Underclassmen Top Performers: New Albany vs. Westerville Central

I traveled to New Albany to see the 3-6 Eagles host the 4-5 Westerville Central Warhawks in a Week 10 matchup. New Albany would take care of Westerville Central 28-6, but both teams featured outstanding underclassmen who performed well in the matchup. Let's discuss some of the top performers.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Albany</h2>    Amari was the defensive MVP for the Eagles. His play as a boundary corner and deep safety was stellar all night long. He can break out of his zone to play match defense and can track his man down the field. He's a good athlete who plays tougher than his listed size indicates. He ended the night with an interception and a PBU.     Chase was a playmaker Friday night for the Eagles' offense. He walked away with two rushing touchdowns, one a 72-yard sweep to the crib. He's an athlete who can get to the boundary and explode. He's a fluid runner who can evade tackles early in a play. I was a fan of what Jackson put together.     Jett is the lead back in New Albany's system that features a lot of motion and misdirection. He can get off tackles well and explodes when reaching the second level. He keeps his lower half churning on contact and fights forward for extra yards. With his athleticism and contact balance, Jett proved Friday night that he's one of Central Ohio's best ball carriers. He finished the night with a touchdown rush, taking a 74-yard rush to the house.     John was a key blocker on most of New Albany's biggest rushes. He's able to play both guard and tackle. He's got the mobility to pull block, and does a great job at standing up his assignment, closing off the lane. He may be undersized, but Roth is a perfect guard for the New Albany system.     Avery made his name early in the night. After the Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out on the first possession of the game, Bastian nearly housed a punt return for a touchdown, but he went 40+ yards and put the ball on the 10-yard line. He contributes on all three sides of the ball, mainly as a special teamer, but can make an impact, as stated before.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westerville Central</h2>    Smith wasn't called on a lot as a defender against the heavy rush attack New Albany runs, but he did make a few plays on the ball when he needed to. He intercepted a ball down the field in the fourth quarter. He's a lengthy defender who is a plus athlete. He can play on the boundary or up top. He can get active against the run and pursue the ball quickly. Devin is a versatile defender for the Warhawks.     I expect to see Fokuo rise in our next 2027 rankings update. Fokuo is a handful to get to the ground. There were several instances in which he was hit at the line of scrimmage or behind and still gained positive yards. He's got a great frame and excellent contact balance. He's explosive when in open space and is making a name for himself as one of Central Ohio's most effective runners.     Niko came in the third quarter to take over at quarterback. Under him, the offense got a spark and had more positive momentum. He made a few plays over the middle of the field, playing confidently. He used his legs to create exciting plays while rushing. He also plays defensively. Not sure what position he'll play as he progresses.     Kreakie is a big bodied athlete who can play both sides of the ball. As a defender, he's either up top as a safety or in the nickel. He's got a lot of length and can cover space quickly. He got playtime as a ball carrier late, and scored the lone touchdown on the night for the Warhawks.     Jalen has been one of few freshman in Central Ohio making an impact. He lines up as a nose guard, but brings a full package as a rusher. He's got heavy hands and can get off blocks to get to the passer. He's quick to shed in the run game. Growth and development through the years will be crucial for Jalen, but I like what he's put together so far.

I traveled to New Albany to see the 3-6 Eagles host the 4-5 Westerville Central Warhawks in a Week 10 matchup. New Albany would take care of Westerville Central 28-6, but both teams featured outstanding underclassmen who performed well in the matchup. Let's discuss some of the top performers.