10 Juniors to Watch Following 2020 Succcess
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A number of juniors saw their stocks rise in the 2020 season. They added to their high school stories with some fantastic performances. Here is a list of 10 juniors to look out for heading into next season following their…
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Continue ReadingA number of juniors saw their stocks rise in the 2020 season. They added to their high school stories with some fantastic performances. Here is a list of 10 juniors to look out for heading into next season following their success.
Devion Sheppard Devion Sheppard 6'3" | QB West Side | 2022 State NJ , West Side: Sheppard and West Side ended the season on a five-game winning streak. At quarterback, Sheppard completed 67 percent of his throws and threw for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns to one interception. Sheppard showed that he could make some plays happen on the run, and he was comfortable going deep and finding his receiving weapons. He did a great job of finding the open man all season.
Jaden Gallo, Holmdel: Gallo ran for 1,011 yards on 119 carries, scoring 14 touchdowns on the season for 6-1 Holmdel. His season-high was 252 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns against Ocean Township. He ran in four scores and accumulated 193 yards against Red Bank Regional. Gallo did a strong job of eluding defenders and finding open space.
Ryan Butler Ryan Butler 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Bergen Catholic | 2022 State NJ , Bergen Catholic: Butler showcased his talent against the state’s elite competition this season. He ran for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns, finishing with 100 yards in five of the team’s six games, including a 249-yard performance in a convincing road victory over DePaul. He also made some plays happen as a receiver, scoring three times. He finished with 309 receiving yards and scored two of his three TDs to go with 117 receiving yards in the season opener at St. Joseph (Mont.).
Zach Palmer-Smith, Delran: Palmer-Smith demonstrated the type of player he can be this season. He ran for 828 yards and 13 touchdowns on 87 carries in just four games of action. Smith did a great job of fighting off tacklers and gaining extra yardage. Smith went for 190 yards and three TDs against Cinnaminson, 304 yards and four scores against Northern Burlington, 206 yards and four TDs against Pemberton and 128 yards and two TDs against Burlington Township. He’ll be a player to watch going into his senior year.
Justin Pessoa, Clayton: Pessoa ran for 823 yards and 12 touchdowns on 120 carries in six games of action. The junior scored in every game this season. He ran for 100 yards in the first four games of the season, including performances of 189 and 169 yards. Defensively, Pessoa had 30 tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions, returning one for a TD. Pessoa showcased the type of player he can be all season, and he’ll be one to keep an eye on next year.
Jon Wyatt, St. Thomas Aquinas: Wyatt had a productive year for St. Thomas Aquinas, finishing with 24 receptions for 593 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. His 593 receiving yards was good for 11th in the state, and his eight receiving touchdowns tied for fifth in the state.
CJ Resto CJ Resto 5'10" | LB Cedar Creek | 2022 State NJ , Cedar Creek: Resto displayed his defensive prowess with 93 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was all over the field, especially in the last game of the season against Absegami, where he recorded 21 tackles and had two sacks. His 93 tackles was good for 11th in the state. At middle linebacker, Resto was certainly active all season, keeping his eyes on the quarterback’s eyes and making a bunch of pass breakups as well. He did a great job of following the ball carrier and making some powerful tackles.
Rick Rainey, Lyndhurst: Rainey made an impact in a variety of ways for Lyndhurst. As a rusher, he finished with two touchdowns, he made 23 receptions for 434 yards and another five touchdowns and on defense he had a sack, made 90 tackles and forced a fumble.
Zachary Maksimiak, Pompton Lakes: Maksimiak, a linebacker, had two sacks and made 88 tackles for a Pompton Lakes team that finished 5-3 on the year. The junior had 88 tackles, finishing the season with 13 apiece in games against Waldwick and Park Ridge.
Marcus Johnson, Woodrow Wilson: Johnson, a Power 5 Division 1 prospect, was a force on the defensive line for Woodrow Wilson. He led the state with 16 sacks. Johnson had 15 of those 16 sacks come in the first four games of the season. Johnson also recorded 43 tackles and a forced fumble. He’ll be a player to watch for a Woodrow Wilson team that finished .500 in 2020.