Week 5: Top Offensive Performances

I don’t know how it went by so fast, but we have made it to the end of the regular season here in the Wisconsin Spring Season. There are still two weeks left for some teams while others have wrapped up the season and are moving into their offseason. Congratulations to all of the kids that are finished with the season. You persevered through a lot of things over the past year, and I hope it was well worth it. As for the athletes about to begin an altered two week playoffs, good luck! I look forward to covering some big time matchups and impressive performances! Before we move into the playoffs let’s recap what was put on tape in week five! We begin the week with our Top Offensive Performances right here, right now. Let’s get started! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31139" first="Adam" last="Timbrook"], 2021 RB- De Pere</strong> <em>Stat Line: 5 Carries, 20 Rushing Yds, 1 Receiving TD, 1 Passing TD, 2 2-PT Conv.</em> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9627350/60857ef190f9ad021cb3141e">Adam’s Week 5 Highlights</a> De Pere handled Lincoln from start to finish in their Week Five matchup and it led to a lot of the starters not getting a ton of work or playing much of the second half. However, just in the short film you can see the skill that Timbrook is taking to Carroll University in the fall. He is a thick and compact ball carrier with the muscle to break through tackle attempts and the contact balance to come out of those broken tackles under control. He also showed off how dangerous he can be as a receiver in the screen game. It was fun seeing all the ways that Adam was used this week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118354" first="Riley" last="Warzynski"], 2022 QB- Stevens Point</strong> <em>Stat Line: 13/14, 171 Passing Yds, 1 Passing TD </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11561242/6084b44a42077105902e3c72">Riley’s Week 5 Highlights</a> Riley shredded the Green Bay Preble defense in week five. Whether you just glance at the stats or watch the film it’s quickly apparent that his accuracy was pinpoint sharp. The 6’3" 200 lbs junior also has the arm strength to quickly zip the ball to his receiver before windows are able to close. You can see the velocity through the tape. Riley doesn’t have to put a lot of air under his passes to get them down field. That combination of accuracy and arm strength has made Riley one of the better overall arm talents in the state. He also adds some dual threat ability with his legs. Check him out! <strong>Sam Lagowski, 2022 QB- Notre Dame</strong> <em>Stat Line: N/A </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/17711/6085c13c9a9c3f1b8062a92c">Sam’s Week 5 Highlights</a> This was my first time getting to watch some of Sam’s film and I have left impressed. The 6’3" 187 lbs junior is light on his feet and quickly gets through his drop and that quickness continues into his release. I really liked how he played under duress. He didn’t abandon the pocket early, maneuvered to buy time when needed, and stood tall when the pocket was closing in around him and was still able to deliver the ball to his receivers. I wouldn’t label him as a dual threat, but he does have the play speed to pick up some chunk yardage when he decides to tuck and run. Another piece I picked up on is he seems to understand when he can lay it out there and let his receiver run under it and when he needs to put some heat on it to beat a defender. If you haven’t checked him out I suggest giving him a look. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31356" first="Danny" last="Karofsky"], 2022 QB- Madison West</strong> <em>Stat Line: 10/14, 238 Passing Yds, 4 Passing TDs, 8 Carries, 85 Rushing Yds, 2 Rushing TDs </em> [embed]https://twitter.com/dannykarofsky/status/1385819742125142018[/embed] Danny tore up the field this past week. He is a dual threat at the QB position and both aspects of his game are on display in his film. As a passer, Danny is at his best in the short to intermediate range where he can pair his accuracy with enough velocity to hit the tight throwing lanes. He does have enough arm to attack down the field, it just isn’t with as much velocity on the ball. On the ground, Danny is a good looking athlete. He makes his read quickly and once he pulls it he can accelerate to top speed quickly. His body control comes in huge as he is able to juke and make lateral moves while staying at or near top speed to make defenders miss. That athleticism gives him the chance to help a program at the next level in more ways that just as a QB. <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="131829" first="Gabe" last="Herman"], 2023 QB- De Pere</strong> <em>Stat Line: 9/11, 239 Passing Yds, 4 Passing TDs, 2 2-Pt Conv. Rushes, 1 2-Pt Conv. Pass </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13982628/60842de34debb114cc2d58b1">Gabe’s Week 5 Highlights</a> The first that jumps out this week is something I have enjoyed watching the past few weeks when it comes to Gabe. He is so tough to bring down in the pocket. It reminds me of Big Ben from the Pittsburgh Steelers. How they are just so big and physical that the defenders at their respected level have a hard time bringing them down. It leads to a lot of extra time in the pocket and plays that a lot of other QBs wouldn’t be able to make. That strength is in his arm too. He has a couple throws this week that he really fired into some tight spots with very good accuracy. Herman has consistently rose for me week after week.  He is a fun watch every time! <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Gabe also did all this in just one half plus a drive in the second half this week.