2024 Week 1 Preview: Elder vs Withrow

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday night, the Elder Panthers will play the Withrow Tigers. The Panthers finished last season at 7-5 and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs. On offense, they averaged 27.33 points per game and on defense, they held opposing offenses to 23.8 points per game. The Tigers finished the 2023 season at 12-2, advanced to the 4th round of the playoffs and averaged 35.3 points per game on offense while giving up 7.9 points per game on defense. There are several talented players on both teams and here are five players to keep an eye on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444810"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c5c8f1dc8ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quintin played great as a Junior in 2023. He lines up in the slot and in the backfield. He is quick off the LOS and shows good hands as he makes the catch with his hands. After the catch is made, he is very elusive with the ball in his hands which in combination with his excellent play speed enables him to outrun all defenders with ease and score a TD. When running the ball, he shows good vision as he finds the open hole and displays very good mental toughness as he rises to the occasion in the redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284925"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c5c8f1dc929"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The future Toledo Rocket had an awesome Junior season in 2023. He lines up as a MLB and OLB. Against the run, he shows very good football intelligence as he reads and reacts quickly to the play. He moves through traffic very well and displays great instincts and range taking the correct angle in pursuit before delivering a big hit as he makes the tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he reads the RB before quickly penetrating the LOS. He exhibits great closing speed in pursuit of the QB before finishing up with a sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["619839"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c5c8f1dc96b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaycee played great as a Sophomore in 2023. He plays as a FS and CB. Against the pass, he provides great help over the top and does a very good job of reading the QB and quickly locates the ball in the air. He times his hands perfectly as he disrupts the trajectory of the ball for a PBU. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass and exhibits very good play speed in pursuit. He plays with good leverage as he delivers a nice form tackle preventing a gain of significant yardage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910149"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c5c8f1dc9aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Erik played great as a Junior in 2023. He plays as an EDGE. Against the run, he is quick ff the ball and displays very good use of hands in his punch, placement and timing combined with great play strength as he disengages from the OL block. He takes good angles in pursuit before making the tackle preventing a gain of significant yardage. Against the pass, he uses his excellent quickness to beat the OT and displays great closing speed in pursuit before quickly finishing up with a sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1179208"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c5c8f1dc9e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derek had a very good Sophomore season in 2023. He plays as an ILB and OLB. Against the run, he reads and reacts quickly and displays very good range and instincts in pursuit before delivering a nice form tackle preventing a potential first down. Against the pass, he uses his excellent combination of hand use and play speed to defeat the attempted block of the OL. He plays with a very good motor in pursuit before sacking the QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->