Sophomores making a name for themselves on the gridiron

METRO DETROIT — With the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs starting, below are just a few of the underclassmen who have stood out in the C & G Newspapers coverage area:

RB Jeramiah Aaron, Macomb Dakota
Aaron has been a breath of fresh air for a Dakota team that relies so heavily on the run game. He’s not only been extremely reliable, but he forms a nice one-two punch with senior running back Brady Hamby.

Hamby is more of a downhill, in-your-face runner while Aaron comes in and changes the pace up with his patient running and ability to watch the blocking unfold in front of him.

He opened his 2024 campaign with three rushes for 88 yards and two scores against Dearborn Fordson, and his career game came against New Baltimore Anchor Bay in a 34-6 win when Aaron had 20 carries for 105 yards.

The sophomore running back currently has 418 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the season to go along with his 5.9 yards per carry.

Even if he doesn’t make a massive impact in the playoffs, expect Aaron to be poised for a breakout junior year.

 

QB Elijah Cobb, Hazel Park
While Hazel junior running back Montrell Parker has asserted himself as one of the premier tailbacks around, Cobb has been explosive under center this season, using his athleticism to make plays outside of the pocket while also relying on his arm.

As a runner, Cobb is quick but not afraid to lower the shoulder on defenders for extra yards. As a passer, he throws a tight spiral on throws within 15 yards and is an accurate passer within the 15 yards. His downfield passing will only grow as he continues to elevate his game.

One thing you notice when watching is that even when he’s evading the pocket, he’s still keeping his eyes open for his receivers.

Cobb currently has 1,107 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns with only two interceptions, but he’s also contributed 405 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as well. He also has a receiving touchdown.

 

WR/DB Christian Gillings, Novi
There’s not much Gillings hasn’t done for the Wildcats this season.

He’s returned punts and kickoffs, he’s been a shutdown corner, he’s been a dynamic slot receiver, and he also has a 91-yard touchdown pass on his resume as well.

When you watch his film, there’s a lot that stands out about Gillings, but one of the more impressive parts is his knowledge of the game.

As a receiver, he’s aware of where the first down is, and his route running showcases it. As a defender, his eyes are glued to the quarterback and he knows exactly where the ball is going before the quarterback even releases it.

He has great closing speed and awareness for a defensive back, and as a receiver he’s a quarterback’s best friend.

Gillings has a knack for getting behind the defense, or jetting upfield when his quarterback is evading the pocket to get open for him.

With the pass-heavy offense that Novi has, Gillings and Novi are a match made in heaven.

He currently has 451 receiving yards, averaging 10.7 yards per catch, and three touchdowns while also collecting 14 total tackles and three interceptions.

 

QB Jabin Gonzales, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Just wait until he gets a full run at being a St Mary’s starting quarterback.

Gonzales has patiently sat behind senior quarterback Axel Newell, but when he stepped onto the field, he shined this season.

Only a sophomore, Gonzales, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs nearly 200 pounds, is a strong, accurate passer who has all the makings to be one of the premier quarterbacks in the state the next two seasons.

As a passer, he’s eager to push the ball downfield, but his accuracy and throw power seems to make any of his decisions a smart one, fitting the ball in tight windows and dropping it into the breadbasket of his receivers.

As a runner, Gonzales plays to his size as a physical runner who can lower his shoulder against defenders, but he’s also a patient runner who can find the open space and accelerate. In short, good luck tackling him in the open field.

When he gets a full season as the starting quarterback, there’s no telling the kind of numbers he can put up.

On 26 passing attempts this season, Gonzales has 398 passing yards and eight touchdowns (only two interceptions) along with 279 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

 

DB Gideon Gash, Detroit Catholic Central
Detroit Catholic Central isn’t unbeaten and champions in the Catholic High School League Central without its defensive effort, which allowed 10 points per game this season.

A big piece of that defense is Gash, a 6-foot-3 defensive back who’s been a shutdown corner for the Shamrocks.

Gash has sneaky speed that you’ll see on kickoff return coverage or a ball carrier breaking away on the opposite side of the field, but he’s a very patient defensive player in the sense that he’s anticipating where the ball carrier is going to be.

He’s a matchup nightmare for opposing wideouts because of his speed and strength, and he’s not afraid to shed a blocker and lay a big hit on a running back either.

Gash’s older brother, junior Samson Gash, has received a ton of exposure because of his playmaking ability as a wideout, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if Gideon Gash is on a similar track at the corner position.

He currently has 23 total tackles, four pass deflections (T-1st on the team), an interception, and a fumble recovery.

 

LB Titus Marshall Jr., St. Clair Shores South Lake
St. Clair Shores South Lake has reached the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 5 playoffs, and the Cavaliers defense has been a key reason why.

Marshall showed flashes as a freshman but has really come into his own in his sophomore campaign, recording 76 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss, five sacks and a blocked punt.

He has a natural nose for the football and will only continue to grow as a junior next season, creating all the makings for another strong showing in 2025.

 

Other sophomores to watch:

RB Masai Ali, Center Line
Regular season stats: 732 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns

WR Julian Hayes, Warren Cousino
Regular season stats: 405 receiving yards (1st on team), four receiving touchdowns (T-1st on team)

RB Angelo Lipscomb, Warren Fitzgerald
Regular season stats: 357 rushing yards and seven touchdowns; 243 receiving yards and four touchdowns; one punt return for a touchdown and 25 tackles.

RB Zaheem Cannon, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian

Regular season stats: 702 rushing yards and nine touchdowns; 45 tackles, six tackles for a loss, and two fumbles recoveries.