Gainesville Football’s Top Returners For The 2021 Season
Gainesville High School, which typically does not get the credit that it deserves when discussing their football program post Deshaun Watson, has had it’s fair share of success over the past few years, and has always managed to compete against…
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Continue ReadingGainesville High School, which typically does not get the credit that it deserves when discussing their football program post Deshaun Watson, has had it’s fair share of success over the past few years, and has always managed to compete against some of the better teams in the state, even if this results in an early playoff exit. Over the past few years, Gainesville has seen their football team lose in the first round multiple times. in 2018, they fell to Creekside 47-12, and by the time 2019 rolled around, they lost 49-7 to Allatoona. This past season, in 2020, they lost to Archer in a bit of a closer game, that resulted in a final score of 21-14. This season, as many could expect, the Red Elephants will be looking to avenge their previous losses, and advance even further in the playoffs than they have. In 2021, you can expect multiple returners to take on this task, including some of the young prospects that we have listed below.
Baxter Wright- QB
Standing at 6’2, 160, Wright will likely be the leader of the team next season, and will certainly hope to use his strengths to bring the team past the first round of the playoffs. Not only does he have a tall, and upright frame, but he has great length to his body, and in his release, even when he is off balance. This helps him to be able to make off platform throws. With this, Wright also has decent arm strength and displays some accuracy in his ball placement as well. Perhaps what makes him a valuable asset to his team is his ability to be a dual threat, and to keep defenses on their toes due to his ability to make amazing plays with his legs. This opens up the offense in various ways, and also helps his receivers to be in good position to make game changing receptions. While we do what to see him improve in his footwork and release, we also believe that it is good enough to win his team games at the level they are at. In order to take his game to the next level though, Wright will want to work on each of these things, and should also look to improve his throwing mechanics, and how he squares his shoulders.
Elias Ballard- CB/ WR
Even though Ballard is listed as primarily being a receiver, we think Ballard is a better CB for his team than he is a WR. While we do not discredit his ability to get open, set up good blocks, and make catches for the offense, we also recognize that he does a better job of getting his hands dirty, and making contact with opposing players. On defense, he plays with an aggressive mindset, and uses his hands well, helping him to extend his arm cleanly as well. With this, while he is a bit smaller for his position, he allows for his short area quickness and feet to make up for this. While we would still like to see him use better technique with his feet, he does an okay job of piecing things together at times. Ballard also does a good job of sticking to his man in coverage, but he certainly needs to work on adding size to his frame, and strength as well. If he can do this, it will help the fact that he can be out-leveraged at times.
Qua Coley- DE
What is most fun about watching tape on Qua Coley is his raw talent, and his ability to play football at a very high level. While there are inconsistencies in his overall ability to play his position, he does show flashes of being able to use decent movement skills, which allows him to move around the football field well and make tackles in pursuit, and in the backfield. Along with this, Coley plays with a good motor, and this is evident by the tackles he makes downfield. Because of this, and the fact that he plays well off of the line when ball carriers make their way around the edge, it can be assumed that he is very coach-able due to his ability to play disciplined football. Coley also does a good job of finishing tackles, and wrapping up. Next season, to take his game to the next level, we would like to see him increase in his speed, and his ability to move his feet more quickly. This will help him as he attempts to take better angles on some of his tackles as well.
DJ Miller- WR
Miller, who is a bit of a bigger bodied WR than Ballard, does an okay job of using leverage to separate from defenders when running routes. This is necessary due to the fact that he is not overly fast, and because he has a harder time getting open on routes with his footwork and speed. Regardless, when he does put himself in place to make catches, he is a good hands catcher, and catches the ball well in various angles. Due to this, it can be assumed that he tracks the ball well with his eyes. In order to improve as a receiver, he would need to work on speed drills, and fluidity in his movement skills. At this point of time, he moves a bit stiffly, which holds him back at times. Despite this, he can certainly be a great player, he just needs to develop a bit more.