Recapping the First Four Games of my 2024 Season Coverage

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 is upon us, and I completed my second season covering games for Prep Redzone. I was able to watch some great games this year. In today's article, I cover some of the highlights of this past season that I witnessed in person. Each game will also highlight recruitable players I saw from the games as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a two part article series. Today I am recapping the first four games I attended. Stay tuned for an article recapping the last four I attended. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Salem vs William Fleming</strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/standout-players-from-salem-vs-william-fleming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Coverage Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game I covered this year was a cross-town matchup of the Salem Spartans hosting the William Fleming Colonels with William Fleming coming out with a 25-7 victory. I was intrigued to attended this matchup as the Spartans were the state runner-ups in 2023, and I wanted to catch them early to see how they looked in 2024. The stand outs from the game were [player_tooltip player_id='1451459' first='Jaquan' last='Henderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1451454' first='Dorian' last='Vance']. Both class of 2025 seniors who made an impact on the game. Vance went on to make First-Team All District for offensive and defensive line as well as Second-Team All Region defensive line. As far as I can tell he is still looking for a place to play next season. His film is worth a watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was also the first time I was able to see William Fleming play. I was highly impressed with their team. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1228866' first='Malachi' last='Coleman'] may be a steal for Syracuse as I was more impressed with his play at running back this year in the games I attended live than anyone else I saw (and that is saying a lot). He out played "higher ranked" RB and led his team to victories. The future is bright for the Colonels at the Running Back position with class of 2028 back [player_tooltip player_id='1508898' first='Kamharie' last='Steelman']. He received limited touches behind [player_tooltip player_id='1228866' first='Malachi' last='Coleman'], but he took advantage of each rep. He is one we will be keeping an eye on in the coming years. Also liked what I saw out of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1298276' first='Jycer' last='Preston'] as well. He is a poised QB who can command the offense. We will see him return next year as their signal caller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rustburg vs Brookville</strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/standout-players-from-rustburg-vs-brookville/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Coverage Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A one sided affair with Rustburg coming out with a 41-7 victory. Rustburg boasted a nice team this year led by junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1297625' first='Ari' last='Reid']. One of our top ranked players in Virginia, Ari proved why at linebacker and running back. You can tell he is a step above in his athleticism when he takes the field. Look for him to be an impact player next season. The back end of the defense is held down by defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1282058' first='Ashton' last='Dixon'], a very nice player who has a VMI offer and more need to be paying attention to his game. Another who impressed in this game was sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='1474190' first='Eric' last='Pannell']. He was able to get reps near the end of the game, and he showed he can be a physical runner with <a href="https://x.com/GoLions1934/status/1837293430826779120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1837293430826779120%7Ctwgr%5Ecd9103206374028a29f64b50a531c91b9dd126fb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepredzone.com%2F2024%2F09%2Fstandout-players-from-rustburg-vs-brookville%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>a very nice TD run</em></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point of the season, LB [player_tooltip player_id='1297772' first='Elijah' last='Hughes'] was playing for Brookville prior to his transfer to EC Glass. Elijah is a versatile LB who I like in a stacked position. A hard worker who you will find all over the field. Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1195346' first='Vada' last='Howard'] was responsible for the <a href="https://x.com/GoLions1934/status/1837270266516291879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1837270266516291879%7Ctwgr%5E291109fa666808cd8cec75014a1f32cfc8916653%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepredzone.com%2F2024%2F09%2Fstandout-players-from-rustburg-vs-brookville%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lone TD</a> for Brookville in the first quarter. In the face of one of the better defensive fronts in the Seminole District, Vada ran hard all game. The senior RB has one offer from <a href="https://x.com/VadaHoward11/status/1861200500881780752" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capital University</a> and more should take a look at his film. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Anne's Belfield vs Blue Ridge <br></strong><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/st-annes-belfield-vs-blue-ridge-game-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Game Coverage Article</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my mind, this was a must see game when the season schedule came out. I saw St. Anne's play in 2023 and wanted to see them again this season. Blue Ridge is full of great prospects, and their home field is too far away for me to get to on a Friday night. The game was heavily favored to the eventual state champions Blue Ridge who came out with a 42-8 victory. If you are looking for quality players to add to your program, Blue Ridge needs to be on your radar. Led by a great senior class with one of my favorite linebackers to watch in [player_tooltip player_id='1231454' first='Demetrius' last='Allen'], a shifty WR in [player_tooltip player_id='1519643' first='Eliot' last='Nahon'], an elusive RB in [player_tooltip player_id='1230170' first='Darius' last='Stafford'], a two-way playmaker in [player_tooltip player_id='1230221' first='D'Myo' last='Hunter'], and 6'5" offensive tackle Luca Vervolet. We have covered these players extensively in previous articles that you can view on their profiles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Anne's is a team on the rise and also has players to keep an eye on. In the game I attended, [player_tooltip player_id='1519656' first='Jonas' last='Biehs'] stood out from his WR position. The sophomore shows the ability to run neat routes, using his change of direction to create separation and displays good hands. He is one to watch over the next couple season. St. Anne's also has RB [player_tooltip player_id='1282164' first='Jonah' last='Brent'] returning next season, a patient runner with good vision and burst. He <a href="https://x.com/JonahBrent1/status/1874205488197587120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">finished the year</a> with 903 yards on 141 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. You will hear more on St. Anne's in the coming weeks as they are sending a number of players to our January 12 player showcase. We will be providing coverage of the players after the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monticello vs Albemarle</strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/monticello-vs-albemarle-game-report-and-standout-players/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Coverage Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was another must see game for me in this year's schedule. A matchup of two teams who missed the playoffs but have quality prospects for the next level. If you follow us at Prep Redzone, we have extensively covered players on both of these teams. Monticello was led by a senior class headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='1231343' first='Ezekiel' last='Pour'], [player_tooltip player_id='1177772' first='Brayden' last='Rettig'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231587' first='Michael' last='Zaney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235022' first='D'rhon' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1194813' first='Owen' last='Engel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1232823' first='Terrence' last='Early']. They also boast a special teams core of Long Snapper [player_tooltip player_id='1321238' first='Vaughn' last='Conlon'] and Kicker/Punter [player_tooltip player_id='1398713' first='Oziel' last='Jara Castillo']. Every one of these players has what it takes to play at the next level. Be sure to take a look at their profiles to see the coverage we have provided of their game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albemarle as well boasts some players you want to watch. Their senior class was led by [player_tooltip player_id='1233184' first='Jacob' last='Lykins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231459' first='Jordan' last='Green'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1232570' first='Jalen' last='Green']. They also boast a strong junior class of [player_tooltip player_id='1237508' first='Joshua' last='Lykins'], Xzavion Carter, and [player_tooltip player_id='1297618' first='Isaiah' last='Harris']. Every one of these players are playmakers, and we should be seeing them at the next level in some capacity. Heading to the sophomore level is defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1282096' first='Yuri' last='Radcliffe']. A dominant defender with a high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile.<br>Follow me on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a>&nbsp;for further content |&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a>&nbsp;| Virginia Scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>@EdOBrienCFB</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em>|&nbsp;<em>View my previous Prep Redzone articles&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->