Official Richmond 8th Grade FBU National Championship Preview

<strong>Get Familiar:</strong> In just its second year participating in the FBU National Championship tournament, this Richmond team is very, very intriguing. Their 8^th grade team had a successful run a year ago in it’s tournament debut, but those kids are now off to the high school ranks and it’s time for a new group to raise the bar. Team Director Dave Bickel has this program headed in the right direction and has put together a very promising group of 8^th graders. In Virginia some counties allow 8^th graders to play JV so there should be a lot of players with experience against older athletes, which could turn out to be a blessing against some of the traditional powerhouses. <strong>How they’ll light it up: </strong>Look for Richmond to run a variation of the spread offense with the caveat being that this spread offense—will be run first. They feel they have a very talented group of skill guys and an offensive line that will allow them to dictate how they game will play out. The confidence in their offensive line is high and they look forward to flexing to a power run game if necessary. Furthermore, Richmond feels like they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country under center and his play will be the catalyst for success. <strong>How they’ll shut it down:</strong> Coaches were not shy in saying that they plan to bring chaos and pressure throughout the tournament. They’re going to be bringing so many players that offenses won’t know where they’re coming from. Look for them to bounce between a 4-4 to a 4-3 and even a 4-2 depending on what packages they run. They think their defensive line and linebackers will be the strength and allow them to be creative defensively. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mt. Rushmore</strong></span> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-232669 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/SaeedWilliams-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Saeed Williams | Quarterback</strong> In the running for the best 8^th grade quarterback in the class at this point. Standing 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds of chiseled muscle, Williams is a must-see attraction at QB1 for this team. He has all the tools to be a dominant player with elite speed, a cannon for an arm and he’s already squatting over 300 pounds. Expect him to leave people talking about the type of player he is and the future he could have. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-232671 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/MarkelDabney-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Markell Dabney | Running Back</strong> At 6-foot and 210 pounds, Dabney is a thick running back who rumbles his way to touchdowns with ease. Just in the 8^th grade at Life Christian Academy, he received his first scholarship offer back in September from Pitt. He has a stout build with good height and overall bulk. Has elite ability at lowering his pad level at the point of contact and limiting the target defenses have to aim at. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-232674 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/LandonSnyder-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Landon Synder | Linebacker</strong> The leader on defense for Richmond will be Snyder. He played in the tournament last year and was one of the most productive players on the field at all times. Went off to Top Gun this past summer and was one of the linebacker MVPs out of those 1,500-athlete camp. Played JV this year and cemented himself as one of the brightest young stars in the state due to his sure tackling skills. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-232675 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/BradySakowitz-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brady Sakowitz | Offensive Line</strong> They don’t come much bigger in the 8^th grade than 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds of Brady Sakowitz. Look for Sakowitz to anchor the offensive line while playing right tackle for Team Richmond. This past season he played JV for Trinity Episcopal School and gained invaluable experience playing against some older competition. I fully expect him to rise to the occasion in this tournament, while adapting to some of the speed he will see coming off the edge. <strong><u>Offensive Ballers to Know</u></strong> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Ben Whitver | Wide Receiver</strong></li> <li><strong>Brice Lombardo | Offensive Line</strong></li> <li><strong>Andre Clark | Wide Receiver </strong></li> <li><strong>Oronde Beamon | Offensive Line</strong></li> <li><strong>Will Crisafi | Kicker/Punter</strong></li> </ul> <b><u>Defensive</u></b><strong><u>  Ballers to Know</u></strong> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Joe Sanders | Linebacker</strong></li> <li><strong>Antonio Turner | Defensive Back</strong></li> <li><strong>Robert Pettaway | Defensive Line</strong></li> <li><strong>Jacob Boyd | Linebacker </strong></li> <li><strong>Ontarrio Washington | Defensive Back</strong></li> </ul>