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Well the football gods given, and the football gods taketh. Last week, they gave us a little gift in the loss of Utah State at the hands of the Lobos. This week, we were handed the same fate. There was PLENTY that could have gone better last night. The Broncos were inconsistent at best, the receivers drop TONS of passes, the refs blew plenty of calls, we gave up some big plays, we turned the ball over, and we didn't capitalize on our chances. BUT, that does not mean that there was no good that came of it. There is plenty of improvement to be had, Sperbeck went over 1k yards for the season and should break Titus Young's receiving yards record, Rypien broke the attempts per game record with 74, McNichols eclipsed 100 yards yet again, and the team continued to play hard until the very last second. Yup, I hate losing too, especially at home, and especially to a team like New Mexico. It happens. That isn't an excuse for it TO happen, but it happens nonetheless. We as fans have zero control over that, even if we have packed the stands and are as raucous as ever. Sometimes the door swings the other way. The awesome thing is we still bleed blue...
...and so do our future recruits! Some have finished up their seasons and have begun to prepare for life post-high school. We had a big recruiting weekend, including 2 4-star WR in Dee Anderson (current LSU commit) and Melquise Stovall (former USC commit). What should have been evident last night to the visitors is any one of them could make an immediate impact. We do have some playmakers, but we ALWAYS need players to step up. Chaz was having an off night, Sperbeck was Sperbeck, and the young receivers are still cutting their teeth. With SWR on the sidelines, it seemed like the Sperbeck show. While he did well, he can't do it all. It was very apparent that a true freshman WR could very easily make an impact next year with the right skillset, work ethic, and physical ability. Any of the visitors could provide that, not to mention the kids already recruited. Let's check in.
Nick Crabtree, TE, Huntington Beach HS (Huntington Beach, CA)
An update from last week's loss to Fountain Valley, Nick has 2 catches for 18 yards and the loss did end their season. Nick ended with 8 catches for 72 yards and a TD for the season. The stats are misleading as the Oilers abandoned the passing game early the season. Nick spent most of his time blocking, which will serve him well at the next level on the Blue.
Damarea Crockett, RB, Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock, AR)
The Warriors moved on in the playoffs this week after smashing Sylvan Hills 42-15. Crockett played a huge role with 11 carries for 115 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 4 receptions for 58 yards and another score. LRCA plays Wynne on Friday in a neutral playoff game. Crockett's season stats have not yet been compiled, but I am going to guess it will be a lot of carries for a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns. Just a hunch.
Tyson Maeva, ILB, Cathedral Catholic High School (San Diego, CA)
The Dons technically on a bye week as they await their first playoff game against Carlsbad on Friday. The Dons finished the regular season 6-4 and 2-1 in league play. Best of luck to Tyson and CCHS this week!
Reid Harrison-Ducros, CB, Heritage High School (Colleyville,TX)
The Panthers season ended on Friday, losing to Mansfield 45-22. They finish 5-6. Reid had one reception for 38 yards, 4 tackles and 2 punt returns for 14 yards. RHD will be playing for the U19 USA team against Canada on January 31st in Cowboy Stadium.
Desmond Williams, OLB, Centennial High School (Corona, CA)
Centennial absolutely destroyed Chaminade 70 - 29 on Friday, staying in the playoff hunt and improving to 11-0. I did not find any stats for Williams, but will update if I can. The Huskies travel to Orange Lutheran on Friday, hoping to move on to the next round of the playoffs.
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Bethel HS (Spanaway, WA)
Bethel's season ended with their loss to Camas on the 6th. They ended the season 6-4. Ezra Finished the year with 6 carries for 33 yards, 44 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. A very respectable season for Ezra. He will now work to prepare for life on the Blue!
Julian Carter, WR, Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, AZ)
The Sabercats move to 10-2 after the blanking of Queens Creek in a neutral playoff game. Julian had 5 catches for 59 yards and a TD in the win. Saguaro gets Westview next week, hoping to move on to the next round in the playoffs.
Robert Mahone, RB, Prosper High School (Prosper, TX)
Prosper lost to Lone Star on Friday, ending their season at 6-5. Robert had an uncharacteristic night, carrying 7 times for 12 yards. Robert ended the season with 125 carries for 761 yards (6ypc) and 10 TDs. He also had 17 receptions for 173 yards and 2 more TDs. That's 934 APY and 12 TDs. Sounds like a pretty solid season to me! I'm excited to get Robert on the Blue next year. We'll have a STACKED backfield for sure.
Kole Bailey, OT, Twin Falls High School (Twin Falls, ID)
The Bruins lost their first playoff game to Century a few weeks ago. They finished 7-3. Kole is now preparing to graduate early and join the team in just two short months to begin his career as a Bronco!
Wish I was staying to enjoy the last 7 months of high school. But stronger than that is my desire to have a successful life beyond it #ATF
— Kole Bailey (@KoleBailey) November 13, 2015
Robert Lewis, CB, Hawkins High School (Los Angeles, CA)
Robert's last game was a tie against Los Angeles. They finished 8-1-1 for the season. Robert had 3 tackles in the tie. Robert ended the season with 41 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble cause and one recovered. He also had 66 APY on offense. He will now prepare to finish high school and join the Broncos next summer.
Chase Hatada, DT, Rocklin High School (Rocklin, CA)
Rocklin advanced in the playoffs this week beating Burbank 34-14 and improving to 8-3. Chase had two tackles in the win, bringing his tally to 20 tackles for the season. Rocklin plays Del Campo in the next round of playoffs this Friday.
Micah Wilson, QB, Lincoln Christian High School (Tulsa, OK)
The Bulldogs mangled Checotah 56-7 on Friday, keeping the 'Dogs at a perfect 11-0 and advancing them to the next round of the playoffs. Wilson extended his stellar season stats in the win. He was 12-17 (70.6%) for 349 yards (29.1 ypc) and 6 TDs. He also had 4 carries for 47 yards and 2 more TDs. Total, he accounted for 396 yards and 8 TDs. 8 of them. EIGHT. He 136-182 (74.7%) for 2,816 (20.7 ypc), 42 TDs to 1 INT, and 38 rushes for 416 yards (10.9 ypc) and 9 more touchdowns. UN. REAL. LCHS takes on 7-4 Idabel this week in the playoffs.
Ali'i Niumatalolo, ILB, Broadneck Senior High School (Annapolis, MD)
Broadneck moved to 9-2 on the season after a 20-14 playoff win against North Point High. Stats were not available in the win. I was able to find that he had a rush for 7 yards during which he was injured. His injury status is unknown. The Bruins take on Old Mill in a playoff game this Friday.
Derriyon Shaw, DE, Legacy High School (North Las Vegas, NV)
The Longhorns season ended a few weeks ago with a loss to Centennial, moving them to 3-7 for the season. Shaw finished his senior season with 43 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 4 fumbles caused.
A new week and plenty of playoff games still yet to be played. 3 recruits are still on undefeated teams, which is crazy. We all know how difficult it can be to go undefeated, so congratulations to the recruits who are doing it. Others, while not undefeated, are still in the playoff fight. Best of luck to them this week and Go Broncos!