</span> <strong>Joshua Waite, 2022 QB- La Crosse Logan</strong> <em>Stat Line: 11/20, 132 Passing Yds, 1 Passing TD </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11286044/60843e7d9a9c3f1b8061d6fb">Josh’s Week 5 Highlights</a> This is Josh’s first time in the Top Performers, but not my first time watching him. I was able to catch him live a couple weeks ago. This film shows an improvement from where he was just a month ago. Also, I want to note that this was the biggest matchup of the season for La Crosse Logan as they played their rival La Crosse Central. I love to see a QB step up in the biggest moments and lead his team to what many people, including myself, would call an upset victory.That’s what Josh did. His week five film is full of him making accurate throws while on designed roll outs or escaping pressure. That is where his ability to effectively throw while off platform shined this week. He also did a really good job of not holding onto the ball. He was decisive in his attack. It’s hard for the defense to effect the QB when he is getting the ball out in two seconds or less. That decisiveness and ability to make plays out of structure were the keys to his success and the victory. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30995" first="Jack" last="McHugh-Sake"], 2021 TE- La Crosse Logan</strong> <em>Stat Line: 4 Receptions, 61 Receiving Yds, 1 Receiving TD </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9713033/6084523aab9296036c06b3d9">Jack’s Week 5 Highlights</a> Jack was on the receiving end of Waite’s performance above. He was also once again a huge factor in the run game as a blocker. Jack’s size and strength makes it easy for him to bulldoze DEs and LBs far off the ball and out of the running lanes. Then Jack can go from being a dominating force as an inline blocking to lining up out wide and being a huge mismatch for his QB. McHugh-Sake does a good job of getting open with his route running, but at the high school level he is such an imposing physical presence that it’s that size that is the actual reason for how much space he creates. DBs have to give him big cushions and at the catch point nobody can cover his entire catch radius. It was a good way to end his high school career. Good luck at SMSU, Jack! <strong>Chase Hanselman, 2021 WR- Neenah</strong> <em>Stat Line: 5 Receptions, 85 Receiving Yds, 2 Receiving TDs </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8347929/6085a9321763531c301d2666">Chase’s Week 5 Highlights</a> Chase knows how to go up and get the football at it’s highest point. Both of his TDs this week weren’t anything more than him just wanting it more. Both times he was pretty well covered, but the DB couldn’t match Chase’s catch radius and his strong hands made sure he came down with it. The senior WR consistently plays bigger than his 6’1" 185 lbs frame would suggest. His third play shows off some solid route running. As soon as the DB turned to continue dropping Chase made his out cut that opened up plenty of space for his QB to deliver the ball to. Chase has been a consistent playmaker since I watched him live back in week one. <strong>Cole Kerchefski, 2021 RB- Stevens Point</strong> <em>Stat Line: 20 Carries, 159 Rushing Yds, 3 Rushing TDs </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9780260/6084cc30bd6ba31f18ace6e9">Cole’s Week 5 Highlights</a> If any D3 or even D2 program is looking to steal a 2021 RB late in the process then check out Cole’s film. The 6’ 190 lbs RB has been a workhorse all season long. Not only does he get the majority of carries, there are weeks where he is the only one getting carries against some of the top defenses in the state. He has an upright running style, but he is able to pack a bunch when he lowers his shoulder to break through tackles. He has the contact balance to keep on trucking after he breaks those tackles too. He’s shiftier than you would expect too. He has his power, but when he needs to he can easily weave through the trash and utilize blocks to pick up more yards. Definitely give him a look. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="94798" first="Carter" last="Fonger"], 2021 RB- Superior</strong> <em>Stat Line: 73 Rushing Yds, 3 Rushing TDs. Bonus: 24 Total Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sack </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9862261/6084550742077105902e013f">Carter’s Week 5 Highlights</a> What a stat line! Every bit of what he put on film was needed this week too as they pulled off the 1 point victory over Sparta. Carter is a compact, but thick framed RB prospect. My major takeaway is his three down ability, and not just as a runner and receiver. He is also a reliable pass blocker. He does a good job of scanning and finding blitzers and making the block to give his QB time. Carter’s short area explosiveness is eye-catching on a few of this week’s clips as well. He looks shot out of a cannon when he first gets the hand off and when he comes out of a lateral movement he explodes forward to top speed. I believe he is still looking for his home at the next level so give him a look! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31326" first="Jackson" last="Compton"], 2022 QB- Greenfield</strong> <em style="font-size: 1rem;">Stat Line: 12/13, 200 Passing Yds, 1 Passing TD, 6 Carries, 164 Rushing Yds, 3 Rushing TDs </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8496080/6085c23ab5362d090c92667f">Jackson’s Week 5 Highlights</a> Jackson might have the best production this week amongst our Top Performers. He was exceptionally efficient through the air and was a guaranteed big play on the ground. That can all be seen just with a glance at the stats. Then you pop on the tape from the week... Let’s talk about his ground attack first. Jackson did a great job of riding the read out as long as he could allowing his blocks to set up and the read defender to commit to the RB. When he pulled it he was able to quickly accelerate to top speed. It wasn’t always just the speed that got him to his big plays though. Compton showed off some impressive elusiveness in tight quarters. His lateral agility and combination of spins or jukes left defenders grasping at air. Through the air, Jackson nearly couldn’t miss on Friday. Jackson did a great job of staying in rhythm all night long. The ball came out when it needed to and he was able to put it right where he wanted it. He carved up the defense on those short to intermediate