Highland Springs Standout Performers in Phoebus Win

Highland Springs beat Phoebus 28-0. [player_tooltip player_id='1298245' first='Antoine' last='Richardson'] was the man of the hour, scoring all 4 of the Springers' TDs. [player_tooltip player_id='1223087' first='Eric' last='Byrd'] also added 216 yards on the ground. The Springer O-line was fantastic, opening holes all night for Byrd. Highland Springs is a high upside team in postseason because of their exceptional running game, and smart QB play. Look for big things from the Springers, who can beat anyone on a given day. Phoebus wasn't healthy, but Highland Springs looked the part of a 5A title contender.    One of the most underrecruited kids DC to Raleigh. Would call him an FCS CB. An ATH at heart, who could be taught to play CB/Safety/WR at collegiate level. Like him at CB because that's where he currently plays, and he has a high football IQ. Great decision maker at corner. Does a good job passing off receivers to other CB, and staying at home to make play. Long kid, frame to add 20 more lbs. Sees the game really well, good decision maker, never panics. Never out of position, always in right place at right time. Type of CB who is not a liability. Can play zone or man. Good length and leaping ability to attack football. Just a smart player, with great instincts. He was the best player on the field in Highland Springs vs Phoebus. Put on a show, as he scored 4 TDs at QB, (also intercepted a pass at CB). Kid is just a gamer, and the game isn't too fast for him. Believe he is running into a marketability problem as a recruit, because he doesn't have a true position. At the end of the day, he has good length, nice frame, FCS level AA, and high football IQ. Should have every D2 offer within driving distance, and 3 or 4 FCS offers. A kid who is worth betting on, who will overachieve. Currently holds Hampton, Hampden-Sydney, Chowan, CNU, UNC Pembroke.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/robking2020/status/1973963234857095388 </div></figure>    Great player in all 3 phases. Has D1 attributes, except for elite size. Dynamic WR who can take the top off a defense. Makes deep routes look easy. Tracks ball well, soft hands, good ball skills. Shows great twitch and bend. Shows great vision and knack for scoring. Shows great release and COD on routes. Can run whole tree and be a problem. He reminds me of Germie Bernard at Alabama, but won't play at that level. Is reliable, dynamic, and versatile. The skills and attributes are all there, just not the elite size (6'0 165). Believe he is an all conference player at D2 level, flirting with FCS. Just think he will have more success/playing time in D2. Does everything well, could probably play corner, and be an impact player on special teams. His skills are natural and polished. Verified 4.51 40, 5'10 154 from Hampton Mega Camp in June. Currently holds VSU, CNU.     Have seen him play twice live. Shows instincts, discipline, and contact power. Always a factor for 4 quarters. Doesn't necessarily make highlight plays. But has a way of making critical plays on third down that result in other teams punting. Very good in situational football, as he has a good nose and is a sure tackler. A guy who will help you win a state championship for sure. He has above average length/size. 6'1 210, believe he is a D2/D3 Mike. He is more athletic than he looks, and is capable of making plays in space, as well as shoe string tackles. He can also drop back and cover a RB or WR. He is best between the tackles, making consistant stops on a team that is run heavy. Type of kid who will have his name called multiple times and gets your defense off the field, with clutch 3rd down tackles. Best fit for him would be a quality D2/D3, that has depth on defense and a reputation of winning. Think of him as a Teddy Bruschi type backer, who his a good player, but will be magnified in the right system. Not super explosive or flexible, doesn't show great range on film. But a down hill backer who is a sure tackler. Nice Frame. Would be a good fit at CNU, Emory and Henry, and Hampden Sydney. Very solid/recruitable player.     Kayden played a great game thursday night, opening up holes for RB Eric Bryd, who finished the evening with 216 yards on the ground. Kayden is an underrated player. Very good prospect NAIA-D2 Center or guard. He plays Center for the Springers, but has also played Tackle before, showing versatility. I like Kayden's combination of aggression and intelligence. He has a great feel for the game in the trenches. He does a great job of getting to second level, butt to the hole, and finishing blocks. He shows good hand placement and balance. He has good footwork and is rarely out of control. He puts his hands on kids and runs his feet. Kayden is not a massive kid, but shows good contact power, and has some tenacity. He also knows when to slow down to avoid meaningless penalties. Don't see elite athletic traits, but gets a lot out of his body. Good football player, well coached. Leads one of the best running games in the state.     Big, wide body, lots of mass. Does a good job of getting butt to the hole and sealing blocks. Still carrying baby fat, can debate whether body needs to transform, recruitable regardless. He's 6'3 340, and is opening holes for one of the best running games in the state. He does a good job of using hands, he creates separation, and looks strong at the point of contact. Wouldn't call him super violent, needs to use his whole body more, tends to want to finesse with hands. He also tends to come up out of stance and gets lazy at times. That being said, still good player with high upside. Type of body you can spot from a satelite cam. If his motor/energy improve you could have something. Just want to see him finish plays more, and be more physical at point of contact. He is the type of kid that will make gradual progress. He's not a dawg, but a big body who will gradually evolve. Once he figures out what he can be, he will dominate. If this kid really loves football, he is a high upside kid. Nice feet, big body, if the light comes on, high level kid. D3-FCS, someone will go in on him because of body. Well worth tracking through first 4 games of senior season. Need to get to FCS/D2 camps for evaluation. Should definitely have more action. Big reason why RB Eric Bryd has great stats. If he continues to develop, can climb to higher level (G5) programs though portal.     Great film. Very Emmitt Smith/Mark Ingramish. Dynamic runner between the tackles who gets North/South quickly. As soon he he sees a crease, he plants and is looking 2nd/3rd level. He has great contact balance, his feet are always churning, and has great lean as a runner. He is a dynamic pinball, with a nose for the end zone. His feet and balance are great, and shows burst and breakaway speed. Would want to see verified 40, and some combine weight room numbers, because of small stature, but great player. Everything he does is done urgently, pressing the holes, and has big play upside. Can be a P4 kid, but helpful if he is behind a big Oline, where he's hard to see behind. His running style is between the tackles, but he lacks length. Question is he a feature back in an offense, or a change of pace/big play back? How many carries a game can his body handle. Personally, I think he's a guy whose running back by committee, and gashes you in the 3rd quarter with fresh legs. He's a secret weapon who you want to keep healthy. Would like to see receiving statistics to justify value as All-purpose back. Reminds me of Perry Jones of Oscar Smith/UVA. Believe he is a scholarship runner at SEC level, because you need deep stable of backs there. 2nd/3rd sting option who you limit reps, and gashes you to win big games.

Highland Springs beat Phoebus 28-0. Antoine Richardson Antoine Richardson 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Highland Springs | 2026 State VA was the man of the hour, scoring all 4 of the Springers' TDs. Eric Byrd Eric Byrd 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Highland Springs | 2026 State VA also added 216 yards on the ground. The Springer O-line was fantastic, opening holes all night for Byrd. Highland Springs is a high upside team in postseason because of their exceptional running game, and smart QB play. Look for big things from the Springers, who can beat anyone on a given day. Phoebus wasn't healthy, but Highland Springs looked the part of a 5A title contender.