Blair: North Jersey’s Top Tier Talent

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A program that has not gotten enough love within the state, Blair Academy is equipped with some of the top playmakers New Jersey has to offer. Ending the 2023 season with a 4 game winning steak and a victory over their in-state rival Peddie 14-0, the Bucs are looking to continue that success into the upcoming fall. Returning a ton of talent at the wide receiver position in particular, the team will have to rally around a new quarterback in 2024 as their starter from last season, Micah Balzarani, takes his talents to the next level at RPI. Here is a glimpse at some of the players you should watch out for up in Noth Jersey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1117172"],"_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":"An explosive route runner with the skillsets you'd want from a WR1, [player_tooltip player_id='1117172' first='Kaleb' last='Nelson'] is a player to keep a close eye on in 2024. Racking up 340 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, Kaleb is the type of player that can take it the distance regardless of where he catches it on the field. With a wide catch radius, Kaleb can catch the ball away from the body and reel it in with strong hands. Consistently coming down with contended balls, Kaleb can then accelerate upfield and leave the defender behind. An elite cornerback as well, Kaleb always finds a way to get in front of the ball to deflect it away or pick it of. Making 32 tackles, 2 interceptions, and forcing a fumble in 2023, look for Kaleb to make some momentum changing plays next fall.","_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/3/16204742/654aa0745caa710b7cdf7ea4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- 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":"Joe Alnwick","_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_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blair Academy","_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":"A force on both sides of the line, 2025 product Joe Alnwick is a player that is always a mismatch for the player he lines up against. Making 17 tackles and a sack on the defensive side of the ball, Joe is a strong defensive tackle that is a reliable centerpiece in the middle of the line. Joe is known for holding his ground and never giving up an inch when blockers approach.rnrnLining up at the tackle position on offense, Joe is very quick off of the snap and can deliver punishing jabs to defenders. Clearing massive holes for his runners, Blair's run game always excels when they run behind Joe.","_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/3/19534350/654a5fb69680a60a9836a038' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910558"],"_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 two way starter, [player_tooltip player_id='910558' first='Carson' last='Bowman'] is another athlete primed for a big senior season. A safety lurking in the secondary, Carson has quick play recognition from the defensive backfield and can change direction and dart upfield very quickly. A sure tackler on the outside, Carson prevents runners from having any success when they try to bounce it. Making 30 tackles, 1 FF and 1 interception, Carson is a big time defensive threat.rnrnHe is also another Blair receiver that uses his speed to beat the defender off of the line. With his quick feet, he can get the corner to turn his hips, setting himself up for an easy catch and run. Look for Carson to make some athletic catches next season.","_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/3/16204701/6552d1d55b3d7706c8d3c4aa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1001394"],"_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":"Blair's kicker, punter, cornerback, and also receiver, [player_tooltip player_id='1001394' first='Jack' last='Armbruster'] does it all for the Bucs. From the kicking side of the things, Jack really has a boot behind him and I would not be the least bit surprised if he garnished looks purely for his kicking power. Offensively, Jack is a large target from the wide receiver position. Catching for nearly 200 yards in 2023, Jack has the hops and length to catch the ball at its highest point and outcompete the defender for the ball. I foresee Jack being a true pylon threat next season. Defensively, Jack picked the ball off once last season as he stayed glued to receivers hips all season long.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_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/3/16204699/654cea912351ef0b54f57383' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- 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":"Shane Hadden","_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_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blair Academy ","_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":"Shane Hadden has the ability to absolutely terrorize quarterbacks coming off of the edge. With natural instinct to sniff out the play, Shane can end a play to his side very quickly, but can also use his quickness to chase a running back down from behind if they are dancing around in the backfield. Equipped with great size that he uses to fight off blockers, Shane can then proceed to deliver punishing tackles to the ball carrier. I expect a big jump in collegiate attention next fall.","_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/3/16204752/65515130da50b80a305b61ea' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->