Preseason Preview: Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are under a month away from kickoff for the 2023 season. As the season approaches, we will be previewing some of the top programs across the state. Next up is last year's 4A IHSA State Champions, the Sacred Heart - Griffin. They are poised to defend their title with some defensive standouts and powerful offensive weapons. Let's take a deeper dive into some key starters returning for the Cyclones, as well as some other prospects who are ready to step up and take on a bigger role this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271901"],"_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":"Hagele is a true 2 way player who made a major impact on both sides of the ball for the Cyclones last year. The 5'11, 190 lbs incoming senior projects as a linebacker at the next level. He can play inside or outside and is equally as good at both. Hagele plays with a physicality and nastiness that all elite linebackers possess. He has fantastic energy and flies to the football, finishing nearly every play around the ball carrier. Hagele runs through blocks with power and shows off his plus tackling ability on multiple clips. Additionally, Hagele impressed at running back as his powerful and physical style of football translates to offense as well. In his senior season, Hagele's stock is soaring.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["179735"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWilson shined as a sophomore in his first varsity season, anchoring Sacred Heart - Griffin's defensive line. Wilson played mostly defensive end but can also walk back and play linebacker. The 6'0, 215 lbs rusher showed off impressive burst and technique. He has a quick first step and hands to match that help him defeat blocks. He can drive offensive linemen back at the snap and plays with low pad level that allows him to shed blocks and make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. As he grows into his frame and gets more varsity experience under his belt this upcoming season, Wilson is poised for a breakout junior campaign. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["271900"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Wilkin is a 6'0, 270 lbs guard who possesses the traits that every coach looks for in offensive linemen. He is strong, physical, and nasty. Wilkin plays to the whistle on every snap, never missing an opportunity to put a defensive linemen or linebacker on the ground. Wilkin has a powerful base and strong punch that allows him to drive opposing defenders backwards. He runs his feet on contact and showcases solid technique and recovery skills that maximize his leverage. Heading into his senior season, Wilkin will be a staple on the Cyclone offensive line.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Jake Kepler","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Sacred Heart - Griffin","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Kepler posted an impressive 60 tackles and 7 tackles for loss in his junior season. He has a great frame, standing at 6'4 and weighing 225. Kepler displays plus athleticism and quickness that are sure to translate to the next level. He is a surehanded tackler, using low pad level to run through ball carriers and drive them backwards with authority. He displays good bend when rushing the quarterback off the edge and plays with a high motor. Kepler is on the underrated side and should put college coaches on notice during his senior season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Josh McClain","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Sacred Heart - Griffin","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"McClain showed flashes in his junior campaign. The speedy 6'1, 170 lbs wide receiver and safety is a smooth athlete who impresses on both sides of the ball. McClain has fantastic speed. When running routes, he can out run defensive backs and stack them on quick cuts to create separation. He has soft hands and breakaway speed that make him a threat with the ball in his hand. On defense, McClain can diagnose plays quickly and isn't afraid to get downhill and make a strong tackle in the open field. He has solid technique in coverage and drives on the ball with urgency. McClain is poised for a breakout senior season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c31c64a731e"} /-->