Lakeville North vs. Champlin Park Offensive Players of the Game

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">The 31-21 thriller of a 6A state semifinal last Thursday at U.S. Bank stadium between <em>Champlin Park </em>and <em>Lakeville North </em>blew the socks off of my 14-10 prediction from earlier that day in a "Preview" article for <em>Northstar Football News. </em>Although I was correct in picking the <em>Rebels </em>as the victorious team, this game featured a lot more explosive plays from both sides than expected and combined to create an exciting offensive showdown which included some noteworthy individual performances on both teams. The achievements on the field have earned these athletes the "Northstar Offensive Player of the Game:"</span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">1) <strong>Jaice Miller </strong>(<em>Champlin Park </em>2020-6'4, 215 lbs.) is the <em>Rebels </em>quarterback and also my pick for Minnesota's 2019 Mr. Football. On Thursday, <strong>Miller </strong>looked like the best player on the field and is 100% the offensive MVP of the game. Currently holding offers from North Dakota and South Dakota State, the senior came out hot and looked so sharp playing QB that it was easy to forget that <strong>Miller </strong>was an All-Distract WR last season for <em>Champlin</em>. He could make any throw that was asked of him, and consistently put it on the money with well timed throws to his receivers that hit them in stride or in-between DB's and LB's.</span> [caption id="attachment_15148" align="alignright" width="218"] Jaice Miller.[/caption] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Also a tough runner, <strong>Miller </strong>is an overall dynamic athlete who is doing it all in his prep career in a special way. He was 20-32 with 1 TD and 2 ints. (one was tipped and the other was an incredible play by the DB) on Thursday night and added 37-yards and 2 TD's off 13 rushing attempts. Senior season Hudl: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CArPh">http://www.hudl.com/v/2CArPh</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">2) <strong>Raja Nelson </strong>(<em>Lakeville North </em>2020-5'11, 185 lbs.) is easily <em>Lakeville North's </em>best player and one of the most athletic the state has to offer. For that reason, the future NDSU Bison was moved to QB for his senior season after playing RB and WR previously. With tough coverage and steady pressure from the <em>Champlin Park </em>defense all night, <strong>Nelson </strong>was forced to rely on his legs to get things going for the defending state champions. A no doubt solid strategy, <strong>Nelson </strong>is lightning fast and showed great burst last Thursday to find space in the tightly defended interior gaps of the <em>Rebel </em>front-seven.</span> [caption id="attachment_8627" align="alignright" width="218"] Credit: Raja Nelson[/caption] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Once in space, the senior showed off a nasty jump cut that left a few defenders searching for their ankles-including <em>North's </em>first TD where a <em>Rebel </em>fell onto his butt and stayed there for a second trying to figure out what happened due to a dirty juke from <strong>Nelson</strong>. The NDSU commit will no doubt have a tremendous college career at whatever position he plays. Last Thursday in his final prep game he rushed it 31 times for 170 yards (5.5 average) with 3 TD's from his QB position. Congrats on the career, <strong>Raja</strong>. Midseason 2019 Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7788274/5d8989fbbed6890c248b896d">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7788274/5d8989fbbed6890c248b896d</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">3) <strong>Brock Johnson </strong>(<em>Champlin Park </em>2020-5'11, 175 lbs.) is my final "Offensive Player of the Game" as well as one of the most impressive receivers I've seen this season. <strong>Johnson </strong>seems to have a knack for making big-time plays for the <em>Rebels</em>- and his "moss" over two <em>Totino-Grace </em>DB's near the end zone in <em>Champlin's </em>nail-biting 12-7 victory over the <em>Eagles </em>in October- remains my favorite catch of the season thus far. <strong>Johnson </strong>possesses great speed and is a good route runner whose skills could definitely translate well for a college football program next year.</span> [caption id="attachment_15183" align="alignright" width="211"] Brock Johnson.[/caption] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif"> <strong>Johnson </strong>had 8 catches for 108 yards (13.5 average) and a huge TD on a slant that was the first points of the game and was also a thing of beauty. I'll make sure to keep you guys informed about <strong>Johnson's </strong>collegiate future. Updated Hudl: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2BzFDS">http://www.hudl.com/v/2BzFDS</a></span>