Small-school talent often overlooked but not hard to find

Every year most of the focus on the best football players in the state is on the big school programs. Granted, a high percentage of college-level players are going to come from the larger schools, but every year the smaller schools produce talent that often gets overlooked. The way college programs have access to kids now – through social media and other means – if a college thinks someone can help their program they will find them. That being said, NFN has put a premium on giving some of the top guys from smaller programs the spotlight. Here are some of the top guys we have targeted as players to watch who reside in the smaller communities in the state. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Alex Folz – Spring Grove </strong></span> Folz is a dual-threat quarterback with a ridiculous stat line from Spring Grove's state championship season - 2,300 yards, 28 touchdowns passing, 1,500 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing. Folz has a physical running style and is a big hitter from the safety position. The junior has a strong arm. His deep ball looks easy coming out of his hand, and he can throw in the pocket and on the move. He doesn't appear particularly fast on film, but has quick feet for his size. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Aidan Szczyrbak – Moose Lake-Willow River </strong></span> The defensive tackle has good size and should only get bigger. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound lineman registered 69 tackles, five sacks, and three fumble recoveries. On defense, he pursues the ball well and can get down the line of scrimmage. From his offensive tackle position, he finishes his blocks and has good feet in the open field. Szczyrbak gets to the second level well and can pull up the hole or on a sweep. His pad level is something I can see that could improve. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Baden Noenning – Mayer Lutheran </span></strong> Noenning is a long, athletic quarterback who can throw on the run. He throws deep with ease and accuracy and uses the play-action game effectively. He prefers not to run, but he moves well in the pocket and is not afraid of pulling the ball down and running if need be. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bentley Boike – Dawson-Boyd </strong></span> Boike can do a bit of everything. He has the speed to get to the corner and is a one cut and go kind of guy. A good open field blocker too. Boike runs a little high and is not incredible in any one aspect, but he's a solid all-around player. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Zach Cargill – Maple Lake </strong></span> Another one cut and go type of runner, Cargill is a physical running back. At outside linebacker, Cargill is good in space. He sets the edge well and has instincts for when the attack and when to lay back. He is a reliable open-field tackler and closes the gap efficiently after setting the edge or in pass coverage. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Jon Starkey – Mahnomen </strong></span> As a quarterback, Starkey is a better runner than passer at this point in his career. He runs the veer-option offense well but can take advantage of single coverage down the middle of the field off the option. Starkey is not just an option quarterback, however. He is comfortable out of the shotgun and as a drop back passer. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Thomas Hennen – Minneota </strong></span> Hennen looks more like a running back than the Vikings' leading receiver, but he can play running back, tight end and slot. He averaged over 17 yards per catch and led the Class A champions in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in the postseason.