Deadly Running Backs In Championship Contention

The playoffs roll into the 2nd round, and the weather is starting to turn here in Michigan! The run game will be even more important this week than it has all season long.    Jakoby has spent this season proving himself as one of the best running backs in our state. This dudes rare mix of speed, power and balance makes him formidable against even the stoutest defenses. Truly one of the most explosive athletes I have gotten the chance to cover. When Jakoby picks his lane, puts his foot in the ground and gets up field, defenses struggle to stop him consistently. It's well documented just how much we like him here on PRZ, but it's worth repeating just how elite he is. He set records this season for the Martians, and isn't done yet. He has led this team to the point of elite in division 4 and gives them a fighting chance regardless of opponent in this extremely deep division.     Great body of work by Brady this season! He continues to work, and it's paying off in a big way. He's bigger, faster and stronger than he has ever been and has put the mental side of the game together with his physical traits. His regular season highlights show all of these things. Right from the first highlight, he uses good vision to exploit a crease, and break it for a touchdown. Other highlights show him spinning and weaving through the line, tacklers bouncing off of him and struggling to slow him down. He has a low center of gravity and the sheer power to be a bowling ball between the tackles. The record is not indictive of how good this team is, and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right time.     Kingsley continues to be one of the strongest programs, and guys like Gavin are the motor of it all. Gavin is a 2-way star for the Stags, with great instincts and tackling ability defensively, and a versatile skillset offensively. He's a speed-in-space kind of guy, with the ability to break into the open field and make guys miss. He also gives this team a nice option to throw to as well. A few of his highlights show him sneaking out of the T formation and getting open behind the defense. I love that he is able to have that 1-2 punch with his skills. I hope to get a chance to see him play over the next few weeks!     I just got the chance to see Cedric work a couple of weeks ago, and came away really impressed. He possesses solid contact balance, good vision and the breakaway speed to gash the defense when given the slightest hole. He knows how to keep his legs churning through contact and grab some extra yardage in the process. Detroit Catholic Central is really efficient throwing the ball, and the fact that Cedric provides such a consistent source of yardage on the ground makes DCC an incredibly well rounded offense. Cedric has another big opportunity this week against a tough Brighton team.     [player_tooltip player_id='1689092' first='Bryce' last='Kish'] continues to impress. It seems like every week now, this dude is scoring multiple touchdowns and racking up crazy yardage. He's such a load to bring down at 6'4 210. He has no issue putting his shoulder down and driving his legs and leaving defenders on their backs. Once he gets a lane, he can turn up the acceleration and get up field in a hurry. He sees things well, has great natural instincts and is a grinder for those tough yards. Howell is such a matchup nightmare due to their play style and sheer power, and Kish embodies all of that. This week he has a big opportunity against an East Kentwood team that can get up and down the field with just about anyone. He will need to help his team match score for score to ensure a Howell victory.

The playoffs roll into the 2nd round, and the weather is starting to turn here in Michigan! The run game will be even more important this week than it has all season long.