passes that showed off his footwork and timing with his weapons. Take a look at his film from this week. It’s a fun watch! <strong>Maddax Shinners, 2021 WR- De Pere</strong> <em>Stat Line: 6 Receptions, 130 Receiving Yds, 3 TDs, 1 2- Pt Conv. </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10460822/60844e8190f9ad021cb26be2">Maddax’s Week 5 Highlights</a> This week’s performance is a great example of why I believe that Maddax has a great chance to make an early impact at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He has all the size you could ask for at 6’3" 190 lbs and has the speed to take the top off the defense, which he demonstrated on his first TD. The technique is there too as he is a very sharp route runner for that size. His second TD shows off good initial quickness at the line as he was able to beat the DB inside. He showed off strong hands and the ability to come down with it in traffic on his third TD and also the second to last play of the film. Shinners has the potential to develop into a very successful D2 WR based off where he is at right now. Moorhead is getting a good one! <strong>Miles Gallagher, 2022 WR- Racine Case</strong> <em>Stat Line: 6 Receptions, 134 Receiving Yds, 2 TDs, 8 Carries, 27 Rushing Yds </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12929534/6083a228a018ca1df4b267ba">Miles’ Week 5 Highlights</a> Miles had an impactful game on both sides of the ball, and could have been apart of the Top Performers for either side of the ball. On offense, Miles lines up at WR and RB and was utilized in both spots this week. Whether he is taking or hand off or turning up field after the catch, I really like how much strength he shows in his play. He is tough to bring down and when he lowers his shoulder I expect him to come out the other side thanks to his very good contact balance. Some of his highlights this week I don’t understand how he wasn’t brought down. Then on top of all that strength and body control he has the speed to take it to the house. It’s almost deceptive speed. I wasn’t expecting him to be able to move like he does. He is definitely a name to know going forward. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31202" first="Braelon" last="Allen"], 2021 RB/LB- Fond du Lac</strong> <em>Stat Line: 15 Carries, 154 Rushing Yds, 3 Rushing TDs </em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11518791/60844af242077105902dfdf5">Braelon’s Week 5 Highlights</a> These Wisconsin high school kids are braver than me. Going out there week after week and taking their turn trying to tackle the 6’2" 240 lbs Wisconsin LB commit who also spends his time leading the state in rushing TDs. There isn’t much to say about Braelon that hasn’t been said. His athletic gifts at that size are rare, and the combination of smooth athleticism and strength are even more rare. When he is in the backfield for Fond du Lac HS you see those traits that make him a great defender also help make him a dominant RB at this level. He has the speed to turn every touch into six points and he has the strength to break tackles as well as carry the pile for several extra yards. His vision and quick reaction time allows him to find and hit running lanes with ease just like it allows him to quickly diagnose plays from his LB and safety spots. The wildest part is that we could have had another season of these performances, but Braelon has reclassified will be in Madison this fall instead. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118676" first="Darrin" last="Lowney"], 2022 OL- Superior</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11150897/6084ccae0c5da201901ad71e">Darrin's Week 5 Highlights</a> Another week, another solid performance from the 6'1" 280 lbs two way lineman. This week he comes through on the offensive side because of his manhandling of the IDL of Sparta. Darrin was able to create several pancakes and consistently open up space for the running game. There is a nice balance of power and finesse to Darrin's game. He can plow straight ahead or he can use more of his lateral athleticism to slide and get himself positioned between the defender and the running lane. He is a name to know for 2022 OL in Wisconsin. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30801" first="Drew" last="Hanson"], 2021 QB- Edgerton</strong> <em>Stat Line: 20/26, 244 Passing Yds, 5 Passing TDs</em> [embed]https://twitter.com/HansonDrew4/status/1386492276046712833[/embed] What a way to wrap up a high school career! Drew came out and lit up the scoreboard while showing off his complete game. In rhythm from the pocket, or on the run outside the pocket Drew was able to attack the defense with dart after dart. He was able to put almost every pass right where he wanted it and consistently took what the defense was giving him, whether it was a checkdown or a shot down the field. Drew did a very good job of orchestrating the offense this season and he has big things ahead as he will be suiting up for UW- Oshkosh in the fall. Good luck, Drew! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30769" first="Konner" last="Knauf"], 2021 WR- Edgerton</strong> <em>Stat Line: 9 Receptions, 147 Receiving Yds, 1 TD, 2 Carries, 30 Rushing Yds. Bonus: 1 INT, 3 PBUs</em> [embed]https://twitter.com/konner_knauf/status/1386028707312283649[/embed] Konner could have been apart of the offensive or defensive Top Performers this week with his performance. I didn't expect anything less from him as he wrapped up a very good spring season and overall high school career. On offense, it was another week of being the best athlete on the field for Konner. His route running was able to get him open like clockwork, and when they got it to him quickly on the outside he flashed the speed that was very hard for his opponent to contain. The body control along the sideline to keep his feet in bounds while making the catch was in full effect on a couple plays this week too. It was a complete demonstration of his traits for Knauf. Just like his QB above, this is just the beginning. He will be suiting up for Dordt this fall. Good luck, Konner!