X3 Impact 7v7 Practice: Top 18U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a multitude of talented rising stars at Battle Ground Academy this past Sunday as X3 Impact held practice for their 12U, 14U, 15U, and 18U squads. After catching all of the action last Sunday afternoon, it's time to breakdown some of the top prospects from each group that shined during their time on the field. To conclude my coverage, here's my list of the top performers from the 18U division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932897"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69851b68abcd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Establishing himself at the helm of the offense was [player_tooltip player_id='932897' first='Ayden' last='Spellings'], a quarterback at Henry County High School. Spellings was on fire from start to finish, proving his ability to remain composed under pressure and consistently get the ball into the hands of his receivers. On top of great arm strength, Spellings showcased outstanding deep passing as he could quickly find an open man in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187596"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69851b68abd44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='1187596' first='Christian' last='Gentry'], a defensive back/athlete at Gallatin High School. Gentry was highly explosive down the stretch, using his speed and catching ability to haul in a really impressive deep pass. I also liked how Gentry hustled after the catch, using his versatile edge to juke out the defense and take it all the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657131"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69851b68abd93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another talented playmaker to catch my attention was [player_tooltip player_id='1657131' first='J.R.' last='French'], a defensive back/running back at Beech High School. French was really impressive in the backfield, using his electric speed off the snap to provide efficient cover on receivers. On top of shutting down passing lanes, I liked how French could read the offense like a book.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595502"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69851b68abddf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Also standing out defensively was [player_tooltip player_id='1595502' first='K'Saun' last='Barksdale'], an athlete at Gallatin High School. Barksdale made a huge difference defensively last Sunday, using his size and wingspan to cause issues for the 18U offense. Barksdale did an excellent job of using his arms to swat the pass, elevating off the ground to reach the ball before receivers.</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":"Tristan Andrelski","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Liberty Creek","_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69851b68abe9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another prospect worth mentioning is Tristan Andrelski, a wide receiver at Liberty Creek High School. Andrelski caught my attention with his outstanding size and speed down the stretch. I also really liked how Andrelski utilized his physicality to combat the defense. Another facet of Andrelski's playstyle that impressed was his strong catching ability, proving his ability to quickly get open for the deep pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->