Top Prospects: Triad vs Mt. Zion

Friday night Prep Redzone Illinois headed to Triad to check out Mt. Zion vs Triad.  It was a low scoring contest with Triad taking the lead into the half 10-0.  Mt. Zion stormed back with some big plays in the second half tying the game with on a field goal with a few minutes remaining.  Triad ran it, ran it, ran it, and then threw a 45 yard bomb for the win 17-10.  Here we examine the players in Top Prospects: Triad vs Mt. Zion!   Triad   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1196534' first='Isaac' last='Ackerman'] (Triad – 2025)   Ackerman is a 5'10” 190 pound quarterback that plays with a ton of grit and moxie!  He might not have the ideal physical tools, but he is a gamer that makes plays in key moments.  Did that in this one.  Really tough runner that the Knights go to when they need a key play.  His legs are his biggest asset as he moved the chains with them throughout the night.  Had a Patrick Mahomes type shovel pass and passed it well on the move.  He had two long runs in the game.  As a passer he likes to throw it short to the perimeter on bubble screens and quick routes.  When the game was on the line though he let it rip for a 45 yard dime for the win showing great mechanics, touch, and arm strength.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='1564728' first='Louis' last='Yohannes'] (Triad – 2025)   Yohannes was the most consistent weapon for Triad on the night.  The 6'3” wide out has good size and athleticism.  He was a playmaker with the ball in his hands taking short passes and making defenders miss in the open field for first downs.  Can be a gadget player as well and shows explosiveness in the kick return game.   WR Mac Musgrave (Triad – 2026)   Musgrave came up with the catch of the day as the 6'1” junior got vertical on a stutter route then won a jump ball in the end zone making a super acrobatic catch for the win.    RB [player_tooltip player_id='1564821' first='Jack' last='Phelps'] (Triad – 2025)   Phelps is a 6'1” 215 pound senior running back that ran it with power in between the tackles throughout the game.  He is a physical back that hits the hole hard and gets yards after initial contact by getting low and initiating the contact.  On several key runs we liked how he stuck his foot in the ground and made decisive cuts.   EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1326078' first='Owen' last='Lightner'] (Triad – 2025) & [player_tooltip player_id='1564705' first='Aiden' last='Patrick'] (Triad – 2025)   Lightner and Patrick are the playmakers of the defense for Triad.  We saw glimpses of it against Edwardsville in their week 0 scrimmage and it was more of the same in this one.  I really like both of these prospects.  Both are listed at 6'2” 210 pounds.  They are absolute playmakers.  Lightner gets in the backfield for tackles for loss and runs so well sideline to sideline.  Patrick has such a nose for the ball.  Consistently made tackles on everything on his side of the field.  Both have the ability to rush the passer as well.  Patrick closed on a nice sack getting around the tackle for a big loss.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1585247' first='Gavin' last='Dobbs'] (Triad – 2026)   Dobbs is a big and physical linebacker at 6'2” 220 pounds.  He is very quick reacting to everything.  Instinctual player that takes good angles, plays with physicality tackling, and pursues the ball well.  Flashed in pass coverage over the middle.  Best against the run at this stage.  Tools to work with here.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='403899' first='Brody' last='Hasquin'] (Triad – 2027)   Wanted to make note of Hasquin.  He will be a prospect at the QB position long term, but as a linebacker he runs really well covering a lot of ground.  The athleticism really shines through and will only help him long term as a signal caller when it is his time.   G [player_tooltip player_id='1564110' first='Landon' last='Busch'] (Triad – 2025)   Busch is a road grader in the run game.  He was seen regularly in this one pancaking his opponents or driving them well beyond the line of scrimmage blowing them off the ball opening holes for his rushers.  Thought he held up pretty well in pass protection throughout the night anchoring and mirroring when he needed.   S Pearce Goodfield (Triad – 2026)   Goodfield came up with an interception early in the contest as he was playing centerfield.  Shows good range and fluidity on the back end.  Also had another pass break up.   Mt. Zion   TE [player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] (Mt. Zion – 2026)   Anderson was the primary reason we were at this game.  