Returning Contributors: Morristown Colonials’ Big Men

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three seasons ago, back in 2021, the Morristown Colonials were a 1-9 team that only scored double-digit points once that season. After that season Casey Flynn was named head coach of the program and experienced almost immediate success. In his first season Flynn led the Colonials to a 3-7 record and a playoff berth. The ascension has continued as the team improved to 4-6 with a second-consecutive playoff berth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will this climb continue in 2024? If it does, the following prospects will have a big part of the rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176274"],"_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='1176274' first='Ryan' last='Myers'] proved to be a key two-way player for the Colonials during his junior season. The tight end-linebacker is 6'2u0022 180lbs and registered 44 tackles (18 solo) with 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pick-six. Offensively he caught a 17 yard touchdown pass.rnrnDefensively Myers plays mostly off the edge and bumps out over #3 against trips. He does a nice job reading off of the QB and transitioning his eyes to the route combination forthcoming. He has shown to get handsy with receivers at times, getting hands on them to bump them off of their route. Adding to his versatility Myers has shown clips playing both standing up and with his hand in the dirt. One thing I really liked was that he activates power from his hips when engaging with offensive linemen in front of him. With his hands on the man in front of him, this enables him the force and power to drive his matchup behind the line of scrimmage. At first glance it appears that he plays spill vs. box correctly depending on what support his behind him. An area I want to see more from Myers is aggressively neutralizing oncoming kick out blockers.rnrnOn offense the one pass he caught on the season was beautiful. He did a nice job selling run, presses off of his defender within 5 yards to create separation, uses his hands to catch the ball, and absorbed contact from two defenders while maintaining possession for a score. As a run blocker Myers is a max-effort blocker who does a solid job on down blocking. As I would probably tell any tight end who has to split their time between o-line and skelly, he would be best served to improve his blocking technique.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbb02"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/6569d89e79a713f693ae6050/Ryan%20Myers%20-%20Full%20Junior%20Season%20Highlights","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbbb9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1041990"],"_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":"For the Colonials, [player_tooltip player_id='1041990' first='Alex' last='Davis'] is a versatile running back and heartbeat of the linebacking corps. Although he rushed just 18 times for 55 yards and went 4/23 as a target, he served as a necessary lead blocker in a run-heavy offense. As a linebacker he made 43 stops (30 solo) along with 13 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. I noticed instances where Davis aligns both inside and outside. When outside Davis presents matchup issues for bigger, slower offensive linemen. That attribute allows him to beat reach blocks with his speed, preventing him from getting pinned inside the lineman's block. When inside we see Davis get hands on linemen, often below their chest plate, working upward and refitting his hands to get offensive lineman off balance. Regardless of where he aligns, Davis is a player with a motor, pursuing each and every play. His ability to clearly see his keys, react, and fly to where he should be. As a running back, Davis sells play action very well. An area I think Davis can improve on, and thus elevate his game, is to be more in control. At times he flies up field fast, gains too much depth, and is unable to bend the corner. Should he clean this up, he will force more plays to his help and make more plays from behind when he is backside.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbc1e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/6596f391af431581fc7022e0/Alex%20Davis%20best%20plays","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbc3b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1041981"],"_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":"Also listed as a running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1041981' first='Dimitrios' last='Mihalakakos'] made his bones last season along Morristown's defensive line. Translating his wrestling skills, Mihalakakos wrangled 79 tackles (27 solos) and 2 sacks on the season. Unfortunately Mihalakakos does not have any highlight tape available at the time of this post; however, he is certainly a must-watch player as he enters his senior season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbc86"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176275"],"_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":"Two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1176275' first='Chase' last='Bright'] looks to make an even u003cemu003ebigger u003c/emu003eimpact in the trenches as he prepares for his senior year. The 6'2u0022 210lber made 13 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack, and 5 tackles for loss. Basing his evaluation from film during his sophomore season, Chase's future looks bright. We see Bright play along the edge and does a solid job performing the surf technique against read option. We takes a few steps to respect the give but then is able to quickly step back outside to guard against the keep. This, combined with that he gains appropriate depth into the opponent's backfield, makes Bright a stout run defender. Against triple option teams we see instances of Bright playing assignment football to thwart offenses. Bright can explode defensively as he routinely tackles low and squeezes with the appropriate shoulder.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbcdc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16503766/635f2b0f5b3d5d0c701d8356' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ca317ecbcfc"} /-->