Returning Contributors: The Union City Soaring Eagles’ Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back in August I was fortunate enough to have a preseason conversation with Head Coach Wilbur Valdez. One of the questions I asked him was, essentially, “how do you get over the hump and win this whole thing?” He laughed, smiled, and said he always gets that question. He proceeded to tell me that what I was asking about was, in fact, the most difficult thing to accomplish in our sport – a very fair point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From his lips to God's ears. Union City finally got over that proverbial hump in 2023 and won their first sectional title. A superlative long overdue for a program that is basically a fixture in the North, Group V playoffs, the newly minted Sectional Champions Soaring Eagles then went on to play arch rival – and eventual North, Group V champion – Passaic County Tech a week later</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As their t-shirts proclaim: Standard Raised. Who will the Soaring Eagles look to raise that standard even higher in 2024? Here are a few prospects Union City may look to.</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-linemen/">Hackensack Comets' 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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-linemen/">Montclair Mounties' Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-linemen/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' 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/2024/03/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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-piscataway-chiefs-linemen/">Piscataway Chief's Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-plainfield-cardinals-linemen/">Plainfield Cardinals' Linemen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-plainfield-cardinals-skill-positions/">Plainfield Cardinals' 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/2024/03/returning-contributors-west-orange-mountaineers-linemen-part-1/">West Orange Mountaineers' 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":["1216609"],"_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":"Continuing the Soaring Eagles' lineage of offensive linemen who are so tall they seem to soar is [player_tooltip player_id='1216609' first='Justin' last='Sevilla']. A road grader of a right tackle, Sevilla's dominant streaks begin by stepping with his play side foot. Doing so prevents him from ever being off balance, it maintains his base, and allows him always be between the defender and the ball. Another thing that aids Sevilla in clearing passive holes is how he uses his hands. Not to be mistaken for his arms, his hands are always engaged with his assignment and we see instances of him working to refit them. On double teams, more times than not, Sevilla and his adjacent guard walk down-linemen back into the lap of their linebackers. When asked to protect the pulling guard's hole, we see him take advantage of his big body to successfully dig out tackles in a 4i as well. The subtle, yet sometimes understated, coaching points are things Sevilla seem to embrace. On film we see him rip inside squeezers when he down blocks to climb and seal the play side's second level. Perhaps the thing I like most about Sevilla's game is his mean streak. Aside from looking to finish each and every block, we see him be physical and nasty with defenders who want to run around pressure, often flattening them in the process. A sure-bet college prospect, the only think on film I think left to be desired are clips of him in pass protection - something always challenging for offensive linemen in a Wing-T-rooted system.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab2010"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19087446/65657d52d468d904ec4965b1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab2142"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216610"],"_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":"On the other side of center, away from Sevilla, is [player_tooltip player_id='1216610' first='Kevin' last='Rosario']. Mostly an offensive lineman, Rosario was credited with 5 tackles/2 solos last fall. The thing that popped the post to me about Rosario's game was how well he accelerates through the hole when pulling. The ramp-up speed of his foot speed resembles that more of a fullback than a traditional guard. This is key, for ball carriers likely never have to slow down and can hit the hole at full speed too. Something else I picked up on film was how keen Rosario adjusts to picking up inside and outside threats when pulling. His head constantly on a swivel yet with his eyes first inside, he picks up the first threat. Moreover, what really impressed me about this was how Rosario consistently used his head to seal defenders either inside or out, cutting off their most direct path to the ball and forcing them to shed upfield. Another one for finer coaching points, Rosario swims over his fellow team mates if they are held up at the line and he must pull. My only rub is that Rosario tends to play high at times, and when he does, his drive blocking base narrows out in the process. Honing in on his pad level will add to Rosario's abilities this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab21b0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17321944/65779767dfd8d50a341637ba' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab21d5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216611"],"_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='1216611' first='Reynaldo' last='Mercedes'] is an interesting prospect that last year, his junior season, saw him register 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 FF. With all the ability seemingly there, we see Mercedes practice outstanding technique when taking on double teams. Textbook-like, he barstool, sits, and spins off into the hole with his shoulders square to make a play. Closing speed is also a strength of his; however, he also applies this to when he is able to follow pullers behind the line of scrimmage. For my money, Mercedes is at his best when he is working hard - working hard to get penetration, knock offensive linemen back, and establish a new line of scrimmage. When he does this, it alters the path of ball carriers and, by doing so, his linebackers find and fill the natural voids he creates. I am curious to know get more background on Mercedes. In 2022 we saw a 44 tackle (19 solo), 15 TFL, 1 FF, 2 FR, and 2 sack sophomore campaign.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/17008309/Reynaldo-Mercedes/highlights?_gl=1*qxgjjq*_ga*MTUxNjYwNTM5LjE3MTAzMzkzMzM.*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTcxMDkwMjU4MC4yNTguMS4xNzEwOTA1NTg3LjAuMC4wu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eHudl Filmu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab225f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829410"],"_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":"Another well coached, productive lineman returning is [player_tooltip player_id='829410' first='Omar' last='Tillman']. Tillman made 45 tackles (14 solo), 6 TFL, 3 sacks, and 2 FR during the 2023 season. Quick enough off the ball, Tillman makes reads difficult for option teams, as he can seemingly play both the give and the keep. Quickness remains the name of the game as we see him swim over and restack behind offensive linemen, almost as if he knows the snap count and the offense does not. Tillman sees and fights reach blocks and can also knock back offensive linemen and tight ends alike, extending and creating separation so he can play into either gap. This implies that he gets hands on the man in front of him - which he does nearly all the time. Having seen him in person, Tillman is a borderline technician in how he wrong arms, rips, and u-turns in pursuit. An area I think Tillman can add to his already strong game is in pass rushing. His quickness allows him to build off of his speed rush. A few times I saw him get parallel to the quarterback's level and mirror. I would love to see him overset and work back to the quarterback stepping up in the pocket and attack the ball from behind for a havoc, game changing-type play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab22c8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16973332/651c21e2da50ed0ad49917a3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab22e6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1085702"],"_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":"A two-way contributor for Union City last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1085702' first='Adrian' last='Villalta'] split his reps between center and defensive tackle (6 tackles, 3 solos, 2 TFL, 2 sacks). A stabilizing presence, Villalta possesses a strong upper body that enables him to push/pull his matchup to his advantage. Absolutely devastating at times, his double teams plow defensive tackles right in front of their linebackers face. Very astutely, Villalta keeps his heads up when engaged in double teams to pick off oncoming blitzers and, similarly, comes off quickly for second level players. He also stays belly-to-belly when pass protecting. Conversely, when pass rushing we see Villalta bat down the hands of defensive linemen; however, similar to his offensive characteristics Villalta shows great strength as he jacks people up and works them backwards, while playing half-a-man of course, on defense. A lot of subtle nuances are a part of his defensive game too, such as: fighting hard through holds, how he plays double teams, and stopping the bump-off block overtake when playing against reach plays. If Villalta can improve his ability to simultaneously snap and step he ought to then develop the habit of continually moving his feet - particularly on blocking back as a center must do a lot of in a Wing-T offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab237d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/65a5f287ed9abdb7a5a71c6b/Adrian%20Villalta%20Sophomore%20Year","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fc2f8ab23a4"} /-->