Returning Contributors: The Piscataway Chiefs’ Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 season without a playoff birth may seem very pedestrian by Piscataway standards. However, if you consider the Chiefs just played their third season after their school district barred their team from playing a 2020-2021 season because of Covid, things are on the up-and-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the self-imposed high school equivalent of a program death sentence, the program has had to undergo a literal renaissance. Their first year back playing in 2021-2022 they were 0-8, while improving 6-3 and a playoff birth the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All this said the Chiefs are in prime position to compete for a top-8 seed in the North, Group V playoff bracket. With several talents returning, here are a handful of prospects Piscataway will be counting on to have bigger, expanded, and more productive roles in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-linemen/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Line</a></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-the-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen-ii/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line, Part 2</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-linemen/">Clifton Mustangs' Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-defensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Defensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-linemen/">East Orange Jaguars' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-offensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Offensive 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-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-linemen-2/">Linden Tigers' 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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-morristown-colonials-skill-positions/">Morristown Colonials' Skills</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-linemen/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Line</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-the-piscataway-chiefs-skill-positions/">Piscataway Chiefs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-ridgewood-maroons-skills-line/">Ridgewood Maroons' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-linemen/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</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' Skills</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-skill-positions/">Union Farmers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-watchung-hills-warriors-skills/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Skills</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-skills/">Westfield Blue Devils' Skills</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":["1040414"],"_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='1040414' first='Horace' last='Thompson'] is a player that plays two positions that players typically do not both play: defensive end and running back. Last fall Thompson was credited with 16 tackles (2 solos), 1 TFL, 2 FF, and 0.5 sacks, caught 5 passes for 76 yards, and slashed 38/192/6 on the ground. Thompson is a player who relies on his physicality to win matchups and out muscle people in pursuit of the ball. He typically does a nice job of getting his hands on the man in front of him, allowing him to feel pressure. In clear pass rushing situations Thompson is capable of getting a tremendous snap where, a player of his size, can get around linemen who actually u003cemu003eknow u003c/emu003ethe snap count. It also appears that he was bumped inside later in the season. If I was his position coach I would immediately coach up his stance. By improving his stance, Thompson's get off and power will improve, as he can use his size to generate force as he drives through the ground.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78948f89"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16871056/653e89499a90f20524edccdf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f7894907e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212500"],"_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":"Offering versatility along the interior of the Chief's offensive line is [player_tooltip player_id='1212500' first='Altarik' last='White, Jr.'] Although he pitched in on defense with 13 tackles (4 solo) and 1 TFL, he was primarily used on offense. As a sophomore he served as a center, while as a junior he played mostly right guard. We see that White does not waste his time dealing with undisciplined defenders who want to run around his blocks and avoid pressure. Head placement appears to be key to White's game as well, as he correctly attacks the proper target shoulder when working to move down linemen out of the way. He also is able to climb to the second level well and cut off the path of mike linebackers. Defensively White has shown growth over the last two seasons. He does a great job breaking down and tracking a hip when tackling. White also knows to get his hands on the man in front of him, now shedding blocks more and discarding weaker matchups. I would encourage White to continue staying active by working his feet. The way he uses his hands on defense and how he understands his assignments on offense, adding active feet will mean that he will only reestablish the line of scrimmage in his favor.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/19222434/Altarik-White-Jr/highlightsu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eHudl Filmu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78949107"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212501"],"_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='1212501' first='King' last='Rios'], who stands as tall as royalty, is an interior defensive lineman for Piscataway who was credited with 4 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries. A patronizer of the bull rush, he has the momentum and strength to walk back smaller defenders. It is as if Rios bench presses smaller linemen off like they are a single-rep max. In pass rush situations he understands his role well: keep his rush lane, avoid rushes up the middle between the B gaps, and match the quarterback's hands. This recipe has afforded Rios the opportunity to deflect several passes. He is a stuffing tackler too. I want to see Rios improve the speed of his feet - not to be confused with his foot speed - for in the immediate future he will allow the Chiefs to do more line stunts and in the future perhaps project out as an offensive lineman.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78949181"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20022455/65823cca0dc08d0e2c9d4459' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f789491a9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212502"],"_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 my money the best athlete the Chiefs have is probably [player_tooltip player_id='1212502' first='Riley' last='Wingate']. Also a baseball player and bowler, Wingate plays defensive end and was credited with 28 tackles (4 solos), 3 TFL, 1 FR, and 1.5 sacks. Wingate combines great technique with outstandingly quick feet when executing a slant. Whether slanting or playing his base edge gap, we see that he explodes upfield in a hurry. An anticipator, Wingate matches the hand of the quarterback and utilizes his long body making it difficult for read-option teams to get a clean read from him. When backside I was also impressed with his motor and technique as he often times locks out and rips into the inside gap as he looks to chase and pursue. If he has not blown past offensive linemen when pass rushing, he does a great job using his hands to help generate torque from his hips to get past linemen. A contributor elsewhere, as a tight end Wingate has good form and finishing posture when blocking. He also puts pressure on punters from the middle and does a tremendous job covering punts as the team's long snapper. With an abundance of twitchiness and God-given athletic ability, adding an arsenal of hand-fighting moves will make Wingate even more dangerous as he sets the edge in 2024 - and inevitably at the college level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78949223"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16378459/651cc94d9681220aa43ba654' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78949249"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212504"],"_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":"Piscataway's offensive line is solidified with the return of [player_tooltip player_id='1212504' first='Mark' last='Peterson']. The big-bodied center utilizes his size to shield off defenders both playside and back side. He has the ability to be either throw defenders face-first into the ground or fold defender's over as well. For someone his size, Peterson reaches the second level and uses his broadness to shield scraping linebackers from effective pursuit angles. Surprisingly to some, he moves well in space and is able to generate power from his speed. A simple opportunity to improve for Peterson to employ would be to concentrate on snapping and stepping at the same time. Doing so will be the easiest way to allow him to get to his landmarks even quicker, utilize his speed sooner, and create more highlight-caliber plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f789492bb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16378433/653c257402bc690908f23e90' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f789492e1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212505"],"_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 last big man is also in the middle: defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1212505' first='Aiden' last='Antoine']. Antoine was credited with 13 tackles last year with 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 fumble recovery. One of the Chief's better tacklers along the defensive line, he attacks and wraps the waist of ball carriers tightly as he works to stuff them at the line. We see that Antoine has also shown the ability to maintain his gap leverage by playing half-man and keeping his gap arm free to secure tackles. He is beginning to show flashes of understanding the nuanced battle of hand-to-hand combat with offensive linemen, for we see Antoine rip through their hands when they are placed low. He also manages to snatch defenders into the opposite gap, freeing himself up to make plays. Antoine is another play I would immediately work to refine his stance. Doing so will make him have a quicker, more explosive and powerful get off - thus being a more disruptive force in the trenches.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78949353"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19823450/653be835c124d40c94a1fa28' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4f78949378"} /-->