Brooklyn Center vs. Minneapolis Camden: Top Performers, Recap

An early Friday afternoon kickoff thanks to some unfortunate lighting issues kept PrepRedzoneMN in the 612 for a local Section 4AAA matchup between the Brooklyn Center Centaurs and Minneapolis Camden Patriots. With an early start that allowed us to see some more local action, the local Metro matchup contained two of the best prospects in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'] (Camden) and [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway'] (Brooklyn Center), both of whom showed up and showed out Friday afternoon in front of two passionate fanbases. PrepRedzoneMN has your exclusive recap, as well as an exciting look at one of Minnesota's most exciting playmakers. More below!   --   Game MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway'] (Brooklyn Center) 2028. RB/FS. 5'10, 160 lbs.   Game Recap   With a crisp September breeze cutting through the purple and black of the away team and red and silver of the home squad's fan sections, the regular season matchup between Brooklyn Center and Camden kicked off in physical fashion. These players are well acquainted with one another, and I personally facilitated a light-hearted trash talk session between members of both sides at this spring's PrepRedzoneMN Combine Showcase, so I was far from surprised to see this contest start, continue, and end as a hard-hitting affair. Camden received the opening kickoff of the ball game and got to work with a handful of effective runs by Datione Warren (2027, 5'8, 160) and Ga'Ron Villagomez (2027, 5'10, 150), both of whom showed off good vision, burst, and physicality through contact. Camden made it down to BC's 12, but after a TFL from 2026 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1654378' first='Qwadir' last='Davis'] and a good open field tackle from stud 2028 QB/DB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1654545' first='Larry' last='Smith'], the Centaurs turned Camden over on downs, but the Patriots were deep in their own territory.   The hosting Patriots, spurred on by a massive TFL by stud 2027 DT/OC [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'], Camden took the ball back over at BC's 38, getting right back to business with an outstanding run blocking effort by their OL of [player_tooltip player_id='1248722' first='Elijah' last='Jones'] (RG, 2028, 6'4, 370), Maalik Miller (RT, 2026, 6', 270), [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'] (OC, 2027, 6'4, 275), Alonzo Ranzy (LG, 2028, 6'2, 280), and Chris Richardson (LT, 2026, 5'11, 200), opened a massive hole for senior RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1880329' first='Kamaal' last='Terry'] (2026, 6', 200) to get Camden out to a 6-0 lead with 4:52 left in the first after the 2pt conversion was missed. However, Brooklyn Center's superstar 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1658187' first='Alpha' last='Meaway'] and the Centaurs OL had something locked and loaded and ready to answer, as BC's #1 started slashing and sprinting by the Patriots second and third level defense all the way down the field, where QB [player_tooltip player_id='1654545' first='Larry' last='Smith'] put in a QB sneak with 34 seconds left in the first to tie the game up 6-6. However, momentum seemed to firmly be in the hands of the away squad.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OJW_Scouting/status/1964089527594627217 </div></figure>   After a shanked punt from deep in Camden's own territory, BC's Smith snuck another TD in for six, and things really got rolling for the Centaurs after this. Thanks to some stingy team defense led by junior MLB Henry Daniels and a strong, powerful Centaurs DL, the Brooklyn Center defense forced yet another punt, setting up superstar Meaway for what was the play of the game. After a booming kick, the sophomore playmaker ran right, cutting backward to send a couple pursuers sprinting by him, after which the 160 lb. lightning-rod cut back across the grain and bolted up the away team's sideline for an electric punt return touchdown that had completely stifled the home team's momentum and composure and put the game firmly in the hands of the Centaurs. Daniels picked off a loose Camden pass and returned it to the Patriots 13, leading to a Smith TD pass to junior Aloysius Vah for yet another score, and despite a furious Patriots effort to score before the 2nd quarter ended, the half ended 26-6 in favor of Brooklyn Center.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OJW_Scouting/status/1964089719844667612 </div></figure>   Too big of a hole to dig out of, and the second half remained much of the same. Brooklyn Center's defense picked off three more passes, and despite a touchdown reception from [player_tooltip player_id='1880478' first='Jacayre' last='Smith'] in the second half, Brooklyn Center put up 22 more points in the second half behind the arm of Smith and the legs of Meaway. Great day to be a Centaur! 48-14 final in favor of the away team. Top Performers are below.   Top Performers    One of my favorite prospects in the state, regardless of grad class, Meaway showed why he's a different level of athlete on Friday afternoon at Camden High School. Meaway's aforementioned punt return TD was the play of the game, both in terms of athletic ability but also in terms of momentum, as his touchdown put a needle in the balloon of the home team's composure, and put the scoreline further out of reach deep into the second quarter. Additionally, Meaway's effectiveness and elusiveness in space was outstanding from his tailback spot, especially when he got out on the edge, and he was pulling off big chunks of yardage seemingly at will. Always a fun watch and good to see the 2028 stud better than ever on Friday afternoon.     