Young Studs to Watch in Sunday’s State Championship Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six teams take Rutgers' field this Sunday to compete for the biggest game of the season. In all three matchups there will be underclassmen and juniors put in positions to make the game changing play that give their team a chance to take home the state title. Here are players from each team that have that capability. </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":"Bradley Rodgers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mountain Lakes","_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":"Bradley Rodgers has played well for a Mountain Lakes team with an extremely loaded senior class. As a junior, he has made his presence known on the defensive side of the ball as he has racked up 37 tackles, a sack, and 3 interceptions entering his final game of the season. Bradley is in a position to make a big play against Glassboro, as he can be impactful in the backfield and also when he is in coverage.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16144280/6559f279b534910ad44c0e26' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a10f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402196"],"_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":"One of the most exciting defenders to watch in the state, Brandon Simmons has been relentless for an extremely talented and young defense. Extremely quick off of the line, the Glassboro DE/DT explodes out of his stance as soon as the ball is snapped. A true athlete in the four point position, Brandon is able to swipe blockers arms down and force the QB of the pocket before bringing him to the ground. With 13 sacks and 81 tackles this season, Brandon is sure to make a big impact in the final game of the year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18162361/6519f5422aa7fc04c47f2405' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65623a545101d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1031726"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1031726' first='Dan' last='Russo'] has been one of the most dominant players in the state on both sides of the ball. The junior FB and LB for Delsea has helped lead his team to the championship game through his hard hitting tendencies on defense and his bruise causing habits as a runner.rnrnOffensively, Dan has amassed 1542 yards on the ground this year and has 24 touchdowns to go with it. Handling over 200 carries this year, Dan has been reliable with the ball in his hands and is not going down with arm tackles or by grabs at the jersey. He is one of the most punishing runners in the state, and I feel bad for any player that has to meet him in the hole.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19115256/6519c533b534d311a0cd143b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65462a825c148"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092353"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1092353' first='Zak' last='Darwish'] of Ramapo has been able to stand out defensively on a team loaded with talented senior. As a junior, Zak leads the team with 95 tackles and has also picked the ball off once and sacked the QB once as well. An elusive linebacker, Zak can shuffle laterally and fill the hole quickly before the running back makes much progress. A true run stopper, Zack is sure to rack up a heap of tackles in the championship game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16225666/65594486a681b708c4df3e41' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65625139ae716"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["855776"],"_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":"Mainland's sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='855776' first='John' last='Franchini'] has led his offense to a perfect 13-0 season so far in 2023. Balanced with a dominant run, a lot of pressure has been taken off John and has set him up to be successful. Throwing for 1124 yards and 18 touchdowns, John has played extremely smart this season, as he has only thrown 2 interceptions in those 13 games. A very strong arm for an underclassman, John lets the play develop and lets the ball fly.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18055467/651ed18a64e97b05bcf7a39b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65623a545111d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1085722"],"_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":"A player I recently highlighted as a player to watch out for in the playoffs, [player_tooltip player_id='1085722' first='Anthony' last='Drago'] has lived up to the hype and continues to thrive on both sides of the ball. The West Essex junior has dominated on defense as of late, picking off the ball 5 times in his last 3 games. Offensively, Anthony has played a big part in the aerial attack, as he has caught 4 touchdowns and 541 receiving yards. West Essex has themselves a true playmaker that may be in a position to win their team the game on Sunday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65623a5451126"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17488625/6506ecfabed6c508e4ab5aa6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65625139ae850"} /-->