Scouting the Recent Sevier County Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a state runner-up season in the 5A classification, Sevier County returns a strong core to compete for the state championship yet again and early expectations should be to return to a third straight state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Smoky Bears have recently added some new firepower to their roster for next season, poaching a trio of all-state performers from Gatlinburg-Pittman, led by standout running back prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We take a look at the three players transferring to Sevier County and what they will bring to the team next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1182191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e88bf66270"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] is one of the top running backs in a strong state class at the position with solid size and a strong base at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a well-built tailback that has grown into his frame while maintaining his initial burst and long speed to hit explosive plays consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Something he has always done a good job of is running in between the tackles and with the added mass, it has only made him even more dangerous working behind blocks in the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can kick some runs outside where his natural talent takes over at the high school level, but moving up to 5A should present a stronger challenge for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming from a platoon, he will handle the majority of snaps at the position next season in what is now one of the top offenses in the state regardless of level. With a strong start to his senior season, a lot of interest could come his way following proof of concept in a much higher classification level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2013801361620557835?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2013801361620557835?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1871036' first='Elijah' last='Valentine']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1871036"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e88bf66315"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1871036' first='Elijah' last='Valentine'] is a defensive end prospect with solid length that wins up front with violent hands and a natural ability to disengage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a strong, compact frame that allows for him to have success from an in-line end position and set a firm edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is best at working into the offensive lineman and using his violent hands to swipe off a block and get into the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That skillset translates best to more of a run-stopping defensive end, but he has enough counters to create some pressure as a pass rusher if the lineman tries to attack first, which showed up with a productive junior season for Valentine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will provide another solid front seven option that can squeeze the pocket and push running backs inside, thus forcing opposing offenses have to beat Sevier County through the air next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 S [player_tooltip player_id='2101292' first='John' last='Keohane']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101292"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699e88bf6636d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2101292' first='John' last='Keohane'] is a safety prospect with good size and physicality for the position that was a playmaker all over the secondary during his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a physical downhill tackler that puts all of his six-foot frame into bringing down ball carriers, accounting for nearly 100 tackles last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was used as both a safety and nickel to capitalize on his tackling ability as a standout on a team that reached the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He showed ball skills throughout the season as he accounted eight pass breakups and six interception on defense in addition to nearly 300 receiving yards on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will bring a versatile skillset at the safety position for Sevier County, who should be able to have tackling opportunities in the middle of the field against the run with the edge that this team should be able to set next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->