Season Preview: Section V Underrated Players

Who doesn't like underrated players? They are the players on your team that can show up in crucial times and make huge turning point blocks, tackles, or plays. These are some players in Section V that I believe are underrated and put on impressive game tapes this past season that you should be looking out for.    Here is [player_tooltip player_id='1283653' first='Paul' last='Rizzo'] who not only plays football for McQuaid Jesuit High School but also Baseball. Rizzo will be entering his final season standing at 6'0” and weighing 195-pounds at the LB position. For Rizzo, the coverage ability at the LB position was a major standout. Being able to stay disciplined in coverage and come away with multiple INTs was impressive to watch. Being a physical LB certainly showed up, especially when coming through the LOS to attack the ball carrier. This is a LB that can cover a lot of ground due to the nature of his speed. What was also certain was that Rizzo was an impactful football player on special teams. Getting down the field on the kickoff unit to make the tackle or simply making an impactful block in the return game showed the passion that Rizzo has. A very exciting defensive prospect to watch for this season.      [player_tooltip player_id='726202' first='Chase' last='Williamee'] is a big junior DT and OG for Canandaigua High School that certainly knows how to penetrate the pocket on the defensive side of the football. Pushing his opponents around was shown when Williamee stands in at 6'0” and weighs 260-pounds. Being a force up the middle was a consistent factor on tape. Being able to get low, quickly dip and rip off his block was a huge factor when being able to stop runs up the middle. Williamee was seen getting into the backfield and making TFL multiple times. The effort and consistent motor to run down ball carriers in the open field did show. Having the trait to hunt the ball carrier until the whistle is heard was outstanding to see. When playing at the OG spot, the mulling ability and pure power certainly stood out when taking on one on one blocks.      The young Ny'Jher “Juice” Gano, is a DB for UPrep High School that will be entering into his junior season. Gano stands in at 5'10” and knows how to move quickly on receivers. This is a DB that can get physical when he can especially in both the run and passing game. Using his eyes was key, especially when covering WRs to not get beat down the field. Gano did have a lot of game tape on special teams where he was effective as a gunner. Displaying his deep speed was effective when playing at the gunner spot to attack the returner. Gano does have some more development as a CB, and it will be interesting to see how he attacks this upcoming season.      A very under the radar playmaking TE here with [player_tooltip player_id='1283650' first='Austyn' last='Gollnitz'] from Hornell High School that will be entering into his senior season. This TE stands at 6'0” and weighs 200 pounds. Gollnitz has an incredible ability after the catch is made. The strength and drive to break tackles but also straight speed was electric to watch on film. What was impressive to watch is that this is a TE that is a returner on special teams as well. Additionally, Gollnitz was able to take snaps at the RB spot too. The shifty ability in the open field and moves that were placed on defenders were on full display. The veteran play style to run routes such as block & releases and corner routes. If you question if Gollnitz can be a force as a blocker, then you are wrong because Gollnitz showed incredible balance and strength when taking on defenders in one-on-one situations.      The other Hornell senior that was able to have a big-time season was the QB named [player_tooltip player_id='741197' first='Brody' last='Flaitz']. This QB stands in at 6'1” and weighs 165-pounds, and was able to make a lot of accurate deep throws near the sideline. Hitting his targets on the move was not an easy task, but many times, Flaitz was able to hit those touch throws over the sticks. I do like the arm strength that Flaitz possesses as he was able to push the football down the field for intermediate gains. Roll-outs were a big part of Flitz's game. Standing in the pocket to go through multiple progressions will be a goal for Flaitz moving forward and I think he can hit that goal. Finding his go to WR in [player_tooltip player_id='1283650' first='Austyn' last='Gollnitz'] was huge but Flaitz was able to spread the ball around when he needed to with favorable matchups.      [player_tooltip player_id='1283927' first='Myles' last='Wynn'] is a 5'8” RB from Irondequoit High School that runs with a lot of balance and has a huge amount of productivity on the ground game. The ability to accelerate quickly on stretch runs and to make a man miss in open space was put on full display. Wynn may not be the most electric RB that puts on a ton of moves to find open space, but he can take off when the opportunity presents itself. One move that I did see a few times was a spin move that many RBs cannot execute. Pure ball carrier vision is what separated Wynn in being able to pick up positive yardage. The strength and ability to keep fighting for the end zone was a huge part of Wynn's game in goal line situations. Wynn will be entering his senior season for Irondequoit and certainly will look to add to his highlight reel.

Who doesn't like underrated players? They are the players on your team that can show up in crucial times and make huge turning point blocks, tackles, or plays. These are some players in Section V that I believe are underrated and put on impressive game tapes this past season that you should be looking out for.