|
September 15, 2009
Jeff Tarpley and Forrest Robeck
AggieYell.com
It is tempting to look at Dallas Skyline's 35-27 win over Arlington Bowie this past Friday night and assume that one of the state's most talented teams struggled against an inferior opponent due to their own mistakes, a lack of intensity or the weather.
LSU four-star commit Mike Davis was impressive on both offense and defense. It is easy to miss the fact that Bowie played Skyline close last season, losing by only four points and that while Bowie cannot match Skyline four-star for four-star, they have a number of Division I prospects of their own and a talented quarterback in Deric Davis who totaled over 400 yards total offense.
However, the Raiders' talent eventually won out. Though it took them a while to get going after an hour and a half delay to start the game due to lightning, Skyline's offense rolled while their defense picked up the intensity in a second half that saw a steady downpour the entire time.
Both teams were loaded with college prospects and several stood out in the game,
Skyline's go-to receiver, Mike Davis, was the dominant player on the field Friday night and even his statistics - six catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns - don't do him justice. Skyline's secondary struggled Friday night and the four-star LSU commit was inserted at cornerback midway through the second quarter.
Davis used his speed, long arms and fluid hips to play press man coverage right off the bat and he was basically a shut down corner for the rest of the night. He gave up just one completion and had two pass breakups, all while covering three different Division I receiver commits in Montra Nelson, Langston Williams and Cameron White.
However, Davis' play of the night came right before the end of the first half with his team trailing 17-14. Raider quarterback Javia Hall, a North Texas commit, rolled away from pressure and saw Davis deep down the right sideline. Davis used his superb body control to come back for the underthrown pass and beat three defenders for the ball. He then used his athleticism to avoid all of them around the ten-yard line and score a touchdown that put Skyline up for good.
Skyline's middle linebacker, junior Anthony Wallace, may be the best in the country at his position in the 2011 class. He is a natural inside with instincts and an understanding of the game that belies his youth. He can use his hands to keep defenders off of him.
Skyline's defensive coaches ask him to drop deep down the middle at times in Skyline's Tampa 2 coverage and he is able to run 30 to 40 yards down the field with smaller receivers despite playing at 220 pounds. In fact, Wallace appears to have a better feel for coverage than his more heralded teammates and understands how to pick people up in zones and read routes. He is also a sideline-to-sideline player who does not take false steps and can move laterally almost as well Corey Nelson, who is about 15 pounds lighter.
Skyline junior middle linebacker Anthony Wallace showed why he has received so many early offers.
Outside linebacker Nelson had seven tackles but was not as much of a factor in the first half when Bowie was able to control Skyline's pass rush and Nelson spent most of his time in coverage. In the second half, however, he was sent on the blitz more. He was able to provide pressure even on three-step drops, and on one, play hurdled an offensive lineman coming off the edge and looked more like a defensive back than linebacker. He was able to show the athleticism and instincts that made the Texas A&M pledge a Rivals100 selection.
Skyline's other outside linebacker and fellow A&M commit, Domonique Patterson, had a night much like Nelson's. He spent most of the first half lined up on slot receivers until Skyline started blitzing him off the edge as well. He equaled Nelson's seven tackles and added a sack for good measure.
Wide receiver Joe Powell, an Oklahoma commit, had a quiet night on offense with two catches for 24 yards. However, like Davis, Powell was used on defense and had an interception as a cornerback. He could end up there for the Sooners as he fits their mold for a big, physical corner. He has the speed to keep up with any receiver.
Skyline quarterback Hall spent much of the night under pressure due to the Raiders' undersized offensive line, but wound up putting up some good numbers. He was 18 of 29 for 242 yards and three touchdowns passing. He has very solid mechanics and is accurate, especially while scrambling out of the pocket. He is also very mobile, which served him well as he had 64 yards rushing.
Bowie receiver Nelson is a big, physical target. The Oklahoma State commit had three catches for 63 yards. He is a player who may project to tight end at the next level as he has very good hands and the frame to put on a significant amount of weight. He's a good route runner who can separate from defenders with his size.
Bowie safety Quentin Sargent was the most impressive college prospect for the Volunteers, though. The 6-foot, 185-pound junior has already received an offer from Oklahoma State and will no doubt be getting more attention from colleges as the season goes on.
He has good size and played in a two deep zone most of the night. He reads routes well and is a physical tackler in the running game. He also showed his speed on a play that should have been a long touchdown for Skyline running back and Michigan commit Tony Drake. Sargent chased down the speedy Drake and caught him from behind, causing all observers to take notice of his presence.
In the end, Skyline's combination of offensive firepower and a strong defense filled with Division I players was too much for Bowie. Both teams should have strong seasons, but the Raiders must improve their pass rush and secondary play if they hope to live up to their national ranking.
|
Favoured: 0
