Senior Sensations: 2027 Graduates Lighting it up on Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sounding like the old timer that I am, back in my day our locker room dawned a sign that read "how will you be remembered?" To the underclassmen, it meant legacy; to the seniors, it meant leaving an impact on the program. As we look at the class of 2027, here are prospects that on their respective side of the ball, are unquestionably leaving their mark on their program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a> for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterbacks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909997"],"_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-6ac7d6b9805bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Entering his second year as East Orange's starting quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='909997' first='Zachary' last='Concepcion'] is having his best season yet. This comes as no question to me, as Concepcion had been at practically every camp this spring that I was at, working and grinding to perfect his craft -- and Concepcion has certainly responded. In 6 less games thus far Concepcion has proven to be more efficient, owning a 13:3 TD:Int ratio, whereas last year he was at 14:5. Moreover, he has already crushed last year's passing yardage total (1004 last year to 1430 this year), while completing 3 less passes in 29 less attempts. This, ladies and gentlemen, is dramatic, significant improvement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934015"],"_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-6ac7d6b98062a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A four-year starter I have been pounding the pavement about since I found him is Elizabeth's [player_tooltip player_id='934015' first='Arique' last='Fleming']. In his fourth and final year under center for the Minutemen, he is having his most efficient season yet. Ranking third in his class in passing yards (1361), he is around 500 yards away from surpassing his career high set as a junior (1811) with 3 more regular season games to play. Additionally, Fleming is 3 touchdown tosses away from setting a new career high, while playing the most efficient he has with just 2 interceptions on 67% passing. As if that was not enough, Fleming is Elizabeth's current leader in rushing yardage with 440 yards and 5 scores on 62 attempts, handles their punting duties, <em>and </em>plays defense -- quite well mind you -- with 30 tackles (13 solo, 2.5 for loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 total picks, one of which was a game-sealing pick-six against arch nemesis Union. All that said, Fleming has Elizabeth currently undefeated at 6-0 with North V's top seed in their sights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1087135"],"_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-6ac7d6b98067b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The aforementioned Fleming is not the only senior quarterback leading his team to an undefeated record. Down in South V, [player_tooltip player_id='1087135' first='Zach' last='Merhar'] of Rancocas Valley -- another prospect I met on the road this spring -- has the Red Devils sitting pretty. Merhar may be one-and-done as a starter, but he has proven to take all the mental reps necessary to experience a high degree of success in what will be his only season starting. Merhar is 58% passing for 1106 yards with a 19 touchdowns to 3 interceptions on the year. In many circles, assuming clean team-health, Merhar has Rancocas Valley on a crash course to take on fellow undefeated Washington Township in the South V final; but, there is plenty of ball yet to play before that can happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Running Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1881719"],"_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-6ac7d6b9806c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my 5 years or so of covering New Jersey high school football, Union City has always been a team you can count on for top running back production, particularly at their fullback position. The last two seasons they have relied on [player_tooltip player_id='1881719' first='Naythan' last='Pena'] to carry the load. Pena is exactly 40 yards away from surpassing last year's rushing total (922) on 19 fewer carries <em>and </em>has already matched his 16 scores from last year. Moreover, Pena has ran for over 100 yards in all but one game and scored in every contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1881389"],"_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-6ac7d6b98072b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I called myself an old timer before and will date myself again when discussing [player_tooltip player_id='1881389' first='Zaire' last='Young']. Despite having a four-year starter under center, Piscataway seems to have gotten back to their power run game roots, circa the early 2000s, behind the play of Young. A power back, Young has scored 14 times on 137 carries that have netted 914 yards. He has about 150 yards more than last year on just 6 more attempts, doubling his scoring output in the process, with 3 more games to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1921830"],"_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-6ac7d6b980777"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1921830' first='CJ' last='Senatore'] is a prospect that should be getting more flowers than he currently is. I think part of this has to do with him playing in an Ivy Division, meaning his Bridgemen are ineligible for the playoffs. While also playing some defense, Senatore is, truly, a two-way threat on offense that does everything. On 73 attempts this year, Senatore has tallied 820 yards and 12 touchdowns -- good for 11.2 yards per carry and at least 1 score on the ground in every game. Additionally, he finds himself with 4 receptions for 134 yards and 2 scores, while making 29 tackles (14 solo, 3 for loss), a sack, 2 interceptions, a blocked kick, and 1 pick-six to his credit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Receiving</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538541"],"_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-6ac7d6b9807bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There might not be a bigger, big-play threat than Belvidere's [player_tooltip player_id='1538541' first='Elijah' last='White']. With just 17 receptions, White is the current leader in the senior class in both yards (607) and touchdowns (10). His yards-per-reception average is a whopping 35.1 YPR. As if those electric plays were not enough, White has made 65 tackles on the season, forcing 2 fumbles, recovery another, and intercepting 3 passes. Defenses need be on their heels when defending White. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2421526"],"_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-6ac7d6b980807"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A team that we typically do not cover much in Bergenfield is home to a dynamic football player and 3-sport athlete in [player_tooltip player_id='2421526' first='Jeremy' last='Duran']. Duran, who also plays hoops and baseball, is having a breakthrough season -- both through the air and on the ground. Duran currently leads the senior class with 47 receptions. Of this total, Duran has 521 yards and 3 scores. This 5-gave total accounts for a matchup where he only had 3 receptions and had to carry the ball 32 times. On the season as a rusher, Duran has 74 carries fro 471 yards and 6 scores. It seems as Duran does not get off the field, as he also has an interception to go with 9 tackles on the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["426571"],"_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-6ac7d6b98084f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You cannot discuss this senior class without mentioning its top-ranked prospect, the future Oregon Duck [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb']. Used in a multitude of ways, Sabb has mostly been used at receiver, totaling a 39/580/7 slash line. As a ball carrier, he has been credited with 9 attempts for 83 yards and 2 scores, while also serving as a primary kick returner, fielding a punt 48-yards for a score. Lastly, Sabb has played a a role on defense. In limited action, Sabb has 13 tackles (7 solo) with 1 forced fumble and 2 interceptions -- one of which he took back for a defensive score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kickers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2421528"],"_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-6ac7d6b980897"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A solid kicker can be the difference in tight games, especially when two of your victories have been by a combined 9 points, as has been the case for Summit. [player_tooltip player_id='2421528' first='Jackson' last='Marx'] has been a machine this year, converting 6-7 field goal attempts, making a kick in all but one of the Hilltopers' 5 games thus far. His range has been within 40-yards, sinking a 37-yard long. Additionally, he has made 90% of his PATS. As a specialist, Marx is a "non-traditional" two-way player, having made 42 tackles on the season and intercepting 2 passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1454054"],"_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-6ac7d6b9808de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cherry Hill East has had a tough go of it, dropping all 6 of their games this season; however, [player_tooltip player_id='1454054' first='Judah' last='Niv'] has been a bright spot for them. Despite not attempting a field goal in his last two games, the senior is 5-8 on the season on field goal attempts and has made 9 of 11 PATs. Niv's range is approaching 50-yards, as he has made a 45-yard and a 47-yard field goal in back-to-back games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brayden Costello","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Delaware Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac7d6b9809d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A team not covered much this season has been Delaware Valley. With a 4-2 record, many things have gone right this year for them -- including the play of Brayden Costello. Costello has been a reliable part of their special teams unit, nailing 5-8 field goals and all of his 14 PAT attempts. Costello's range is just within 40-yards, having made a 37-yard make, but has several conversions within 30-yards. Moreover, Costello also has intercepted 2 passes on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->