Event Recap: The Trenchlab Gauntlet’s Final Four & Champion

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a tournament-style event, a single champion must eventually be crowed. <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAlstonk">Coach Keith Alston's</a> inaugural Trenchlab Gauntlet is no exception. Below are the prospects who made it to the final four, as well as some individual praise for the eventual, overall champion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incase you missed any of our event coverage from this event, our event coverage series the Trenchlab Gauntlet is below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/event-preview-trenchlab-gauntlet-interesting-ol-prospects-to-see/">Event Preview: O-line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/event-preview-trenchlab-gauntlet-interesting-dl-prospects-to-see/">Event Preview: D-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/immediate-reaction-inaugural-trenchlab-gauntlet-2024/">Immediate Reaction to Event</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/event-recap-trenchlab-gauntlet-offensive-linemen/">Event Recap: O-line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/event-recap-trenchlab-gauntlet-defensive-linemen/">Event Recap: D-line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/event-recap-trenchlab-gauntlet-top-individual-plays/">Top Individual Plays</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/event-recap-elite-performers-from-the-trenchlab-gauntlet-part-1/">Elite Performers, Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/event-recap-elite-performers-from-the-trenchlab-gauntlet-part-2/">Elite Performers, Part 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Three Other Finalists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["915446"],"_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='915446' first='Justin' last='Wilson'], who made an outstanding individual play I previously highlighted where he chopped and planted a defender with extended arms, is an offensive lineman who moved laterally very well - so much so that I wrote that note down twice. It seemed at times as if he was u0022shadow boxingu0022 the way he moved left-to-right-left, avoiding any avenue or crease for his matchup to seize. He also demonstrated the ability to grab cloth on the inside of a defender's chest. Wilson, too, showed that he is beginning to have arch strength when he drives blocks, getting his back bent inward to lift up defenders. I was hoping to see it, and did later on, Wilson turn pocket penetration into a drive block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6633b9b5a6478"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971265"],"_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 hometown hero [player_tooltip player_id='971265' first='Aidan' last='Oldfield'] made it to the final four. Oakcrest's own took the inside rush lane when it was presented to him. He also did an exceptional job using his hands to swat and eliminate those of his blockers. Oldfield showed instances of power too, as he showcased his ability to drive a man backwards, lock his arms, snatch them down, and shed to the quarterback. One thing in particular I enjoyed about Oldfield's performance was that when he took back-to-back spins one time, he used the rip twice. What I appreciated about this rip is that Oldfield was a bit cocky in that approach, showing the same move twice, yet the second rip was stronger and more violent than the first. He flexed his muscle a bit there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6633b9b5a6508"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264830"],"_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='1264830' first='Nick' last='Costa'] from St. Augustine was an interesting prospect. A bit wiry as an edge player, the 2026 graduate has an opportunity to build out his frame nicely. Costa showed he is a two-way rusher as he is able to bring both power and speed, almost toying with the opposition at times the way he picked-and-chose which he liked better at any given movement. He consistently won on the inside whenever he opted to take that path. Costa also uses the swipe move nicely, as well as the swim; although I would urge him to work his swim tighter to his opponent's earhole, as a he windmilled it a few times.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6633b9b5a6592"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Champion</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264834"],"_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 Trenchlab Gauntlet's first ever champion, who took home an awesome belt and $1500 in NIL money, was Egg Harbor Township's [player_tooltip player_id='1264834' first='Matt' last='Kaelble']. Kaelble has all the physical makings to be a solid college prospect. He has a big, strong, lean body with room to add good weight to and also has a huge back. Throughout the event Kaelble kept himself chest-to-chest with his matchup, making sure they were stonewalled at nearly every moment. Kaelble also gets into his kickstep with low hands. Perhaps what made Kaelble successful was that he rode people upfield and allowed his matchup to either take themselves out of the play or drive them back upfield to re-established a clean pocket. Congrats Matt!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6633b9b5a6600"} /-->