Returning Contributors: The Hackensack Comets Skill Positions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being on the brink of the playoffs in 2022, the Hackensack Comets broke their glass ceiling and earned a trip to the playoffs in 2023, their first appearance since before the Covid season. The 6-5 squad were 5-3 heading into the playoffs before losing to eventual Sectional Champion Union City and Elizabeth, before beating Teaneck on Thanksgiving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a strong senior class graduating, including a back who accounted for 74% of their team's 2826 rushing yardage, there are plenty of opportunities for a new cast of characters to step up as the Comets look to continue their ascension. Here are a few of Hackensack's returning contributors who they will look to step up into bigger roles in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to catch up on my entire returning contributors series by clicking through on the link to the articles below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1191252"],"_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 Comet's leading tackler and second-leading rusher is back for his senior season. [player_tooltip player_id='1191252' first='Dylan' last='Thornton'] was credited with 102 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks while rushing for 444 yards and 8 scores on 68 attempts last fall. Thornton does an outstanding job of getting low when he tackles. He is a violent tackler who looks to torpedo and wrap ball carriers in the process. He recognizes and sees the flow of the offense and thus manages to always ben around the ball. He does a solid job of finding creases and gaps in the line of scrimmage, inserting himself in them, and finding the ball. Mostly the Comets' fullback last year, Thornton has a tendency to look to barrel defenders over. It typically takes more than one defender to take him down as he keeps the pile moving. Needless to say, arm tackles will not take him down. A sure-sign of any true rusher, he tends to manage to find ways to always fall forward. For Thornton to take his game to the next level I feel as if he would benefit from trusting, reading, and following his keys on defense as well as working to lower his pad level as a rusher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d8f41c67aa9"} /--> <!-- 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-65d8f41c67b5a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1191254"],"_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='1191254' first='Jo'Vanny' last='Mora'] is a prospect that after watching his film I realized is a very solid player who does a lot of things at an above-satisfactory level for a defense. Statistically Mora finished the year with 78 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions, while also pitching in on offense to the tune of 13/48/1 on the ground and 10/78 as a receiver. As a safety for the Comets, Mora lines up all over the field: at the line of scrimmage, in a cover 2 shell, and over #2 in trips anywhere between 4-to-8-yards. Mora is willing to selflessly give up his body and lay out to deflect passes as well as secure tackles. He also does a nice job of getting hands on receivers, disrupting their route and timing with opposing quarterbacks. Mora does a nice job of working to be the hammer and not the nail, showing his physicality when playing the run. One thing I particularly walked away enjoying about his tape was when he is down near the line of scrimmage he extends to locks out his arms, creates space, and controls his gap. This skill, combined with his ability to get good jumps off the ball and pursue down the line of scrimmage nicely, makes him a patrolman in the run game. Much will be added to Mora's game as he continues to develop hip mobility and strength this offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d8f41c67baf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15986758/6566c57a64e94b0ab0e3fd27' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d8f41c67bd0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1078798"],"_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":"Despite playing for an offense that elects to run the ball as their first - fifth choice, Hackensack may have something there in quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1191255' first='Jordan' last='McCoy']. McCoy is capable of throwing the ball about 35 yards when executing a Jeter-esque jump throw. He also has shown flashes of being able to effectively read RPOs. Most admirally, McCoy will stand in the pocket, take a hit, and deliver a ball with pressure in his face. Mobility is a part of his game as well, as we see McCoy showcase that mobility to keep plays alive or rollout to throw. When he is moving you can see that he has a general feel or flow to his movements and the game. Last season McCoy was 30/67 for 353 yards and 3 interceptions while rushing 20 times for 83 yards. Given the bit I have seen on film, I would love to see more opportunities for McCoy to show North Jersey what he is capable of.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d8f41c67c1e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16558665/65c282de96811b02647e254f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d8f41c67c3b"} /-->