Friday Night Lights Takeaways: Mt. Zion vs Breese Mater Dei

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final Friday night lights of the regular season was tonight and we saw last years state runners up Mt. Zion as they traveled to Breese Mater Dei.&nbsp; It was a very dominant performance by the Braves as Mt. Zion won 52-14 to finish the regular season at 7-1.&nbsp; We look at the contest in Friday Night Takeaways: Mt. Zion vs Breese Mater Dei!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stocks and Anderson Connection</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The star senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='369201' first='Keller' last='Stocks'] and All-American tight end [player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] had their connection working in this one!&nbsp; The Ole Miss commit and top 5 player in Illinois Anderson had three touchdowns on the night.&nbsp; The first came on a 6 yard TD run out of the wildcat right up the middle running with power and speed.&nbsp; Then it was to the air as he had an acrobatic grab over the a defender for the 2 point conversion on that play.&nbsp; He proceeded to catch a 6 yard pass for a score on an out route in the endzone that Stocks put on the money.&nbsp; Then Stocks went to work by rolling out to the right throwing a jump pass to Anderson for 14 yards.&nbsp; Anderson is a huge target that is tough to contain when he uses his size, strength, leverage, and athleticism to his advantage.&nbsp; Liked what we saw from Stocks as he has a strong arm and good pocket presence.&nbsp; Can run well when plays breakdown or are not there downfield.&nbsp; Also found Brody Lipa for a 38 yard TD on a roll out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Harvey is Group of 5 Pass Catcher</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw it last year and again this year.&nbsp; Mt. Zion senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='212314' first='Jacob' last='Harvey'] just produces.&nbsp; He is an absolute monster on bubble screens getting yards after catch.&nbsp; Opened the game up with one and it continued all night as he would catch a short pass and then make defenders look silly in the open field.&nbsp; He had a 12 yard touchdown on a screen.&nbsp; Also a 44 yard one that got called back because of a hold at the goal line.&nbsp; His second score of the night came when for some reason Mater Dei didn't cover him in the slot and Stocks hit him quickly and he weaved all around the field finishing in the endzone for a 45 yard score.&nbsp; One of the more productive pass catchers that isn't given the love at the Group of 5 level he deserves.&nbsp; Could definitely see Harvey making an impact at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Zion Offensive Line Outstanding</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stellar job by the Braves offensive line in this game.&nbsp; They kept Stocks clean all night in the pass and moved the line of scrimmage in the run.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1400014' first='Broden' last='Reynolds'], [player_tooltip player_id='801986' first='Evan' last='Ashmore'], [player_tooltip player_id='1585319' first='Luke' last='Miller'], AJ Miller, and Nick Scherer are going to be their secret weapon in the state playoffs as they can take over a game like this one.&nbsp; Junior running back Kellen Bollhorst had a 29 yard touchdown run off left tackle where he weaved through the defense.&nbsp; Showed good burst through the line and solid speed on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braves Can Make It Back to State with Solid Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really liked what we saw defensively from Mt. Zion as their starting defense only gave up one score against a solid offense.&nbsp; They can really run and make plays.&nbsp; Kalvin Becker is an edge that showed good instincts against the run.&nbsp; Same can be said of fellow junior Matthew Bieker flying around for a big TFL on a scrambling QB and then excellent closing burst on a sack around the left tackle.&nbsp; Liked what we saw from their back seven with guys that can impact vs the run and pass sliding between LB and DB.&nbsp; Sophomore Landyn Morrow is a name to watch as a 5'11” defensive back that hits really hard, has a smooth back pedal, and closed hard on passes for deflections.&nbsp; Connor Fox is a LB/DB that at 6'2” stuffed vs the run and tackled well in one on one situations.&nbsp; Then to close out the night 5'11” 2027 Braden Maxey went up high pointing an interception in one on one coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mater Dei Young Talent Brings Bright Future</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breese Mater Dei closes the year with a 3-6 record, but there is quite a bit of optimism for the future as they have a young core of players to build around as underclassmen.&nbsp; That all starts with 2028 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1701753' first='Hunter' last='Hochbaum'].&nbsp; He gets the ball out of his hands quickly with a bit of a sling shot release.&nbsp; Also has solid mobility throwing on the run and being able to gain yards when play breaks down.&nbsp; He had a pair of touchdowns in this game hitting fellow 2028 wide receiver Bentley Nicklin for a 15 yard fade to the front pilon for a score.&nbsp; Also hit his sophomore running back Bodie Brockmeier from 15 yards on a scramble play letting it rip on the sideline.&nbsp; Brockmeier is a solid runner between the tackles with quick cuts that is an above average pass catcher.&nbsp; The senior that left an impression was Brett Hilmes.&nbsp; The 6'0” 180 pound receiver has nice size and was productive.&nbsp; Good going over the middle on slant routes showing rock solid hands catching passes in contested areas.&nbsp; Small colleges should take a look!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->