Game Recap: Middletown Versus Lakota West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a warm and sunny fall day in Ohio. The game that featured Middletown (Overall 5-0, GMC 4-0) versus Lakota West (Overall 3-2, GMC 2-2). The game was back and forth in the first half. Lakota pulled away a bit in the second half to take the win 27-13. This game was really decided by the defenses and special teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1918447"],"_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-68d895923b45c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adubofuor caught my attention before the game ever even started. It's not very often you see kickers casually sticking 45 yarders with ease. He even made some from 50 and 55 in warmups. He also was booming his kickoffs into the back of or out of the endzone. All of that transferred over to the game where he made field goals of 32, and a school record 56 yarder that had room to spare. All but one of his kickoffs were into the endzone and not returnable. The one that was returned made it nearly to the goal line with good hang time. This young man has as big of a leg as I've seen in person. He has the steady demeanor that you want out of a kicker. Kofi currently holds an offer from Southern Miss. He's a young man that should definitely be kicking in a D1 FBS program next year if not a Power 4 program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622979"],"_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":1918492,"_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-68d856871a4bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newman didn't have a lot of tackles on the evening, but he was a defensive presence for the Firebirds defense. He did a great job of using his size and strength to eat space and help to stifle Middletown's run game. He uses his length well to leverage blockers and make plays. Newman currently holds Power 4 offers from Indiana, Iowa, Maryland and Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213394"],"_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":1918501,"_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-68d856871a511"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norman didn't put up gaudy numbers on the evening, but he showed off some traits that definitely play to the next level. Kenyon is a physical runner who runs with good pad level. There wasn't a lot of open space and running lanes to be had in this game, but he showed a good burst and the ability to make the first defender miss. He also made some plays in the pass game out of the backfield. Norman has Power 4 offers from Indiana, Iowa, Cincinnati, among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1073161"],"_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":1918505,"_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-68d856871a55c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ratica is a talented 2027 tight end who I was excited to see in person. He's every bit of his listed 6'6 240 pounds. Ratica pretty much exclusively lined up from the inline position. He's an extremely good blocker who has great feet and hands and uses his length to get leverage on the defenders and has the strength to drive them back. Though he didn't get any targets on the evening he did get out into some routes and show the athleticism and speed to get out and be a threat in the passing game. Xavier has a P4 offer from Maryland and some 3 G5 offers from instate schools Bowling Green and Toledo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445341"],"_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":1918527,"_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-68d856871a5a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith possesses the prototypical size you look for in a pocket passing quarterback. I thought Smith did a good job with the operation of running the West offense. It was far from a big passing day, but he made some big passes when he needed too. On the lone passing touchdown of the game, he threw a really nice ball into the corner of the endzone where only his guy could get it. Jackson's main offers and interest are from Miami of Ohio and Kent State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1917964"],"_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-68d856871a5ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really enjoyed watching the young sophomore Blair play linebacker. He's a twitchy athlete who has the athleticism to bend and contort his body to avoid and slip blockers. He has the speed to down the alleys or from the backside. At 6'0 174 I could see him possibly playing safety at the next level depending on how he physically develops over the next couple of years. Judah already holds offers from Indiana, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Oregon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1918013"],"_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-68d856871a632"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ogletree had one of the biggest plays of the game when he picked off a Middletown pass and took it back 85 yards for the touchdown. Lining up at safety for West Kolyn showed of good anticipation and made nice breaks on the ball. When he got the ball in his hands he showed the ability to make the big play on his pick-6. Ogletree has interest from the D2 and D1 FCS levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715687"],"_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-68d856871a683"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Combs lined up at Cornerback for the Firebirds. I'm not sure that's where he'll stay at the next level, but he can definitely play it at the high school level. He has good hands and uses his length well. He has a smooth backpedal and fluid hips. He's patient in his coverage. At the college level I'd project him to add some weight and play more joker type role. Combs has an offer from Toledo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656531"],"_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":1918644,"_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-68d89f0eb2387"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brogden only had one catch on the evening, but it was a big one as he hauled in a 19 yard touchdown pass. He's shows off a nice combination size and athleticism. I like his feet and releases. He's a solid route runner and a guy who I think can be a solid possession receiver at the next level. Jayden has an offer from Western Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1918002"],"_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-68d856871a6ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bryant was all over the field for the Middies defense. His read and react is solid and he gets downhill in a hurry. He led both teams in tackles with 12 and 5 solos. He had 4.5 tackles for a loss. Just a really solid game for the Middie middle linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->