PRZNY Team Previews: McKinley Macks

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (4-4)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKinley started the 2023 season doing very well, winning 4 of their first 5 games. But a 3 game losing streak to end the season would dash their chances of making the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238563"],"_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-66aab29ed4679"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Work ethic is something that cannot be taught but is something that [player_tooltip player_id='1238563' first='Cardel' last='Staples'] has a great deal of. As a receiver, Staples can stretch the field better than just about anyone. His 38.7 yards per reception as a sophomore is remarkable. His natural football instincts convert to Defensive Back when he recorded 41 tackles and led the team with 4 interceptions for 145 yards. Cardel is an all around great playmaker that is poised for a huge junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three X-Factors</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345120"],"_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-66aab29ed46cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1345120' first='Jamiere' last='Hemphill'] can dominate both sides of the ball as a Center and Defensive Tackle. He sheds blocks well and has good speed for a player that size. His big frame and tenacious play style makes it hard for teams to run up the middle. On offense, he is the anchor to a dominating offensive line that will have a much improved rushing attack in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527729"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1355872,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-66aab29ed4729"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his freshman and sophomore seasons, [player_tooltip player_id='527729' first='Tyrone' last='Hughes Jr'] was a dominating factor as a RB &amp; LB. Racking up 2,382 yards and 21 TDs in those two seasons, Hughes showed incredible speed and quickness with impeccable vision. His ability to break off a long run was unmatched. But in his junior season, Tyrone transferred schools and wasn't used as frequently. Now, he is back at McKinley and will take back lead of their ground game. I expect him to be the difference maker that puts McKinley back in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1283662"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1355883,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-66aab29ed4777"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1283662' first='Eric' last='Abernathy Jr'] is an essential part in all three phases of McKinley's game. As a receiver, he has exceptional body control and solid hands. He has incredible speed and sound awareness. Those attributes translated to his contributions as a LB and Kick Returner. An overall phenomenal athlete, Abernathy will be a critical part to the Macks success in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513356"],"_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-66aab29ed4810"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not a lot is known about [player_tooltip player_id='1513356' first='CoTrell' last='Rhodes'] as he spent his freshman season on JV. But with last year's starting QB Branden Liggans graduating, the varsity position is up for grabs. Rhodes is the frontrunner to win the job. With Abernathy &amp; Staples on the perimeter and Hughes to take the pressure off, CoTrell is in prime position to have a breakout sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Position</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Player</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Class</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='806870' first='Darryl' last='Means Jr']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Small but speedy electrifying return man that can also be utilized in the run game and as a DB</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">OL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Corey Alexander</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">A massive presence on the interior line</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">RB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Jamere Hill</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">A big, bruising RB that can be a great compliment to Hughes</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Kalaughn Ford</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">An exceptional athlete that can play QB, WR &amp; DB</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">WR</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1513366' first='Kamron' last='Minter']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Tall receiver with solid athletic ability</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">K<strong>ey Losses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>RB</td><td>Nigel McDuffie</td><td>Alfred State</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Carl Jones</td><td>Utica</td></tr><tr><td>FB</td><td>Tamone McNamee</td><td>Buffalo State</td></tr><tr><td>RB/LB</td><td>Darrion Burt</td><td>Olivet Nazarene University</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>Branden Liggens</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1355893,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/McKinley-Macks-2024-Schedule.jpg?w=474" alt="" class="wp-image-1355893" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Brian Davis (Entering his 6th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKinley will begin the season with a familiar Buffalo rival in Hutch-Tech. Their schedule does not get easy from there as they will take on a string of division foes, such as playing host to West Seneca West. They will close the season against a much improved St. Joe's team and on the road against reigning Class A champions, Clarence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The&nbsp;Macks</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The return of [player_tooltip player_id='527729' first='Tyrone' last='Hughes Jr'] will give McKinley the much needed spark in the running game they lost after the 2022 season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1283662' first='Eric' last='Abernathy Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1238563' first='Cardel' last='Staples'] make for one of the best WR duos in Western New York</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excellent Special Teams. McKinley made some exciting plays in the return game with Staples &amp; Abernathy last season. Them along with [player_tooltip player_id='806870' first='Darryl' last='Means Jr'] and possibly even Kalaughn Ford could make for a dangerous combination</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will [player_tooltip player_id='1513356' first='CoTrell' last='Rhodes']' talent transfer to the varsity level? It appears Rhodes will be handed the keys to the Macks offense as a sophomore. While he will have an excellent supporting cast, it is still uncertain if he can play on the higher level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite a challenging schedule and a competitive Class A1 division, I like what McKinley has going for them. Highly skilled offensive weapons, very good linemen that can get the ball rolling and excellent playmakers in all three phases of the game. They should make the playoffs in 2024 with their much improved offense and highly skilled and more experienced Class of '26 prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->