Impact Individuals – Eastview vs. Minnetonka

Brian Jerzak

September 2, 2019 @ 09:03 PM

Thursday night at Eastview High School was a great way to start the 2019 high school football season. Eastview came back from a ten-point fourth quarter deficit to win the game with a fourth and goal touchdown throw from Max Sherwin to DJ Barber. The catch - which came with less than ten seconds to play - gave the Lightning a 21-17 victory over Minnetonka. In my second story highlighting the opening week thriller, I will focus on individuals who stood out from each team. Eastview Lighting Running back Zach Miller Miller, who was starting largely because the Lightning's probable starting running back was out – looked nothing like a backup. For long stretches of the game, the offense relied on his hard inside running and quick cutback ability. He scored the team's first two touchdowns and was the most consistent offensive weapon. The interior of the Lightning offensive line Minnetonka has two formidable defenders at defensive tackle. While they were effective in stretches, most of the Lightning's offensive success came in between the hash marks. They opened holes for Miller with straight-line blocking, effective double teams and especially with their inside trap game. Linebacker Dylan Fredrickson The defense only gave up 17 points, and although they gave up some yards, they always seemed to come up with a play when they needed one. It was tough to pick out too many individuals, but inside linebacker Fredrickson made plays from sideline to sideline. Wide receiver DJ Barber Barber dropped a big pass late in the first half. A catch would have allowed the Lightning to run out the clock and go into the half with a lead, but the drop gave the ball back to the Skippers and led to a Tonka touchdown that tied the game. Barber would redeem himself by making two plays late in the game to complete a fourth quarter comeback. He caught a forty-yard pass down the middle of the field to get the offense down to the two-yard line. Four plays later, he caught the game winning touchdown pass. Minnetonka Quarterback Luke Tollefson The Skippers ran a read-option offense out of the shotgun, and Tollefson made countless good reads. One of the Skippers' touchdown drives summed up nicely their senior signal caller's night. He completed a pair of passes, and used his legs to pick up yards on the ground. He made good reads when giving the ball to running back Ben Tolkinen and even caught a pass for a first down on a trick play throw into the flat. Carvon Gurley and Aidan Lowery The two defensive tackles were a problem for much of the game for the Lightning. Although Eastview was able to run some inside traps in the fourth quarter, the duo made running in between the tackles an adventure. They also provided a consistent push up the middle against the pass.