The Lowdown – Week 2

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(Cover Photo: Jillian Gandsey/Bemidji Pioneer)</em></span></p> <strong><u>X Factors</u></strong> <strong>QB Colin O'Connor – Prior Lake (vs Maple Grove)</strong> O'Connor passed his first test last week in the Lakers' new offense, leading the team to a 41-8 win at Shakopee. The senior threw for only 69 yards in <strong>Mark Esch's</strong> spread offense, but rushed for 100 yards and two scores, helping Prior Lake score 40-plus points for the second-straight opener against the Sabres. This week will be a different challenge with <strong>Matt Lombardi's</strong> traditionally-stout defense invading the Lakers home turf. The Crimson surrendered just seven points in their Week 1 win over Osseo. They also held the Lakers to only six points last season, and have won three-straight games in the series between the two Class AAAAAA contenders. <strong>RB Caleb Grant – Bemidji (vs Big Lake)</strong> A couple passing touchdowns got the Lumberjacks the lead in last week's opener at Rogers and then Grant took over. The 6-foot, 185-pounder rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown to lead Bemidji to a 31-7 thumping of the Royals. This week Grant and the ‘Jacks welcome No. 4 (AAAA) Big Lake to Chet Anderson Stadium. The Hornets defense was stellar last week against Duluth East, surrendering just six points while holding the Greyhounds to less than 200 yards of total offense. It will be up to Grant to once again be the workhorse for Bemidji to earn a big home victory. <strong>WR/DB Marlon Wiley – Jordan (at Fairmont)</strong> Wiley kicked off his senior year with nine receptions for 99 yards in the Hubmen win over Worthington. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>NFN's 15th-ranked player </strong></span></span>in the Class of 2019 figures to make a huge impact on both sides of the ball again this week for Jordan, which battles the Cardinals in a rematch of their Class AAA state quarterfinal. He tormented Fairmont in two meetings last season with 12 total receptions for 183 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-10 speedster should also get a lot of snaps at cornerback. He'll be tasked with helping shutdown the Fairmont passing game, led by quarterback <strong>Garrett Myren</strong> and receiver <strong>Dustin Schultz</strong>. <strong>RB Isaiah Thompson – Detroit Lakes (vs Perham)</strong> Thompson and the Lakers notched one of the most impressive victories of Week 1, dominating Rocori 40-19 in Cold Spring. The junior running back was a huge part of the blowout, rushing for 211 yards and a touchdown. DL will need a big game from Thompson to take back possession of The Paddle from Perham. The Lakers dropped a 32-20 decision to the Yellowjackets last season, but Thompson saw only limited action. Can the talented junior propel the Lakers to another win over a state-ranked opponent? <strong>RB/LB Bentley Boike – Dawson-Boyd (vs Minneota)</strong> Boike rolled to 180 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Blackjacks big win over Adrian last week, and he'll probably need that type of performance, and maybe more, to upset the No. 1 Vikings on Friday. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound ball carrier was one of the top rushers in southwest Minnesota last season with 1,799 yards and 23 touchdowns. Two of his worst three performances, however, came against Minneota in Dawson-Boyd's two losses. Boike averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, more than five yards below his season average. <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Will Mostaert and the Panthers defensive line will need to control the line of scrimmage against Eden Prairie. (Mike Shaughnessy/Sun This Week)</span> <strong><u>O/D Matchups to Watch</u></strong> <strong>Eden Prairie OL vs Lakeville North DL</strong> Usually it's the Eden Prairie o-line causing mismatches in the trenches, but this week the Eagles are the ones which need to rise to the occasion against a strong Lakeville North front. Twin brothers <strong>Eli</strong> and <strong>Will Mostaert</strong> headline the group. Both are North Dakota State-commits, and players who command extra attention on passing and running plays alike. Last week, that helped defensive end <strong>Landon Carter</strong> record two tackles-for-loss and a sack in the win over Burnsville. <strong>Bronson Warner</strong> is the glue on the Eagles offensive line, along with returning starter <strong>Michael Fabel</strong>. The Eagles were stymied offensively by Eastview last week, however, after their opening two touchdown drives, and you get the feeling 14 points won't be enough to defeat the Panthers in Week 2. <strong>Mankato East Pass O vs Mankato West Pass D</strong> The battle for the Jug could be as close as it's been since Mankato East's last victory in 2005. Cougars coach <strong>Eric Davis</strong> started sophomore quarterback <strong>Riley Gruenes</strong> last week against Northfield and the youngster delivered. Gruenes passed for 166 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions, in East's 31-22 victory. Senior <strong>Jack Clifford</strong> – one of the top receivers in the Big Southeast District --- tallied seven catches for 100 yards and all three touchdowns. The Scarlets defense recorded a shutout last week, holding Rochester Century to just 103 yards of total offense in the win. Senior linebacker <strong>Clay Herding</strong> recorded three sacks, but West's secondary was never really tested by the Century athletes. That will change this week, putting the pressure on guys like <strong>Jon Sikel</strong> and <strong>Melik Davis</strong> to perform in the rivalry game. <strong>Roseville OL vs Woodbury DL</strong> The Raiders showed the rest of the metro area how they plan to win football games in last week's win over Anoka – physical offensive line play and a steady dose of<strong> Brandan McMillian. </strong>Behind senior offensive linemen like<strong> Jake Dingee </strong>and<strong> Steve Boerigter</strong>, McMillan rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Woodbury's talented d-line will make it even more important for <strong>Chris Simdorn's</strong> team to control the line of scrimmage. Defensive tackle <strong>Raphael Orubo</strong>, <span style="color: #800000;"><strong><u>the top-ranked DL in Minnesota</u></strong></span>, along with senior end <strong>Zack Anderson</strong>, are as tough a one-two combinationin the East Metro. <strong>Maple Grove Rush O vs Prior Lake Rush D</strong> <strong>Evan Hull's </strong>player of the year campaign got off to a rousing start against Osseo in Week 1, as the star running back rushed for 387 yards and four touchdowns in the Crimson's 34-7 rout.  He'll get a much, much bigger challenge this week against Prior Lake's resistance, which is expected to be one of the best in the metro. Hull rushed for 139 yards against the Lakers last fall, scoring the only Maple Grove touchdown in the hard-fought win. With five of the Lakers front seven returning in 2018, including linebacker <strong>Spencer Shaver</strong>, it's a good bet the hosts will be ready for Hull's second edition for POY. <strong>Bloomington Jefferson O vs Chanhassen D</strong> In what could be the most intriguing matchup in Class AAAAA this week, Jefferson will look to repeat it's 42-point outburst from its opening contest against Orono.  The Jaguars ran up more than 510 yards of total offense too, led by quarterback <strong>Isaiah Watts</strong> with 247 passing and 64 rushing. Watts accounted for four total touchdowns too, with running back <strong>Rashaun Cage</strong> and receiver <strong>Manny Montgomery</strong> each scoring twice. Cage's status after leaving the win is unknown, but either way the Chanhassen defense will be challenged. Cade Plath and the Storm defense was as good as expected last week against Robbinsdale Armstrong, holding the Falcons to only 279 yards and 13 points. Can the Storm limit Jefferson's attack enough to move to 2-0 on the young season?