Five Most Impressive Players: Robbinsdale Armstrong v. Spring Lake Park

Chris Chesky

September 12, 2017 @ 10:00 PM

The Robbinsdale Armstrong and Spring Lake Park football teams looked to secure their first wins of the season after week one losses when the two teams faced off Sept. 8. While the Falcons came out on top 27-24, players from both sides stood out during the contest. With a few days to reflect, here, in no particular order, are the top five impressive players from the game. Running back Jesse Sherwood- Armstrong The Armstrong offense totaled less than 100 yards in its 29-10 loss to Chanhassen in week one, but Sherwood, behind a re-energized offensive line led by senior Troy Casperson, made sure the Falcons offense wouldn't struggle for the second consecutive week. Sherwood was given the ball early and often, and he scored three first-half touchdowns and led the Falcons on a four-plus minute drive to seal Armstrong's victory. Sherwood ended the game with 205 yards on 23 carries. Quarterback Cole Priem- Armstrong Preim, who is battling fellow junior Tyler Flis for the starting quarterback job, had a big game against Spring Lake Park. Priem executed the Falcons' option offense to perfection, as he completed three of his five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, while also running for 24 yards in the win. Priem also made the correct reads, which gave Sherwood the opportunity to have his big game. Linebacker Michael Wozniak- Armstrong The Armstrong defense had a strong start to the game before a rough second half, and Wozniak was a big reason why. Wozniak totaled 12 tackles in the game, and his ability to correctly read the Panthers' option offense was a game-changer for the Falcons. Wozniak has had two double-digit tackle games to kick off the season, and, if he keeps up his current play, he might add a few more double-digit tackle games before the year comes to an end. Quarterback Zach Dunbar- Spring Lake Park Dunbar had one of the more difficult tasks in the state this offseason when he had to step in for the since-graduated Zach Ojile as the Panthers' quarterback. While Spring Lake Park got off to a slow start to the season, the Panthers were shut out 35-0 in the season opener before falling behind 27-3 at half to Armstrong, Dunbar put together a strong second half that saw the Panthers score three touchdowns. If Spring Lake Park wishes to defend its section title, Dunbar will need to build off his strong second half against Armstrong and put together some strong performances in the future. Running back/defensive back Sam Fritz- Spring Lake Park Fritz starred on both sides of the ball for Spring Lake Park, as he was one of the Panthers' three primary ball carriers, and recorded nine tackles and picked up an interception on defense. With running back Cade MacMahon on the sidelines for the Panthers, Fritz will need to work with Dunbar and fellow running back Brian Orellana-Lopez to give the Panthers a formidable offensive attack.