The Lowdown - Week 6 Preview

Matt Winkle, QB – Kasson-Mantorville (vs Rochester Lourdes) Winkle has been more effective as a runner in his two-and-a-half seasons directing the Kasson-Mantorville offense, but last week he showed he can pass when needed. He connected with teammate Wesley Asprey for three long touchdown passes in a 55-13 rout of Stewartville. The KoMets junior finished with a career-high 255 yards passing. He enters the showdown with Lourdes averaging more than 120 rushing yards per game leading the option offense too. Recent history is not in the KoMets favor against the defending-Class AAA champion Eagles. Lourdes has won eight straight games in the series with an average margin of victory of more than 18 points per game. Will Winkle and the KoMets end the streak and stay undefeated in 2017? Anders Nelson, WR – Edina (at Minnetonka) Nelson’s given the Edina offense a much-needed threat in the passing game in his first season playing varsity football at Edina. The 6-foot receiver, who’s also a standout basketball player, already has 27 receptions for 291 yards and five touchdowns. He’s been remarkably consistent too, catching at least four passes and a score in each of Edina’s five wins. His role in the Hornets offense will be even more important against the Skippers, which are surrendering less than 100 yards passing per game. Minnetonka did allow Maple Grove to have some success through the air in Week 3, which means Nelson and quarterback Ryan Meyer should get some playmaking opportunities. Dawson Dahl, RB/LB – Rushford-Peterson (vs Goodhue) The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior has been a main reason why there’s been zero drop-off from last season’s Class A runner-up squad for Rushford-Peterson. Dahl is the unquestioned leader of a defense that until last week had allowed just seven points in four games. He’s also been the third option at running back for Davin Thompson’s offense, which had to replace the dynamic Noah Carlson. Dahl leads the team in stops again after being the top tackler as a junior with 84 tackles. The Trojans defense struggled to stop the run last week against Winona Cotter, and it’s up to Dahl and his teammates to shore that up before playing the No. 3 Wildcats in Rushford. Cooper Taylor, RB/DB – Wabasso (at New Ulm Cathedral) Taylor is one of the best all-around players in southwest Minnesota. He is the leading rusher in Wabasso’s physical running game with 511 yards and 10 touchdowns. Taylor is also an integral part of the Rabbits defense at cornerback. He tied for the team lead in interceptions with five during his All-District junior campaign and has helped the Rabbits limit opponents to less than nine points per game this fall. New Ulm Cathedral should provide Joe Kemp’s team with its best test since Week 1 against Lac qui Parle Valley, when Taylor was limited to just 72 yards on 20 carries. A big game from Taylor this might be necessary to keep the No. 2 Rabbits from suffering their first loss. Alex Folz, QB – Spring Grove (at Houston) Folz and the top-ranked Lions face back-to-back challenges the next two weeks against Houston and Grand Meadow. First up are the No. 5 Hurricanes, which have held three-straight opponents to eight points or less. Folz is having another monster year in his second season as a starter. He’s averaging 236 total yards and four touchdowns per game. The talented junior has also connected on over 58 percent of his passes, with five receivers that have grabbed eight receptions or more. The Spring Grove offense is averaging 57 points per game – third best in all of Minnesota – and has not been held below 50 this season. Will Folz and the Lions offense keep rolling on the road in Houston?