8 Playoff Bubble Team X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we cross the halfway mark of the season, we're starting to see the playoff picture more clearly. There are a few teams still desperately fighting for their chance in the postseason. Today we will talk about some of the players that will make a difference as we head towards the home stretch on the regular season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2365709"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec92c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grandville sits at 2-3 after a brutal schedule to start the season, but they still find themselves just inside of the top 32 with 4 games left in the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2365709' first='Alex' last='Highland'] is one of the main reasons they still sit in a playoff spot. He has been a big bright spot for this Grandville squad. He has been super on the ground. When his team has needed it, he has shown the ability to go get the yards and do what it takes. He has also made this run-heavy offense a bit of an air attack as well. While he hasn't been pushing the ball downfield a ton, he has been taking what the defense will give him, making some good decisions and been pretty accurate with the football, especially around the goal line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Grandville to continue to hold on to a playoff spot, Alex will be a major factor for the Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2366386"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec9308"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the D2 ranks, Muskegon sits 5 points outside of the playoffs, with a couple tough games ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cash has been everything for this Muskegon offense so far this season. He has flashed blazing speed, good vision and breaks tackles on nearly every play. First contact usually doesn't stop Berry. He has been grinding it out against a tough schedule and performed pretty darn well for an underclassman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If he can continue to develop as a passer while continuing his great performance on the ground, Muskegon may have just enough to get back into the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2142695"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec932d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The D3 battle for the playoffs is heading up, and Lukas and his Petoskey squad are in the thick of it as they are the first team out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lukas has had some incredible plays this season. He is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the state, and certainly one of the most underrated players in Northern Michigan. He has a big arm, is extremely accurate and is obviously well coached with a high football IQ. And to compliment that, he has been very effective in the run game and making defenses worry about if he's going to take off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petoskey has some winnable games coming up that will be worth some major playoff points, so if he's on the money like he has shown he can be, the Northmen could be back in the postseason! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2415946"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec934d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evret is one of the most intriguing 2029s in the state right now. If he continues to lead the way he has been, Charlotte is a postseason team without a doubt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like Evret is an automatic 100-yard rusher every week. I love his vision and I love his contact balance. He runs through arm tackles with ease and makes defenders miss in the open field with a deadly change of direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte has been a playoff team more often than not, and with a guy like this in the program for the foreseeable future, there's no reason that can't continue! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685027"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec936c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Corunna holds on to the final spot in the D5 playoffs, and with some solid offenses coming up on the schedule, they'll need all of the defensive stops they can get. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's where Ruger comes in. A downhill LB that can cover, he is a Swiss army knife for this defense and can be a real difference maker. From run support to covering over the middle, Ruger can and likely will be all over the field for his squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a tight race for these playoff spots, and getting stops against these solid teams left on the schedule will be crucial for Corunna going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1151327"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec9388"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The recipe is simple for Chesaning as we continue towards the postseason-keep this offense rolling!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So far, Juanito and the Chesaning offense has been able to score in bunches, especially through the air. I have loved what I have seen out of this dynamic offense, and the threat to score on any given play is very real. Juanito has been dealing it to all of his playmakers and done a great job of generating explosive plays downfield, even in their losses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If he keeps playing like this, they will continue to move their way up the seeding, and a home playoff game is not out of the question. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2263797"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abbc54ec93a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brek has been instrumental for this OLW squad, and they cling to one of the last few spots in the D7 playoffs at 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything that I have seen from Ruddy so far this season has been impressive. He has been doing most of his damage on the ground this season. He has the speed and balance to turn any pay into an explosive chunk play. I have seen multiple clips of him taking it to the house when it looked like he was stopped up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If OLW wants to go dancing, it will require their biggest playmaker to keep making plays when they need it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2375231"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abe77c83278d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The D8 race is shaping up to be exciting, and Vestaburg is looking to get back to the postseason in 11-man for the first time since 2016. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucas has been outstanding so far. He may be the best kept secret in D8 at the moment. One of the toughest running backs in the state, he has put his team on his back at times. A sweet mix of speed, power and vision, Lucas has kept the Vestaburg offense rolling and has them in a great position to get back to the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->