Welcome to The Logan Gabler Show: Inside Ralston Valley v East HS

This week's Thursday clash between the undefeated Ralston Valley Mustangs and the Denver East Angels went very different than planned.  Coming into the game, this was going to be the battle of two 6'5+ QBs in Declan MacDonald and All-State QB [player_tooltip player_id='1106975' first='Zeke' last='Andrews'], but sadly after the opening drive I found out Andrews did not suit up (prayers out to him and his health), but JR QB Logan Gabler was up for the task and the Mustangs did not miss a beat.  Coming out firing, Gabler and the Mustangs had this one from the start.  East put up a fight and had some momentum right before half, but after a dropped Pick-6 there wasn't much life after that.  [player_tooltip player_id='1430393' first='Nico' last='Benallo'] was hard to get to the ground in this one with 10 catches for 134 yds and 3 TDs!!  Let's dive into the tape and see who the standouts from Thursday's matchup were.    20/26 238yds 5 TDs | 9 Carries for 88 yds Long 28   Couldn't ask for a better debut than Gabler gave Thursday evening.  A lefty passer, Gabler has a tight, compact release and a tight spiral to go with it.  He has a great frame at 6'3 195 with a muscular build that is tough to bring down is a ball carrier.  He was very on time with his throws on over the middle routes against zone coverage and on timing routes to the outside.  He also did a great job escaping the pocket using his legs to create plays when he felt his first options weren't open.  Multiple times when LBs lost track of him he took off with no one in sight picking up 28 on the scramble setting his team up for a score within under a minute left in the 1st half.  On deeper routes against man coverage, Gabler did a great job putting air under the ball allowing his WRs to gather themselves and attack the ball in the air with DBs backs to the QB.  He also showed his ability to get through half field reads consistently throwing to the right guy in multiple high-low reads.  Now with some time commanding this dynamic Mustang offense, Gabler can get some film in what looks to be a big summer for prospect camps (and big rest of season) for him to showcase his abilities to prospective collegiate programs.  While [player_tooltip player_id='1430393' first='Nico' last='Benallo'] had an insane day and was a consistent presence for Gabler in his first start, I must give the game ball to JR Logan Gabler for his poise and command of the offense today.  Game MVP.     10 catches 134 yds 3 TDs   With 2 TDs Thursday evening, [player_tooltip player_id='1430393' first='Nico' last='Benallo'] showed how dependable of a slot WR he is for this undefeated Ralston Valley team. Nico does a great job sinking his hips when changing directions and showing tremendous concentration through the catch.  Nico's patented route is the china/whip route that Cooper Kupp made his money on in the redzone for the Rams in the 2023 and 24 seasons.  This route was on full display Thursday with Gabler hitting him in stride for the team's 4th TD on 3rd and goal.  Even when most teams know it's coming, he still does a great job creating separation and knowing where the defensive zones are to get more than just the 1st down.  Through this route and others, Nico is a super reliable and trustworthy target for [player_tooltip player_id='1106975' first='Zeke' last='Andrews'] and now Gabler on 3rd down and in the redzone.  This route, and his spin move in the open field, require so much body control and coordination with his head spinning around that its so impressive when you see him adjust late to balls not perfectly thrown - for about the 3rd time, impressive coordination.  He's super quick with his spin move with the ball in his hand, really showing off his footwork and awareness.  Nico also shows tremendous body control near the sideline, first being able to consistently catch and get his feet down on sideline balls at full extension.  He also does a great job sinking his hips and fighting the sideline when passes bring his momentum to the sideline to be able get vertical and get more yards.  Another way Nico is so QB friendly is how he runs his routes against man coverage.  He does a great job running to open grass not getting overly sucked into the defense and finding massive areas for his QB to have a massive window to find him in stride.  Finally, Nico is an extremely effective punt returner spotlighting his elusiveness and IQ consistently making the first guy miss and getting vertical gaining first downs for his team.  With Gabler at the helm, Nico should be getting even more looks as a trusty slot for the young QB and this stout Mustangs team.     6 TKLs, 2 Hurries   Lester was causing a lot of havoc Thursday night for this Denver East offense, consistently getting into the backfield and pressuring QB Macdonald.  Again, Lester is a product of how well coached and disciplined this RV team is.  In the run game he does a great job maintaining his game, holding the point and the edge, when necessary, and getting hands on OL on down blocks going away from him to flatten OL and slingshot and knife himself through his gap for TFLs.  In the pass rush he has a nice jab chop, dip and rip (really ripping high until he clears the hip of the blocker) move doing a great job leaning back into the OL to bend and get the sack - a consistent and great move for him.  I also love his transition from run to pass.  He also does a great job staying tight on stunts and loops.  Showing his versatility, Lester also plays snaps at the field overhang doing a great job getting depth in his drops while keeping eyes on the QB and showing acceleration in the open field to get downhill and limit yardage.  Jake Lester is a fiery competitor that was supporting his teammates after big plays.  He'd make a great addition to any team interested with versatility to find a fit in different defensive systems at the next level.     