MBA at Rockvale: Five Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery Bell Academy travelled to take on Rockvale for a final tune-up scrimmage a week before the regular season begins, and it was a productive outing for both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both programs are underrated in the top classification (Rockvale in 6A, MBA in DII-AAA) with the firepower to take large leaps forward in the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a strong challenge for each team and it presented talented prospects with exciting matchups. Here are the five biggest takeaways from a scrimmage with several prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Lines Impress</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing one noticed in this scrimmage was the size and athleticism of the offensive lines for both programs. Under these two coaching staffs, building inside-out has been a priority and the results showed on the field in the scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MBA has a front, extending to include the tight ends, that can open rushing lanes consistently and that led to some explosive plays early in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockvale had some younger offensive lineman on the field in the scrimmage, but overall the unit produced solid returns. There is plenty of competition and functional size for the Rockets up front, which should give this program a much higher floor moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MBA Offensive Firepower </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While MBA is typically known for a strong rushing attack and a bevy of tight ends, the offense is dynamic from top to bottom this season and has the chance to be the most explosive in a long time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ground game should provide consistency running behind a strong offensive line as mentioned earlier. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1847747' first='Bennett' last='Conyers'] is the true X-factor to the offense, as he is an effective blocker in the run game while being the go-to target as a receiver. He moves excellent and can change direction with ease, giving the quarterback easy completions early in drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1582353' first='Brayden' last='Atwood'] will move to more of a big receiver role this season and it will be a perfect fit for his skillset. His length, athleticism and blocking experience gives the team a lot of versatility to how they attack the perimeter in every facet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1568969' first='Warner' last='Hart'] has had the potential to be a dynamic threat for MBA and it seems as if he has begun to put it all together this offseason. He started the game by taking the opening kickoff to the house for a touchdown. He later reeled in a downfield reception for another score. His ability to create positive field position and attack defenses vertically will complete the offense this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockvale Dynamic Backfield</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another reason for improved consistency at Rockvale this season will be what figures to be an electric backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1553521' first='Arden' last='Lewis'] has put in the work this offseason to actually be a real quarterback after moving back from the receiver position, training with Blake Bodenstein this summer. His explosive playmaking ability remains there and he can turn nothing into a whole lot of something when pressured, which proved very evident as the Rockets settled in early in the scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will be accompanied in the backfield by several downfield runners and the team was creative with how they utilize the multiple options involved in the ground game. The lead tailback will be [player_tooltip player_id='1567089' first='Jamarcus' last='Brown'], who has the size to be a bruiser, but the athleticism to kick it outside and make something happen in his own right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The RPO action with those two is a near-impossible read for defenses with both players being able to take advantage of someone deciding their tackling target too early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockvale Strong Defensive Line</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While MBA boasts a strong front five, the defensive line for Rockvale made some timely plays during the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maryland commit [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] stood out early on defense, blocking a field goal and recording a tackle for loss on 4th-and-1 on consecutive drives. His size and versatility is a real problem for offensive lines and he was restricted to constant doubles with fellow Maryland commit [player_tooltip player_id='1815536' first='Jayden' last='Agberodiola'] not playing his usual nose tackle spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson'] is another versatile defensive lineman with good size that continues to find ways to work upfield and cause disruption. The other young players made plays in the second half with him as well. This defensive front could be one of the top units in the state as they continue to push each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2088412998452797576?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2088412998452797576?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">Versatile Athletes Shine</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This scrimmage was a tough battle between two underrated, yet very strong teams and the versatile athletes that could find ways to create positive opportunities rose to the top to stand out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned earlier, [player_tooltip player_id='1568969' first='Warner' last='Hart'] was dynamic as a returner and receiver, taking the potential of the Big Red to an entirely new level. Conyers was an instant security blanket in the passing game while working up to the second level as a blocker against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Rockvale, it proved to be the same result. [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] remains a staple of the tight end rotation and took a screen 48 yards for a touchdown following his pair of big defensive plays earlier in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1553521' first='Arden' last='Lewis'] arm and legs are both dynamic threats and he was impossible to contain consistently. [player_tooltip player_id='1567089' first='Jamarcus' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2101048' first='Kingston' last='McQueen'] also will make plays on both sides of the ball this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->