11/23/2012 football Edit

Big Game Pits Two Top Teams Tonight

Dirk Knudsen

OregonPreps.com Editor

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Friday Night we will be taking in the Sheldon Irish of Eugene (#1 ranked in the Media Polls) versus the Southridge Skyhawks (#4 Overall in the OSAA Polls). This is a rematch from a game earlier in the year when the two teams met. That game ended in a 35-28 decision for the Irish. As close as that game was that was back on August 31st, 2012 in what is known as Zero Week.

The Irish are 12-0. And while many feel their League Schedule was not as tough as other top rated teams it is clear that they are a team who deserves to be in the #1 spot.

Both teams have been rolling along for some time now. But this game feels like a showdown that could be like a Heavy-Weight Title bout.

We will call it a draw on paper because the game is that close and because we do not encourage gambling on High School Sports we no longer offer Point Spreads or game predictions. Think it's not an issue? Try Again.http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1256510

So what we will do is look at the best athletes in this one and speak to their abilities and projection on to the next level. Let's have a look at Each Team!

- – Southridge – -

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QB- Reza Aleaziz- 6'4"-225 Pounds QB- If there is a big time D1 QB in the State this guy could have been it. His Hiatus for about 8 games this year is note worthy as he decided not to play. But the first team QB from 2011 came back after he realized the team could go further with him then without him. And when he did this Skyhawk Team took a big step forward. They worked over Century HS last week and he threw two TD's in the 41-8 win. Reza has a cannon for an arm and is capable of being accurate. He is mobile enough and a load to bring down. This guy has signed a D1 Baseball commitment to Oregon. If his WR Core keeps playing like they are they could win it all.

Devin Martinez- Junior – 5'8"- 180- RB –watch Devin's Film here. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1153454/highlights/31973534This guy is an interesting prospect. He torched opponents in the past few weeks. His speed is at the 4.5 range and his vertical is reportedly near 40". his quickness is really great as well. He clearly is on his way to be one of the premier guys in the region as a tailback, slot or DB.

Jake Pruitt- Junior RB- Jake is coming into his own. He had a huge showing last week with 145 yards and 2 TD's on 10 Carries. Word inside is that this guy is the man to watch. If he and Martinez start a two pronged attack like the one they put on in recent weeks we are going to see a team that can make a run Next Year as well. X factor? Very well could be this guy.

Justin Calo- Senior WR – 6'1"-180 Pounds- Watch Calo's Film Right Here: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/62720/highlights/21934376 What your getting in Calo is a big kid that can go vertical and catch the football and take it to the house. He is great in the Interior Passing lanes too. He will be utilized often against Sheldon.

Kevin McClean- Senior -WR- 6'4"-205 Pounds– Check The Feature We wrote on him earlier in the season here:http://www.northwestprepreport.com/mcclean-takes-on-more-for-skyhawks McClean is another guy like Calo who gives the Skyhawks and Aleaziz a big time threat to score. He will command a top defender to contain him. As big and strong as he is he is one of the premier athletes your going to see in the Playoffs.

Jordan Morgan- 6'2"-195 Junior – Watch Jordan's Film Here-http://www.hudl.com/athlete/232119/highlights/25012419So if there is a Division 1 player on the team right now this is him. We have watched and watched as he has climbed the ranks since his Freshmen year. He has been on a line projecting to the place we believe he is headed to from a skill perspective and that line leads to a Big Time Division 1 Program like Oregon State, UW, or Boise State. Morgan is a Track Star in a big time athletes build. He catches well, runs well, hits like a ton of bricks and can shut people down on Defense. Jordan has had many big return plays. We love him and this playoff run, especially this week, will give him the stage he needs to shine. What a talented kid.

Alec Powell- Corner / WR – Senior/ Watch Alec's Film:http://www.hudl.com/athlete/62267/highlights/27752397 Alec is playing more offense but man is this guy a tough corner. He should be a big factor in this game and is capable of moving on to the collegiate level for sure. It will be fun watching him play.

