Five Players to Know From Central Jersey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am really excited about Big Central's Freedom Silver division in 2024. This is one of the first divisions I've covered with the predominant talent returning on the defensive side of the ball. South Hunterdon was the main team to take down in 2023, but I expect Middlesex, Dunellen, and possibly Manville to put up a good fight against them in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["990344"],"_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 stout middle linebacker, be prepared for a big collision if you're going head to head with [player_tooltip player_id='990344' first='Edward' last='Cooper']. A leader on the South Hunterdon defense, Edward put up a whopping 155 tackles in 2023. A linebacker with built in anticipation, Edward is in the backfield as soon as the flow of the play is revealed. Getting involved in every play is how Edward has made a name for himself within the division. He is a clean tackler that rarely lets runners escape, and is fast enough to tear some down from behind. Expect some big numbers again out of Edward in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16473836/656f29a9a0226c09fc9febcb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1001984"],"_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 second defender you need to be aware of coming out of Freedom Silver is [player_tooltip player_id='1001984' first='Jax' last='Jarvis']. A defensive back for Middlesex, Jax has a very similar build as [player_tooltip player_id='990344' first='Edward' last='Cooper'] but is more compact and quicker. A safety that can sit over the top and command the coverage or go man to man and stay glued to the route runner, Jax is the full package in the defensive backfield. He was able to snag the ball out of the air 3 times last year as he surveyed the secondary.rnrnA hybrid athlete on offense as well, Jax is a player who's second gear allows him to leave opponents in the dust. Expect a lot of carries and throws to go his way in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16283089/65cd01a85cb35d123c6dcc67' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1529749' first='Brayden' last='Stefan']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Belvidere","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A linebacker that an bring a swift ending to any run, [player_tooltip player_id='1529749' first='Brayden' last='Stefan'] is very often found blowing up plays in the backfield. A big bodied linebacker that never turns away from contact, Brayden is often on the delivering side of big hits. Racking up 122 tackles in 2023, Brayden is another defender that's name is being called after every play. A nose for the ball, Brayden can decipher the play right from the start and get an early jump on the direction it is heading.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17854384/652b0c207bd31704e0405442' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Na'quavere Thomas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Manville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Taking off for 887 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground, Na'quavere Thomas is the biggest offensive concern for opponents within the division. A larger than life running back for Manville, Na'quavere is not only bigger than almost everyone on the other side of the ball, but is faster too. Quick reaction time between the tackles, Na'quavere is able to dodge defenders early in the play and proceed to run it down the defense's throat. Finding the endzone 4 times in the air as well, Na'quavere is the full package that deserves much more attention.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17419750/656e1ea2c124cb0a788b4418' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1001987"],"_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 defender that can lineup all across the line, [player_tooltip player_id='1001987' first='Luke' last='Pettersen'] is Dunellen's big man upfront. In 2023, Luke showed how versatile he was by lining up on the edge, outside linebacker, and middle linebacker position as well. Luke uses sheer strength to overpower the lineman he lines up against. With a strong use of hands to drive blockers backwards or off to the side, Luke was a constant presence wherever the ball carrier was. Making 65 tackles, 2 sacks, and forcing a fumble, expect Luke to put up even bigger numbers his senior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660da3be5d35b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16324113/654a5c0c96761b10889d64cf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660da3be5d374"} /-->