Cleveland vs. Clayton – Offensive Standouts
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I was on the sidelines for the conference championship game. The Week 11 matchup between ranked and undefeated Cleveland and surging Clayton. The game was a battle during the first half and Cleveland exerted its dominance in the second half…
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Continue ReadingI was on the sidelines for the conference championship game. The Week 11 matchup between ranked and undefeated Cleveland and surging Clayton. The game was a battle during the first half and Cleveland exerted its dominance in the second half to take control of the game. Cleveland finished the regular season undefeated and won the conference crown. The listed players performances caught my attention throughout the game.
Cleveland
Jackson Byrd Jackson Byrd 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2025 State NC – QB, 5’11” 175 (No. 5 QB, No. 30 Overall). Jackson displayed accuracy on his short and medium range passes. He is a dual threat quarterback who is an offensive threat as a passer and as a runner. He keeps the defense guessing with a combination of passing and running plays. Jackson completed 16 of 33 passes for 299 yards and 3 TDs. He had 12 carries for 105 yards and 2 TDs. The recruiting interest is expected to start for him.
Anthony Greene – RB, 5’8″ 175. Anthony displayed good balance and vision while running inside for tough yardage. He had 10 carries for 18 yards and 2 TDs.
Jashawn Middleton Jashawn Middleton 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NC – WR, 6’1″ 170 (No. 10 WR, No. 92 Overall). Jashawn ran good pass routes and good separation from defenders to makes catches. He was difficult to defend in man-coverage. Jashawn had 7 receptions for 159 yards and 3 TDs. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for him.
Landon Inscoe Landon Inscoe 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Cleveland | 2024 State NC – WR, 5’11” 170. Landon ran good pass routes and separation from defenders to make catches. He had 5 receptions for 55 yards.
Ceejay Hargrove – WR, 6’0″ 150. Ceejay ran good pass routes and separation from defenders to make catches. He had 2 receptions for 70 yards.
Nathan Holland – C, 5’10” 200. Nathan displayed good technique and footwork to control defenders. He was quick out of his stance to drive-block defenders out of the play. Nathan displayed a solid base while protecting the quarterback on passing plays.
Kesean Patterson – G, 6’1″ 315. Kesean displayed good technique and footwork to control defenders. He used quickness and upper body strength to drive-block defenders out of the play. Kesean displayed a solid base while protecting the quarterback on passing plays. The recruiting interest should start for him.
Kedar Mangum Kedar Mangum 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Cleveland | 2024 State NC – T, 6’3″ 285 (No. 13 OL, No. 108 Overall). Kedar displayed good footwork and technique to control defenders. He used quickness and upper body strength to drive-block defenders out of the play. Kedar is the anchor of the offensive line. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for him.
Cleveland’s offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the second half.
Clayton
Hugh Collins Hugh Collins 6'1" | 215 lbs | QB Clayton | 2023 State NC – QB, 6’1″ 200. He displayed patience in the pocket while under pressure. He delivered accurate short and medium range passes on target to receivers. He displayed leadership in directing the offense throughout the game. Hugh will continue to improve his skillset as he gains game experience.
Nehemiah Smith Nehemiah Smith 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Clayton | 2023 State NC – RB, 5’10” 165 (No. 30 RB, No. 214 Overall). Nehemiah displayed good balance and vision while running inside for tough yardage. He displayed patience while following blockers looking for an opening to accelerate past defenders in the open field. The recruiting interest should start up for him.
Nadir Simmons – RB, 6’0″ 205 (No. 31 RB, No. 215 Overall). Nadir displayed balance while running inside for tough yards. He is power runner who does not go down after initial contact is made. The recruiting interest should start up for him.
Mason Ketchie – C, 6’3″ 245. Mason displayed good technique and footwork to control defenders. He displayed good quickness out of his stance to make contact with defenders. Mason displayed a solid base while protecting the quarterback on passing plays.
Will Chalk Will Chalk 6'2" | 230 lbs | OL Clayton | 2024 State NC – T, 6’1″ 230. Will displayed good technique and footwork to control defenders. He displayed quickness and upper body strength while opening lanes for the running backs.
Zach Klingenbeck Zach Klingenbeck 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Clayton | 2023 State NC – T, 6’5″ 305 (No. 39 OL, No. 269 Overall). Zach displayed good technique and footwork to control defenders. He displayed quickness and upper body strength while opening lanes for the running backs. Zach is one of the leaders on the offensive line. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for him.
Will Coats Will Coats 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Clayton | 2023 State NC – T, 6’4″ 285 (No. 11 OL, No. 91 Overall). Will displayed good technique and good footwork to control defenders. He displayed quickness and upper body strength while opening lanes for the running backs. Will is the anchor of the offensive line. Will has been receiving a lot of interest from Power5 and D1 schools.