Michigan’s Best Juniors Playing in the Regional Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The field is extremely thin, and only the best of the best programs remain. The Juniors listed in this article have already proven themselves against top competition, and they'll be key in their teams advancing to the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are quick evaluations for five of the best Juniors playing in this weekend's Regional Finals! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212357"],"_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-6736363df3fe8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eziuka is going to play a massive role in defeating Belleville this Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week against West Bloomfield, Eziuka put up some <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17893656/67314911ee297d02d41d5568">great highlights</a>. Right off the bat, Eziuka is seen executing an incredible pull block, getting out of his stance quickly, getting lateral, and punishing the unsuspecting D-Lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of his tape shows consistently great blocking. Whether it be down blocks, base blocks, zone, you name it- Eziuka is one of the most fundamentally sound and powerful linemen in Michigan. Seriously, I watch very few interior linemen with better footwork and drive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belleville's defensive front is on another level. I'm looking forward to seeing how Eziuka blocks some of the best linemen in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148715"],"_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-6736363df4076"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Friday will be Samson and DCCs biggest game of the season, by FAR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samson has been a gigantic reason why Catholic Central is still undefeated. Just last week, Samson put up 165 yards and 2 touchdowns against a very good West Bloomfield team. Included in that are a handful of catches, some great YAC, and an excellent punt return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Samson has a similar game to last week, then I give Catholic Central an excellent shot to beat Belleville. Plus, I know that Belleville has an excellent punter, and Samson will be key in the field position battle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I probably won't be at Detroit Catholic Central vs. Belleville, but I will 100% watch the game back on NFHS during the offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["563430"],"_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-6736363df40c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Traverse has had a great season and an excellent District Finals game against Lowell. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, Traverse has mostly been utilized as a running back, which is different from his WR/ATH role that I'm used to seeing him in. Against Lowell, Traverse demonstrated great vision and power. His offensive line consistently did a great job of opening up running lanes, and Traverse did an equally great job of hitting the holes hard and running through contact. Traverse isn't currently the most polished RB when it comes to vision or open-field elusiveness, but he has the speed to break any run, and the power to consistently bowl over defenders and gain a few extra yards per carry. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Traverse fares against a supremely underrated Petoskey defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148704"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1558091,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6736363df4102"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donovan is in the midst of his breakout Junior season. Just during the regular season, Donovan has rushed for 1830 yards and 25 touchdowns on 12.36 YPC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last time Donovan faced Mason, it was one of his worst games the season, but he still broke a few great runs. Against a great team like Mason, Donovan showcased excellent athleticism and vision even when the play broke down. Against lesser teams, Donovan continuously demonstrated excellent explosiveness, vision, change of direction, you name it. <br>If I were to compare Donovan to an NFL player, it would be Jahmyr Gibbs. Donovan doesn't quite have the contact balance that Jahmyr does, but otherwise a very similar style of play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["916913"],"_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-6736363df413e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Can't guard Case!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Blanc's WR room is <em>STACKED. </em>Among the elite talents is [player_tooltip player_id='916913' first='Caseton' last='Sendry'], who recently put up over 150 yards and 2TDs against Davison. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caseton is mainly utilized in the slot, and he's schemed open in a variety of ways. Very often, Caseton hits the DB with a great double move before either cutting inside or outside, usually earning immediate separation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against a great Adams defense, I expect Grand Blanc to scheme Caseton open a lot. Adams runs a good amount of zone, so I expect Caseton to sit in a lot of zones, hopefully earning a ton of targets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my view, Caseton is a fringe D1 prospect. He's 1000% a GLIAC prospect, and I would not be surprised if he picked up some late MAC attention this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->