5 Takeaways: Belleville East vs Althoff

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Covered a few of the Belleville Althoff vs Belleville East games over the years.&nbsp; This was one quite different.&nbsp; Belleville East went to Althoff jumping out to a 32-0 lead and never looked back winning by a final of 54-14.&nbsp; Check out my 5 Takeaways from this game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Future Bearcat Johnson Best Player on Field</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cincinnati commit [player_tooltip player_id='1344621' first='James' last='Johnson'] might end up as a corner at the next level, but in high school he is a two way athlete that was the fastest, biggest, and most physically imposing player on the field.&nbsp; The Bearcats got a good one coming in as the fluid athlete has legit size and ball skills.&nbsp; On his first touch he had a nice punt return.&nbsp; Then after that on the next ply he caught a bubble screen breaking multiple tackles and taking it to the house from 35 yards out.&nbsp; Throughout the rest of the first half he showed natural hands, run after catch, and can be effective as a runner on sweeps. That included an 80 yard touchdown in the third quarter where he caught a quick slant route broke a couple tackles then housed it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lancers 1-2 Punch in Running Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belleville East has a quality pair of backs in [player_tooltip player_id='2105092' first='Dewonde' last='Taylor'] who transferred in from Belleville West along with sophomore Tyrone Carrick.&nbsp; Taylor popped on our radar last year and had a strong game with his powerful runs downhill in between the tackles making quick cuts along with using his speed on the outside including a long sweep play for a score.&nbsp; At 5'8”160 pounds Carrick is one to track down the line.&nbsp; Speed back that can get to the outside for long runs including a 45 yard TD to start the 3^rd quarter. Quick moves and explodes through hole.&nbsp; Shout out to their offensive line who did work up front including [player_tooltip player_id='2244346' first='Dartaneon' last='Green'], Darrell Bibbs, Kaleb Ingram, Xavier Smith, and Derrick Williams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophomore QB Shows Promise for Belleville East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East started a young QB in this one and he showed some promise.&nbsp; Connor Gray is a 6'0” 2029 who has solid touch on his passes, makes quick decisions getting it out of his hands, and showed a clean throwing motion.&nbsp; Played with good poise for a young signal caller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Injured Stars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Probably the biggest takeaway from this game was the absence of two of the three best prospects for these teams.&nbsp; Althoff was without top 10 2028 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1682049' first='Logan' last='Thompson'] who is also an electric offensive weapon.&nbsp; Belleville East did not have their speedy wide receiver/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='2104989' first='CJ' last='Willis'] who is a legit Group of 5 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Names on Althoff Side</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wasn't a great night for Althoff, but a couple of players have some juice as playmakers.&nbsp; Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1598828' first='Steven' last='Brown'] is one of the more under recruited backs in the state.&nbsp; He doesn't have the line in front of him that he did as Dierre Hill's back up a couple years ago.&nbsp; What he does bring to the table is being a quality pass catcher out of the backfield that can use his speed in the open field.&nbsp; Did run in a score on the 1 yard line out of the wildcat.&nbsp; Junior wide receiver/safety [player_tooltip player_id='1601174' first='Kyle' last='Watkins'] had a long rushing touchdown on a double handoff play I have never seen before.&nbsp; Has some speed too as he faked run blocking then ran by the defender catching a long pass extending for the grab.&nbsp; Also broke up a pass in the secondary laying the hammer separating the ball from receiver.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->