Returning Contributors: Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers’ Linemen, II
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In the last three seasons the Bridgewater-Raritan Panther’s football teams have named three different head coaches: long-time incumbent Scott Bray, hall of famer Rick Mantz, and now DJ Catalano. In his first season Catalano led the Panthers to a 3-7…
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Continue ReadingIn the last three seasons the Bridgewater-Raritan Panther’s football teams have named three different head coaches: long-time incumbent Scott Bray, hall of famer Rick Mantz, and now DJ Catalano. In his first season Catalano led the Panthers to a 3-7 record and a playoff birth, only losing a single game by more than one score.
With a number of seniors graduating in 2024, Catalano and his staff must get a number of rising underclassmen up-to-speed and ready to become varsity contributors. Here are a few prospects that his staff might be looking to in the fall of 2024.
Returning Contributors Series
Justin Simpson Justin Simpson 6’2″ | 285 lbs | OL Bridgewater-Raritan | 2026 NJ is a big, bookend-type offensive tackler for the Panthers. Size aside, there are a lot of things that I like about the big blindside blocker. First, he is well coached in working to avoid an end-man from getting hands on him when down blocking. We see Simpson often rip inside as he works to climb to the second level. For a young man his side, I also appreciated how good of a kick step he has when pass protecting. His kick step shows balance and surprising quickness. Thinking he is big and lumbering, pass rushers who opt to take the inside path often find themselves pinned when they make their move. Additionally, we see a few clips where Simpson works his hands – mostly to gain inside and/or lower leverage on his opponent to control them and work them upward. With college-ready size I would encourage Simpson to refine his pad level and his footwork when run blocking, as short, choppy steps will be to his benefit.
For the second time in my career at Prep Redzone I have the opportunity to evaluate a snapper. Gavin Zeiman Gavin Zeiman 6’0″ | 190 lbs | DL Bridgewater-Raritan | 2026 NJ is both a long- and short snapper for Bridgewater Raritan. When in punt formation, Zeiman delivers snaps with perfect spirals right at the punters naval each and every time. When on PAT/FG, Zeiman demonstrates photographic memory as the ball hits the holder right in his target each time. One area I would want to see Zeiman improve is with the Panthers’ strength and conditioning program. Doing so will aid him in blocking and improve his speed as a gunner downfield.
Highlights
In the little bit of freshman film I have watched of the Panthers’, do-it-all prospect Jamelle Jones Jamelle Jones 6’0″ | 175 lbs | DL Bridgewater-Raritan | 2027 State NJ is probably the best athlete for Bridgewater-Raritan’s class of 2027. He lined up at mike, edge, fullback, and slot receiver. As a fullback he has a clear size advantage that he uses to seal off defenders. He often elects to block the first threat, whether that threat is coming from the inside or on the perimeter. When coming off the edge Jones shows that he will attack the ball, rather than the man, should he have the opportunity to make a sack. Also, Jones can cut a corner fairly well when chasing as a bender from the backside. Lined up at receiver, he uses his height to his advantage, high pointing the ball on the top shelf and dwarfing smaller defenders. He also served as a second-from-last wall defender on kickoff return. My best guess is that Jones finds himself coming off the edge on defense for the Panthers and possible as a tight end type on offense this fall.