Columbus vs Big Foot: Game Recap and Players of the Game

For my Week Four matchup I made the hour long drive to Walworth, WI to scout the Columbus vs Big Foot matchup. The game ended up being a tale of two very different halves as the victor was able to flip a switch in the second half and completely takeover the game. As for the talent, the big names that I was looking forward to seeing in action were the names that had the biggest effect on the game. I also came away with a couple of new games to know. Before I get into those Players of the Game, let’s run through a recap of how the game went now that I am able to feel my fingers again. Thanks for reading! Enjoy! <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Game Recap</strong></span> The game started off with beautiful weather. It was in the mid 50s with plenty of sun, but as the game went on the temperature steadily dropped and ended up in the 30s by the time the game came to an end. The steadily declining temps didn’t cool off the action in this game though. We started the game with a quick punt by Columbus after a 3 &amp; out, but on Big Foot’s second offensive play QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118551" first="Basil" last="Demco"]</strong> wasn’t able to handle the shotgun snap and after a scrum for the football Columbus’ defense was able to come away with the ball on the Big Foot 9. They quickly capitalized on the early momentum swing when RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30902" first="Caden" last="Brunell"]</strong> took the handoff and made it into the endzone from 2 yards out untouched with 8:36 remaining in the first quarter. After both teams’ defenses forced a punt Big Foot’s offense found their rhythm with 4:50 remaining in the first. They took to the air as they worked their way down the field starting at their 16. They were able to cap off the drive with their first points as QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118551" first="Basil" last="Demco"]</strong> found WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118440" first="Alexander" last="Schmitz"]</strong> on a beautifully thrown go route on 4th down. Schmitz was able to beat the DB with his speed and make it into the endzone for the 38 yard score. After the failed two point try, the score stood at 7-6 with 2:08 remaining. The quarter came to a close with Big Foot’s defense making a big play of their own. Columbus’ QB <strong>William Cotter</strong> was able to connect with his receiver on a deep pass down the field, but one of Big Foot’s DBs, <strong>Alex Vail,</strong> was able to strip the ball and the defenders in pursuit were able to pounce on it. The quarter came to an end with a Big Foot punt after they weren’t able to turn that big play into any sort of drive. The second quarter opened up with Columbus’ uncommitted senior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30902" first="Caden" last="Brunell"]</strong> dominating on the ground. He was the motor that moved the Columbus offense down the field on this drive as he pinballed off tackle attempts and kept his legs churning towards consistent chunks of yards. Caden’s vision was great all night too as he was able to consistently find lanes or bounce runs to the outside. It was on full display this drive and he finished the drive with a 6 yard rushing TD to give Columbus a 14-6 lead with 9:20 remaining in the half. From here until halftime it turned into a defensive battle. Columbus was able to get a hand on a Big Foot punt setting them up with great field position, but Big Foot held strong and eventually forced a 22 yard field goal attempt that doinked off the upright. Then Columbus picked off a Demco deep pass with 6:00 remaining in the half. Columbus couldn’t get it going and had to punt it back to Big Foot. We saw a glimpse of offense as WR <strong>Alex Schmitz</strong> was able to haul in another deep shot down the field from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118551" first="Basil" last="Demco"]</strong>. This time for a 57 yard gain down to the Columbus 5. However, Columbus’ defense wasn’t going to break. They dug in and were able to force a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass on 4th &amp; 1 from their own 1. The Big Foot defense ended the half with the momentum as they were able to kill another good looking Columbus drive when RB/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104504" first="Jax" last="Hertel"]</strong> was able to punch the ball loose and Big Foot was able to recover with :24 remaining in the half. After the kneel down we went into the half with Columbus leading 14-6. The third quarter was a vastly different game than what we saw in the first half. Columbus flipped a switch at the half and came out hot in the third quarter. After Big Foot was forced to punt, Columbus QB <strong>William Cotter</strong> wasted no time. On their first snap he found WR <strong>Trace Kirchberg</strong> on the screen. Trace was able to weave his way through the defense and break a couple tackles on his way to the 56 yard TD and 21-6 lead. That was just the beginning of Cotter and Kirchberg’s takeover of the third quarter. After another Big Foot punt, Cotter dropped back on the first play again and found Kirchberg flying down the sideline with a perfectly thrown dime. Cotter was able to hit Trace right in stride as he flew into the endzone for his second score of the game and the 28-6 lead with 7:13 remaining in the third. The flood gates really opened up after Columbus was able to intercept Demco on an atempt over the middle of the field. Columbus wasn’t able to score on the first play this time, so instead they put together a well balanced drive that was capped of by Cotter’s legs from 1 yard out. The third quarter closed with Big Foot’s offense getting a spark from their dynamic duo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118551" first="Basil" last="Demco"]</strong> dropped back and found <strong>Alex Schmitz</strong> for a 57 yard gain. Schmitz did a great job of tracking the ball and adjusting to it in the air. He also did a great job of running hard after the catch. On the first play of the 4th quarter Basil finished the drive off with a really nice touch pass to the back corner of the endzone. He was able to find WR <strong>Eli Greco</strong> from 14 yards out. Greco showed off the body control to be able to get a foot down in bounds after the catch. This put us at 35-12 with one quarter left to play. Columbus was going to let Big Foot climb back into the game. On their next drive the slowly worked their way down the field and finished it off with another score from their workhorse back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30902" first="Caden" last="Brunell"].</strong> After that score the game was well in hand for Columbus. After they forced the turnover on downs they started rotating in their younger players to get them some experience. They weren’t able to find the endzone, but the reserves were able to milk over 4 minutes off the clock before turning it over. After a couple Big Foot kneel downs the clock expired leaving us with a final score of Columbus 42 Big Foot 12. