5A- Region 5 Preview Pt. 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We finish up the team previews with Northridge and Roy<br><br>Northridge Knights<br>2024 record: 7-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Key Games:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, August 15- at Copper Hills<br>Friday, August 29- Layton<br>Friday, September 5- at Box Elder<br>Friday, October 10- Bonneville<br>Wednesday, October 15- at Clearfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights need to win all five of these games; they need a good start to the season as they'll head to Texas for a tough road matchup. They end the season with two games in five days. If they can run this gauntlet of five games, they will set themselves up for a fantastic season with the possibility of a deep postseason run and winning Region 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Hardest Games:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, August 22- at Seguin (TX)<br>Friday, September 19- Fremont<br>Friday, October 3- at Roy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three games will be difficult. Travelling to Texas in the middle of the summer with the humidity will be tough. They get Fremont at home for a tough game and will travel to Roy. If they can pull out one win from these three, they will be looking rosy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Outlook:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northridge returns a lot of talent, and they have a favorable schedule to make a deep run for Region and state. <br><br>Key Players:<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1683621"],"_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-68778fa154de8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresques takes over as the signal caller, and he was effective last season when he saw live action. Fresques is a quick processor, has good ball placement, and keeps the ball out of danger. Fresques has a quick delivery and has strong arm talent. He's primed for a big season and has weapons all around him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1563124"],"_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-68778fa154e52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The leading rusher from last season, Ortiz, is primed for a bellcow role and is getting over 230 touches. He is a patient runner, with good contact balance, and doesn't shy away from contact. He is a complete, three-down back with soft hands, good ability to make defenders miss in the open field, and will be a key cog in the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1568160"],"_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-68778fa154e9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dyson is a high-end two-way player and will be a dominant force for the Knights. He is an excellent athlete with good footwork, has hip sink, moves well laterally, showcases good hands, and creates late separation as a receiver. As a defensive back, he showcases good cover skills, sticks to the hip of his receiver, and has good anticipation and closing speed. He's one of the more underrated athletes in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905087"],"_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-68778fa154edd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Featherstone is primed for a bigger role in the offense and showed himself as a dependable target and a chain mover for the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1563133"],"_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-68778fa154f1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So'o is a key piece of the defense and is an active defender that showcases good anticaption, with a nose for being around the ball. He has a quick first step, shows good ability to shed his defender and is effective as an on-ball attacking backer and does well in space and coverage. He was an important piece of the defense last year and will be one of the leaders on that unit this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1563134"],"_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-68778fa154f5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tubbs is the leading returning tackler and leads an exciting backer group. He showcases good awareness and diagnoses plays quickly. He sheds his blocks and closes ground with ease. He finds a way to be around the ball. He showcases good skills to be an all around backer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284190"],"_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-68778fa154fa4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The DB1 of the 2026 class, Arocha is an exciting corner with great hip sink to stick to his receiver, makes a play on the ball when it comes his way and has good ball-skills. Arocha has good speed, is a true cover corner and can be left on an island. He'll be part of a great defensive unit for the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Roy Royals<br>2024 record: 12-2<br><br>2025 Key Games:<br>Friday, August 22- Syracuse<br>Friday, September 5- at West Field<br>Thursday, September 11- Box Elder<br>Friday, September 19- Bonnneville<br>Friday, September 26- at Clearfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals need to win all five games. The start of the season has the makings to be potentially rocky with two tough games. They need to take care of the soft September set of games to get them primed for a postseason run and potentially taking Region 5. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Hardest Games:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, August 15- Farmington<br>Friday, August 29- at Weber<br>Friday, October 3- Northridge<br>Wednesday, October 15- at Fremont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals have a quartet of tough games and if they can come away taking two of those games, they'll be in a good spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Outlook:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals lose a lot of production on both sides of the ball and will need a lot of players to step up to replicate the success of last season. <br><br>Key Players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401581"],"_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-68778fa154fe8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chapman comes in from Idaho and has taken over, showcasing his talent. He's done well in the off-season 7's and has looked the part. He has a quick delivery, shows good arm talent, has good ball placement, has a high IQ, and has consumed the playbook and learned it front and back at a quick rate. He is primed to take over and lead a strong offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1647839"],"_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-68778fa155025"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Esplin is a three down back who showcases good vision, elusiveness and has good overall speed to get to the edge and hit the runway. He showcases soft hands, and does not fight the ball. He does a good job of creating after the catch and is in line for a huge role in the upcoming season and will be a chess piece that can line up in the back field and in the slot to be a mismatch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715844"],"_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-68778fa155064"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cordero is primed to be a key cog in the defense and has good size and speed. As a backer, he moves well, has good physicality and is an attacking backer. On offense, he has the oppurtunity to soak up a lot of vacated targets and has done a good job this offseason on offense in 7's and could play a key part with his size and speed. He has soft hands and is a mismatch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638297"],"_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-68778fa1550a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ahui is primed to take over as a key edge rusher for the upcoming season. He has a quick first step, and does a good job at shedding his blocks and showcases good pursuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That concludes our team previews for Region five. Next time we'll make predictions and the key players for the Region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->