Section Strength: 3A

My next installation of the Section Strength series extends to Class 3A. This class seems to change a lot every two years when the section lines in the state are redrawn. There are many borderline schools that can either raise or drop classes in this particular class. This was another tough class to determine the 'strongest' section. In the end, I decided that Section 1 would be the one that I will indicate in this article. Rochester Lourdes Eagles The Eagles had a perfect 2018 season at 14-0 claiming the 2018 Prep Bowl. Averaging 35 points a game offensively and giving up 8 on defense. Rochester Lourdes seems to run the simple I-formation, but they run it to perfection based on their record and that they have been the 3 time defending Section 1 champion. They also have a solid defense as well judging by the point ratio. The Eagles will have a lot to replace for the 2019 season, the player that stood out to me was: Defensive Back- <strong>Graham Hopkins</strong>, intensity, flies around the field and delivers a huge hit to make his tackles. Dover-Eyota Eagles The Eagles finished the season 8-3, averaging 25 points a game on offense and giving up 19 points a game on defense. Dover-Eyota has a little variety in their playbook, they like the vertical passing routes but still implementing some run plays as well. They will return a good player like: Quarterback- <strong>Brady Williams</strong>, good arm, slings the ball all over the field, in the pocket or on the run, always keeps his eyes down the field. Byron Bears The Bears finished the 2018 season at 6-4. Averaging 24 points a game on offense and giving up 20 points a game on defense. Byron likes to run their plays out of a pistol formation and really balance the run and pass game. They will return a solid group of players in 2019 like: [caption id="attachment_8962" align="alignnone" width="300"] Ben Stienessen- Hudl[/caption] Athlete- <strong>Ben Stienessen</strong>, versatility, he has plenty of speed and power, gets away from defenders and is tough to bring down. Linebacker- <strong>Sam Connelly</strong>, speed, finds the ballcarrier and makes the tackle. Stewartville Tigers The Tigers finished the season at 5-4. Averaging 31 points a game offensively and gave up 24 points a game defensively. Stewartville likes to mix up their playbook as well between the run and the pass. They also have a solid defensive front. They will return a couple of solid players for the 2019 season like: Defensive End/Tight End- <strong>Nick Mohs</strong>, strength, uses his size to his advantage, really good blocker and tackler, has many purposes in the playbook. Running Back- <strong>Josh Buri</strong>, speed and power, gets into the open field and turns on the jets and battles to get into the end zone. Pine Island Panthers The Panthers finished the season at 5-5. Averaging 28 points on offense and giving up 25 points on defense. Pine Island likes the sneaky type of offensive plays, using a lot of play action, screens, and combo routes in order to spring someone free. They also will return a handful of good players next season like: Athlete- <strong>Max Owen</strong>, speed, used in a variety of ways on the field, four different positions I counted. Good hands at receiver, speed and blocking ability at running back, does his job on defense and makes the tackle. Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs The Bulldogs finished the season at 3-6. Plainview-Elgin-Millville likes their run game out of the I-formation and wishbone, lots of misdirection plays. 2019 seems to be a rebuilding year as most of the team were seniors, players they will return are: Running Back- <strong>Riley Wingert</strong>, size and speed, hits the hole with conviction and runs over any defender in his way. Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars The Cougars finished the season at 2-7. Zumbrota-Mazeppa liked to mix up their formations as well, finding different ways to run and pass the ball. They also seem to have a rebuilding season in 2019, returning a solid player in: Running Back/Linebacker: <strong>Calven Voxland</strong>, speed, uses his speed to get into open space and run down the ballcarrier. La Crescent-Hokah Lancers The Lancers finished the season at 0-9. La Crescent-Hokah likes the spread and run the vertical pass routes. It seems that there will not be a returning starter for the 2019 season, I was not able to find much film on any returning player.