4 Catches for 42yds | 2 TKLs, 1 TFL, 3 PBUs   "[player_tooltip player_id='1538373' first='Ethan' last='Shirazi'] with the catch" was heard a lot Thursday evening as well as his name being called on the defensive side of the ball really showing the impact he has for this RV team. On offense he always seems to be open, running very QB friendly routes for easy pitch and catches and gets vertical quickly for YAC. His In traffic and over the middle, Shirazi has such strong hands and consistently comes down with contested balls. You can see all three of these traits on display in his highlight against Columbine where he takes a 3 and 8 slant to the house for an 88 yd TD. In a tight game, this was a massive play. At the next level Ethan should also be a ST monster with the strong upper body, physicality, and frame, I see Ethan slotting in as a Core 4 guy.     24/40 267 yds 1 TD   It was quite the joy to finally catch Declan MacDonald throw in person this Thursday evening. The Claremont McKenna commit showed what I saw on tape prior and he did his best as a competitor to keep his team in this game without his top weapon James Pillivant and a persistent RV pass rush. With a massive frame at 6'6 180, he still has an easy, smooth, quick, and replicable release in which some bigger QBs can have a bit of a windup. A rotational thrower, his release gives off Aaron Rodgers vibes with how easy it seems he throws it and does a great job aligning his hips and front shoulder to the target. He showed his ability to fit passes into tight windows with pace but also having incredible touch and accuracy on deep balls all night - he throws a tremendous back shoulder ball. MacDonald showed command of the offense to change plays and get his team into friendlier plays based on the defensive alignment and was calling the protections at the line. While he can make plays with his legs, his pocket passing is his strength. I loved his work with RPOs and his ability to get through his progressions. A 3-year starter and a tremendous undefeated run as a Soph, I have the utmost faith in Declan to be able to hit the ground running next year in Cali and have a fantastic collegiate career.     6 Catches 115 yds | 4 TKLs   [player_tooltip player_id='894630' first='Cazh' last='Campbell'] had himself a day against the smaller RV secondary. Not being out of the ordinary, listed at 6'5 185 the transfer from Wheeler Park HS in WV is more often than not bigger than guys lined up against him. This size advantage became MacDonald's best weapon Thursday night going 115 yds on 6 catches with a showstopping Hail-Mary to end the half, climbing the ladder over 2 RV DBs to make the 50 yd catch - sadly just short of the goal line but still a tremendous play. Cazh showed off his body control and quickness all day offensively with a beautiful back shoulder catch adjusting late to a perfectly thrown ball by MacDonald on the sideline, ripping the ball away and turning his back to the DB to make sure there was no chance of punching the ball out. With his length, jumping ability, and ability to catch passes outside of his frame - he is a huge threat on deep balls and pairs so well with MacDonald's deep accuracy. Defensively, Cazh shows some solid feet and great quickness in man coverage for such a big guy, being able to get out of his backpedal and trigger quickly to make tackles in the run game. He also did a great job in pursuit, saving multiple potential touchdowns by rallying to the ball, covering so much ground with his big strides. From his JR to SR season, he has made so many technical strides and improving his overall athletic ability, he should continue to grow with good coaching. Cazh has so much potential with his length, quickness, and athletic ability, he should be a terrific addition on either side of the ball adding a big target for QBs or size, length, and quickness to develop into a lockdown CB.     2 Carries 18 yds, 3 rec 20 yds | 13 TKLs   Jeremiah Fitz is a well-built kid with a strong and thick lower half. While it was hard to get too impactful on offense against the stout run D and pass rush of RV, I could still see the parts of his game that should transition well to the collegiate level. He does a great job stepping and striking, creating shock and knockback in the run game and KOR game - consistently fitting up well in open space. With the ball in his hands, he is like a freight train punishing defenders when he can get downhill. He is at his best on TE leaks/block and releases where the defense loses track of him, and he has runway to pick up speed and run behind his pads where he looks like a big RB with the ball in his hands. On the defensive side, Fitz is a tackling machine at his LB spot while sometimes aligning as a standup edge to lead the team with 9 tkls a game. At the next level I like him as a TE/FB or at DE where his can play behind his pads and strong hands. Fitz also is a standout in the classroom with well over a 3.0 GPA and has high aspirations to be the first in his family to attend college.     3 Punts, 41 Avg, Inside 20 - 1 | 1 KO, 1 TB | 1/1 XPT   Beauregard (and RV's Kicker Landon Plichta) really caught my eye.  Beauregard was the Angel's best weapon at times in this game with 3 well hit balls to keep them within fighting distance in the first half.  His punt inside the 20 could not have been placed better with a directional right punt perfectly placed with two bounces and out of bounds at the 5-yard line.  All three punts were gotten away with a lot of pressure showing his poise.  He showed an ability to consistently turn his punts over as well.  On FGs during warmups he was hitting consistently from 45+ and was clearing the crossbar making about 4 of 5 from 55 showing great knee drive with a live operation.  His only KO was a touchback that went for 68 yds.  On both KOs and punts, Beauregard gets great height on his balls.

This week's Thursday clash between the undefeated Ralston Valley Mustangs and the Denver East Angels went very different than planned. Coming into the game, this was going to be the battle of two 6'5+ QBs in Declan MacDonald and All-State QB Zeke Andrews Zeke Andrews 6'6" | 200 lbs | QB/TE Ralston Valley | 2026 State CO , but sadly after the opening drive I found out Andrews did not suit up (prayers out to him and his health), but JR QB Logan Gabler was up for the task and the Mustangs did not miss a beat. Coming out firing, Gabler and the Mustangs had this one from the start. East put up a fight and had some momentum right before half, but after a dropped Pick-6 there wasn't much life after that. Nico Benallo Nico Benallo 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR/DB Ralston Valley | 2026 State CO was hard to get to the ground in this one with 10 catches for 134 yds and 3 TDs!! Let's dive into the tape and see who the standouts from Thursday's matchup were.