Hopewell at Mallard Creek – Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game moved to Saturday night due to Hurricane Helene, the 3-1 Hopewell Titans came over to face the 3-1 Mallard Creek Mavericks. The Mavericks flexed their muscle in this one, running away with a 50-0 victory on Homecoming. Several defensive players stood out in this one, we'll take a look at them here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760717"],"_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-66fb0890d479a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Elon commit was simply dominant in shutting down the interior run game for the Titans. Chaz was double-teamed consistently yet he still got penetration and was able to help stop some runs before they got started. Chaz was also able to get some quick penetration on the interior in passing situations, disrupting the pocket on multiple occasions. Chaz is successful because he combines a great get-off at the snap with impressive overall strength. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["457612"],"_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-66fb0890d4816"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The hybrid defensive end/linebacker did a good job in eliminating the outside run game for the Titans, consistently setting the edge allowing for his defensive teammates to rally and make tackles for little to no gain on multiple occasions. Zion was able to get a good pass rush off the edge in a two-point stance as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1171071"],"_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-66fb0890d4882"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawson has made some big plays this season as an inside linebacker for the Mavericks, and he has used some impressive speed to be effective in both pass coverage and stopping the running game. In this game, he came in with lightning speed and made an impressive sack on the Titans quarterback. Lawson is an important piece of a very fast Mavericks defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1357041"],"_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-66fb0890d48f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nick mixed in some on-ball and off-ball linebacker plays in this game, and he did a great job of setting the edge on the opposite side of teammate [player_tooltip player_id='457612' first='Zion' last='Burden']. With Nick's size and speed combination, he can play out of either a 2-point or 3-point stance on the next level and be a very effective player. Nick has an excellent size/speed combination, and has shown a good ability to rush the passer as a defender throughout his career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303802"],"_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-66fb0890d4969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The stout defensive tackle was named as a captain for the Titans to start the game off. Cameron definitely had some success early in the game in being strong at the point of attack and stuffing the Mavericks' interior run game, where they adjusted and started hitting some things off-tackle and on the outside in the running game. Cameron was named an All-Conference player last season, and he is on his way to repeating those accolades again in my honest opinion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->