Takeaways: Belleville Althoff vs Highland

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday we headed to Belleville Althoff as the defending state champs hosted a consistent metro east program in Highland.&nbsp; Both teams had impressive wins in week 1.&nbsp; Althoff jumped out early by taking the kickoff to the house and never trailed the rest of the night despite Highland getting within a score a couple different times.&nbsp; Althoff would push it to three scores late ultimately winning by a final of 42-26.&nbsp; We dive into the contest here in <strong>Takeaways: Althoff vs Highland</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Lead Back….Same Production for Althoff</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The story at Althoff last year was the Prep Redzone Player of the Year Dierre Hill Jr who is now at Oregon.&nbsp; We said all year their backup was a legit prospect as well and that showed on this night as 2027 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1598828' first='Steven' last='Brown'] showed he can be the lead back carrying that load all night for the Crusaders.&nbsp; The #5 running back in the 2027 class ran in between the tackles displaying he is not just a scat back as he grinded out yards all evening.&nbsp; Scored a trio of touchdowns on a 1 yard run, 8 yard run, and 4 yard dash.&nbsp; Quick feet and runs with strength.&nbsp; Also has potential as a pass catcher at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highland 2028 Running Back Emerges</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We came away very impressed in our first look at 2028 Highland running back Carter Harris.&nbsp; The 5'10” 170 pound running back was excellent both as a runner and pass catcher.&nbsp; Liked the burst he showed and vision.&nbsp; Bounced several plays outside where he was able to utilize his speed.&nbsp; This running back has major juice!&nbsp; Spin moves and quick cuts on a dime.&nbsp; Also proved to be a major factor catching passes out of the backfield and even lining up on the perimeter running clean routes.&nbsp; He had a 45 yard touchdown pass grab on 4^th down early in the game and then punched one in on the ground late from 5 yards out.&nbsp; Expect to hear a lot from this back the next few years!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Althoff Massive Offensive Line</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another area that Althoff is replacing is their veteran offensive line from a year ago.&nbsp; They might have reloaded with an even bigger, stronger, and more talented group!&nbsp; Up front they have five legit big boys in [player_tooltip player_id='1130998' first='Lonnie' last='Johnson'], Jordan Wright, Trent Staten, Chris King, and [player_tooltip player_id='1696166' first='Cayden' last='Laubenthal'].&nbsp; They average 303 pounds across the board and move well.&nbsp; Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1130998' first='Lonnie' last='Johnson'] is a top 50 prospect in the state and top 10 at his position.&nbsp; The left tackle is an intimidating force that plays with a wide base and plus athleticism.&nbsp; Mauled in the run game and blocked downfield including pancaking his initial man then sprinting down the field on the opposite side to help his back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Versatile Two Way Players for Highland Shine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a pair of prospects that made an impact on both sides of the ball for Highland.&nbsp; On the defensive side they were both linebackers in Wyatt Rinderer and Josias Hampsch.&nbsp; Rinderer goes 5'10” 180 pounds while Hampsch checks in at 5'9” 210 pounds.&nbsp; It was the senior Rinderer who was the thumper racking up tackles in the run game wrapping up down low and showing sound form throughout the night.&nbsp; Also liked the impact that sophomore Hampsch made defensively as an active tackler against the Althoff run game.&nbsp; Offensively they both proved to be solid pass catchers with good hands.&nbsp; Hampsch caught a touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dual Threat Quarterback Battle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='214234' first='Jayden' last='Ellington'] returns for Althoff as the quarterback is only a junior, but in his third year as a starter.&nbsp; Kid doesn't lose much either!&nbsp; The electric athlete did it mostly with his legs although Highland never let him rip a crazy long run like we saw from him last year.&nbsp; The speed and acceleration in a split second are super impressive.&nbsp; When he keeps it on the QB run he is a dynamic runner that is so fun to watch.&nbsp; One play he looked like they had him for a clear loss and then he juked multiple defenders and turned on the burners for a nice gain down the sideline.&nbsp; He scored on a fourth and goal from the 1 yard line.&nbsp; As a passer it was an inconsistent night for Ellington as the accuracy on the intermediate and deep balls weren't there consistently which will need to improve for him to be looked at as a QB and not an athlete at the next level.&nbsp; He did have one very nice pass for a 14 yard TD finding his 2028 star wide out [player_tooltip player_id='1682049' first='Logan' last='Thompson'] on a slant for a touchdown in the second half.&nbsp; Another weapon he has is 2027 wide receiver Eli Bolden who took the opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side for Highland they were led by 5'8” senior Blake Gelly.&nbsp; He is a tough and physically built quarterback that will probably move to a different position at the next level.&nbsp; He is a good athlete that made some key runs throughout the night and was accurate on intermediate routes on the perimeter.&nbsp; Also had a clutch 45 yard pass on 4^th down early in the game to give his team some momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Althoff New Built Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another area that was retooled for Althoff from their state title team was the defense.&nbsp; The names that were known for the last couple years are mostly gone, but this unit played pretty well throughout the night.&nbsp; One key returner is their veteran defensive back in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1585178' first='Lorne' last='Green'].&nbsp; Rangy and versatile defensive back that can play safety or cover as a nickel.&nbsp; He came down in the box to make tackles and looked fluid in coverage. &nbsp;Also recovered a blocked punt.&nbsp; The one who blocked that kick was 2027 safety Caleb Harrington who also batted a couple passes down and is a sound tackler.&nbsp; Couple of nice players on the edge in 6'4” sophomore David Johnson and 6'2” senior Damondraos Bush.&nbsp; Really like the ceiling on Johnson with multiple years to go as a rangy defender with a lot of potential.&nbsp; Opened the game with a big tackle for loss.&nbsp; This group has a lot of undersized players that made impacts.&nbsp; Jakobi Tow is a 5'8” linebacker that had a nice pick reading the screen play and snatching it out of the air.&nbsp; Up front 5'5” 240 pound defensive tackle Drew McGee got an interception on a deflected pass.&nbsp; Dionte Woods, Ronald Hopkins-Ferrel, and Amare Clark are all guys that might not jump out physically but throughout the night they all made impactful plays defensively.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->