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Players of the Game</strong></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30902" first="Caden" last="Brunell"], 2021 RB- Columbus</strong> I don’t have the exact stats for Caden’s night, but it was a wildly impressive game. He was the workhorse that was counted on to move the team up and down the field drive after drive. He stepped up to the task and handled it impressively. That vast touches showed off some traits that should catch the eye of the next level. His contact balance was special. He pinballed off defenders between the tackles as he picked up the tough yards and kept moving forward. There also were some carries where it seemed like Caden had eyes in the back of his head because I don’t know how else he could have seen the lanes he cut back to. Brunell is still available. I highly recommend giving the 5’10" 180 lbs back a look. <strong>William Cotter, 2021 QB- Columbus</strong> I haven’t been able to find a Twitter William, so I’m not 100% on if the 6’5" 200 lbs senior QB is still available, but if he is he needs to be considered. He has a great frame for the next level and has enough athleticism to be able to buy time and maneuver in the pocket as well as pick up some yardage on the ground. Cotter did a really good job of stepping up when his team needed him last night. Coming into the second half I was expecting a tight finish, but he took to the air early and often and completely took over and put the game out of reach with just a couple of passes and a rushing attempt. It was crazy to see the Columbus offense flip a switch like they did and he was the leader behind it. <strong>Trace Kirchberg, 2021 WR- Columbus</strong> The other key to the flip being switched in the third quarter was Trace. The 6’1" 200 lbs WR was on the receiving end of those Cotter pass attempts that blew the game open in the third quarter. He showed soft hands and impressive elusiveness in tight quarters as he was able to turn quick screens into huge plays as he picked his way through the defense. He also showed that that frame has some power to it too as he was able to break through a couple tackles on the way to his first score of the game. Trace was definitely the go to target and he looked natural with that responsibility. <strong>Mason Carthew, 2022 DB/TE- Columbus</strong> Mason in on this list for the battle he had on defense. He was assigned the task of covering the very talented WR1 for Big Foot, Alex Schmitz. Now Alex was able to post a great stat line thanks to a couple big plays, but besides those big plays Mason was up to the challenge. The 6’3" 190 lbs DB was able to use that size to battle with Alex throughout the route and had the athleticism to be able to turn and run with him down the field. I came away impressed overall. He was handed a very difficult task and didn’t shy away from it all game. <strong>Columbus Offensive Line</strong> This group was made up of <strong>Brady Engel</strong>, <strong>Luke Lobner</strong>, <strong>Austin Rennhack</strong>, <strong>Caden Morschauser</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37183" first="Ryan" last="King"]</strong>. King is the best college prospect in the group and is committed to UW- La Crosse. As a group, these five did a great job of keeping the QB clean and opened up running lanes and cutback lanes all night long. Despite a talented Big Foot front seven, they didn’t allow a sack on QB Cotter. They also were the key to Caden’s huge night. Even though only two of the five check in at over 220 lbs they were still able to generate movement in the trenches to open up space for Caden to work. This was a great showing of five linemen playing as one unit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118551" first="Basil" last="Demco"], 2022 QB- Big Foot</strong> Basil had some up and down moments, but overall the Big Foot offense went as he went. They count on him to handle a large chunk of the responsibility for moving the offense. He was willing to step up to the task. The 5’11" 175 lbs dual threat QB throws a beautiful spiral. One of the tightest spirals I’ve seen live this past year. He also showed off consistent accuracy on his short to intermediate attempts, and was able to get the ball down the field with enough air under it so that Schmitz could go and get it. If he is able to continue to develop his arm strength over the next year so he can add more velocity on the ball he has the chance to develop into a nice prospect for the next level. He finished the night going for 12/27, 245 yds, 2 Passing TDs, 2 INTs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118440" first="Alexander" last="Schmitz"], 2022 WR- Big Foot</strong> Alex was in a good battle all night, as I mentioned above. However, he was still able to come up with huge plays when Big Foot needed a spark. Alex has so much to offer a program at the next level. He has the length to go up and over defenders to get the ball. He uses his size to create separation along with surprising straight line speed for his size. His best trait from the night was his ability to track the football in the air and adjust to it. As long as it was close enough I was confident that Alex was going to figure out a way to come down with the ball. Especially down the field. The farther down the field he was targeted the more it seemed like he had the upper hand thanks to that ability to adjust quickly and go up and get the ball. That’s how he was able to turn his 5 receptions into 169 yards and a TD. Great individual performance from Alex. <strong>Eli Greco, 2021 WR- Big Foot</strong> Eli was a kid I didn’t know about coming in, and I left pleasantly surprised. The 6’2" 150 lbs senior was able to show of his body control on the sideline to get his TD. I was surprised by his hands. He made some impressive catches in traffic and tight windows that not every receiver would of been able to hang on to. Eli was without question a top two option for their passing offense and he finished the day with 6 receptions, 72 yards, and a TD. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104504" first="Jax" last="Hertel"], 2023 RB/LB- Big Foot</strong> Jax was one of the players I had down as a guy I wanted to focus on throughout the game. The 6'1" 205 lbs sophomore had a solid game on both sides of the ball. On defense he did a good job of filling against the run and uses that size to deliver some good hits. Hits that included one that forced a fumble and turnover. On offense, Jax runs with power and when he gets a head of steam going he can be hard to drag down. He picked up some very tough yards between the tackles last night. He earned every bit of the 72 rushing yards he had. On defense he finished with 9 total tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1 forced fumble. This is a kid that college programs will want to have on their recruiting boards.