Nine Prospects Who Stood Out: Natchez Holds Off Ridgeland

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code shedrick30</strong> <strong>at Checkout!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natchez stayed unbeaten Friday night, but this was one of those games where I came away with several names from both teams I want to keep watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs improved to <strong>5-0</strong> with a hard-fought <strong>34-28 win over Ridgeland</strong>, and there were plenty of individual performances on both sidelines that caught my attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kameron Morgan</strong> continued his strong start at quarterback. Morgan completed <strong>6 of 13 passes for 142 yards</strong> and rushed <strong>12 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then there was <strong>C.J. Ferguson</strong>, who may have been the most versatile player on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ferguson caught <strong>four passes for 79 yards</strong>, rushed <strong>five times for 57 yards</strong> and returned <strong>two kicks for 95 yards</strong>. The 5-foot-7, 160-pound playmaker finished with <strong>231 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridgeland had plenty of success of its own, especially on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonathan Heningburg</strong> rushed for <strong>142 yards and two touchdowns</strong>, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853637' first='Ashton' last='Gorden']</strong> finished with <strong>168 rushing yards at 7.6 yards per carry</strong>. The two combined for more than 300 rushing yards and kept pressure on the Natchez defense throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That made some of the defensive production from Natchez stand out even more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jafaria Woods</strong> finished with <strong>14 tackles and a sack</strong>, while <strong>Anthony Givens Jr.</strong> added <strong>13 tackles</strong>. In the secondary, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2418288' first='Kentrell' last='Washington']</strong> recorded <strong>eight tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hybrid safety <strong>Candamion Hawkins</strong> was another Bulldog who filled up the stat sheet. Hawkins finished with <strong>10 tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass defended, one blocked punt and one fumble recovery</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridgeland linebacker <strong>Nick Fleming</strong> also had a productive night with <strong>seven tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natchez made enough plays to finish the job and stay unbeaten, but this game gave me several players worth taking a closer look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Natchez Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":2417842,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kameron Morgan","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Natchez","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93451cf12b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morgan is a playmaker I really like because he can create when things don't go exactly as planned. He looks comfortable throwing on the move, can escape pressure and has the speed to hurt defenses with his legs. <strong>Also</strong>, he's athletic enough to line up at safety and help on defense. Morgan is averaging <strong>129.6 passing yards and 93.6 rushing yards per game with 16 total touchdowns</strong>. He's a 2027 prospect I want to keep watching.</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":2417843,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"C.J. Ferguson","_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":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_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":"Natchez","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93451cf1f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ferguson is one of the guys who really caught my eye in this game. He's quick, has good burst and doesn't need much room to make something happen with the football. <strong>Plus</strong>, he gives Natchez value as a receiver, runner and returner. Ferguson had <strong>231 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns</strong> against Ridgeland and now has <strong>526 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns</strong> this season.</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":"Jafaria Woods","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"5926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Natchez","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93a0c86b05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Woods is a big defensive lineman who moves pretty well for his size. He's physical at the point of attack, gets off blocks and plays with a good motor. <strong>For me</strong>, 14 tackles from a 248-pound defensive lineman jumps off the stat sheet. Woods also had a sack against Ridgeland and now has <strong>46 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery</strong> this season</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":"Anthony Givens Jr. ","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Natchez","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93a0c86b68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Givens is an active, physical linebacker who always seems to be around the football. He reads the run well, gets downhill and does a good job finishing tackles. <strong>Right now</strong>, I like how consistently he finds the football. Givens had <strong>13 tackles against Ridgeland</strong> and is averaging <strong>10.6 tackles per game with seven tackles for loss</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2418288"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aba6999902bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washington is a defensive back I really like because he's consistently around the football. At 6-foot-2, he has good length in coverage, closes well and isn't afraid to come downhill and make a tackle. <strong>Plus</strong>, his ball production stands out. Washington has <strong>28 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble</strong> this season after finishing with <strong>eight tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble</strong> against Ridgeland</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":"Candamion Hawkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Natchez","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aba69999036f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hawkins is a hybrid safety I like because he can impact the game in several ways. At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, he plays downhill, gets involved against the run and has the ability to make plays around the football. <strong>Also</strong>, he brings value on special teams. Hawkins had <strong>10 tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass defended, one blocked punt and one fumble recovery</strong> against Ridgeland. On the season, he has <strong>23 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, one blocked punt and one fumble recovery</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridgeland Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Jonathan Heningburg","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridgeland","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93a0c86bb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heningburg is a physical runner who gets downhill and makes defenders work to bring him down. He has good balance, keeps his legs moving and picks up extra yards through contact. <strong>Also</strong>, he showed against Natchez that he can handle a good workload and still produce against a physical front. Heningburg finished with <strong>142 yards and two touchdowns</strong> and now has <strong>540 rushing yards and four touchdowns</strong> this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853637"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93a0c86bec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gorden is a versatile back with some juice once he gets into space. He has good burst through the hole, gets north quickly and has enough speed to create bigger plays. <strong>Plus</strong>, he can impact the game in more ways than just carrying the football. Gorden rushed for <strong>168 yards at 7.6 yards per carry</strong> against Natchez and now has <strong>850 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns</strong> this season.</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":"Nick Fleming","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridgeland","_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab93a0c86c46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fleming is an active linebacker who plays fast and isn't afraid to mix it up. He gets downhill and does a nice job attacking the line of scrimmage. <strong>For me</strong>, his ability to make plays in the backfield catches my attention. Fleming had <strong>seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack</strong> against Natchez and now has <strong>43 tackles, seven TFLs and one sack</strong> this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natchez got the win, but I came away liking players on both sidelines. All seven gave me something worth going back to watch, and I'll be checking in on them again as the season moves along.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->