Offensive lines to watch in 2021

The lifeblood of any offense is the offensive line. No group has more impact on an offense’s success than the line. I think it is more likely for a team to overcome poor quarterback play than poor offensive line play. I only have to think back to the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson’s near record-breaking season of 2012. Peterson rushed for over 2,000 yards behind his offensive line and made the playoffs – with Christian Ponder at quarterback. Ponder was out of the league two years later. Two of the most significant factors in solid offensive line play are – of course – talent, but almost as important is cohesion. There will be plenty of talent on these offensive lines, but they also have experience playing together. Note: Returning starters have been determined by my best guess relying on video from the 2019 season and 2019 rosters. The rankings used are from prepredzone.com’s most recent rankings for all players in the 2021 and 2022 classes in Minnesota. <strong>Annandale Cardinals</strong> The Cardinals return four starters from last season’s state semi-final team. This group blocked for an offense that scored over 40 or more points six times. The offensive line should be even stronger this season. They return three starters we have ranked in the top 108 in the Class of ’21 – 4th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18028" first="Logan" last="Purcell"]</strong>, 61st ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18078" first="Isaac" last="Hagstrom"]</strong>, and 108th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18118" first="Drew" last="Conte"]</strong>. They also return a fourth starter – senior <strong>Austin Sundberg</strong>. <strong>Wayzata Trojans</strong> The Trojans are one case where I might overlook cohesion. Wayzata only has two returning starters on the offensive line. However, they have the best returning one, two punch in the state with 9th ranked, and recent Syracuse commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18140" first="Tyler" last="Magnuson"]</strong>, and 56th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18077" first="Alec" last="Rasmussen"]</strong>. That leaves three big holes to fill on the offensive line for the defending 6A champions. However, with the Trojans’ track record of offensive line play, until proven otherwise, I have faith in Wayzata head coach <strong>Lambert Brown</strong> and his staff to reach into the depth chart and find at least two guys to not only compete but compete at a high level. <strong>Minneapolis North</strong> I have seen this version of the Polars mentioned as possibly the best Minneapolis North team ever. Even if that is overstating it, just looking at who they return along the offensive line – a ’best ever’ argument might be possible. In 2019, the Polars scored over thirty points eight times in thirteen games. They return three ranked starters who we classify as offensive linemen – 193rd ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18197" first="John" last="Collins Jr."]</strong>, from the Class of 2021 and two linemen from the Class of 2022., <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18561" first="Chester" last="Watley"]</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18535" first="Quiyon" last="Jordan"]</strong>. That does not even include one of the best overall 2021 players in the state – 7th ranked - at defensive end - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22927" first="Davon" last="Townley"]</strong>. Last year, Townley played on both defensive and offensive lines – something I expect to be similar this spring. <strong>Mankato East</strong> East has the potential to improve on last season’s 5-5 record. The offense scored at least 27 points in six of their ten contests. They also return two seniors who we have ranked in the top 100 in the 2021 class– 67th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18086" first="Eli" last="Olson"]</strong>, and 92nd ranked<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="18105" first="Rieley" last="Fleming"]</strong>. They will also be returning <strong>Ben Davis</strong> at left tackle. Olson is a mauler who is usually on the interior. Fleming – whose college football future might be on the defensive line – holds down one of the offensive tackle spots and is just as physical as Olson. <strong>Lakeville North</strong> North has put together a long run of winning seasons by combining one of the state’s best defenses and a dynamic running game behind a physical offensive line. The formula will likely be following the same script – at least on offense - this spring. They graduated one of the best linemen in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="2082" first="Bryce" last="Benhart"]</strong>, but they still return two highly ranked linemen with 68th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18175" first="Harrison" last="Regier"]</strong>, and 103rd ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18120" first="Joe" last="Grillo"]</strong>. They also bring back a physical junior, guard <strong>Brock Niederer</strong>, who had plenty of time with the first team. <strong>Rogers</strong> Few offensive lines in the state can lean on the type of cohesion the Rogers’ football program should be able to rely on this season. The Royals return their entire starting offensive line, and because of that, have a chance to make a long run through the playoffs – whatever that ends up being – this season. They went 7-1 in the regular season before falling in the first round of the 6A playoffs. They are anchored by two linemen who made our rankings – 182nd ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18186" first="Riley" last="Bauer"]</strong>, and 128th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18139" first="Charlie" last="Folkens"]</strong>. They will be joined by two other seniors - <strong>Alex Schmidt</strong> and <strong>Alex VonRueden</strong>, along with junior<strong> Reiken Downs</strong>. <strong>Park Center</strong> While a long run in the playoffs might not be in the Pirates’ cards, a big jump in the win column could be. Although Park Center struggled through a winless season, they – like Rogers – return their entire starting five. Also, like Rogers, two of those starters crack our rankings – 164th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18160" first="David" last="Nyan"]</strong> – who played both tackle and guard in 2019 - and 229th ranked <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22940" first="James" last="Parker"]</strong>. Joining those two ranked seniors are juniors <strong>Adam Adeboye</strong>, <strong>Kellen Kopp</strong>, and <strong>Riley Johnson</strong>. <strong>Hill-Murray</strong> The Pioneers have one of the best anchors to start an offensive line with our 2nd ranked junior –<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="18420" first="Lucas" last="Heyer"]</strong>. Alongside Heyer, is our 255th ranked senior - <strong>Elliot Heinrichs</strong>. Senior returning starter <strong>Thomas Solar</strong> will join them. The wildcard in the Pioneers’ mix is a guy on our Class of 2023 watch list - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="19012" first="Christian" last="Koenig"]</strong> – who if he would not have been injured for a significant portion of the season, might have seen time in the offensive line or tight end rotation as a freshman. He is expected to be in the mix to fill one of the remaining two spots on the line this spring.