Top Performers: Althoff vs Belleville East

Friday night Prep Redzone took in a cross town clash for the first time in over 20 years as Belleville East and Belleville Althoff battled in a neutral site contest at the new field at SWIC.  After a couple low scoring games I have covered early in the year this had a ton of highlights and the stars came to play!  Althoff pulled away winning 49-21.  Read about the players that caught our attention in Top Performers: Althoff vs Belleville East!   Belleville Althoff   RB [player_tooltip player_id='201724' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] Jr (2025 – Oregon) It was the single most electric performance I have ever seen going to high school football games in my life.  Hill was absolutely dominant in every sense of the word as the state's top offensive weapon had maybe the best game of his career going for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 11 carries while sitting out most of the 3rd quarter.  He has that rare quality of every time he touches the ball you think something special is going to happen.  It did pretty often in this one going for touchdowns of 56 yards, 86 yards, 55 yards, and 18 yards.  Also had a 76 yard run that nearly went for a score.  It was the closest thing I have seen to Reggie Bush in high school.  He consistently made defenders look silly trying to tackle him in space and even in tight areas.  Hill has such an innate ability to find the smallest creases, have patience, have defenders bounce off him, and accelerate to another gear when he is in the clear.  The spin moves, jump cuts, and crazy moves were video game like.  Also caught one pass for 8 yards as well.  He did whatever he wanted in this game.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='258001' first='Jason' last='Dowell'] (2025 – Mizzou) Dowell is another top 10 prospect on this squad.  He is listed at 6'4” 288 pounds.  The future Mizzou Tiger defensive lineman is extremely physical and strong.  Stout in the run game as he got down the line several times for tackles.  Like how he uses his hands with power to move offensive lineman.  Also has scheme versatility playing both inside as a three technique or a powerful defensive end.  Got after the QB as well with a pair of sacks on the night.  The best one was when he lined up at defensive tackle using a super quick up and over move that the offensive lineman had no chance.  Then exploded to the quarterback wrapping him up.  Then he proceeded to do the splits as a celebration!  Got to admit I have never seen that before.  High motor and tenacity!  This is what SEC defensive lineman look like and move like!   WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1292071' first='Charleston' last='Coldon'] (2025 – Boston College) Coldon plays on both sides of the ball for Althoff.  We thought he was at his best as a defensive back in this game as the 6'1” 187 pound corner has great size and length.  He knows how to use them too!  Physical press corner that has a smooth back pedal and makes plays on the ball.  Very good tackler in space as he made sound takedowns.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='831091' first='Drake' last='Mosley'] (2025) Mosley is a transfer from O'Fallon that is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the state.  He absolutely played like it in this contest racking up tackle after tackle.  Prototype middle linebacker at 6'2” 225 pounds with a great frame.  He is a tackling machine with his ability to run sideline to sideline, take excellent angles, and quickly identify the play.  Absolutely was a monster in the run game.  As a blitzer he can lay the hammer on the quarterback as well.  High level group of 5 linebacker that should have those schools fighting for his services.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1292104' first='Cooper' last='Zimmer'] (2025) Zimmer is another linebacker that will have a future at the next level.  The top 100 recruit plays with a relentless motor running guys down over and over again.  At 6'3” 226 pounds he is taller and thicker than I remembered from last season.  Elite instincts as he plays out on the edge taking precise angles and closing any opening there is for the back.  Can also get after the quarterback as an edge rusher.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='214234' first='Jayden' last='Ellington'] (2027)   Ellington is one of the top QB's in a 2027 class that is headlined by several of them.  The first thing that you notice with him is how the ball explodes out of his hand.  It was noticeable in warm ups as it comes out free and easy with a ton of velocity.  A bit on the smaller and slight side at 5'11” 163 pounds.  On this night the accuracy wasn't there consistently as he missed connecting with pass catchers on the perimeter a few times.  He did though connect with one of his wide outs for a sweet 27 yard TD dropping it in the bucket on a go route for a touchdown displaying beautiful touch right after the same play was called for pass interference.  He is an elite level athlete with incredible speed!  