15 Takeaways from Blue Blood Battle as IC Catholic Tops Nazareth

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Illinois High School Football is BACK!!!&nbsp; We opened the season on Friday night at IC Catholic in a battle of top 10 teams in the state regardless of class as they hosted Nazareth!&nbsp; We will have scouting, interviews, and more from this game!&nbsp; Here are our first impressions from the game in <strong>15 Takeaways: IC Catholic vs Nazareth</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140165' first='Grant' last='Bowen'] was a MONSTER in 1st Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top ranked athlete in the state of Illinois is a flat out beast!&nbsp; The 2028 tight end/linebacker was doing whatever he wanted at tight end in this game.&nbsp; When there is one on one coverage he is going to win the jump ball every single time.&nbsp; High points it so well.&nbsp; Scored a TD on his first touch of the season as he caught an intermediate pass and powered over opponents for the score from 16 yards.&nbsp; Followed that up with a 10 yarder later.&nbsp; Quality route runner which was shown on slant routes and has elite hands.&nbsp; Defensively he was impactful as well as a rangy outside linebacker that can cover in space and flies to the ball.&nbsp; We had him for 6 catches for 110 yards and 2 scores unofficially.&nbsp; He literally has his choice of any school in the country he wants to go to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IC Catholic 2029 Duo Are About to Blow Up</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a pair of sophomores we were really excited to see for IC Catholic and they BALLED OUT!&nbsp; Class of 2029 running back [player_tooltip player_id='2206173' first='Jakobe' last='Baldwin'] was a truck all night.&nbsp; Good size, strength, and speed.&nbsp; Powerful runner who has vision in the hole making quick cuts and had defenders bouncing off him all evening.&nbsp; Ripped off a 65 yard TD late to seal the win showing off his long speed dashing down the sideline.&nbsp; Quality athlete who has some pass catching ability.&nbsp; Could be one of the more complete backs in the 2028 class.&nbsp; The other prospect we were excited about was ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2174810' first='Donnel' last='Sallis'].&nbsp; The long and rangy 6'3” two way threat had a big game on the defensive side.&nbsp; He recorded an interception over the middle on a pass getting his hands on it and reeling it in.&nbsp; That was followed with a PBU on a slant route.&nbsp; Extremely fluid at his size with his movements and ability to attack forward or back.&nbsp; Offensively he caught a quick five yard pass.&nbsp; Projects best as a jumbo corner that even could play some free safety.&nbsp; Both are trending as Power 4 prospects early in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Line for IC Catholic Powers Win</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to give a shout out to the five big fellas up front for IC Catholic who helped Baldwin rack up all those yards.&nbsp; From left tackle to right tackle we got Landon West&nbsp; who has nice size at 6'3” 255 pounds.&nbsp; Inside it was the guard duo of Duke Sims and Cash Casper with senior Mike Silverya anchoring at right tackle.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lang Brings Creativity at QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='475585' first='Nate' last='Lang'] is an undersized guy at only 6'1”, but we love the competitiveness, athleticism, and creativity he brings to the game.&nbsp; He was at his best off script scrambling for first downs, throwing on the run, and had nice zip on his passes.&nbsp; The leadership qualities are definitely there as well.&nbsp; An FCS program should take a long look here!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Schmidt and Carroccio Have Juice on Outside for IC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of under the radar wide receivers had nice games for IC Catholic.&nbsp; Yale commit [player_tooltip player_id='2205161' first='Anthony' last='Carroccio'] will definitely be added in our next update.&nbsp; The 5'11” pass catcher has major juice with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Turning on the burners throughout the game including on a 36 yard score.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2144336' first='Will' last='Schmidt'] emerged as a 6'1” two way guy who on the offensive side ran shifty routes and was physical after the catch.&nbsp; Really sound hands and good possession guy.&nbsp; Defensively he got a pick in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IC Catholic Talent Up Front on D</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few guys we want to shout out for IC Catholic in their front seven in defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1358237' first='Gabriel' last='Lisowiec'] (2028), defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='2134328' first='Joshua' last='Shaw'] (2027), and Michael Carter (2028).&nbsp; Big and athletic bodies that move and are tough up front vs the run and got after the QB.