Clarkston scouting report (vs. Belleville)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a day it was for Clarkston. Can't dream of a better start to the season. Sources like MI Pickem and just general conversations had me beleive that Clarkston was the slight favorite, but I don't think anybody saw 38-7 coming. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this game and all games I attend this season, I'll be focusing on non-seniors. I do mention three seniors in this article, and Clarkston is a very senior-heavy team. Just know that my main looks were at those Juniors and Sophomores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1317918"],"_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-68b1f15b58dbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of many highly anticipated QB starts this weekend. Unlike a few other highly-ranked '27 QBs, this is not Alex's first season starting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The existing Varsity experience showed today. He looked cool, calm, and collected all game. His offensive line did a good job of protecting him, but even when there was pressure, Alex did a good job of evading. That said, Alex was extremely comfortable in the pocket and during designed rollouts. He was on schedule, and never put the ball in harm's way. The one flaw Alex displayed were his overthrows. A few overthrows, one with a wide-open receiver. Still, I'd much rather Alex overthrow a guy than underthrow him. Additionally, Alex did well on designed runs. He's quite slippery, and took advantage of Belleville's poor tackling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, I liked how locked in Alex was all game. Immediately after a drive, he'd go to the bench and start watching film on the iPad. Getting coached up, talking constructively with his teammates, etc. Zero negatives there. I'm even higher on Alex now because of his great start. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566988"],"_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-68b1f15b58e45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Can't say anything about Zack that hasn't already been said. He's a team captian, worked his tail off for another offseason, and played extremely well against a big defensive line. I've seen his pass blocking polish in the offseason, and it showed up again today. Zack was also a major reason why the Clarkston run game was working so well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2-3 inches taller, Zach would be a Power 4 prospect. You cannot convince me otherwise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148720"],"_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-68b1f15b58eb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lukas backed up his ranking and then some. I focused my evals on non-seniors, but Lukas (and Griffin) were impossible to miss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A boatload of rushing yards, several explosive plays, and a ton of broken tackles. Took full advantage of Belleville's poor tackling. Lukas looked like he was in mid-season form- extremely explosive and all over the field on both sides of the ball. Rare that a player can play full speed and dominate both sides for 4 quarters in Week 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aidan O'Neil","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Clarkston","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b1f15b58fc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quick but deserving mention for Aidan. Nailed a ≈47-yard field goal and was extremely hype after. Bombed kickoffs for touchbacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've mentioned it a lot, but having an elite kicker is so incredibly valuable. Especially for a D1 program in the OAA Red, Aidan has a chance to turn losses into wins. Can't stress how valuable Aidan is for Clarkston this season. I will absolutely keep Aidan in mind while turning in my Top 50 media poll this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1337884"],"_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-68b1f15b59070"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wendell had a great day. In the first half, I got a great look at several blocks. I'm happy to say that Wendell laid quite a few good blocks. Against talented DBs, Wendell consistently got hands on his defender and did just enough to eliminate him from the play. Wendell's hand placement and overall physicality / foot drive can be slightly improved, but he's still undoubtedly a well above-average blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earned a few touches as well. I was impressed with his elusiveness in space- another Clarkston player who took full advantage of Belleville's poor tackling. Overall, my opinion of Wendell remains consistent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->