Jordan’s Notebook: 4A X Factors Heading into Round 3
This week we’re heading into Round 3 of the IHSA Playoffs, with that being said we’re going to be taking a look at X Factors to keep an eye on for each team. This is going to run through 8A-1A…
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Continue ReadingThis week we’re heading into Round 3 of the IHSA Playoffs, with that being said we’re going to be taking a look at X Factors to keep an eye on for each team. This is going to run through 8A-1A football and showcase one player per team that, if having a good game, gives their team a good chance of winning. With that being said, let’s dive into it.
Genoa-Kingston @ Joliet Catholic Academy
Colin Nesler Colin Nesler 6'4" | 215 lbs | TE Genoa Kingston | 2022 State IL 6’4 215 22′ LB Twitter
Mr. Nesler fills holes in run support where once he diagnoses the play as a run meets the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage for no gain on the play. He’s able to get pressure on the quarterback when coming off a blitz where he shoots through either the A or B gap getting in the backfield quickly. This young man flows to the ball well getting involved in almost every tackle each play. Coming off a big win against St. Francis, look for the mean streak to continue. Mid-Season Highlights
Jake Fieldman 5’11 180 22′ WR Twitter
Mr. Fieldman could very well be a difference-maker in this matchup, JCA is a run-heavy team but don’t let that take away from the connection this young man has with QB Aidan Voss Aidan Voss 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Joliet Catholic | 2022 State IL . He’s quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to gain a step on the defender and break him off at the top of the route to create separation. Upon doing so, he secures the catch to get upfield quickly. When a 50/50 ball is thrown, he goes up for it by high pointing the ball to come away with the contested catch. Regular Season Highlights
Richmond-Burton @ Phillips
Brock Wood Brock Wood 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Richmond-Burton | 2022 State IL 6’1 210 22′ RB Twitter
Mr. Wood rushed for over 1,200 yards in the regular season keeping the momentum through the playoffs. He’s an N/S runner that has a quick initial burst through the line of scrimmage and keeps his feet driving to play through contact. He has a good frame standing at 6’1 210, if you try to arm tackle him he’s going to run right through it. This young man also plays linebacker where he fills holes in run support and attacks the ball carrier once he diagnoses the play. Junior Season Highlights
Avante Savage Avante Savage 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Phillips | 2022 State IL 6’2 175 22′ WR Twitter
Mr. Savage is quick off the line of scrimmage where he gets upfield quickly upon securing the catch. He can win over the top with a post route where he gains leverage by stemming his release inside the defender before breaking him off at the top of the route creating separation. This young man can take a shallow underneath route and change his gears quickly to get into the endzone for a touchdown. Playmaking abilities that can swing the momentum of the game into Phillip’s favor when called upon to do so. Mid-Season Highlights
Freeburg @ Rochester
Landon Funderburg Landon Funderburg 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Freeburg | 2022 State IL 6’1 190 22′ QB Twitter
Mr. Funderburg can make a variety of throws – level 1, level 2 & level 3 where he puts the ball in the receiver’s basket. He does a good job of finding his check-downs if nothing is open downfield where he isn’t afraid to add zip on the ball. When running RPOs, he can get the ball out quickly delivering a quick strike against the opposing defense. Being at the helm of this offense, he looks to lead his team down the field against Rochester’s defensive unit. Central High School Highlights
Hank Beatty Hank Beatty 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Rochester | 2022 State IL 22′ QB Twitter
Mr. Beatty previously played wide receiver before making the switch to quarterback for his team. The University of Illinois Commit brings his wide receiver skillset to the quarterback position, when he pulls the ball down to scramble he can make the first defender miss and changes gears quickly to blow by the 2nd level of defenders. The dual-threat that he possesses puts a strain on opposing defenses, one to keep an eye on during this matchup. Sophomore Varsity Highlight
Breese Central @ Sacred Heart-Griffin
Austin Wesselmann 5’8 140 22′ DB
Mr. Wesselmann does a good job of flipping his hips when in coverage to stay with his man and not allowing the receiver to gain a step on him. He isn’t afraid to go up for 50/50 balls where he high points the ball and knocks it down for a pass deflection. This young man can also make open-field tackles when he comes down in run support. A smaller defensive back that plays like he’s twice his size. Salem High School Highlights
KeShon Singleton KeShon Singleton 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Sacred Heart-Griffin | 2023 State IL 6’2 190 23′ WR Twitter
Mr. Singleton is quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to his advantage to stack the defender and break him off at the top of the route creating separation. Once this happens, he secures the catch and gets upfield quickly. He can take underneath routes as well as wide receiver screens for touchdowns as he changes his gears quickly to simply outrun the 2nd level of defenders. In the return game, he wears in and out of defenders to get into the endzone. An overall playmaker for SHG. Regular Season Highlights
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