Football season is here and I've started to do what I do best....watch football. This past weekend I was in Merrillville, Indiana to check out the Merrillville Pirates take on the Warren Central Warriors. Merrillville has sent several prospects to the college ranks recently including Notre Dame running back James Aldridge, Ohio State defensive tackle Dexter Larimore and Purdue defensive lineman Michael Neal.
I'll focus on Warren Central in my next blog but today I'm going to talk about Merrillville. Here's what I saw this past Saturday night. WR/DB Christian Matthews (6-1, 185) was the best player on the football field.
You won't see Matthews on any recruiting site and that's because he didn't play as a junior. He transferred to Merrillville from Chicago (Marist) after starting for the Redhawks as a freshman and sophomore.
"Christian is a transfer from Chicago (Marist) and is definitely a D-1 prospect. Excellent hands and speed. Great blocker with attitude. Also a very good returner." Said Merrillville coach Zac Wells.
Matthews had a terrific 40-yard touchdown grab this past Saturday and he played some tough defense. A definite D-1 prospect!
What else did I see from Merrillville? Plenty! RB Denzel Pierce (2011) turned his ankle on the third play of the game and I was really looking forward to watching him run after rushing for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. Pierce is 5-8, 175 and should get some MAC looks after the season.
Getting back to the 2010 class. If you're looking for a lineman, I'd take a look at 6-4, 260-pound, offensive tackle Julius Scorggins. He flashed during the game the ability to dominate the man in front of him.
Another Pirate who stuck out like a sore thumb was two-way starter James Travis. The 6-0, 250-pounder was all over the field and he has a motor that doesn't stop. He's always around the football and is very good in traffic as well. Not a D-1 kid right now but he does remind me a lot of Northern Illinois defensive tackle D.J. Pirkle minus 35-40-pounds.
One of the most sought after interior linemen in Indiana and the Midwest next season will be 6-4, 262-pound, Matthew Neal. Neal is the younger brother of Purdue defensive lineman and former Merrillville Pirate Michael Neal.
Matthew Neal looks the part and played the part holding his own against a very good Warren Central defensive line that included 2011 stud DT Kris Harley.
Look for my blog on Warren Central tomorrow. If you want film on any of the Merrillville Pirates, contact me at 815-975-0310 (Cell) or e-mail me at chris@nationalprepnetwork.com
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