Standouts from Turnover-Filled 8th Grade Mississippi/Houston Game

Mississippi opened up the game running a unique offensive scheme. I want to call it a triple-option, but it’s a direct snap to either of the running backs on the side of the quarterback’s hips, with the quarterback and other running back going out to lead block. With this offense, you didn’t know which way they were going to run, who was going to carry the ball, or better yet, in what direction the ball carrier was going to go. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-251640 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Jaden-Bradford-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jaden Bradford</strong> of Houston was one of the bigger and more athletic kid in the tournament. His bull rush was tough to block up front for Mississippi. The athletic big man even subbed in at running back when the team needed him to block or run in the goal line. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-251641 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/CardaeMackFBU-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Cardae Mack</strong> was one of the shiftiest players on the weekend. His ability to cut was exceptional and he had a ton of jukes and moves. Mack’s running style requires a great because of his shiftiness, but he is a second and third level monster. Every time his line got him a good hole and he was able to make a one-on-one move, he was lights out for Houston. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-251642 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Kaden-Catchings-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kaden Catchings</strong> of Mississippi was a fast, long, skinny kid with toe-tap awareness. Great in the return game as well. Big catch radius with his long frame. Liked what I saw from him in terms of potential. <strong>Tyson Joiner</strong> was the leader of the Houston defense. Not the fastest, but a hard hitter. He puts his teammates in a position to make plays rather than himself and tha’s commendable. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-251644 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/JareylanMccoy-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212365" first="JaReylan" last="McCoy"]</strong> of Mississippi, who has since been named an FBU Middle School Player of the Year finalist, was advertised. He used all of his 6-foot-7 frame to cause a lot of havoc along the defensive front. Shifting between defensive end and defensive tackle, he was difficult to contain. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-251645 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/HayzenSheltonFBU-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Hayzen Shelton</strong> of Mississippi could be the best offensive lineman in the tournament and certainly looks like a future SEC player. Elite size, good strength and improving feet allowed him to be a leader up front. &nbsp; &nbsp; It was a ten-turnover game, with five committed by both teams. With so many turnovers and both teams being primarily running teams, the final score was 7-6 in favor of Mississippi. &nbsp; <em>Contributed special to PRZ Next by Dimitri Waller</em>