Pre-Season Preview: Cardinal Ritter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions return to Class 5 as the defending state champs and will be gunning for their thrid state championship in a row. They are loaded on both offense and defense and return a big core of what led to their success, while adding some more talent for the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='299504' first='Carson' last='Boyd'] (6'0" 185) is committed to Illinois and is one of the most complete signal-callers you will find in the country. He is poised, smooth with his mechanics, reads defenses well and is incredibly accurate with his throws and threw for over 2,200 yards and 29 touchdowns with only 1 interception as a junior. On top of that he is a heck of an athlete with 4.5 speed who can beat you with his legs. He also ran for almost 600 yards and 6 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with having a D1 quarterback, the Lions have a D1 RB for him to hand the ball off to. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='188601' first='Jamarion' last='Parker'] (6'0" 195) is a dynamic runner who looks like he is gliding across the field with great cutting ability and an extra gear to run away from defenders. He also has good strength and run between the tackles to pick up tough yards. He'll head to the Big 10 and play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers who he is committed to after rushing for over 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 11.2 yard per carry in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their receiving corps has multiple D1 prospects led by (6'4" 200) [player_tooltip player_id='1112513' first='Dejerrian' last='Miller'] who is coveted by most of the SEC and schools on the West Coast after catching 66 passes for 1,361 yards nd 24 touchdowns. DJ hasn't made a decision yet but has narrowed it down to five or six schools. He is joined by junior [player_tooltip player_id='691308' first='De'Shaun' last='Stevenson'] (5'11" 170) who average 25.9 yards per catch on 39 grabs for over 900 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2023. De'Shaun already has several D1 offers himself. Younger receiver [player_tooltip player_id='691330' first='Elijah' last='Lucas'] (6'3" 190), [player_tooltip player_id='1128406' first='Lamarcus' last='Simmons'] (5'10" 160) and [player_tooltip player_id='1188296' first='Isaac' last='Hudson'] (6'1" 180) add to the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions offensive line is huge and athletic led by Jaylen Ackermann (6'8" 340), [player_tooltip player_id='1118563' first='Anthony' last='Gladney'] (6'5" 275) and [player_tooltip player_id='1320106' first='Keronn' last='Lacey'] (6'6" 265). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DEFENSE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ritter's defensive line is also D1 prospect heavy with seniors Northern Illinois commit Charles Brooks ( 6'5" 220) D1 target [player_tooltip player_id='1305805' first='Bryce' last='Gray'] (6'0" 280), D1 2026 target [player_tooltip player_id='1305795' first='Jocques' last='Felix'] (6'3" 275) and transfer DE Jaylen McGee (6'4" 230) that will make it one of the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D1 target [player_tooltip player_id='1188358' first='Marshaun' last='Ivy'] (6'3" 230) is poised for a breakout season at linebacker, and the Lions defensive backfield is loaded with college talent led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='669410' first='Antonio' last='Parker'] (6'0" 170), [player_tooltip player_id='1118571' first='Vi'Naz' last='Cobb'] (6'1" 200) (both committed to UNLV) and S Tyron Steed (6'2" 190) who is committed to Ball State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->