2024 Team Preview #2: Gobles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>After a successful season in 2023, Gobles will be looking to make a deep playoff run in the 8-Player division playoffs in 2024. In this article we'll deep dive last season, preview 2024, and highlight some of the players that will be key for the Tigers this fall! </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 Summary:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers finished last season at 7-3, and an appearance in the regional title game. Gobles had a couple big wins over the likes of Mendon and eventual state champion Martin. Gobles seemed to steadily improve throughout the season, and with some key pieces coming back, the Tigers are very hopeful to take the next step this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses: </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Tigers graduate some incredible talent, losing 14 athletes from their 2023 season:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All State and MLive Offensive Player Of The Year QB/LB Eli DeYoung- 2003 rushing yards and 33 TDs. (Leading Rusher) </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All State FB/LB Xavier Wilkes- 98 tackles, 40 TFLs. (Leading tackler)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All-Region RB/DB/K Tony Lisowski- 30 tackles, 2 INTs, valued kicker </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All-Conference OL Josh Hitchcock </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All-Conference OL Danny Hitchcock </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All- Region TE/DL Tristan Harbaugh-10.5 sacks in 7 games, athletic TE who had his season cut short due to injury, but was on pace to end up as an All-State selection. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All-Conference RB/LB Trenton Mansfield- 57 tackles, 20 TFLs </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Outlook: </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gobles graduated some very good talent who played big roles, but they return some very key pieces and will look to fill the holes with successful JV players. The backfield will be a strength for the Tigers. RB Mason Mansfield returns as one of the best backs in 8-Man, and was teamed up with RB Nathan Ray on a state placing 4x100 relay team. Joining them in the weapons department will be Steven Juarez, a speedy back who also possesses great speed, and QB Preston Misak who is a tough nosed competitor who enjoys running downhill and running through arm tackles, and he has a good ability to throw the ball as well. Caleb O'Connor will be a tool Gobles uses a lot as he is extremely versatile and will definitely be asked to play multiple positions. The offensive line will have to re-tool a little bit, but is expected by the coaching staff to gel together and be one of the more formidable units for the Tigers. Coach Greg Eichler believes the defense will be the question mark, but he feels very confident that will sort itself out. "The defense will be faster than last year's unit, but not as experienced. So long as the defense tackles well and plays the physical nature of football that Gobles expects, they will be very good." I'm looking forward to seeing what the Tigers can do with a nice mix of youth and experience! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch: </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Jack Geiger | 2025 | 6'6 235 | TE/DE | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen that he tests well, and coaches seem to like what he has to offer! Clearly he has elite size, and I think that will be a huge advantage in the 8-Player division. I'm excited to see what he can do in his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Mason Mansfield | 2025 | 5'6 180 | RB/FS |</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason returns as one of the Tigers' elite playmakers. Watching his film, he definitely looks like he will be an elite speed-in-space guy offensively. I like his contact balance and ability to turn on the jets once he hits the open field. Defensively he is an instinctual DB who breaks on the ball and does a good job of coming downhill on runs as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| [player_tooltip player_id='118788' first='Carter' last='Bell'] | 2025 | 5'10 250 | OL/DL | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've mentioned Carter before, but I think he is set up to be the straw that stirs the drink for Gobles. He's a powerhouse who can straight up move bodies. If he is able to be the bulldozer he has shown to be at times on film, Gobles will be extremely successful. I like his technique, I like his mobility and agility. Carter is absolutely one to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Preston Misak | 2025 | 6'3 170 | QB/LB | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first time really doing my homework on Preston. I like his athletic ability a ton. Time will tell just how he will be able to control the offense and throw the ball, but I like his ability to exploit holes in the defense on the ground. I definitely will be keeping track of his progress this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Caleb O'Connor | 2025 | 6'0 175 | WR/DB | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no updated film on Caleb, but Coach Eichler is a believer in him. He was a key contributor on the JV squad 2 years ago, so I'll definitely be interested to see how well he does getting back into the game and trying to gel with his teammates. Looks like he has a solid frame, and if he can be a consistent down field threat, it could be a huge weapon for the Tiger offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Steven Juarez | 2026 | 5'7 180 | RB/LB | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juarez is the first 2026 mentioned, and I really like what I see on film from him. He has a nice lateral quickness, a solid burst through the hole, and displays good contact balance. I'll be curious to see how he works into the offense and what his role will be, but the coaching staff seems very high on him, so I will definitely be paying attention! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Nathan Ray | 2026 | 5'9 170 | RB/LB | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again there isn't a ton to go off of film wise yet, but I'm hoping to see his body of work after this season! Like I mentioned earlier, he's a speedy back who has track speed. I hope to see him be a dynamic piece that can get it done all the way around. It seems like he has that belief from his coaching staff, so Nathan will definitely be another fascinating piece to keep an eye on this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Tucker Greffe | 2026 | 6'0 300 | OL/DL | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuckers measurables seem impressive. Obviously college coaches like to see a touch more height, but he's only a 2026. He has my eye to see how he is developing fundamentally as well as in the weight room. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| AJ Salinas | 2026 | 5'8 185 | OL/LB | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his limited film, I liked seeing AJ's pursuit. He seems like a high effort kid who will likely be a big part of that hard nosed culture that Coach Eichler mentioned earlier. Seems like he'll be thrown into a big role early, and I really want to see if he can take it all in stride and become an elite defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>| Aiden Beam | 2026 | 5'9 150 | WR/DB/K | </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think it's interesting that Gobles is a little more unique in that they like to use a kicker for FGs, something you don't see a ton of in the lower divisions. Beam is next in line there, along with stepping into a 2 way role on the outside. Time will tell how they are able to use him, but I was told to keep an eye out for him, and that's exactly what I'll do! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->