August 21 Rockford/Portage C./FHE/Bryon C. Scrimmage Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier today, I had the chance to attend a 4-way scrimmage between Rockford, Portage Central, Forest Hills Eastern, and Byron Center. These are four teams that had a combined 38-8 record in 2023, and four teams that all return a lot of talent. Below will be my brief thoughts on every team that attended today's scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Positives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offensive line</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensive Front 7</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Deep at most positions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great star power</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Largest roster</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Good safety play</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Negatives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Little depth at QB</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DBs need to be more physical and better in man coverage</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'26 QB | [player_tooltip player_id='913846' first='Brayden' last='Daniels'] | <a href="https://x.com/BraydenQB11">@BraydenQB11</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden had a good day with the 1st-team offense. I thought he commanded the offense well and took good care of the football. Time will tell, but right now, I feel good about Brayden leading the Rockford offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'26 OL | Michael Oaks </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't think Michael will start this season, but he had a few excellent series with the 2's. Put Michael on most other rosters, and he's a starter. He was always looking for someone to hit, and I didn't see him miss a block in the series I watched. Decent footwork as well. Should be a Division 3 prospect next spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I was also impressed with what I saw from [player_tooltip player_id='1316918' first='Gage' last='Maxson'], [player_tooltip player_id='899577' first='Zane' last='Panchula'], [player_tooltip player_id='602430' first='Kade' last='Friesen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1290918' first='Blake' last='Linsley']</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Hills Eastern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Positives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LETHAL run game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Most consistent offense (as long as they ran the ball)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great offensive line play</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great defensive line play</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall physical, scrappy team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Negatives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defense is a few steps behind offense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Linebackers need to play a step quicker</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pass game very inconsistent </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'25 G | [player_tooltip player_id='1127769' first='Ace' last='Simonson'] | <a href="https://x.com/Acesimonson">@Acesimonson</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expectedly, Ace had a good day. Even if he wasn't in a perfect position to execute a block, he had the power to pancake most defenders with an effortless shove. Forest Hills Eastern's offense runs through Ace for good reason. He's way more agile than you'd think, and I was very impressed with his power today. The one and only criticism I'll point out is that Ace wasn't in great position on a few second-level blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'25 DT | [player_tooltip player_id='1118669' first='Edem' last='Denoo'] | <a href="https://x.com/denooedem">@denooedem</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GREAT day for Edem. I didn't get to watch a ton of his reps, but every rep I watched was excellent. He was no match for the Byron Center offensive line, won just about every rep, and had phenomenal effort. Edem is the only athlete in the scrimmage that I can say put in 100% effort with every rep that I watched. Specifically, Edem fired off the ball extremely quickly and was incredibly physical. I like Edem with pads better than I do without pads. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'27 RB | [player_tooltip player_id='1615750' first='Jordan' last='Shabazz'] | <a href="https://x.com/jjordanshabazz">@jjordanshabazz</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm expecting a phenomenal season from Jordan. Although a little inconsistent, his vision flashed at several points today. He also consistently fought for extra yards. Keep repping that vision, and Jordan could be the best sophomore running back in West Michigan. Taking his testing numbers into account, I'd be shocked if Jordan isn't, at the very least, a GLIAC prospect by the time he's a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Byron Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Positives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>As always, a fundamentally sound and physical team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great improvised pass game with Landon </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A few receivers had a great day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall solid defense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Negatives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Worried about depth</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Afraid this is a high-floor, low-ceiling team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'25 QB | [player_tooltip player_id='899559' first='Landon' last='Tungate'] | <a href="https://x.com/landon_tungate">@landon_tungate</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense truly runs through the play of [player_tooltip player_id='899559' first='Landon' last='Tungate']. Today, he sat in the pocket a bit more than what I saw last season. His throws were all-around pretty good, but he had a couple he probably wishes he had back. Either way, Landon is a star and I expect him to once again be an elite improviser on Friday Nights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Portage Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Positives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A few explosive plays on offense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defense was solid early on</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Big offensive line</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offense has a high ceiling</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Negatives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Probably smallest roster in attendance</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Triple-option offense looked rough at times</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Team was very tired toward the end</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>'25 DE/LB | Ben Booker* (#55) | <a href="https://x.com/pcmustangs55">@pcmustangs55</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben was a bright spot on the defense, even in the late stages of the scrimmage. I especially liked his physicality and hit power. Even though he was gassed from playing both ways, he put in great effort and put in good work against a great Rockford offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->