Cleveland County Jamboree Observations

Last night at Gardner Webb University, eight teams were in action at the annual Cleveland County Jamboree near Shelby, NC. We're going to go into some detail highlighting the games and some players who stood out on each team.   Crest 10 Monroe 7   - I have predicted both of the teams to win their respective conferences, and they both lived up to the expectations in my opinion. Both teams had highlights both offensively and defensively.   - Monroe forced a three and out and then scored on a long [player_tooltip player_id='2206332' first='Jamir' last='Jackson'] run on their first play from scrimmage. Jackson looks fast and strong, and I like how Monroe is using both him and [player_tooltip player_id='1678618' first='Kylan' last='Polk'] in the backfield. That has the makings of a dominant run game.   - Crest immediately answered and tied it up with a nice drive. New QB [player_tooltip player_id='1687753' first='KJ' last='Bell'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='2151059' first='Brock' last='Melton'] and Majay Thompson are going to be a potent trio once they get their timing down in the passing game. They mixed in quick passes and screens with a steady running game on this drive. [player_tooltip player_id='1607907' first='Nick' last='Albright'] did a good job leading a big offensive line who got push up the middle.   - The defenses then settled in. Crest really gets to the ball fast, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1306285' first='Khali' last='Clark'] at the linebacker spot. EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1668282' first='Christian' last='Stowe'] made some tackles for loss also, he was really quick off the ball at the snap and shedded blocks with his hands well.   - Monroe set the edge really well on defense. Crest never really got outside in the running game. Joseph Jackson at the EDGE really stood out to me. Another standout was DB Kavion Perry for Monroe, he had a nice interception on a deep ball and played good coverage against Crest's talented receivers.   - Monroe didn't do too much in the passing game with QB Brycen Graceffa, but they have some good looking wide receivers, tall and fast. Micah Allen looks like he can be a big time playmaker on the outside once they get the passing game going.   Burns 19 South Mecklenburg 6   - South Mecklenburg came out and scored on their first drive, mainly finding success in the air. QB Aiden Bedford looks really good when he has time to throw, with a strong and accurate arm. Both receivers Xavier Lopez-Cruz and [player_tooltip player_id='2166822' first='Knox' last='Moon'] were able to make some nice catches to keep the chains moving.   - Burns then responded with the next 19 points in the scrimmage. Their offensive line, led up front by [player_tooltip player_id='2117497' first='Gage' last='Camp'], consistently executed well and Burns was able to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball well. ATH Romelo Wells started at quarterback and executed a mix of QB runs and short screen passes well. Star RB [player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='Max' last='Davis'] only played 2 drives, scoring the first touchdown for the Bulldogs.   - Burns rotated a deep roster of skill players a good bit, and there wasn't much drop off when they came into the game. Kamarion McKenzie especially stood out as a backup running back, and that speaks well for their depth on offense.   - Defensively, outside of the first drive they played really well for Burns. [player_tooltip player_id='2206336' first='Markalen' last='Camp'] looks bigger and faster at linebacker and got in for an impressive sack to end a drive for South Mecklenburg. Burns defensive line also shutdown the running game for the Sabres in an impressive fashion.   - [player_tooltip player_id='1617272' first='Brendan' last='Hall'], the star OL for the Sabres, looked excellent in pass protection from his left tackle spot, one of the main reasons South was able to find success in the passing game.   Shelby 13 Corvian 7   - This was an interesting contest between two state title contenders in the 3A and 2A classifications respectively. Both teams defenses are ahead of their offenses at this point.   - The Golden Lions look big and fast in their front 7. EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1687752' first='Tyson' last='Williams'] is going to have a huge season. There were times he simply looked unblockable up front with his combination of speed and strength. LB [player_tooltip player_id='2078249' first='Landon' last='Hollifield'] is very fast getting to the football and tackling well in space. DB [player_tooltip player_id='2155074' first='Kendrick' last='Raper'] looked good in coverage also.   - The Cardinals were just as good defensively. I was really impressed with their defensive line. They got consistent pressure in their pass rush and forced a couple of turnovers on downs down near the red zone against the Golden Lions. DL Nate Kamba and EDGE Colin Jefferies are going to cause havoc against their opponents, they are big, strong, and fast off the ball consistently.   - Offensively, the Golden Lions had some bright spots. WR [player_tooltip player_id='483642' first='Immanuel' last='Collins'] was probably the most consistent receiver, running good routes, making catches, and nice runs after the catch. I believe WR [player_tooltip player_id='1429512' first='Tyler' last='Morgan'] also had a couple of nice catches. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1905611' first='Jonas' last='Woods'] scored a long TD run off of an outside zone play the Golden Lions run very well. OL [player_tooltip player_id='1687745' first='Tee' last='Hollifield'] had a strong game overall at left tackle.   - Corvian also had a couple of guys on offense I thought played well. QB [player_tooltip player_id='2003772' first='Tyson' last='Douglas-Brown'] has all the tools, and when he had a little time he made some good throws. He also makes good decisions and can make plays outside of the pocket. WR Cameron Simpson is a dynamic player - he got open behind the defense a couple of times, and the Cardinals just missed him down the field. He did score on a really nice catch and run across the field from about 70 yards out. He's going to be a highlight reel this season.   Kings Mountain 21 Myers Park 7   - The big story in this one was the execution and efficiency of the Mountaineers QB [player_tooltip player_id='1605503' first='Jordan' last='Jenkins']. He continues to shock people as a freshman with his calm and accuracy with the football in his hands. Kings Mountain came out throwing, which surprised me, but Jordan handled it well, managing a quick passing game well. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens'] and WR Tony Boyd were frequent targets in the air, and they're going to be a potent duo.   - The Mountaineers mixed in a steady run game well, and RB [player_tooltip player_id='2264220' first='Daeshawn' last='Camp'] ran well behind a strong offensive line, scoring two rushing touchdowns on the night. Kings Mountain dominated time of possession in this matchup, and that's a good sign for them against a higher classification team.   - Myers Park to me looks like they just need to clean up some simple things - bad snaps and penalties hurt them offensively early on. When they started to settle in, QB [player_tooltip player_id='1953767' first='Ramir' last='Watson'] looks bigger, stronger, and more confident in his reads in the passing game. The Myers Park OL also looks huge, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1607856' first='Joseph' last='Meyer'] up front.   - Defensively, Kings Mountain looks fast at all three levels. The biggest compliment I can give them is that they played extremely well and tied together - I think they will be improved on that side of the ball from last season.

Last night at Gardner Webb University, eight teams were in action at the annual Cleveland County Jamboree near Shelby, NC. We're going to go into some detail highlighting the games and some players who stood out on each team.