Game Report | Boys Town vs. Gross Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Thursday, I made the short trip to Bryan High School to watch the Gross Catholic Cougars take on the #5 Boys Town Cowboys. The game started poorly for the Cowboys as they fumbled on their first drive and allowed Gross to march to the endzone to take the early lead. From there, it was all Boys Town as senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1055705' first='Darien' last='Whitaker'] Jr took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to the house. This was just the first of five touchdowns for Whitaker, as he would go on to score twice on the ground, once as a receiver, and a pick-six on defense. Defensive backs Tyler Segar and [player_tooltip player_id='1512466' first='Jayden' last='Cook'] also had key interceptions that resulted in touchdowns on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cowboys host top-5 Ashland-Greenwood in what should be one of the best C1 matchups of the season so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gross Catholic will look to get back to .500 as they battle Roncalli Catholic next Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player of the Game:</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1512539,"width":"480px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/IMG_0619.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1512539" style="width:480px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boys Town 2025 LB - [player_tooltip player_id='1055705' first='Darien' last='Whitaker'] Jr</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1055705' first='Darien' last='Whitaker'] (<a href="https://x.com/WhitakerDarien" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>), 2025 - LB/ATH - 6'4" 220 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This was the first in-person look at the 3-star LB, [player_tooltip player_id='1055705' first='Darien' last='Whitaker'], and man, did he put on a show. Whitaker ended the game with five touchdowns, coming in four different ways: a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, two rushing (6 &amp; 49 yards), a 61-yard receiving touchdown, and a 13-yard interception return for a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitaker is a player who immediately passes the eye test with a well-built 6'4" and 220-pound frame. This mix of size, speed, and athleticism made it incredibly difficult for players trying to bring him down, as he would just stick out his arm to push them away and then crank it into the next gear to outrace everyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Darien also showed why he's a highly-coveted linebacker prospect, as he seemed to be everywhere on the field for the Cowboys. He has a great football IQ that helps him go through his keys quickly before firing off downhill or sinking in coverage to erase the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Hard hitter once he gets to the ball while still utilizing good technique with his tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notable Standouts:</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1512549,"width":"480px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/IMG_0590.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1512549" style="width:480px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Boys Town 2025 LB/TE - [player_tooltip player_id='1512515' first='LaDainian' last='Blackwell']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1512515' first='LaDainian' last='Blackwell'] (<a href="https://x.com/Wea90n_X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>), 2025 - LB/TE - 6'3" 230 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1512515' first='LaDainian' last='Blackwell'] is an exciting addition to the Cowboys' roster after joining them late this summer. From the looks of it, it seems he wasted little time earning a starting role in offense and defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- On offense, I was impressed with LaDainian's blocking ability. He did a great job clearing defenders out on the perimeter and helped open up huge running lanes for his backs. There weren't several opportunities for him to catch the ball, but judging from the mismatches he creates with his size, I wouldn't be surprised if he became a reliable target in short-yardage and redzone situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Defensively, Blackwell flashes nice versatility as a DL/LB hybrid. LaDainian ended the game with three tackles, a TFL, and a sack. He was a constant presence in the backfield, using his power and violent hands to work his way past defenders. LaDainian also had some impressive plays where he showed blitz but quickly turned his hips and dropped into coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Exciting overall athlete who should draw a lot of attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16398113/66f62c876a705ae87874ecb9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa1a2d9b8e3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1512516' first='Robbie' last='Brennan'] (<a href="https://x.com/RobbieBrennan26" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>), 2025 - LB/RB - Gross Catholic - 5'11" 175 lbs </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Robbie gave the Gross Catholic two of their most explosive plays on the night. He opened up the game with a rushing touchdown after a Boys Town fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Brennan also had a nice catch-and-run towards the end of the game, where he displayed his ability to make defenders miss in open space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Brennan possesses great vision and cutback ability that allows him to identify and explode through lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18096522/66f93f82e0490ed84c1adfe8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa1a2d9b912"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1512466' first='Jayden' last='Cook'] (<a href="https://x.com/21pickzz">Twitter</a>), 2027 - Boys Town - DB - </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1512466' first='Jayden' last='Cook'] was an eye-opening find at safety and should earn a spot in the end-of-season rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jayden provided excellent deep field coverage from the safety position and did a good job erasing any deep shots over the top. He also proved very rangy, with a quick break on the ball and solid closing speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- His best play of the game came on an interception in which he read the QB's eyes very well, did a great job jumping the route, and flashed his ball skills when going up to snag the pick. Cook also added a nice return after the pick to show what he can do with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Looking forward to covering Jayden in these upcoming seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mentions:</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1512467' first='Mekhai' last='Williams'], 2027 - RB - Boys Town - 6'1" 180 lbs</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1512535' first='Carson' last='Kozeal'], 2025 - LB - Gross Catholic - 6'1" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1512532' first='Henry' last='Brueske'], 2025 - DL/OL - Boys Town - 6'2" 230 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19600092/66fa1624dc4a6052470ee014' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa1a2d9b936"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1055702' first='Marqas' last='Gray'] (<a href="https://x.com/marqasgray" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>), 2025 - Boys Town</em> - 6'6" 215 lbs</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->