Preseason Preview: Rocky Mountain

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rocky Mountain is coming into the 2024 season as the top ranked team in the 6A ranks. Voted by the coaches around the SIC, Rocky Mountain also is preseason number one and projected at the top of their division. With plenty of talent returning from last years playoff team, Rocky will have to start a new quarterback but bolsters one of the top offensive lines in the state along with some major defensive talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback: [player_tooltip player_id='1358005' first='Austin' last='Rovig'], [player_tooltip player_id='401581' first='Collin' last='Chapman'], Joesph Chandler </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1358005"],"_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-66c63f38a24ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rovig is going to be one to watch for the Grizzlies this season. His leadership and experience aren't in question with valuable varsity starts. Rovig has a quick trigger with the ability to stretch the field vertically along with hurt teams with his legs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runningback: [player_tooltip player_id='378187' first='Taeshaun' last='Reese'], [player_tooltip player_id='1086492' first='Jordan' last='Kafari'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378187"],"_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-66c63f38a257d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reese is back for his senior season after posting good numbers as a junior. A solid back with the ability to impact the game in between the tackles along with out in the passing game. A strong lower half that makes him a nightmare to take down one on one and in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensive Line: [player_tooltip player_id='861737' first='Jax' last='Tanner'], [player_tooltip player_id='484762' first='Logan' last='Shearing'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484762"],"_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-66c63f38a25d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shearing's blocking mate gets a lot of attention during the year and rightful so but the senior is going to be a major cog in the wheel for Rocky. His leadership and ability to really impact the game at the line of scrimmage is going to be huge for Rocky's offense this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tight End: [player_tooltip player_id='401583' first='Drew' last='Byrd'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401583"],"_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-66c63f38a261e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Byrd is one of the top players in the class of 2026 with his ability to flex out and really impact the game with his receiving. It will be interesting to see how he has improved in his inline blocking because he has all the talent to be a top tier tight end at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide Receiver: [player_tooltip player_id='1136025' first='Jeff' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1599277' first='Kade' last='Benedick']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136025"],"_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-66c63f38a2669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is a defensive nightmare where he uses his elite speed to be a match up nightmare for linebackers and safeties. He can also take end arounds and reads the field like a running back. A multi tooled player that allows him to be extremely deadly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Line: [player_tooltip player_id='401590' first='Rowan' last='Rupp'], Isiah Reed </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401590"],"_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-66c63f38a26b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rupp is a name to watch this season with his ability to impact the game at the line of scrimmage and really create havoc in the backfield. He has a quick first step and is extremely powerful to create pressure along with tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker: [player_tooltip player_id='740607' first='Ryland' last='Kelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='484671' first='Trey' last='Jacobsen'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["740607"],"_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-66c63f38a26fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelly is a really solid linebacker who reads his keys quickly and triggers downhill. He is strong at the point of attack and is able to shed blockers quickly. He has good coverage ability and can match up well with running backs and tight ends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Back: [player_tooltip player_id='565649' first='Kaiden' last='Kimble-Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1136019' first='Hayden' last='Thompson'], Ryker Clyde, [player_tooltip player_id='1375210' first='Trey' last='Broadbent']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1375210"],"_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-66c63f38a2749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Broadbent is surrounded with talent but the senior is going to be one of the top players at his position. He has great instincts and range at the safety spot but where he is really going to shine is probably at a corner spot where he can use his physicality to his advantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->