Sheldon Irish

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Connor Strahm – 6'1"- 225 Pounds – ATHLETE -Read Our Earlier Story Here:http://www.northwestprepreport.com/connor-strahm-a-study-in-dominance The kid dominates. He is in that small group of special kids who are capable of having the game turn on their actions on both sides of the ball. Southridge is going to have to neutralize him. If they do that they can win. But that to date has not been done. Now Connor is one talented kid on a team of talented kids. WATCH STRAHM'S FILM HERE. He has scored 21 TD's , had two picks, has thrown Touchdowns, and racked up sacks and tackles galore. He plays WR / SLOT / TB / QB / LB / Safety and Special Teams. He holds a few Big Sky offers and we find in impossible that OSU or Boise State will not offer him very soon based on what we see and know is possible here. Offensive and Defensive Player Of The Year in his League.

Taylor Alie- Senior QB- 6'1"-175 -Alie is not the biggest guy. And he is not the most flashy guy. But a finer field general who will get you wins there is not around. Taylor has thrown 27 TD's and for 2400 yards, and he has run for 300 yards and 5 more scores. His 67% completion ratio shows his accuracy too. The kid is a baller and typical for a Sheldon QB. Efficient and the guy who runs this potent offense. Watch His Film Here

Dylan Lewis – Senior WR – 6'1"- 175 Pounds-Dylan has experience and is a leading WR next to Strahm. He averages over 15 yards per catch and is a potent weapon. If you go to sleep on him he will score.

Ian Faulhaber – Senior – 6'2"- 215 Pounds- A stud linebacker and Wide receiver. he has almost 600 yards and 10 TD's receiving this season. Out at the WR spot with Lewis and Strahm that makes three big agile targets you have to defend at one time. Most teams do not have the corners and safeties to get this done.

Mitch Lewis – 6'0"- 170 Pounds Senior – RB- Mitch has had a nice season again and split time at the RB spot with Strahm and others. He is a kid who has a really High Football IQ and can be called upon i any situation.

Yadie Dunmore- 5'11"- 180 Pounds- Junior – RB/DBYaddie is fast and can put moves on to bake a cake. He has 5 TD's out of the back field and is having a very nice season for himself. Kid is a lot of fun to watch and is already gaining collegiate letters and interest. Brother Oshay is at Oregon!

James Banks – 6'0" – 225 pounds James is a fundamental tackler who makes few mistakes. He leads the Irish from his linebackers spot in tackles and is a transfer from Marist High School.

Mitch Herbert- Junior – WR – 6'1"- 170 Pounds-7 Td's and almost 400 yards receiving. Another guy who can hurt a team and he is really rising fast as the season has gone along. All of the speed and agility you want in a top prospect A tough kid too.

Mike Ralston- 6'6"- 240 Pounds Senior –Mike transferred from Jesuit down to Eugene. Sheldon has perhaps the premier Defensive End in the region in the Senior group. He is fast and a hell of a leaper. has 8 sacks and near 40 tackles. That is a huge kid coming at opposing players. Has a Big Sky offer.

Liam Taltay – Junior 6'3"- 210 Pounds-A good looking prospect at Linebacker. 75 tackles on the season and he has a nice skill set. Looks like a big time prospect if he adds some size. We will be watching him closely this week.

Henry Asay – Senior Oline- 6'2"- 290 pounds55 Pancakes and more coming in. This is one of several top linemen.

Tanner Davies – Junior – 6'3"- 265 Pounds Offensive Line- 45 Pancakes on the season and doing a really nice job so far!

Chet Spears- Senior OL/DL – 6'2"-300 Pounds – More of a D'linemen then an offensive linemen. The kid is impossible to move out of the Nose Guard or tackle spot and is a major league run stuffer. Good at pressuring the QB but more of a 2 gap player who can lead this tough line in shutting down opposing teams. Chet is a top notch heavy weight wrestler and we think a way under the radar recruit.

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TAGSOSAA 2012 Football Playoffs Sheldon Irish Southridge Skyhawks

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About the AuthorDirk Knudsen

Dirk is a lifelong resident of the Pacific NW; athlete and Merit scholar. He runs camps, clinics, and has been a sports writer and analyst for nearly a decade now; mostly with Rivals.com as the editor of OregonPreps and WashingtonPreps.com. Dirk is the founder of NWPR & BrainChampions.org; a charity for injured athletes suffering from Brain Trauma / Concussion. He is a father of three and married.