Returning Contributors: The Elizabeth Minutemen Big Men

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Elizabeth Minutemen where, to say the least, an anomaly. From their first bit of action in an August quad scrimmage, coach John Fiore's team was neck-and-neck to eventual state quarterfinalist Union City and looked like a contender. Once the season began, there was no team in the state with worse luck than Elizabeth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a record of 1-8 at cutoff weekend, each loss was by one possession or less for a grand total 27-point differential <em>and</em> where each opponent made the NJSIAA playoffs. There first win was a thrilling 2-point victory over arch nemesis Union and they picked up two at-large game victories to finish the season with a 3-8 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the calendar turns to 2024, the Minutemen look to capitalize upon a big offseason. Here are some of the prospects they will be turning to in order to ensure their fortunes change this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1185931"],"_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":"The first of two Abreu brothers, [player_tooltip player_id='1185931' first='Nico' last='Abreu'], is primary an interior defensive lineman. Abreu has shown an uncanny ability to close down fight back and win leverage on his original spot if he happens to become displaced. He also does a nice job of pass rushing from the interior - he appears to attack a rush lane with speed and close it down to prevent a scramble or pursue a sack. Abreu also seems to effectively fight reach blocks, maintaining his gap control and now allowing himself to get sealed. I would encourage Abreu to buy into the Elizabeth program's offseason strength u0026amp; conditioning program to gain healthy size and add to his quickness as he prepares to be a 3-down player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3cdad10ac6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17760796/654d704adfd856077c9f8400' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9af8c0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1185932"],"_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":"Not sure who was born first, but [player_tooltip player_id='1185932' first='Ethan' last='Abreu'] is Nico's brother. Perhaps some brotherly competition goes on in their house as Ethan is the Abreu who plays primarily offense, with the ability to play either center or tackle. On tape we see the emergence of Abreu's upward body bend, starting with working his arms under the defender's chest plate, refitting, and working them up as he gains power from his hips. Abreu is a solid puller and has shown he is capable of winning with his head at the second level, sealing linebacker's quickest path. He has the ability to hold up bigger, stronger opponents at the point at times. In pass protection he appears to have solid balance as he disallows defensive linemen from shedding him with the snatch, rendering that move useless. I truly hope Ethan joins Nico in the weight room to improve his strength and flexibility. Should he, those linemen he manages to stand up will end up moving backwards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9af924"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17760785/6522551cff01b60bf0e23ad4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9af945"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1185933"],"_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":"At 6'6u0022 and roughly 185lbs, [player_tooltip player_id='1185933' first='Bryce' last='Cabbell'] checks all the physical boxes for a college program at any level. An emerging defensive edge player, he has the opportunity to replace two, two-year starters. Cabbell shows that he has a motor as he is totally willing to hustle from one end of the field to the other in pursuit of the ball. He uses is big frame to get into the chest of offensive linemen and drive them into the backfield. Possessing a solid and consistent get off, Cabbell uses this to get into the backfield. His length allows him to effectively slant and make plays into the backfield. Lastly, he is big, physical, willful, and strong enough to hold up double teams effectively at the point when he is inside the tight end. One thing Cabbell's film is missing is how he uses his hands. If Cabbell can consistently use his wingspan get hands-on the man in front of him, strain, separate, and keep his feet moving, he will effectively eliminate off-tackle plays ran his way and handicap a defense as he walks offensive linemen into their own backfield.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9af9a1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19476456/6510ffdab3c9c50804bd6e1e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9af9c1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1185934"],"_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":"The lone 2026 graduate on today's list, [player_tooltip player_id='1185934' first='Bryan' last='Palamar'] is a prospect who seems to have come on, stayed on, and played his best ball of the season as the weeks went by. The first clip of his got me fired up as a former offensive linemen. We immediately see Palamar's kick step against a speed rusher as he beats him to his spot; however, as the defender works back to the inside, Palamar effectively powers down. The cat-and-mouse goes on for probably close to 8 seconds as the young, burly offensive lineman stays in front of his matchup each step of the way until the quarterback scrambles. Needless to say, the big cat one in an absolute clinic film. Another thing college coaches will be excited to see from his sophomore tape is how Palamar works double teams. He gets a great initial push, popping the down-lineman back, then he climbs, seals, and wins with his head at the second level consistently leaving his running back 1-on-1 in the second level. Drive blocking we see the emergence of hips, flex, and bend, as well as a solid base. Based on tape there is much to be exited for young Palamar. I would like to see his film include clips of him picking up stunts and twists both in pass protection and in the run game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9afa1c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18560916/65ce197a5ef76807449dac9e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d3ecd9afa3b"} /-->