Jordan’s Road Trip Week 8: Taft Standouts
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In this Week 8 Matchup Jordan’s Road Trip headed out to Taft High School to watch them take on Whitney Young. The beginning of the game was going back and forth with both teams moving the ball downfield but stalling…
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Continue ReadingIn this Week 8 Matchup Jordan’s Road Trip headed out to Taft High School to watch them take on Whitney Young. The beginning of the game was going back and forth with both teams moving the ball downfield but stalling out their drives ended the 1st Quarter with a 0-0 score. This all changed in the 2nd Quarter when Whitney Young goes for a Field Goal within the 20 and it got BLOCKED. This shifted momentum into Taft’s favor which they utilized in driving down the field resulting in Ryan Porebski Ryan Porebski 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Taft | 2022 State IL (along with his O-Line) keeping feet driving to get into the endzone putting them on the board 7-0 with 6:43 left in the 2nd. Keeping this momentum, on the next drive Freshman Jaiden Padilla Jaiden Padilla 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Taft | 2025 State IL takes the rock 35 yards for a TD bringing the score to 14-0 with 2:36 left in the 2nd. With a HUGE return from Taft’s Erik Tomanek, it sets up Taft in GREAT starting field position as the 2nd Quarter is winding down. They drive downfield and are able to run a QB run with Barah Abad Barah Abad 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Taft Highschool | 2023 State IL in the final seconds of the half where he gets tackled just before the endzone from Whitney Young defenders falling inches short. Here’s where things started going into Whitney Young’s favor, starting the 3rd Quarter there was a bobbled snap from Taft which was recovered by Whitney Young giving them great starting field position. They capitalize on this with Pat McHale taking the rock into the endzone putting the Dolphins on the board, Taft 14 Whitney Young 6 with 9:01 left in the 3rd. For the rest of the 3rd Quarter, no points were scored as it turned into a defensive battle, this would change in the 4th. Taft opens up with Isaiah Cruz taking it into the endzone bringing the score to Taft 21 Whitney Young 6. Whitney Young responds with Anthony Hood Anthony Hood 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Whitney Young | 2024 State IL bringing in the deep shot for a TD bringing the score to Taft 21 Whitney Young 12. Taft decides they want to answer back, Barah Abad Barah Abad 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Taft Highschool | 2023 State IL does it himself off the option as he sprints 50 yards into the endzone bringing the score to Taft 28 Whitney Young 12 with 6:21 left in the 4th. All of these TDs were within 5 minutes of one another. Whitney Young had a chance on their final drive where they were marching down the field but ended up throwing an interception where Joshua Higgs comes away with the Interception to seal this win.
Final Score Taft 28 Whitney Young 12
# 77 Grzegorz Krupa Grzegorz Krupa 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Taft | 2023 State IL 23′ OL/DL 6’3 265 Twitter
Mr. Krupa had himself a game on the defensive side of the ball Friday Night. He filled gaps in run support by crashing the B gap and holding C gap contain throughout the game. He even would take backside pursuit angles to make the tackle on the quarterback. During passing downs, he blowed up the offensive tackle by using his hands at the point of attack resulting in pressure on the Quarterback and bringing him down for a few sacks on the night. On offense, he keeps his feet driving to create running lanes for his teammate by getting hands-on and working up to 2nd level blocks. He has an aggressive playstyle which he uses to play through the whistle on both sides of the ball. Go check out his game highlights below!
