Playoff Preview: Pine Tree v A&M Consolidated, Players to Watch
This time last year the matchup was the same but the setup was reversed as Consolidated hosted, and beat Pine Tree in the Bi-District round. Coming off a strong 2020 campaign, the Pirates finished 8-1-1 and earned the advantage of hosting the rematch. Here are some key players to keep an eye on for both squads, as this promises to be a highly entertaining shootout to kick off the 5A, Division II Texas State Playoffs.
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Pine Tree Pirates</strong></span></p>
<img class="wp-image-73371 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/umass-dartmouth.200.png" alt="" width="89" height="89" />
<strong style="font-size: 1rem;">DJ Freeman (QB - 2021) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ejad9">Season Finale Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Not the first time I have shared about this young man, and won't be the last. Freeman finished the year with 19 touchdown passes and another seven on the ground. Size doesn't matter with kids like DJ, he has no problem getting the ball out of the pocket with his high release and use of throwing lanes, or rolling out to allow space to operate. When he rolls out the defense is absolutely in shambles bc he is an assign with his are, but runs a blazing 4.3 - 40 that slashes defenses to pieces on the ground. Several schools are after Freeman, but as the playoffs startup, even more eyes will be on this talented QB.</p>
<strong>Tyler Sheffield (RB - 2021) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eja9F">Season Finale Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Sheffield is a nonsense type runner, you may get one or two cuts but he is looking to get the ball up the field and put pressure on the defense. Finished the season with 10 touchdowns and just under 1000 yards, but as many weapons as the Pirates have on offense, these are even more impressive numbers. Something you see on tape that's not on the stat sheet is Sheffield's ability and willingness to block and blitz pickup. For a small back, he brings some pop when he blocks, and defenders shouldn't attempt to arm tackle him.</p>
<strong>Ethan Morgan (RB -2022) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZzXV">Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">The underclassman of this talented backfield provides a nice one-two punch to any defense. Morgan added 6 touchdowns and 687 yards rushing for the Pirates in the regular season. Morgan is shifty with good vision and patients, but like his counterparts, he knows when to hit the gas and go all the way. The future of Pine Tree is bright with skill players like Morgan returning next year.</p>
<strong>Keelan Turner (WR-2021) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EhyEW">Took it to the House</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Pine Tree's deep threat all year has a knack for big plays, thanks to great hands and special speed. Turner's average per catch was 25 yards! With so much talent in the backfield, it's almost not fair to have this kind of burner on the outside. Turner runs clean routes and has soft hands, at some point tonight I would be willing to bet he makes a huge play.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong> A&M Consolidated Tigers<img class=" wp-image-73156 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/occidental.200.png" alt="" width="93" height="93" /> </strong></span></p>
<strong>Sutton Lake (RB/WR/ATH - 2021) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EShBy">Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Rushing and receiving, it doesn't matter to Lake, all he does is make plays. This young man is <span style="font-size: 1rem;">a human highlight reel with so much versatility. Possibly the best offensive athlete, the coaches do a great job of manufacturing creative ways to get the ball in his hands. He runs a sub 4.3 - 40 and is just such a tough and smart player... all defensive game plans start with figuring out how to slow down #9.</span></p>
<strong>Eric Goodman (DE - 2021) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ecc43">Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">This Tarleton State University commit is an absolute beast on a nasty defense for Consol. Great explosive ability and a violent finisher, you don't see many slip away from Goodman. Smart and athletic to drop back in zone coverage, or just pin his ears back and destroy quarterbacks, blockers and ball carriers beware, Goodman is the real deal.</p>
<strong>Jaden Thomas (LB/DE - 2022) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2ERCCU"> 2020 Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Thomas has great upper body strength with a nasty bull rush to boot. His ability to shed blockers with ease combined with great closing speed is a joy to watch unless you're on the opposing sidelines. This underclassman also lines up at LB and can cover great with excellent vision and speed to make plays from sideline to sideline.</p>
<strong>Quan Williams (SS/WR - 2021) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EcAZ4">Highlights</a></strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Turnovers Williams should be this young man's name, he is responsible for 8 this year by himself. Tough safety can support in the run game and special teams, but also has 5 INTs in pass defense to go along with his 2 forced fumbles and one recovery. High motor and great speed make no play out of reach for this defense.</p>
There are great players on both sides of the ball, but this matchup is definitely strength v strength as Pine Tree's lethal offense just came off a week of scoring 70 through three quarters. All that firepower going against a Tiger defense loaded with talent that's shoutout three teams this year and stingy against most other teams... somethings got to give.
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