Returning Contributors: The Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers’ Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the last three seasons the Bridgewater-Raritan Panther's football teams have named three different head coaches: long-time incumbent Scott Bray, hall of famer Rick Mantz, and now DJ Catalano. In his first season Catalano led the Panthers to a 3-7 record and a playoff birth, only losing a single game by more than one score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a number of seniors graduating in 2024, Catalano and his staff must get a number of rising underclassmen up-to-speed and ready to become varsity contributors. Here are a few prospects that his staff might be looking to in the fall of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to catch up on my entire returning contributors series by clicking through on the link to the articles below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-ridgewood-maroons-skills-line/">Ridgewood Maroons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196870"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1196870' first='Ja'Sante' last='Johnson'] showed sparks of excellence last year. This, combined with the fact that he is very fundamentally sound, could coagulate into a big season for him. The sparks that Johnson shows are related to when he is moving. He is certainly too quick for slower linemen to reach and he does a nice job when called upon to slant and rip into the adjacent gap. Johnson does not just get to that gap, however. He continues to keep workign and fighting until he fully penetrates and controls the gap. Additionally, Johnson does a nice job when executing line stunts. Fundamentally I really appreciate how well he wrong-arms and u-turns oncoming kick out blocks. Additionally, he adopted the adage u0022a sack alone is a selfish act,u0022 as he looks to attack the ball when he gets home on the quarterback. I think Johnson can become more explosive as he improves his stance. His hind legs gets a little straight for my liking, thus eliminating his power angles, and leads to an inconsistent get off. Last fall Johnson made 20 tackles (16 solo) with 4 tackles for loss.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556d0c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17798366/65a1885a15f6020930c0ae2d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556dbf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196871"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Perhaps not the appropriate list for him, [player_tooltip player_id='1196871' first='Dylan' last='Tierney'] played linebacker for the Panthers and is also listed as a tight end. Defensively he made 15 tackles (13 solo), 1 tackle for loss, and 1 interception. A great tackler, Tierney goes in low and wraps the ball carrier consistently, stopping him in his tracks. Unsure if it is by design or by habit, but Tierney tends to play a bit further back, particularly in coverage, than I am used to seeing. This allows him to see routes unfold in front of him and not have to take as drastic as pass drops. He locks on to the running back well and plays the ball over-the-top when the offense looks to check down. There is also a physical element to Tierney's game as well, particularly when pressing the point man in trips and when engaging with perimeter blockers when he is split out. Tierney's game can jump to the next level as he gets more comfortable reading his keys.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556e22"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16918387/65c10c037bd2e106542690f3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556e43"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196874"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The only 2026 graduate on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='1196874' first='Connor' last='O'Hare'], is poised to compete for a key role in the trenches for the Panthers. Although his clips are a bit dated at this point, we see that O'Hare is a hustler who pursues the ball well, especially with plays headed away from him. At a very young, raw age we see that O'Hare knows how to use his body and will knife and leverage his way to win across the face of offensive linemen when slanting. O'Hare also plays no more than 2 yards in the backfield, is patient, and does not over pursue when he is on the backside of a play. He seems to be most effective when he is playing a 4i. One area for O'Hare to be mindful of his his tackling. He seems to understand the idea of gator rolling to his leverage, but yet he can improve his pad level when going in for the tackle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556e99"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17800466/6351f0ee6655ff0d5c2cf374' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556eb6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196872"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIf [player_tooltip player_id='1196872' first='Noah' last='Simplice'] is still on Panthers' roster there is good reason to be excited. As a standup, edge defender - who occasionally will put his hand in the dirt - he is quick and big enough to win inside. With a motor that triggers him to pursue sideline-to-sideline and across the field, ball carriers must always be on high alert. When pass rushing he has a nice inside-out Eurostep that he features and is beginning to utilize the spin move. Simplice would benefit from playing lower and working his hands. In very limited clips we absolutely must see more of Simplice to get a better assessment of what he brings to the tableu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eHudl: u003c/bu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/8227273/Noah-Simplice/highlightsu0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/profile/8227273/Noah-Simplice/highlightsu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556f0e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196873"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The only true, full-fledged linemen featured on this report is [player_tooltip player_id='1196873' first='Jack' last='Schroeder']. One thing Schroeder does that makes him an automatic player is that he keeps his feet moving. Whether he is pulling and kicking, drive blocking, or downfield Schroeder knows to keep pumping his feet with short, choppy 6-to-8 inch steps. This allows him to displace linemen horizontally when he gets them going. Schroeder also appears bigger on film than what he is listed at. When he seals a defender they have a hard time evading him and getting either off or around his block. In pass protection he does a nice job keeping his head on a swivel and, when in space, he looks to crack-back if nobody is down field. At times I noticed Schroeder give up his base and get too narrow. For Schroeder to become more effective than he already is a consistent blocking base is necessary.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556f69"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8264649/654d3388dfd7f60bbcde217d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0c3c556f89"} /-->