Byron Center Scouting Report (vs Mona Shores)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although Byron Center fell short on the scoreboard, there were still a few notable performances from the Bulldogs, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. I don't have team stats, but I bet the overarching stats besides turnovers would heavily favor Byron Center. Some solid performances, and I'm happy to highlight a few players that I had an eye on during Friday's matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1473334,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1529462' first='Tate' last='Bainbridge']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Byron Center","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ef67538c16e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blake was the most impressive defender I watched on either team. I've heard a little about Blake during the preseason, and I've really come to appreciate his game after last night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I said earlier, Mona Shores only threw the ball 8 times, so there isn't much to go off of in terms of pass defense. Against the run, Blake consistently made great plays. Screen pass? Blake will shed a block and deliver a big hit to the receiver. Inside run? Blake is there to support the tackle. All in all, I saw a ton of very high-effort and physical plays from Blake. I can't even find a hudl or any previous football highlights, but look out for Blake being a phenomenal D3 or potential D2 football prospect in addition to his glory on the baseball diamond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290871"],"_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-66ef67538c0b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen Landen perform in person a handful of times, and this is the best performance I can remember. On more than a few occasions, Landen was a staunch run defender. Anything outside the tackles (and even on inside runs), Landen did his best to get in on the tackle. One of the first things I look for in a safety is run support, and Landen does a phenomenal job at playing hard on running downs, which is something that a LOT of DBs struggle with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I admittedly need to watch Landen more in the pass game. Granted, Mona Shores did not pass the ball much (8 times in total), but Landen has proved that he can be a rangy pass defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landen currently holds offers from a few Division 3 programs. I am in full agreement with that evaluation, and I wouldn't be shocked if lower-tier GLIAC programs send out an offer as more 2025s commit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602273"],"_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-66ef67538c268"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wasn't planning on writing about Isaac, but his name kept popping up on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That said, Isaac was bottled up pretty good on offense. Even when he caught the ball, it was usually close to the line of scrimmage and the Mona Shores defense didn't allow an inch. I also saw Mona Shores double cover Isaac on multiple occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac's defensive play did not go unnoticed, though. Although he's a DB, he plays like a linebacker. Mona Shores couldn't get anything going outside of the tackles, largely because of Isaac's ability to quickly sidestep a block and make a crucial tackle. Isaac was also rock-solid in pass coverage, which is par for the course. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aiden VanDam","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Byron Center","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ef67538c20d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I focused most of my defensive line scouting on Aiden VanDam. Mostly because he's the only non-senior DL starter and the only defensive lineman I haven't covered in the past. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, how'd Aiden do? In short, he had a solid performance but still has plenty to work on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, the good. Aiden had a few impressive block sheds and made a couple of great inside run stops. All of these were during plays where Aiden won early. When Aiden got off the ball quickly and won on his first move, he made plays. When he failed explode out of his stance and when he did not win, he got moved and failed to recover. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, Aiden is a solid defensive tackle who can make a few great plays every game. For Aiden to become a true college prospect, he's got to develop much better anchor and recovery once the opposing lineman successfully gets his hands on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899559"],"_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-66ef67538c2b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ok, yes, Landon did not have a good day. Getting this out of the way- but Landon had three bad interceptions, all in Mona Shores territory. It was a combination of pressure, Isaac being covered up, and luck. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is some good that I can extract from Landon's performance. For one, he's still an elite playmaker. Landon has and continues to be excellent at evading pressure, getting out of would-be sacks, and giving a receiver a chance downfield. It's also notable that Landon had a few carries, and he displayed surprising contact balance and overall power. On top of that, Landon has never come across as someone who hangs his head after a mistake. Short memory is required- Byron Center and Landon will still be a phenomenal playoff team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->