Michigan’s Best Seniors Playing in the Regional Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Regional Finals kick off Tomorrow! We're down to the Final Eight in all 8 Divisions. Only the best of the best teams remain, and there's still a TON of senior talent hitting the field. This article will cover and quickly evaluate five of the top seniors playing in this weekend's Regional Finals! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["247645"],"_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-673634668b37e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm super happy that Howell vs. Hudsonville is being played on Saturday. That said, it gives me an opportunity to watch Howell and [player_tooltip player_id='247645' first='Bobby' last='Kanka']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against KZoo Central, Bobby consistently manhandled the smaller offensive line. Once he got his hands on someone, Bobby was able to push or pull them away before pressuring the QB, earning a sack, or TFL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I mean, come on. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15220948/6726511e375c4e87172da83d">Look at the highlight at 0:23</a>. Bobby easily gets into the backfield, then punches the ball out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have a few nitpicks with his game, but I'll hold all of those until after I watch him this Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["329420"],"_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-673634668b413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cass Tech has a ton of excellent players and a multitude of future Division 1 CFB players. Out of the stacked group of talent, [player_tooltip player_id='329420' first='Alex' last='Graham'] may be the best of the bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking on his DB play, I've seen few DBs with better instincts. Dakota doesn't throw the ball downfield too much, but if they do, Alex will be there to defend it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Otherwise, Alex is a capable screen / outside run defender. He'll have plenty of those opportunities against a team that attempts to push it outside to their playmakers a fair amount.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Alex has really come on this year. Last week against Dearborn, he took a simple (5-yard hitch?) route to the house, breaking several tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Cass Tech defeats Dakota and DCC defeats Belleville, I will highly consider attending Cass vs. DCC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587870"],"_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-673634668b48b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">East Lansing comes into this weekend as huge favorites against Saginaw Heritage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A gigantic reason behind that is [player_tooltip player_id='587870' first='Jace' last='Clarizio']. Listen, he's a popular player. Simply, Jace is one of those elite 3-down running backs with excellent power and athleticism- most great RBs only have one of those.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When his offensive line does their job, Jace is able to hit his hole and, at the very least, gain great yardage. At this best, Jace is able to hit the second level, immediately shed a tackle, and get off to the races- something he seems to do at least once per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even when the O-Line misses some blocks, Jace is sometimes able to navigate through defenders and still turn a broken play into a positive one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite RB. The cornerstone of an East Lansing team that'll probably end up in the state semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["247640"],"_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-673634668b4fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='247640' first='Jordin' last='Farrow'] and River Rouge are going to have to play lights-out against a very talented Detroit MLK team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even against a very good offensive line, I am very confident in Jordin's ability to stop the inside run and pressure the Quarterback. Early in the season against Mona Shores, Jordin consistently penetrated the line and earned inside stops. I frankly don't think MLK will opt to run the ball up the middle too much- Jordin is that good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What Jordin will need to do is rush the passer. King throws the football a fair amount, and they've got a very elusive quarterback. Jordin should be able to get into the backfield, but the supporting cast will need to play a big role in containing the QB and earning pressure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1134355"],"_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-673634668b568"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charles and St. Mary's are about to face off against an extraordinary run game. Carlson has what I think is the best 3-down RB in Michigan, and Charles will play a gigantic role in keeping Carlson one-dimensional. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've always been incredibly impressed with Charles' ability to react. Immediately after the ball is snapped, Charles is oftentimes able to diagnose the play within a split second and fire downhill toward a TFL. On top of that, Charles has the speed needed to go sideline-to-sideline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best linebackers in Michigan. Can't wait to see what Charles is able to do against a super run-heavy offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->