Very quick twitched with his ability to run the ball and make guys miss.  He ran in one touchdown in this game stretching it on the edge for an 8 yard score.   RB [player_tooltip player_id='1598828' first='Steven' last='Brown'] (2027) Brown has next at Althoff at the running back position.  The sophomore 5'8” 165 pound back showed flashes when filling in for Hill.  He actually started the scoring for his team with a near 100 yard kickoff return to begin the game.  On that play he showed vision and breakaway speed.  As a back he has quick cuts, accelerates, and can change gears.  Definitely a college prospect down the line!   DB [player_tooltip player_id='973848' first='Xavier' last='Chapman'] (2025) The senior 5'10” 170 pound slot corner has sound technique and is a good tackler in space taking out his opponents low and wrapping up. As a pass defender he had a pair of PBU's in this game using his hands well and displaying excellent instincts on the back end and against slot wide outs. Prospect that needs to be getting more attention at the next level.   DB Jamaris Saddler (2025) Sadler is another corner that has some juice to him.  He is small at only 5'5”, but is gritty and fights against taller receivers.   OT Patton Leib (2025) and OT [player_tooltip player_id='1564824' first='Logan' last='Davis'] (2025)   The bookend offensive tackles more than held up their end of the deal in this win for Althoff.  They mauled on the line moving bodies, sealing off, and playing with a mean streak.  Both have the size as Leib at right tackle goes 6'4” 261 while Davis is 6'5” 318.  Also held up in pass protection for Ellington throughout the night not allowing a ton of direct pressure in his face.  Use their hands well and had solid footwork.  Both should get looks at the small college level for sure!   Belleville East   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1564808' first='Kadin' last='Sabree'] (2025)   Sabree had a big second half for the Lancers.  We liked what the 6'1” 2025 middle linebacker brings as a thumper in the run game.  Strong and stocky frame that got a couple TFL along with taking sound angles for tackles in the box.   RB [player_tooltip player_id='1585239' first='Jaedon' last='Beamon'] (2026)   Beamon is a 5'9” junior that was fun to watch.  He had a pair of touchdowns on the night with the first coming on a 55 yard run where he sprinted right through the stacked Althoff defense for a long score.  Then he got in the endzone on a beautifully designed misdirection play using his speed to get on the perimeter for a score in the corner from 4 yards out.  Can see Beamon be a prospect at the next level with his elusiveness, speed, and vision.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='801701' first='Jonathan' last='Rulo'] (2026)   Rulo is the most known of the Belleville East prospects.  We got a good look at him in warm ups before that game.  The 6'2” 295 pound defensive tackle definitely looks the part as he is thick down low and up top.  Plays on both sides of the ball as an offensive tackle as well.  Future will be on the defensive side.  His intensity and leadership is one thing that stood out to us from pregame to early in the game where he was hyping his team up.  Probably projects best as a run stuffing defensive tackle that flashes as a pass rusher.  Solid athleticism.  Best play was when he stuffed the back and carried him in his arms back several yards.   EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1585157' first='Jacory' last='Brown'] (2026)   Brown jumped off the field with his physical profile at 6'6” 215 pounds.  Playing on the edge he can stand up or put his hand in the ground.  Little light right now, but the length and fluidity are super impressive.  Saw flashes of the burst off the edge along with his long strides.  Had one nice play where he got loose making tackle in space.  Brown is oozing with potential!   WR [player_tooltip player_id='1344621' first='James' last='Johnson'] (2027)   Johnson is a name to know for sure for Belleville East!  The sophomore 6'2” 180 pound pass catcher was at his best high pointing jump balls on the edge.  Did it several times winning 50/50 balls with his strong hands in traffic.  Also had a nice grab snatching the ball out in front of him on a comeback route.  Solid speed and glides!  Lot of upside long term here!  Has D1 type ability.   WR Kyle Henry (2025)   Henry is a big wide out that caught a slant for a touchdown.  The size is what stands out at 6'5” with his length and ability to be a redzone threat getting inside position for the score over the middle.  Small college prospect.

Friday night Prep Redzone took in a cross town clash for the first time in over 20 years as Belleville East and Belleville Althoff battled in a neutral site contest at the new field at SWIC. After a couple low scoring games I have covered early in the year this had a ton of highlights and the stars came to play! Althoff pulled away winning 49-21. Read about the players that caught our attention in Top Performers: Althoff vs Belleville East!