Early Season Team Spotlight: Marion Harding

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion County has a lot of young talent that needs to be recognized. For the next few weeks I will be sharing some names of some young men from different schools who are standing out that are having a great start to the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1420632"],"_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-66eb1d4dcacbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lucas is an up-and-coming prospect that all coaches need to start paying attention to right now. He burst on the scene last season as a sophomore with 99 tackles, 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles in only 7 games. He has good quickness and excellent power. Through the first two games Lucas has 25 tackles and 2 sacks. He has a great nose for the ball so when you play against Marion Harding just be prepared for a heavy dose of Lucas all night long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423743"],"_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-66eb1d4dcad45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ray-J has started the season off great for Marion Harding. He's a very versatile running back that has great hands. Through the first 2 games he has 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while also adding 9 catches for 95 yards receiving. Ray-J is the perfect example of an all-purpose back that can play on all three downs. For a young man that's new to the position he has good vision and great cut back speed. He has really good power when running between the tackles. Since moving from H-Back and WR last season he has shown off his excellent pass-catcher ability that makes him a threat in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423741"],"_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-66eb1d4dcadbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Parker started this season off with a bang. In his first game against Mt.Vernon Parker had 11 catches for 158 yards receiving and two touchdowns. The following week against Ashland he finished with 7 catches for 121 yards receiving and two touchdowns. This young man is a true gamer. He has great speed and power when he runs. Very good at making difficult catches. I'm looking forward to watching him play the rest of the season.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1404859"],"_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-66eb1d4dcae2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've been waiting for this young man to finally get the keys to the Marion Harding offense. Conner has had a very productive first 2 weeks throwing the football. Conner went 39 of 55 for 549 yards passing and 6 passing touchdowns. For a first year QB Conner is very accurate and has great touch throwing the ball down field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1420651"],"_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-66eb1d4dcaea1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you talk about a player ever coach's dreams of, that's Landon. This young man is like a swiss army knife. He plays every position a coach asks him to play. Last season Landon played Defensive end, Nickel and Safety. He excelled at all three. He finished last season with 102 tackles, 7 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles and 1 touchdown. After 2 games this season Landon has registered 20 tackles and 2 sacks. Landon has deceptive speed. I remember watching a game when he went from rushing the passer as a defensive end and the very next play covering a wideout and went step for step with him it made me say wow. He is a great young man and it's been a pleasure watching him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1428941"],"_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-66eb1d4dcaf11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Justin is one versatile player. As a sophomore Justin started on the offensive line and at linebacker. That season while playing both ways Justin was named to the Division 2 All Ohio team. He finished his sophomore season with 128 tackles and for his junior year he finished with 147 tackles. Justin is a tackling machine. Justin plays hard every down. He has a great football IQ and is a student of the game. Two games into this season Justin have registered 25 tackles and 3 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1275896"],"_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-66eb1d4dcaf82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You know that saying when you go on the road and that first kid comes off the bus always come off looking jacked that's [player_tooltip player_id='1275896' first='Landon' last='Adams']. Landon looks the part but also plays that way.  Landon has played great these past couple of weeks after coming off knee injure last season. He has been a forced to be reckoned with playing defensive end. He has great strength and plays with great leverage. He has a great first step and has one heck of a bullrush. After 3 games Landon has registered 20 tackles and 4 sacks and 6 tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423727"],"_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-66eb1d4dcaff3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Talk about a young man that put in the work during the offseason. Kolten has come out the gates strong as a first-year varsity player. Against Mt. Vernon he had 9 tackles and 1 sack. And the following week against Ashland he finished with 6 tackles and 1 sack. I would say for a first-time varsity player those are some great numbers. Kolten is very rangy and athletic. He uses his hands great in the trenches. As he gets more playing time and game reps the sky's the limit for this [player_tooltip player_id='1423727' first='Kolten' last='Sibrel'].  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423733"],"_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-66eb1d4dcb066"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jamarie transformed his body in a big way this offseason. You can really tell this young man put in the work. He has always had high energy and now combined with power and size, Jamarie has really blossomed.  To start this season Jamari has registered 17 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 8 pressures, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception for a defensive tackle. Mr. Starks has a bright future and I can't wait to see him continue to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1420710"],"_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-66eb1d4dcb0d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1420710' first='Jaden' last='Griffith'] is one heck of a defensive back to watch. He covers very well and he loves to come up with the big hit. So far this season Jaden has 17 tackles, 49 straps 1 forced fumble and 2 interceptions. He has been one of the leaders in a very young secondary that primary starts 3 sophomores at times. Jaden loves to compete and it really shows on Friday nights. I look forward to covering him the rest of this season and next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423736"],"_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-66eb1d4dcb147"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1423736' first='Dylan' last='Holloway'] has stepped up big time this year hauling in 10 receptions on 12 targets for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first 2 games of the season. Dylan worked very hard in the offseason on route running and getting faster and stronger. After watching the first two games this season Dylan hard work is defiantly paying off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423755"],"_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-66eb1d4dcb1b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaden has had a great start to the season. He has great pocket presence and is very elusive. He does a great job at constantly avoiding tacklers and making great throws on the run. Jaden has a bright future at the quarterback position and I'm looking forward to see what the future holds with this young man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1423798"],"_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-66eb1d4dcb229"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aycen is one kid everyone needs to start paying attention to right now. He is fast and runs great routes. His acceleration after he catches the ball is something that always stands out to me. Anytime Aycen has the ball in his hands there is always potential for a big play. This kid is just a really good football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->