Another headliner from Brooklyn Center's transformative 2028 graduating class, QB/SS [player_tooltip player_id='1654545' first='Larry' last='Smith'] is the spine and heart of the Brooklyn Center football team, and his toughness could not go overlooked on Friday afternoon against Minneapolis Camden. Despite missing a few snaps with what looked like a somewhat busted hand or finger, Smith got right back into the action and finished his day with two passing and two rushing TDs while playing safe, secure, and smart with the football. Fast and twitchy with the ball in-hand, Smith was also a strong and consistent tackler who was great at tracking and finishing hits on ball carriers in the open field, and he rarely took a snap off as well. Kid's a baller.     A captain for the Minneapolis Camden 2025 squad, Terry is one physical customer, and he showed up well on both sides of the ball on Friday afternoon. After scoring the opening touchdown of the game on a goal line carry up the gut of the Centaurs defense, Terry went back to work on defense, showing a good nose for the football and a ton of pop at the contact point. Natural, confident, aggressive two-way prospect who DIIIs and NAIAs should get on their radars. Loved his energy, passion, and communication ability on the field as well. He was holding others accountable and setting the tone with his own play.     A Top 20 prospect in the Minnesota 2027 class, Camden's massive standout [player_tooltip player_id='1642211' first='Zivad' last='Robinson'] looked good in the trenches for the Patriots. Robinson has slid inside on the offensive side of the ball to play center, and he made a very impressive TFL early in the ball game that showed some big-time playmaking ability from the interior of the defensive line. Robinson's bend and strength at his size are hard not to notice on the gridiron, and BC was very much aware of Robinson and game planned around him in their offensive game plan. Heavy hands, leverage advantage, and ability to read, shock, and shed, not to mention bully opponents as an OC, especially when climbing to the second level, have me more and more bullish on Robinson's projection to the next level.     One of the most dynamic players on Camden's roster, Smith made an absurd catch at the end of the first half between three outstretched defensive backs and an obvious defensive pass interference that got the Patriots very much in striking distance before the half, and he began to turn on the jets and bring some explosive energy and ability to Camden in the second half, finishing his day with 9 rushes for 81 yards and 4 catches for 61 yards and a TD. Real-deal splash play ability and only a junior? Sign us up!     Good showing from Brooklyn Center's MLB, who was a consistent and productive presence in the heart of the Centaurs defense all afternoon long. Daniels did a great job of reading and processing the Camden run game, and he used effective angles and good speed when flowing to the football. Daniels also was strong and technically sound as a tackler, and he did a great job of showing up in pass defense as well. Daniels made a beautiful drop right into a Minneapolis Camden passing lane to pick off a pass right before half, returning the rock all the way down to Camden's 13, once again highlighting his instincts as a defender. Also took reps as a fullback and didn't mind laying the wood offensively either.     One of the top defensive linemen at this past spring's PrepRedzoneMN Spring Combine Showcase, Benson was a brute and bully on both sides of the ball for the Centaurs, popping off the biggest hit of the ball game in a bone-crunching tackle behind the LOS on a helpless Camden RB, and he was putting in work on offense as well. This kid's work rate is off the charts, as is his strength and leverage advantage, and it was fun to see him dominate in an 11v11 padded setting on Friday afternoon.     A new name to our radar out of Brooklyn Center, Smith was a large and looming presence on the offensive line of the Centaurs, and his foot speed and bend caught my eye on a couple pass pro reps. No clue on the size, but he was the biggest player on BC's OL and could be a sleeper for a DIII or NAIA program needing 2026 OL.     2029 freshman standout Thomas scored two TDs on Friday afternoon, cementing herself as a freshman to know in the state's skill scene, and he was a fun watch to boot. Tough, quick, and light on his feet, Thomas saw the field well and showed some natural ability to make defenders miss with the rock in-hand. First, but not last, you'll be hearing about this young playmaker!    --

An early Friday afternoon kickoff thanks to some unfortunate lighting issues kept PrepRedzoneMN in the 612 for a local Section 4AAA matchup between the Brooklyn Center Centaurs and Minneapolis Camden Patriots. With an early start that allowed us to see some more local action, the local Metro matchup contained two of the best prospects in the state in Zivad Robinson Zivad Robinson 6'3" | 263 lbs | DL/OL Minneapolis Camden | 2027 State MN (Camden) and Alpha Meaway Alpha Meaway 5'9" | 171 lbs | RB Brooklyn Center | 2028 State MN (Brooklyn Center), both of whom showed up and showed out Friday afternoon in front of two passionate fanbases. PrepRedzoneMN has your exclusive recap, as well as an exciting look at one of Minnesota's most exciting playmakers. More below!