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Division Returners: Liberty Red

Division Returners: Liberty Red
Jonathan Davalos
Jonathan Davalos February 3, 2024 @ 09:16 AM
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In this article:

Dylan Thornton
Dylan Thornton 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB | 2025
NJ
Colin Burns
Colin Burns 5'6" | 145 lbs | RB | 2025
NJ
Nate Johnson
Nate Johnson 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB | 2025
NJ
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramapo dominated the division last year as they finished the regular season undefeated and made their way all the way to the state championship before suffering their first loss. Northern Highlands finished right behind Ramapo with a 9-3 record. However, the difference is Northern Highlands is returning the most talent in the division, so expect them to make a push for a state championship next fall. Here are some of the top returners in the Liberty Red division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["802075"],"_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":"Up there with the best QBs in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1021613' first='Nate' last='Johnson'] is ready to spearhead a state championship push in 2024. Starring for Northern Highlands, Nate lit up the field last season as he threw for 2054 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for another 748 yards and 11 touchdowns. Flawless from drop back to release, Nate can dissect defenses with his quick release and vision from the pocket. One of the better u0022throw on the runu0022 quarterbacks in NJ, Nate can bullet the ball into tight windows whenever he is on the move. A dangerous RPO quarterback, I am very excited for Nate's future and to see where his skills take him.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_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/3/16246549/65566d99ff0c6604fce2fe31' 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1191252' first='Dylan' last='Thornton']","_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":"Hackensack","_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 playmaker on both sides of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='1191252' first='Dylan' last='Thornton'] is preparing to extend his success into his senior season. A fullback when he's on the offensive side of the ball, Dylan is an extremely tough runner to bring to the ground. Rushing for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns, Dylan can pound the ball up the middle when his team needs a few tough yards to gain. Lining up as a linebacker on defense, Dylan racked up 102 tackles, 12 of those for a loss, and 2 sacks. Dylan can bring a swift stop to a play as he punishes runners when trying to get across the line of scrimmage.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_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/3/17776281/653675434ba8060a34010dee' 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_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":"Matt Boydell","_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":"Northern Highlands","_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 player primed to produce at a high level in 2024, Matt Boydell is ready to step into a big role on both sides of the ball for Northern Highlands. Great size for a running back, Matt is a hard nosed runner that is determined to gain every inch possible. Running for 448 yards and 4 touchdowns, Matt is a player the defense needs to gang tackle if you want to slow him down. With Matt lining up next to Nate, they become the most dangerous QB-RB combination in the division.rnrnDefensively, Matt racked up 59 tackles and a sack from the safety position. A relentless defender, Matt darts all around the field to get the runner to the ground.","_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/3/16361467/6550615cda50b80a305aaaa7' 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_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":"Parker Johnson","_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":"Wayne Hills","_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":"Quick out of the gate, Parker Johnson played a big part on Wayne Hill's defense in 2023. Earning 1st team all division as a defensive lineman, Parker made 3 sacks in 2023 as he showed off his athleticism. With the ability to bring a quick stop to a plays progression, Parker played a pivotal role in the run defense. He can move laterally with speed and can keep a runner from getting past the line of scrimmage as they make their way towards the sideline. Look for Parker to continue his success in 2024.","_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/3/17855321/655bac7432dc430abcf0dc5b' 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_player":["1043555"],"_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 Ridgewood running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1043555' first='Colin' last='Burns'] is looking to eclipse 1000 yards in 2024. Rushing for 560 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, Colin runs through chaos with fluidity as he picks up big gains. Another running back that will keep chugging along until you get a few defenders on him, Colin has the ability to bounce off defenders play after play. A runner you can lean not only in short yardage situations but can also expect him to pop off for big runs, Colin is a do it all back up in north jersey.","_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/3/6402829/6553c259a6773006c8dd3356' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->

Ramapo dominated the division last year as they finished the regular season undefeated and made their way all the way to the state championship before suffering their first loss. Northern Highlands finished right behind Ramapo with a 9-3 record. However, the difference is Northern Highlands is returning the most talent in the division, so expect them to make a push for a state championship next fall. Here are some of the top returners in the Liberty Red division.

Nate Johnson

Nate Johnson

NJ
QB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 200
POS QB
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Nate
Johnson QB
Class
2025
Height
6'0"
Weight
200
HS
Northern Highlands
|
NJ
Division Returners: Liberty Red
Up there with the best QBs in the state, Nate Johnson is ready to spearhead a state championship...
Written by Jonathan Davalos
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Nate Johnson

Instagram Twitter
State: New Jersey
School: Northern Highlands
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Highlights

<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Division Returners: Liberty Red</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(193,25,32, 0.95) 0%,rgba(193,25,32, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/division-returners-liberty-red-2/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/Nate-Johnson1.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Division Returners: Liberty Red"></span>
                
                <span class="player-details">
                    <span class="first-name">Division</span>
                    <span class="last-name">Returners: Liberty Red</span>
                    <span class="measurables">
                                            </span>
                                    </span>
                <span class="player-rank">
                                                        </span>
                                    <span class="state-abbr"></span>
                            </a>

                    </span>
    </span>

Dylan Thornton Dylan Thornton 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Hackensack | 2025 State NJ

POS ATH
CLASS 2025

Dylan Thornton Dylan Thornton 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Hackensack | 2025 State NJ

School: Hackensack
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Matt Boydell

Matt Boydell

POS ATH
CLASS 2025

Matt Boydell

School: Northern Highlands
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Parker Johnson

Parker Johnson

POS DL
CLASS 2025

Parker Johnson

School: Wayne Hills
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Colin Burns

Colin Burns

NJ
RB
HEIGHT 5'6"
WEIGHT 145
POS RB
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Colin
Burns RB
Class
2025
Height
5'6"
Weight
145
HS
Ridgewood
|
NJ
Division Returners: Liberty Red
A Ridgewood running back, Colin Burns is looking to eclipse 1000 yards in 2024. Rushing for 560 yards...
Written by Jonathan Davalos
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Colin Burns

State: New Jersey
School: Ridgewood
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