Section Strength: 9-man

Jake Evans

August 12, 2019 @ 10:43 PM

This is the seventh and final installation of the Section Strength series. This story will cover the smallest class in Minnesota football. 9-man has a lot of good players and even more exciting plays. There have been plenty of dynasty types teams in recent memory of this class. The highlighted section in this class has had three different teams experience the State tournament with two of them being the most recent 9-man dynasties in recent history. This is Section 1 in class 9-man. Spring Grove Lions The Lions had a perfect season for the second straight season and capturing their second straight Prep Bowl. Averaging 42 points a game on offense and giving up 15 points a game on defense. Spring Grove seems to run a lot of plays out of the spread on offense and running a 3-3 defense. The Lions will look to try to keep the streak going returning a group of key players including: Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Tyler Kersten, versatility, is used in multiple positions in the playbook and plays each of those positions at a high level. Brings speed, power and agility into each game and is real tough to slow down. [caption id="attachment_10511" align="alignnone" width="211"] Kersten MaxPreps[/caption] Houston Hurricanes The Hurricanes finished the season 9-2, only two losses came from Spring Grove. Averaging 35 points a game on offense and giving up 20 points a game on defense. Houston runs their plays out of a power run formation that 9-man teams have made famous. Defensively seems to run a 4-2 defense. The Hurricanes will look to finally break through the section tournament and make the State tournament in 2019, returning players like: Running Back/Defensive Lineman- Ben Walters, speed and power, he is bigger than most 9-man players, but also has plenty of speed to be tough stop as well. Grand Meadow Super Larks The Super Larks finished the season 7-3 (2 losses to Houston, 1 to Spring Grove). Averaging 23 points a game offensively and giving up 14 points a game defensively. Grand Meadow seems to like the I-formation on offense and runs a 3-3 defense as well. The Super Larks used to be the perfect team in 9-man for years until graduation caught up with them and Spring Grove emerged. They will look to return to perfection with players like: Running Back/Linebacker- Noah Skifter, speed, hits the hole hard and accelerate into the open field, will bring contact if needed. Cleveland Clippers The Clippers finished the season 5-4. Averaging 28 points on both sides of the ball. There was not a lot of film on the Clippers, so I was unable to find tendencies and returning players. Mabel-Canton Cougars The Cougars finished the season at 5-5. Mabel-Canton seemed to run a winged T formation on offense and a 3-2-4 look defensively. The returning seniors on their profile did not have film, Lanesboro Burros The Burros finished the season at 3-6. Lanesboro seemed to run an I-formation offensively, I could not find a defensive clip. Lanesboro will return a key Senior in: Running Back: Nate Betz, Versatile, was used as a runner and receiver in the playbook. LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinals The Cardinals finished the season at 1-6. LeRoy-Ostrander seemed to enjoy the spread offense. They will also return a key Senior in: Running Back- Carter Johnson, strength, tough to bring down when he has the football. Lyle-Pacelli Athletics The Athletics finished the season 0-9. Lyle-Pacelli also ran most their offense out of the shotgun, while running a 3-3 defense. The key Senior they will return is: Kicker- Giacomo Riva, athletic, kicks the ball high and deep enough for him to go make the tackle as well.  