Top one-on-one matchups of week one

We’re officially only one day away from the start of the 2020 MN High School football season, we made it! As we all know, football is an 11 on 11 team-game, but that does not mean one-on-one battles aren’t involved. Compared to other team sports such as, hockey or basketball individual matchups play a large part in determining the outcome on the gridiron. There are plenty of terrific games on the week one slate across Minnesota, but I think there are a few special ones that stand out. Obviously, each player will not be going one-on-one every single snap, but my list will include special talent that will certainly face off the majority of each contest. &nbsp; <ul> <li>Shakopee, DL,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="18030" first="Deven" last="Eastern"] </strong>(2021) vs St. Michael-Albertville, OL, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18099" first="Everett" last="Sunvold"]</strong> (2021)</li> </ul> Out of all five matchups we will look at, this one has the chance to be the most individual battle. Shakopee’s [player_tooltip player_id="18030" first="Deven" last="Eastern"] could very well be the best defensive lineman in the state. Standing at 6’5" 275 pounds, Eastern has to be one of the most intimidating players in Minnesota. Last season as a junior he dominated with his special size and strength at predominantly the right defensive end position but happened to move all over the defensive line. Prep Redzone’s No. 6 ranked prospect in the class of 2021 is currently committed to the University of Minnesota. [player_tooltip player_id="18099" first="Everett" last="Sunvold"] played prominently at left tackle last season for the Knights, so we could see an intense battle all night in this one. Standing at 6’2" 270, Sunvold has the size to hold his own against Eastern. He has great quickness for someone as big as he is, which he will need to use, as Eastern is certainly a special talent. Prep Redzone’s No. 81 ranked prospect in the class of 2021 currently holds offers and interest from Northern State, UMD, Mankato, SMSU, Bemidji State, and Concordia St. Paul. &nbsp; <ul> <li>Totino Grace, OT/TE, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18031" first="Joe" last="Alt"]</strong> (2021) v. Blaine, OLB/DE, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18064" first="Ibk" last="Mafe"] </strong>(2021)</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18031" first="Joe" last="Alt"] has quickly became one of the most versatile offensive lineman in the state. Listed at 6’7" 250 pounds, Alt is a little light to be a traditional powerhouse left tackle, and the Eagles use that to his advantage. The Notre Dame commit can certainly handle almost any defensive lineman in the state blocking, but he can also go out for pass routes as a tight end. His speed and strength allow Prep Redzone’s No. 8 ’21 recruit to dominate all over the field. Blaine’s [player_tooltip player_id="18064" first="Ibk" last="Mafe"] plays all over the field for his school’s defense. His versatility is used as a pass rusher, as well as a traditional outside linebacker. His ability to fly around at 6’2" 220 pounds can be scary for any opposing offense. Prep Redzone’s No. 43 ranked player in the class of 2021’s versatility will certainly lead to him being matched up with Alt all game. &nbsp; <ul> <li>Holy Angels, RB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18427" first="Emmett" last="Johnson"] </strong>(2022) v. South St. Paul, LB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49830" first="Mitch" last="Vener"] </strong>(2022)</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="18427" first="Emmett" last="Johnson"] has all of the tools you look for in a great running back. He has supreme vision, great agility, and breakaway speed. Last season as a sophomore, Johnson recorded 169 carries for 1,062 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Prep Redzone’s No. 11 ranked player in the 2022 class currently holds D1 offers from Northern Iowa and Central Michigan. [player_tooltip player_id="49830" first="Mitch" last="Vener"] predominantly plays at the linebacker position for South St. Paul. Listed at 6’2" 215 pounds he has the ideal size to play the position. He plays with a special kind of tenacity of instinctiveness that you just simply cannot teach. PRZ’s No. 31 player in the class of 2022 currently does not have any offers. I am putting Vener in this list, just to recognize how special of a player he is, because unfortunately, he will not be playing this season due to a torn ACL, but this would've been a great matchup two see between two special players. &nbsp; <ul> <li>SMB, OL, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="19004" first="Peyton" last="Lange"]</strong> (2023) v. Fridley, DL, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18054" first="Cheick" last="Kaba"] </strong>(2021)</li> </ul> If [player_tooltip player_id="19004" first="Peyton" last="Lange"] isn’t the most physically gifted football player in the state he is certainly at least number two. Listed at 6’9" 350+ Lange is a behemoth, and only being 15 years old should be freighting to any school that has to play SMB in the future. As a freshman, he played prominently in the interior of the Wolfpack's offensive line, so I would imagine our No. 4 player in 2023 will have his hands full with arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the state. Listed at 6’1" 270 pounds [player_tooltip player_id="18054" first="Cheick" last="Kaba"] is the ideal size to plug the middle of any defensive line. The Fridley senior is currently committed to play football at the Air Force Academy next season which is certainly well deserved. At his size, having the elite get off and speed paired with the great ability to capatlize on leverage makes Kaba nearly unblockable for opposing offensive lineman. I expect Lange to have his hands full with our No. 34 ranked senior in this one. &nbsp; <ul> <li>Apple Valley, QB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49898" first="Tim" last="Wyandt"] </strong>(2022) v. Hopkins, LB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18042" first="RJ" last="Chakolis"] </strong>(2021)</li> </ul> Apple Valley’s [player_tooltip player_id="49898" first="Tim" last="Wyandt"] has yet to appear in a varsity game, but that should not determine his ability to sling the rock. If you watch his 9th/10th grade &amp; practice film you can quickly see his potential. Wyandt is a gifted dual threat QB who can certainly make people miss in the open field, and he can even throw it around the yard at a very high level making him one of the most intriguing first-year starters in MN. Apple Valley was a very run heavy team last season so I will be interested in how their offense changes with Wyandt behind center. Wyandt will have his hands full with one of the best defenders in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="18042" first="RJ" last="Chakolis"] is one of the most freighting linebackers in Minnesota, his wrestling background along with his great strength in speed make him an ideal prototype for his position. Hopkins’ defensive leader currently only holds two D1 offers from UST and Valparaiso, but I expect that number to only go up, as his instinctually play from the middle of the defense is exactly what college coaches are looking for at the next level. Chakolis should give Wyandt all he can handle in his first varsity start. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Honorable Mentions:</span> <ul> <li><em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Elk River, ATH, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18048" first="Carter" last="Otto"]</strong> (2021) v. Rogers, ATH, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18039" first="Michael" last="Olowo"]</strong> (2021)</span></em></li> <li><em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Waseca, ATH, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22925" first="Kyreese" last="Willingham"]</strong> (2021) vs. Cambridge-Isanti, ATH, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18050" first="Gaven" last="Ziebarth"]</strong> (2021)</span></em></li> </ul> &nbsp; &nbsp;