR spots for Edison Tech but was also used at the QB position as well. At the QB spot, Grimes was mainly used for his speed for roll-out play action passes and runs to pick up chunks of yards to move the chains for his offense. Being able to contribute for his football team on both sides of the ball is truly what is important to Grimes. Focusing on the CB spot, when having to come up to make a tackle in space, Marquan was always able to get low to attack the ball carrier’s legs. Being able to wrap and secure the tackle was an added plus to see on his tape. In coverage, Grimes trusts his eyes a lot, being able to read where the QB is going with the ball allowed him to make some great pass break-ups. Grimes does have quick feet and burst coming out to attack a WR. Continuing to improve in coverage when mirroring WRs and displaying more electric plays next year will be a main focus for Grimes as he enters into his senior season at Edison Tech.