The Lowdown - Week 8 Preview

Fisher Marberg, RB – Spectrum (vs St. Anthony Village) Marberg has been pounding opponents into submission on the ground this fall. The 200-pound junior has already rushed for a state-leading 1,497 yards through seven games, with 18 touchdowns and a 12.7 yards per carry average. He’s gone over the century mark in rushing in 16 of his 17 games as a varsity starter, including all seven this season. In his last two contests alone, Marberg has rushed for 602 yards and seven touchdowns. Marberg and the Sting have their second real test of the season against the Huskies on Wednesday. They passed their first in Week 3 against Brooklyn Center, but a win in the regular-season finale would solidify the Black-and-Green as a state tournament threat in Class AAA. Jaylen Newton, WR – Cretin-Derham Hall (vs Roseville) Newton is Cretin-Derham Hall’s big-play threat on both offense and special teams. He’s scored a kickoff return touchdown, a punt return touchdown and six receiving touchdowns to lead the Raiders in 2017. He’s also averaging 23.4 yards per catch, which is the third-highest rate for players with 20 receptions or more, according to statistics on MNFootballHub.com. Roseville’s pass defense has been one of the stingiest in Class 6A this season, surrendering only 107 yards per game, while forcing seven interceptions. Will Newton and quarterback Danny Callahan connect enough through the air for CDH to hand Roseville its second loss? Ernest Worjloh, RB – Champlin Park (at Totino-Grace) Worjloh has been the embodiment of the Champlin Park’s inconsistent 2017 campaign. He’s rushed for an average of 130 yards, with five touchdowns, in the Rebels three victories. In their four setbacks, however, the 180-pound senior is only gaining around 77 yards per game, with a single touchdown. There are significant playoff implications in the contest against Totino-Grace. A win over the defending Class 6A champion Eagles clinches a home game in the first round of the playoffs next week. A loss would send the Rebels on the road, while also potentially dropping them as low as a sixth seed. Peyton Mortenson, RB/LB – Lac qui Parle Valley (vs Minneota) The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has been impressive on offense, defense and special teams for the Eagles, which host No. 4 (A) Minneota on Wednesday. Mortenson is a lock to earn All-Southwest District honors for the second-consecutive season. He’s rushed for 929 yards and eight touchdowns this fall, including a season-high 213 yards and six scores in last week’s loss to Ortonville. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown -- his third of the season -- against the Trojans. Mortenson is also one of the team’s leading tacklers for coach Tony Smith’s defense. That side of the ball is where the senior might make the biggest impact against the Vikings dynamic offense, which leads the entire state in scoring at 57.9 points per game. Nathan Rund, RB/WR/DB – Fergus Falls (vs Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton) Coach Steve Olson and the Otters have found multiple ways to get the ball in Rund's hands this season. The senior has caught 26 passes for 550 yards and 10 scores through the air. He’s also rushed 50 carries on the ground and gained 447 yards while finding the end zone eight times. Rund is a mainstay at defensive back on an improving defense too. After allowing 28 points in a Week 1 loss to Willmar, the Otters are surrendering an average of just 12.5 points per game since. The Rebels, though, have scored 35 points or more in three straight games, presenting a large challenge on senior night in Fergus Falls.