He is a top 5 junior prospect in the state and one of the premier tight ends nationally in the 2026 class.  Stands at 6'7” 235 pounds towering over everyone on the field on both sides.  We watched him in warm ups closely.  Moves well for his size and has good hands.  Gets in and out of cuts with smoothness.  The game didn't go like he wanted.  We had him for 3 catches for 1 yard.  2 yard out route, -4 yards on a screen pass, and 3 yards on a short route.  He did have a catch late that he lateralled as well in their attempt to get down the field in the final seconds.  Anderson did cause pass interference penalties on jump ball attempts.  With Trimble out Anderson was doubled and tripled pretty much all night not seeing much one on one coverage at all.  He was the clear focus of the Triad defense.  They were going to make someone else beat them.  Liked what we saw out of him as a blocker.  Seemed engaged in that part of the game and had a couple nice ones opening lanes in the run game.  Defensively he plays at DE where he got after the QB a couple times and recovered a fumble.  Honestly if he focused on that side of the ball he would be a P4 defensive end.  He is that special of an athlete.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='212314' first='Jacob' last='Harvey'] (Mt. Zion – 2026)   Harvey is another intriguing junior pass catcher on this team.  The 6'2” 185 pound pass catcher has good strength and plus athletic ability.  Crisp route runner.  Can take bubble screens for big gains.  He had the biggest catch of the day for Mt. Zion going over the middle on a 3rd down and 14 making a catch for 30 yards leading to a score.  Definitely one to watch moving forward with his size, speed, and instincts.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='369201' first='Keller' last='Stocks'] (Mt. Zion – 2026)   Stocks is a 6'3” 200 pound well built quarter back.  He was at his best throwing on the move.  Seemed more comfortable out of the pocket throwing it than in it.  Did have a couple very costly turnovers where he forced passes that ended up being interceptions.  This kid can really run the ball though!  Their most consistent offense throughout the night was using the QB running the ball up the middle.  That included Mt. Zion's only touchdown of the night on a 1 yard TD run.  Showed breakaway ability and creativity on a 55 yard run to set up the game tying field goal.  The athleticism is definitely there, he can really run, and showed potential as a passer on the move.  The accuracy inside the pocket will be the next step in his development.   RT [player_tooltip player_id='1400014' first='Broden' last='Reynolds'] (Mt. Zion – 2026)   Reynolds is a right tackle in the junior class to keep an eye on as we move throughout the process.  He stands at 6'5” and 240 pounds with a great frame to be able to carry more weight and keep his mobility.  Moves very well.  Liked what we saw out of him as a pass protector using his hands and anchoring in one on one situations.  Physical at the point of attack in the run game and has a mean streak to him.  Really liked what we saw out of Reynolds and feel he is a tackle that could move up the board.   C [player_tooltip player_id='1585319' first='Luke' last='Miller'] (Mt. Zion – 2026)   Miller is a gritty 6'1” 215 pound center that gets it done with toughness and technique.  A lot of their running game was up the middle with the QB which Miller was a big part of.   RB/LB Kaiden Becker (Mt. Zion – 2025)   Becker really caught our attention on both sides of the ball.  As an outside linebacker on the defensive side of the ball the 5'11” 185 pound senior pursued the ball and got after the quarterback.  Offensively at running back he had a couple nice runs.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='278901' first='Brayden' last='Trimble'] (Mt. Zion – 2025)   Trimble is one of the top players in the senior class.  He is committed to Illinois and tells us he will be an early enrollee at mid-year.  Dealing with a high ankle sprain that kept him out of this one as he suffered it early in the first game of the season.

Friday night Prep Redzone Illinois headed to Triad to check out Mt. Zion vs Triad. It was a low scoring contest with Triad taking the lead into the half 10-0. Mt. Zion stormed back with some big plays in the second half tying the game with on a field goal with a few minutes remaining. Triad ran it, ran it, ran it, and then threw a 45 yard bomb for the win 17-10. Here we examine the players in Top Prospects: Triad vs Mt. Zion!