6A- Region 2 Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 2 Winner?</strong><br><br>Mountain Ridge<br>All the pieces are there. An innovative, offensive-minded coach, a veteran defense, reliable pass catchers, and a power back. If they can solve the quarterback issue, they're set to make a deep postseason run. They have a tough opening month, but if they can survive and not be down and out for the ten count, they'll get on a roll and ride that momentum right into the postseason. They're a team I expect to make a deep run into the postseason.<br><br><strong>Region 2 Runner-Up?</strong><br><br>Westlake Thunder<br>Westlake picked up a signal caller who will calm the offense down. Their issue is at wide receiver, and can they find dependable targets weekly? The offensive line is good, and the defense is an active bunch. If they can lean on more than just one option in the pass game, they can make defenses honest and have to defend the entire field, and they may surprise some people.<br><br><strong>Region 2 Contender</strong><br><br>Herriman Mustangs<br>Herriman has an exceptional run attack and has a good offensive line, and their defense is set to win them games. The question is at quarterback, and the wideouts have not been proven. They should slow the game down and let their defense make it a slow and nasty game, limit possessions, control the clock, and use play action and take shots. The only issue with that game plan is they need everything to go their way each game, and consistency at this level shouldn't be expected. <br><br><strong>Region 2 Offensive Player of the Year?<br>Offensive Newcomer of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1694164"],"_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-6891514a296d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hooper is our prediction for Region 2 Offensive Player of the Year. Yes, it's a bold prediction, and he has to win the job, but Hooper has all the tools you want to see in an elite recruit. He will be a Power-Four athlete, and his overall skill set is the best in the QB room. He will be a name that people will know soon enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a tough ask for Elston to win the job, but he has a path. Mountain Ridge has a brutal opening four-game stretch; it's possible they struggle in those four games, and Hooper is fantastic on Thursday nights, and he may force the coach's hand and make the switch in the middle of the season. September and into October is an easy stretch of their season; it's a perfect pathway for Hooper to come in and showcase his talents. <br><br><strong>Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["720482"],"_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-6891514a29734"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Afuvai is our prediction for Defensive Player of the Year. He is an exceptional athlete and backer. He can be an on-ball backer that presses the line and creates havoc as a rusher, and he can create just as much chaos dropping back in coverage and disrupting passing lanes. He is a player who'll do it all. He's a player who can eclipse 100 tackles and 12 sacks this season. He's an exceptional talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Defensive Newcomer of the Year?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1418810"],"_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-6891514a29784"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tafuna will wreck havoc on Thursday nights and would not be shocked if he dresses for Friday night games and eventually becomes part of the rotation. He is a physical player with good quickness and size already. He will be a defensive force. Tafuna is an exciting defensive lineman and already has the frame and skill set to play at the varsity level already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Honorable mentions to players we haven't discussed during our team's look at Region 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690075"],"_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-6891514a297d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taumoepeau had a tremendous offseason, and he is an exciting prospect. He throws a good deep ball, is a quick processor, and will perform well on Thursday nights and be in line to be the starter next year. Huge year is ahead for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693955"],"_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-6891514a29816"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Talanoa will suit up on Thursday nights, but it's possible that with his talents and him disrupting plays and creating havoc, he gets asked to dress up on Friday nights and be part of the rotation. He is an exciting pass rusher who has great upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693947"],"_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-6891514a2985b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lautaha has great size and frame and shows good strength and physicality. He should create havoc on Thursday and end up suiting on Friday nights and potentially becoming part of the rotation. He is physically ready for varsity play already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944635"],"_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-6891514a298a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davenport has done well this offseason and has improved his overall game. He has good strength and physicality. He is a versatile lineman who can be along the interior or as a tackle. It'll be a big year for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1646375"],"_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-6891514a298e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Naeata is an exciting backer who is an active defender. He'll be a moving force for Riverton in the upcoming season and should be used as an on-ball backer with his athleticism and ability to disengage his blocks and close in on the ball carrier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1562424"],"_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-6891514a29928"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aiono has great size and moves well. He has a quick first step, has good hands, and will be part of the Herriman line that will try to leave an imprint on the season. Aiono is best as a blindside tackle and does well with speedy rushers and holds up to bull rushers. A great season for him is coming. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571138"],"_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-6891514a299b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jensen is a player who can garner a huge role this year. He shows good size and is a player that is good off the line, has the physicality, and the speed needed. He should be part of the rotation up front and has every chance to be impactful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That was our look at Region 2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->