Week 0 Top overall performers at the West Ottawa scrimmage

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason scrimmages signify the end of summer and the official start of competition. I made it out to West Ottawa HS in Holland, MI to watch West Ottawa, Kalamazoo Central, Reeths Puffer, Grand Rapids Christian, Muskegon and Cedar Springs battle it out! Below are some players that had some really good season opening performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Be sure to follow me on Twitter for access to all of my coverage on the Michigan High School football scene!</em></strong>&nbsp;<strong><em>Essa Kellah, @ CoachKNoDuke</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339981"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2339984,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a89a90ced196"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob was a disruptive force all evening, standing at 6'4 290 pounds that's not hard to believe at all. Watkins plays on the interior of the D line where he did a great job showcasing his high motor coming out of multiple techniques. He has good natural strength and athleticism, which he continuously used to slant and beat down blocking offensive lineman trying to reach and redirect him. He had a party in the backfield with multiple TFL's and pressures that may have turned into sacks with a longer whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2150975"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2339988,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a89a6fc4f1d7"} --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2339988,"width":"189px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7500176640994842","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/IMG_7243-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2339988" style="aspect-ratio:0.7500176640994842;width:189px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3 go getter had himself a good day showcasing his overall abilities at the wide receiver position. Brieon Did a lot of damage playing as the backside X receiver, punishing coaches and DBs that tried to play him 1 on 1. He scored several touchdowns from different distances, shaking free from defenders on short to intermediate routes and head tapping guys downfield on fade routes. Walton was having his way with his matchups more often than not.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339991"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2339992,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a89a6fc4f224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanders was one of the best overall athletes in attendance. He is not a bulky RB but really showed his willingness to get downhill. Once he reached the LOS, he showed great contact balance and burst to bounce off of tacklers much bigger than him. What he may lack in size he made up for in speed, acceleration and shiftiness. All of that was on display as he had a really nice run that he took to the crib from 35 yards out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2340002"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2341735,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a89a6fc4f26b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buford has an imposing build and he knows how to use it, he and his wingspan were a force to be reckoned with all evening. Jeramy did a great job of setting the edge and funneling everything back inside for his defense on outside rush attempts. He also showed his ability to crash down hard off the edge to make a play at the Line of scrimmage. Buford made plays in the backfield as well coming away with a multitude of TFLs. That number may have been even higher if not for the multiple holding penalties he drew from his relentless pursuit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["411665"],"_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-6a89a6fc4f2af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mayes was a work horse for his Kalamazoo Central offense. The 210 pound bruiser tried to punish any defender he seen in front of him. With his build and veracity, he is able to create holes for himself at the line of scrimmage that might not initially be there. He is most certainly a downhill RB, but I was impressed with his ability to bounce runs to the outside and break one on one tackles out in space. As he was able to take one to the house from the 20 yards out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2340091"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2340094,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a89a6fc4f2ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matthews was just a big play waiting to happen in every scrimmage! His versatility was evident as he was able to make splash plays through the air with his hands and on the ground with his feet. Jamir is agile and has very good ball carrier vision. His explosive plays included two 30+ yard TD runs off a pitch and jet sweep respectively and a 30 yard bomb that he tracked over his shoulder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2255068"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2340120,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a89a6fc4f331"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jamichael is as reliable of a receiver as they come nowadays. He did a great job showcasing two things, his ability to consistently fight through contact to get open, and strong, solid hands at the point of attack. He is smooth and can work his way through different coverages to get to his spots. His fluidity also lends to his ability to gain yards after catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stay tuned for additional coverage of pre season scrimmages around the state!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->