Big Central’s Top Underclassmen from the Liberty Silver Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A division that had three of its four teams finish as top 5-or-better playoff seeds - and where the fourth team was the first team out of the playoffs - would be considered a gauntlet. That is exactly what happened in the Big Central Conference's Liberty Silver Division last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without a doubt, such top-heavy playoff teams were flush with players making big time plays all over the field all season long. Today we break down the film of some of the top underclassmen talent from these teams and how they delivered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380410"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The Montgomery Cougars are always a team in contention. Their QB play has a big part to do with that. Last fall the 7-3 Cougars were led by the 5'10u0022 170lb junior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='380410' first='Michael' last='Schmelzer']. Schmelzer passed for 1658 yards, 21 TDs, and 8 Ints; he rushed for 256 yards and 3 TDs.rnrnSchmelzer does a nice job moving around in the pocket and resetting his feet before he launches the ball. He does this to avoid a rush and also set up throwing angles. Speaking of the rush, this signal caller has a little bit of moxie when he is working to avoid the rush. He does a great job of keeping his eyes down field when he scrambles too, always looking for the big play. These big plays are facilitated by constantly hitting his receivers in stride as well. I would love to see Schmelzer start to go through his pass progressions this upcoming season and look defenders off more.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13292941/636514f9dfd7e904f46ae0cdu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e558fb29e38"} /--> <!-- 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":"Brayden Kelley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_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_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Watchung Hills","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Breaking up pass plays makes you a thorn in an opponent's side. When you do it as a sophomore, it is kind of a big deal. This is what Watchung Hill's Brayden Kelley does for the Warriors. Coming in at 5'9u0022 143lbs, during his debut season he registered 37 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 FR, 2 Ints, and a whopping u003cemu003e13 u003c/emu003epass breakups. He also returned a total of 20 kicks for 352 yards. Kelley plays lacrosse for the Warriors too.rnrnI was immediately impressed with his discipline. Kelley is disciplined in both his eyes and commitment to playing the defensive scheme. He maintains his zone when conflicting concepts come at him and against RPOs. He has timely breaks on the ball when it is released and will wiggle past blockers along the perimeter. He has played skate cover 3, man-to-man, and back-to-defense double team techniques.  Kelley is a pesky defender. He will play for the tip drill and pass breakup, living for another down.rnrnI really hope Kelley moved out of his parents and into the Warriors weight room this winter. Pounding the weights will only make him more dynamic defender and be a more forceful tackler going into his Junior year.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16392463/6362d58196765006943142dfu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e558fb29f51"} /--> <!-- 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":"Josue Cardoba","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Plainfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"If you are a fan of great d-line play and have not watched Josue Cardoba's film yet, do yourself a favor and please do. Cardoba really improved his stock during his junior campaign. With the size (6'4u0022 270lbs) to play at any level, he had an active season to go along with it. In 2022 he made 75 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 Int, 1 pass breakup, 2 FF, and 1 FR.rnrnFirst thing I noticed was his quick get off. Lining up in the middle he does a great job reacting to movement - whether it be the ball or someone in his peripheral. This twitchiness is matched with excellent block recognition, which turns into always being around the ball. He has a good feel when pass rushing too, specifically sniffing out the screen game.rnrnAs a DT coach myself, this is a kid I would love to coach. With his activeness, as he gets stronger and stronger and begins to strain and separate nobody will be able to run the ball between the tackles. After a monster junior year for the Plainfield Cardinals, Cardoba should be priority #1 for offensive lines in 2023.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14812229/633a6bb734488805c87d15b4u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e558fb2a04b"} /--> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='668398' first='Tyler' last='Anderson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Hunterdon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The North Hunterdon Lions improved by 6 wins last fall to an 11-2 record. Much of there defensive success could be tied to the 6 foot, 185 lb defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='668398' first='Tyler' last='Anderson']. Anderson, who also plays baseball, registered 68 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 Int, and blocked two punts. He also contributed on offense with 11 carries for 83 yards and 9 catches for 221 yards and 2 TDs.rnrnAfter watching his film, if I had to guess what position Anderson player in baseball I would say Center Fielder - because this kid has got some range. From his safety position, on a rollout play away from him, he came from the other side of the field to pick the ball off. If receivers come across the middle open, he knows how to lower his shoulder and deliver a clean rib shot they won't forget. I also noticed him rolled down in cover 3 playing near the LOS. He actually looked really comfortable there as well. One thing I think will help Anderson going into his senior year is to get his hips loose. This will increase his fluidity and make him even more of a ballhawk as a senior.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14838035/6384039c2aa6640534703e9bu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e558fb2a1d2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378556"],"_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_0_evaluation":"When [player_tooltip player_id='380410' first='Michael' last='Schmelzer'] throws it up, chances are he is targeting his 6'0u0022 161lb fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='378556' first='Matthew' last='Davino']. There's also a good shot Davino comes down with the ball too. This two-sport (basketball) athlete went 57/1053/14 in 2022, while he added a total of 27 returns for 549 yards and converted one 2-point play as well.rnrnDavino's basketball skills translate to the football field as well. He has shown a propensity to highpoint the ball when it is in the air. I have only seen him line up as an outside receiver, where he is typically the one to win 50/50 vertical jump balls thrown his way. Davino will become more dynamic and perhaps get some looks in the slot as his release improves.rnrnSomething tells me Schmelzer and Davino have been playing pitch and catch for a long time already.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14936198/636ec2754205d607741d9291u0022u003eHudlu003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e558fb2a0e6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->