East Kentwood vs. Byron Center Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last night, I traveled to East Kentwood to watch them take on Byron Center. Going into this game, East Kentwood was ranked #19 in our media poll, while Byron Center was ranked #21. On paper, this should have been a great game. In the end, EK mashed Byron Center 43-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a whole, I thought East Kentwood's O-Line and defensive front 7 looked far improved compared to last season. I do have a couple OL/DL standouts. Here, I'll focus on the skill players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1573500"],"_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-68bcb810a70a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A boatload of carries for Cam Payne. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First off, we all know this, but Cam passes the eye test. One of, if not the most physically imposing player on the field. Looks like a future Division 1 running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a bit hard to evaluate Cam. Honestly, there was nowhere for him to run most of the game. East Kentwood did an excellent job swarming him and preventing chunk plays. There were a couple of instances where Cam found a hole. When he had space, he usually fell on first contact. Yes, EK was doing an excellent job of tackling. At the same time, I wish I saw Cam lower a shoulder or try and lay a stiff arm- there were definitely a few opportunities. Additionally, I'd like to see Cam's lateral speed improve. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["570285"],"_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-68bcb810a7107"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best showing I've seen from Kayd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was in a rhythm from the first drive. A lot of screens, slants, drag routes, exploiting Bryon Center's inferior speed. Every pass 10 yards or less was on-point. Great velocity, and at times, great placement (like the first drive TD pass to Van Der Veen). Byron Center's D-Line could not get pressure, and they didn't blitz much either. Kayd had all day to throw, and he looked extremely comfortable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a couple of intermediate-deep throws that were slightly off. An interception over the middle of the field that seemed like an underthrow, plus failing to see the safety. Another dangerous throw to the middle right side of the field, but it looked like his receiver ran the wrong route. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very few mistakes from Kayd. Really nice day throwing the football. This kind of play undoubtedly raises East Kentwood's ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["466870"],"_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-68bcb810a7150"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was pleasantly surprised by [player_tooltip player_id='466870' first='Dallas' last='Moody']'s performance last night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For one, he passes the eye test. His listed 6'1" 200 on Twitter seems about right. Plus, Dallas was loose and having a ton of fun all game. Vibing during warm-ups, hitting hard pre-game and during the game, and looked flat-out confident. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A handful of good run stops for Dallas. Like I said, he hits hard. I love the play speed- Dallas did not take any plays off. The one area for improvement I'll mention is his hips- too tight to play DB at a high level. Added change of direction and hip fluidity will make Dallas a much better player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, Dallas exceeded expectations. Love to see Dallas back on the field and performing at a high level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225707"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1874225,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68bcb810a71ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owen showed exactly what he had shown before last year's injury. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big body with sure hands. East Kentwood seems to love using Owen in the redzone. A first-drive high-point TD, and an out route later in the game to get EK inside the 10. As a redzone target, Owen is one of the best in the state. Love Owen's size, athletic profile, frame, and hands. Really reminds me of Saline's [player_tooltip player_id='1326375' first='Lincoln' last='Keyes']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is absolutely room to improve. Blocking is one area I'd like to see more effort put into. Plus, a couple of other areas that I'd assume he's trying to polish up. Insane ceiling for Owen- he will be ranked again during the next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1244363"],"_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-68bcb810a71f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitey is a massive piece of this East Kentwood team. One of the best open-field players in the state. Pretty much every time Mitey got the ball in open space, he made at least two people miss. Super shifty and impressive explosiveness. A great WR1 + kick returner that, like a few other stars, raises the ceiling of this program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitey still needs to work on his hands. A couple of drops on hard-thrown passes. Hands remain his biggest weakness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1291369"],"_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-68bcb810a7232"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good showing for [player_tooltip player_id='1291369' first='Donavan' last='Jones']. I admittedly did not watch him as much as I did Dallas, but both looked like similar players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pregame, Donavan was having fun, warming up hard, and looked ready to go. In-game, Donavan was in on a ton of plays. A big reason why EK's defense stopped BC's offense so well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll do my homework on Donavan this season. Looking forward to what he does against OK Red opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->