Section Strength: 2A
This is the fifth installation of a series of seven stories. This story will cover Class 2A, a class that also has a lot of turnover when section lines are redrawn. Like Class 3A, many teams drop a class or…
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Continue ReadingThis is the fifth installation of a series of seven stories. This story will cover Class 2A, a class that also has a lot of turnover when section lines are redrawn. Like Class 3A, many teams drop a class or move up a class based on changes in school sizes. There is a wide variety of talent in Class 2A, producing a handful of college athletes each year. The certain section that I want to highlight is Section 2. I determined this section the toughest based on the fact that there is a different Section Champion each year and the champion is almost never the top seed in the section.
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had another winning season in 2018, finishing 9-2 and capturing the top seed in the tournament. Averaging 37 points a game on offense and giving up 14 points a game on defense. WEM enjoys running out of the pistol formation, but can also pass the ball well. Defensively, they primarily come out in a 4-man front. They will have another good season in 2019 as they will return a strong core of players like:
Running Back/Linebacker- Brant Melchert, speed, strength and a little agility, patience in the backfield and finds open field. Attacks the ballcarrier on defense.
Quarterback- Grant McBroom, arm and pocket presence, can throw a decent deep ball and keeps himself out of pressure to make a good throw.
New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers
The Panthers were the second seed in the tournament and emerged as the champion. They finished their season at 9-3, averaging 30 points on offense and gave up 19 points a game in defense. New Richland HEG has a wide variety of options in their playbook, but ultimately seem to like the pass. Defensively looks like a 3-man front that they use most. The Panthers may have a bit of rebuilding next season as they lost most of their lineup to graduation, players they will return include:
Quarterback- Blake Ihrke, arm and precision, throws a good deep ball and can squeeze it in tight windows.
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back- Lonnie Wilson, agility and hands, runs hard routes and makes the catch, hard to bring down.
Maple River Eagles
The Eagles finished the season at 6-3 and was the third seed in the playoffs. Averaging 29 points a game on offense and giving up 18 points a game defensively. Maple River likes the spread with the fast-pace offense. Defensively, they seem to like the 3-4 package. 2019 looks to be a rebuilding year for the Eagles as well, but they will return a couple good players in:
Quarterback/Defensive Back- Caden Ochsendorf, speed and power, has proven to be a powerful runner on the draws, but can also throw the ball too.
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back- Wyatt Simon, speed, primarily used as a screen receiver, once he gets into open field, he is hard to catch.
St. Clair/Loyola Spartans
The Spartans finished 2018 at 8-2 claiming the fourth seed in the tournament. Averaging 27 points a game on offense and giving up 17 points a game defensively. St. Clair/Loyola seems to be a run first type of offense with the triple-read offense. They also seem to have a 3-4 look defensively. The Spartans will return a good crew of athletes for next season including:
Quarterback: Ben Ellingworth, agility and awareness, running the read option, he has great decisions on pulling, keeping and pitching the ball and is tough to hang on to on keeps.
Offensive & Defensive Lineman: Dawson Devito, size and strength, already bigger than his opponent, but also powers through the other lineman to make a block or get into the backfield.
Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial Knights
The Knights finished the season at 3-6 and captured the fifth seed in the tournament. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial likes the pistol offense and the 5-3 defensive look. Looks to have a bit of a rebuilding year as I was not able to find a lot of film on the returning players in 2019.
LeSueur-Henderson Giants
The Giants finished the season at 5-5 and received the sixth seed in the playoffs. LeSueur-Henderson also like looks out of the shotgun with looks of a 3-4 look defensively as well. There is one player I would like to highlight for the 2019 season:
Wide Receiver- Tommy Gupton, speed, runs his route fast and gets behind the defense in a hurry.
Medford Tigers
The Tigers finished 2018 at 4-5 with the seventh seed in the playoffs. Medford likes the pistol look on offense as well. Defensively, looks like a 3-5 front. The Tigers should have a good 2019 season, returning a good squad of seniors for the season in:
Quarterback: Willie VonRuden, mobility, gets out of the pocket quickly, but keeps his eyes downfield to make a throw.
Running Back/Defensive Back: Jerone Davis, speed and agility, follows blocks, accelerates in the open field and does not go down easily.
Blue Earth Buccaneers
The Buccaneers finished the season 3-6 and rounded out the playoffs at the eighth seed. Blue Earth likes the pistol and shotgun on offense and defensively likes the 4-3. They have a good balance of speed and size on both sides of the ball. They will return a few key players for the 2019 season like:
Offensive Lineman/Linebacker- Zach Murphy, speed and power, reads and reacts well on defense and drives his feet on offense, hits hard.