Jordan's Notebook: 3A X Factors Heading into Round 3

This week we're heading into Round 3 of the IHSA Playoffs, with that being said we're going to be taking a look at X Factors to keep an eye on for each team. This is going to run through 8A-1A football and showcase one player per team that, if having a good game, gives their team a good chance of winning. With that being said, let's dive into it. <hr /> Reed-Custer @ Byron Elliot Cassem 6'1 210 22' RB <a href="https://twitter.com/elliot_cassem">Twitter</a> Mr. Cassem is an N/S runner that bursts through the line of scrimmage and can blow by the 2nd level of defenders. When he's in open space, he weaves in and out of defenders as he finds his way into the endzone. This young man isn't afraid to lower his shoulder to play through contact and keeps his feet driving to break weak arm tackles. Current Highlights are private due to Playoffs, here's his Hudl Profile to view updated film once they're over: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11479062/Elliot-Cassem/highlights">Hudl Profile</a> [player_tooltip player_id="155137" first="Chandler" last="Binkley"] 5'10 175 22' RB <a href="https://twitter.com/ChandlerBinkley">Twitter</a> Mr. Binkley is an N/S runner that has a quick initial burst through the line of scrimmage, he uses this to gain a step on the 2nd level of defenders. Upon doing so, he weaves in and out of defenders while reading his blocks out of the double-wing offense. In the air attack, he's able to win over the top by being quick off the line of scrimmage and gets upfield once securing the catch. It'll be a battle of the backs in this contest. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11593362/61776e994797b3052c677913">Regular Season Highlights</a> Princeton @ IC Catholic Prep [player_tooltip player_id="155417" first="Drew" last="Harp"] 5'11 205 22' LB <a href="https://twitter.com/DrewHarp8">Twitter</a> Mr. Harp fills holes in run support where he can meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage resulting in no gain on the play. He can get off blocks to make the tackle, he's able to do so with his read step. His read step consists of him loading his hips by leaning forward upon the snap of the ball, this puts him in a position to accelerate quickly out of his stance to cover ground quickly thus resulting in being a run-stopping line backer. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12406348/617759824ba9820e3c83ac4f">Regular Season Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="155408" first="Connor" last="McCoy"] 6'3 195 22' DL <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorMcCoy03">Twitter</a> Mr. McCoy has a quick first step off the ball, he uses this to get pressure on the quarterback and get in the backfield to make the play. resulting in TFLs. He does so by using his hands at the point of attack while shooting the gaps which puts him in a position to make the tackle on the play. If the opposing offense runs a half-back screen play, this young man does a good job of sniffing it out and attacks resulting in a TFL or PBU. If the play is going away from him, he takes backside pursuit and covers ground quickly to make the tackle for little to no gain on the play. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11168676/6158e109e985510d8ce425c5">Week 4 & 6 Highlights</a> Williamsville @ Tolono Unity [player_tooltip player_id="157981" first="Ethan" last="Hinds"] 6'2 190 23' WR <a href="https://twitter.com/ethan_hinds1">Twitter</a> Mr. Hinds is quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to stack the defender and win over the top of the defense. Upon securing the catch, he gets upfield quickly weaving in and out of defenders as well as making defenders miss in open space showcasing his elusiveness. He can make the catch in traffic and can show his hands quickly when running RPOs for the quick strike. This young man has the ability to break big plays on any given down, one to keep an eye on in this contest. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12901821/6164c1cd041f4004e8f265ac">Week 4-7 Highlights</a> Blake Kimball 22' QB <a href="https://twitter.com/blakekimball_">Twitter</a> Mr. Kimball gets the ball off under pressure finding his man downfield for the completion. He makes level 3 throws where he adds a touch on the deep ball and puts the ball in the receiver's basket. This dual-threat quarterback runs the option, when keeping the ball he has a quick initial burst through the line of scrimmage and outruns the 2nd level of defenders. He weaves in and out of defenders for a big gain on the play, one of these in his highlights results in a touchdown at the beginning of his highlight. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13943108/6179febebee0f606c477deeb">Regular Season Highlights</a> Benton @ Mt. Carmel [player_tooltip player_id="65707" first="Keegan" last="Glover"] 6'1 175 22' QB <a href="https://twitter.com/GloverKeegan">Twitter</a> Mr. Glover makes level 1, level 2, and level 3 throws where he can either add zip on the ball or put a touch on it all resulting in the ball being put in the receiver's basket. He gets the ball off under pressure and can extend plays, when extending plays he makes something out of nothing. If there's nobody open downfield, he can pull the ball down to scramble where he weaves in and out of defenders as well as making defenders miss in open space showcasing his elusiveness. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10581963/6138cea2bed6e0082498f7d1">Regular Season Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="132936" first="Blayne" last="Sisson"] 6'2 175 24' ATH <a href="https://twitter.com/BlayneSisson">Twitter</a> Mr. Sisson runs quarterback design runs as well as the option, both of which he bursts through the line of scrimmage and reads his blocks in open space. Upon doing so, he blows by the 2nd level of defenders. This young man has the vision to see cutback lanes where he then reverses the field for a big gain on the play and makes defenders miss in open space showcasing his elusiveness. He also keeps his feet driving breaking arm tackles in the process as he plays through the whistle. His main position is wide receiver, switching to quarterback this season you see his receiving skillset transition here. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15122563/61774d3e15f5840b6892b9fa">Regular Season Highlights</a> <hr /> Be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZJordan">@PRZJordan</a> regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/prepredzoneIL">@PrepRedzoneIL</a>. Want to be ranked? Fill out our FREE <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/">Prospect Player Index</a>, another tool to help you in your recruiting journey.