Game Story: McDonogh Top Five Offense and Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone looks at the Top 5 performers on offense and defense for McDonogh during their 42-0 win over Riverdale Baptist this past weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611708"],"_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-68abbabd94aa5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graham scored two rushing touchdowns (1-yard and 3-yard runs). He consistently gained good yardage per carry and kept the chains moving. He was very reliable in the red zone. Unofficial first-half stats: 7 carries for 45 yards and two touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401992"],"_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-68abbabd94b04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Palazzo showed some dual-threat skills against Riverdale Baptist. He rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and threw an 8-yard touchdown. Palazzo scrambled a couple of times for key first downs. He orchestrated the offense with a balance between RPOs, screens, and deep shots. Unofficial first-half stats: 5 completions for 60 yards and one touchdown, one rushing touchdown, one interception, 6 carries for 30 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1708724"],"_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-68abbabd94b6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tees added some depth in the backfield with a couple of runs for 6 yards and 18 yards. Both resulted in first downs for McDonogh. Tees provided a nice change-of-pace look for McDonogh and one to look out for down the road. Unofficial first-half stats: 3 carries for 30 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1506844' first='CJ' last='Davis'] - Davis had a nice leaping catch down the seam for a big game. He helped stretch the defense vertically, which opened up space for the running game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='711670' first='Nick' last='Abrams'] III - Abrams, who lined up at fullback, caught a short touchdown pass near the goal line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MCDONOGH'S OFFENSIVE LINE: The Eagles played bully ball, and the o-line was the bullies. The center and guards did a great job of providing space for the running backs in the middle of the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["711670"],"_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-68abbabd94bca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abrams set the tone early for the game, intercepting a pass and returning it 71 yards for the first touchdown early in the first quarter. He also caught a touchdown pass (see above). Unofficial first-half stats: 2 catches for 15 yards and one touchdown, another touchdown via pick-six. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945254"],"_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-68abbabd94c14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cashman was credited with at least one sack (that I can verify) and pressured the quarterback multiple times. He also returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter. Cashman was a disruptive force for the Eagles and had multiple tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1506844"],"_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-68abbabd94c5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The young fella had a strong game at cornerback with multiple pass breakups and a couple of tackles that I saw. He demonstrated strong coverage skills and physicality, effectively locking down the Riverdale Baptist passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945253"],"_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-68abbabd94ca0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClendon registered at least one sack that I saw and helped seal the edge on run defense. He also hurried the quarterback a couple of times, forcing him to throw incompletions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1216398' first='Caden' last='Ahalt'] (DL) | [player_tooltip player_id='717345' first='Joseph' last='Buchanan III'] - Both players were disruptive. Buchanan constantly pressured the quarterback while Ahalt helped blow up runs at the line of scrimmage and helped shut down the Riverdale Baptist running game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAST THOUGHTS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonogh had 11 first downs while Riverdale Baptist had two (both from penalties).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonogh had a total of at least 225 yards on offense, while Riverdale Baptist gained minimal yardage. RB got a lot of its yardage on penalties. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm sure McDonogh's coaches will use the penalties as a teaching point, and I know Pallazo would like that interception back. Overall, it was a strong start to the Eagles' season. It's worth noting that McDonogh's defense is young and very talented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->