&nbsp; Shaw batted down a key pass when Naz was trying to get back in the game.&nbsp; He is headed to NIU.&nbsp; KJ Reese stood out as a 6'0” 200 pound linebacker that just had a nose for the ball in both the pass and the run.&nbsp; Senior will make a small college very happy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 QB Chapman Up and Down in Debut at Nazareth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the first look in person at new Nazareth QB 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='998519' first='JJ' last='Chapman'].&nbsp; We were pretty aggressive with his ranking at QB2 and #33 overall before seeing him in person.&nbsp; The transfer in from Wisconsin had an up and down night.&nbsp; Early in the game he struggled with some missed opportunities off platform including a pick throwing against his body back to the middle of the field.&nbsp; One thing is certain this kid has the arm talent to be a P4 guy at the next level.&nbsp; He threw a couple of rain drop deep balls for his receivers to run under them for the catch.&nbsp; After those completions when he had a clean pocket he delivered some absolute lasers over the middle showcasing sound mechanics and legit arm strength.&nbsp; Chapman definitely has swagger and didn't let his early struggles stop him from throwing for a pair of scores and overall having a solid outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flickinger Opens Eyes as Tough 2028 Pass Catcher</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With several weapons sideline it was the [player_tooltip player_id='1682164' first='Jackson' last='Flickinger'] show!&nbsp; The 5'9” 2028 receiver opened eyes with his explosiveness in the return game, catch and run ability, along with being willing to go over the middle making tough catches in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwest Minnesota State Has Sleeper in less heralded Sakalas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hank Sakalas is headed to Southwest Minnesota State.&nbsp; Perfect fit for this tight end that is reliable on shorter routes with his hands and technique.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NIU Corner Coleman Shows Upside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pair of future NIU players in this one with Shaw mentioned above along with [player_tooltip player_id='2105075' first='Cashmere' last='Coleman'] who has long been a Prep Redzone Favorite!&nbsp; Silky smooth corner with length who is fluid with everything he does.&nbsp; Can also come up in run support tackling well in one on one situations.&nbsp; Another senior worth mentioning is 2027 defensive lineman Will McGary who at about 6'1” 230 pounds is worth monitoring as a late sleeper who can use his power rushing and was solid vs the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nazareth Injury Bug</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No excuses in these types of games.&nbsp; Nazareth was without a lot of star power in this game.&nbsp; Mizzou commit and top EDGE rusher in state [player_tooltip player_id='1791833' first='Chris' last='Kasky'] is out for extended period of time with a broken foot.&nbsp; Michigan State defensive back commit Henry Skalas went through a little of warm ups but did not play.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1687803' first='Jayden' last='Ruth'] their big time transfer from Yorkville was out with a groin injury.&nbsp; 2029 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2152711' first='Charlie' last='Stratis'] did not play either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Both Teams Can Win State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would absolutely not shock us one bit if these two teams capture state titles in November.&nbsp; They are that good, well coached, and have the ability to get better as the season goes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hospitality at IC Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shout out to the coaching staff, athletic director, and everyone involved at IC Catholic.&nbsp; First time for a game there and it was a great experience.&nbsp; Everyone was super helpful getting access for photos and interviews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Unique Backdrop</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For those who have not been to IC Catholic they have a very unique backdrop with two train tracks for freight trains and passenger trains right behind one endzone.&nbsp; Kind of cool to see them rolling by while game is going along.&nbsp; Also on that end no extra points were kicked instead going to the other end because if it went through the ball would land on the tracks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sideline Ref Needs Tommy John Surgery</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we remember the great Tommy John who passed away this week, the sideline ref on the opposite side of where I was watching might have thrown his arm out with how many penalties he threw.&nbsp; It seemed like nearly every play it was something.&nbsp; Both ways.&nbsp; Some legit, but it made for a LATE night!<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->