Downriver Standouts Through 4 Weeks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Downriver League is a big conference that always seems to have some hidden gems and standout players littered up and down rosters. This conference is always competitive and has typically produced teams that make deep runs in the late fall. This article is going to highlight some of the top performers through the first 4 weeks of the season with some quick hitting notes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Xaiver Liepe ","_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":"6'1u0022","_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":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Allen Park","_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-68d3f5c3f047c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Through 4 weeks, Xaiver has looked like a top-end wideout. It seems like he has really opened up the Allen Park playbook with his dynamic playmaking ability. Whether it's on short and intermediate routes, or taking the top off of the defense, Liepe has what it takes to deal some real damage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good, clean routes. No wasted movement or unnecessary steps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great run after catch. No issue using his speed and change of direction to slice through the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great concentration. Multiple catches as he is being dragged to the ground, or about to take a massive hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Used as a gadget guy who can execute on "trick plays" when called upon. </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":"Isaiah Ibrahim ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodhaven","_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-68d3f5c3f0590"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was really surprised at this guys tape. Looking at his size profile, you get an idea of what his capabilities might be. You think, speed, shifty and elusive. While these things are 100% true of Isaiah, there is an element of fearlessness and power right along with it. I came away really impressed at how well rounded his game really is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Tremendous speed, good change of direction and athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good power, fights for extra yards and keeps legs churning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great vision. Exposes any crease and anticipates where they're going to open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Really solid blocker. Had key blocks on designed QB runs and was also able to step up to pick up the extra rusher on a passing set. Plays selfless and loves the contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1398317"],"_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-68d3f5c3f0619"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first 4 weeks have been extremely productive for Preston and his Woodhaven team. They're now 4-0, and he is a massive reason for it. He is able to play within the offense and make quick decisions with confidence. I love seeing him get it done through the air and on the ground, making the defense give him a little more respect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good arm. Fires ball with confidence and knows where his open guy is going to be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good legs, gets behind his blockers and makes one cut to the open lane. Great heads up running that earns him a few more yards regularly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Key piece to a very successful offense where everything seemingly runs through him. Great facilitator. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["563425"],"_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-68d3f5c3f06c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Can't be a Downriver standouts list without the Purdue commit. Of the clips I have seen from him, he looks exactly like the back we have known him to be. Great speed, great acceleration and elite vision. He was even able to flash some really good hands on a couple of screen plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Powerful runner. Strong legs never stop through contact, consistently fighting for extra yards and punishing tacklers along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Superior vision, able to bounce it outside or find the cutback lane to the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good hands on screens and short passes, consistently making himself a threat out of the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Every play shows why he is a P4 caliber RB who will undoubtedly be successful at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1421230"],"_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-68d3f5c3f0733"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really love what I have seen out of [player_tooltip player_id='1421230' first='Isiah' last='Daviston'] so far this season. A couple of his defensive highlights have me excited about what is ceiling might be. A couple examples of him sniffing out routes early and being able to make the tackle or even snagging the interception. Offensively he has been productive as well with a couple of nice catches over the middle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Good physicality to get through blocks on screens and great reaction time to get there to meet the receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great ball tracking in the air, able to high point it and get there before the wideout does. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Clear football IQ and natural instincts at the DB position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1681279"],"_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-68d3f5c3f079c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What a nightmare assignment to line up across from Sam all night. He's nasty and physical and is constantly looking for the finish. Specifically in the run game, he is able to find ways to win reps and take defenders completely out of the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Big and physically imposing. Able to use leverage to seal off the hole and open up lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Able to pull and find an opponent to pancake. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Strong lower body doesn't get budged by bull rushes or power moves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->