@GrzegorzKrupa5 23’ OL/DL Game Highlights 👇https://t.co/K5YNxTplkS
— Jordan Amaskane, MBA (@hddngemscouting) October 16, 2021
# 44 Ryan Porebski Ryan Porebski 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Taft | 2022 State IL 22′ RB/LB 6’2 216 Twitter
Mr. Porebski was the man of the night on the defensive side of the ball along with fellow teammate Grzegorz Krupa Grzegorz Krupa 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Taft | 2023 State IL . Once he takes his read step and diagnoses the play as a run he fills holes in run support as he attacks downhill. This young man takes on blocks head-on and has the ability to blow up plays making the tackle in the backfield. He does so by getting pressure on the quarterback, meeting the ball carrier in the backfield for a tackle for loss, and covering sideline to sideline with his closing speed. His ability to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball is greatly underrated as he’s a game-changer for Taft. On offense, he keeps his feet driving and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder as he plays through contact fighting for extra yards. Standing at 6’2 216, he has a good frame to be an inside backer at the next level and can possibly transition to defensive end during passing downs to utilize his pass rush. Go check out his game highlights below!
@PorebskiRyan 22’ RB/LB Game Highlights 👇https://t.co/X3C3HRWeFO
— Jordan Amaskane, MBA (@hddngemscouting) October 16, 2021
#2 Barah Abad Barah Abad 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Taft Highschool | 2023 State IL 23′ QB 6’1 182 Twitter
Mr. Abad is able to evade the collapsed pocket, this is seen when he rolls out to his left to extend the play. As this happens, he can do one of two actions. First being throw on the run getting the ball off under pressure or second, pulling the ball down to scramble where he’s able to make defenders miss in open space showcasing his mobility. He has the ability to put zip on the ball delivering the pass into the receiver’s basket. When he scrambles with the ball he uses his quick acceleration to get past the 2nd level of defenders and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder as he plays through the whistle. Go check out his game highlights below!
@barahabad02 23’ QB Game Highlights 👇https://t.co/tkBMTDOBPu
— Jordan Amaskane, MBA (@hddngemscouting) October 16, 2021
#3 Jaiden Padilla Jaiden Padilla 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Taft | 2025 State IL 25′ RB 5’8 170 Twitter
Mr. Padilla was a new name for me heading into this game and wow I was impressed. He’s only a Freshman already getting snaps on Varsity, with what he was able to showcase he’s going to be a name to know. Once the ball is in his hands he bursts through the line of scrimmage changing his gears quickly. As he gets towards the 2nd level, he reads his blocks well to weave in and out of the surrounding defenders. This was seen in his 35-yard TD run during Friday Night’s game. A younger player but one to pay attention to and put on your radar. Go check out his 35-yard TD run below!
@JJPadilla2025 25’ RB TD Highlight👇https://t.co/jfE1aVs2M3
— Jordan Amaskane, MBA (@hddngemscouting) October 16, 2021
#12 Erik Tomanek 23′ DB 6’4 190 Twitter
Mr. Tomanek was another new name for me heading into this contest. He fils holes in run support by playing the alley from his Safety position. He does so by attacking downhill and using his closing speed to meet the ball carrier close to the line of scrimmage resulting in a minimal gain on the play. During passing downs, he uses his closing speed to cover sideline to sideline and can take undercut routes resulting in pass deflections. He’s also used in the return game further showcasing his ability to change gears quickly as he set his team up with good starting field position throughout the night. Below is a clip of one of his returns on the night.
Erik Tomanek with the HUGE return for @TaftFootballChi
Showcasing his quick acc & change of gears 👀 pic.twitter.com/sIioKyxHvu
— Jordan Amaskane, MBA (@hddngemscouting) October 16, 2021
Notables
#76 Michael Barretto Michael Barretto 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Taft | 2023 State IL 23′ OL/DL 6’2 265 Twitter
#8 Isaiah Cruz 22′ RB/DB 5’9 165 Twitter
#1 Joshua Higgs 22′ RB/DB 5’10 195 Twitter
INT by @higgs_jj that might have sealed this one for Taft @TaftFootballChi 28 @dolphinfootball 12
1:45 left in 4th pic.twitter.com/sEurXraOOs
— Jordan Amaskane, MBA (@hddngemscouting) October 16, 2021
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Porebski Ryan Porebski 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Taft | 2022 State IL is a game-changing player
- Young up and coming talent to keep an eye on
- Plays as a team, interested to see how far they go in the playoffs
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