AYF Nationals Notebook: Dynamic New England Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier in December 2024, AYF Nationals took place in Naples, Florida. There were over 250 teams in attendance from all over the country, but perhaps no state/region was better-represented than New England. With nine New England teams in the 12U-14U brackets, these players shined on some of those teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1586717"],"_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-6769a9331ff37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Springfield Tigers have a tradition of standout prospects at the skill positions and [player_tooltip player_id='1586717' first='Rylen' last='Thresher'] appears to be up next. A Running Back, Linebacker, Defensive Back in the class of 2030, he made the biggest impact at the Running Back position in 2024. A good mixture of size and strength, he put up a ton of stats. Highlighted by a six-touchdown performance in his league semi-final game in November, the 12U Tigers finished 4th at the AYF 12U D2 National tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1586735"],"_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-6769a9331ff96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adjei was one of only a handful of 8th graders (class of 2029) on the 12U Commonwealth Chaos All-Star team at AYF Nationals in December. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 150-pounds, he looked even longer than his size indicated. He lines up in the backfield and out at Wide Receiver and looks comfortable at both positions. Spent his regular season playing for the Worcester Vikings and was easily one of the top prospects in all of Central Mass. Given his ability and the region he's from, a reclass to 2030 wouldn't surprise me at all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1586798"],"_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-6769a9331ffde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fernandes really stuck out while watching the 14U Blackstone Valley All-Stars at AYF Nationals in December. On a team that didn't have a true Quarterback, Fernandes took a bunch of direct snaps and looked to be the most athletic kid on the team. Defensively Fernandes took the field as an Edge rusher and that is where he stood out to me the most. On one particular play against the Jersey Shore All-Stars, Fernandes bent the edge and chased down a designed QB keeper going around the opposite side of the field. That was one of several plays he really impressed me defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1586824"],"_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-6769ab7c795b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">in 2023 Adams stood out to me last year at AYF Nationals as a member of the 12U Commonwealth Chaos All-Star team. In 2024, he did it again as a member of the 14U All-Star team. The biggest difference between this year and last year, was the amount of muscle he packed on. He is really put together. One of the main offensive weapons as a Running Back at AYF Nationals in December, he scored a number of touchdowns during the tournament. He really impressed me in Massachusetts' victory over Nevada in the third place game, scoring a pair of touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588423"],"_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-676d7b342b63c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Springfield product, Auston Jr. played on the 13U Tigers team and was one of the more dynamic players on the field. Not the biggest kid in the world, but his quickness was excellent. Alongside Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1582695' first='Remy' last='Brown'], the duo used speed and a slashing running style to propel the Tigers offense. Auston Jr. also proved his worth in the passing game, catching a number of balls in the short pass and quick screen action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->