2021 South Dakota Team Preview: Elkton-Lake Benton Elks

<strong>ELKTON, SD-- </strong>We move over to our first 9-man preview of the 2021 season as we take a look at the Elkton-Lake Benton Elks football program. When I looked at the Elks roster, I noticed they are a very young team, but getting plenty of young guys varsity reps this early will only help them in the long run. I had gone on the record before and stated this team is a couple of pieces away from being an excellent football program. As those pieces come together, let’s take a look at the total package from this South Dakota and Minnesota co-op program as we evaluate their player’s film, look at their schedules, at much more in our fourth South Dakota Team Preview as we open up the 2021 season! <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Starters Breakdown</strong></span> Starters returning on Offense: 7 Starters returning on Defense: 7 <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The Prospect List</strong></span> <strong>2022 PROSPECTS</strong> <strong>Jack Hemmen | Offensive Line/Defensive Line | <a href="https://twitter.com/JackHemmen22">Twitter</a></strong> Hemmen might be the most intriguing prospect on this Elks roster and, I believe, is college football material. Hemmen shows a substantial pad level and uses his vision to read the ball carrier’s eyes to go make a play on the football. He also has an excellent burst for his size (now 6’3 265) and has a solid crashing ability in the backfield as his size and strength are more significant than the bulk of the offensive linemen will face him. He also caught my attention with his motor and athletics, especially on defense. This young man also plays fullback for the Elks and is a durable yet efficient pass catcher that is not afraid to advance upfield and lower the shoulder. If I’m recruiting South Dakota, I am taking a solid look at this young man as I think he’s very under the radar right now. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZzBP">Jr Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93074" first="Aiden" last="Erickson"] | Running Back-Wide Receiver/Linebacker| <a href="https://twitter.com/AidenErickson0">Twitter</a></strong> Erickson is a prospect we have evaluated before here at Prep Redzone Dakotas and is a prospect with a future as a small school college linebacker. Erickson shows a versatile prospect, as he has solid stamina to go the distance deep in coverage or become a crashing linebacker that can use his quick shedding ability in the opponent’s rushing attack. At running back for the Elks, Aiden shows durability. He’ll come in at 5’10 195 pounds this season, making him an even more formidable competitor running on the inside lines, and my gut tells me he will accumulate plenty of yards after contact in 2021. With that being said, look for Erickson to be a player to watch on both sides of the ball in 9AA this year, as these Elks will rise from two wins in the 2020 season in my eyes. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EVjuA">Jr Tape</a> <strong>Riley Hunter | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11515209/Riley-Hunter">Hudl Profile</a></strong> Hunter doesn’t have much tape available, but the light tape that he does have is legit. He certainly will need to put on plenty of more size, but he runs solid deep routes with a quality burst off the line and is a prospect that will keep the play alive when the route ends. He can come back on his routes and get to the football. This will be an improved QB/WR connection we will be watching in 2021 with a more experienced [player_tooltip player_id="101184" first="Ryan" last="Krog"] at QB1 for the Elks. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2BZ0Xj">Tape vs. Baltic</a> <strong>Logan Kuehl | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14062200/Logan-Kuehl">Hudl Profile</a></strong> <strong>2023 PROSPECTS</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101184" first="Ryan" last="Krog"] | Quarterback | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13423133/Ryan-Krog">Hudl Profile</a></strong> Krog is a prospect we have had our eyes on for a while and is one I really think has some tools to play at the next level. This young man has some elusiveness in his game, primarily when he uses his legs outside the pocket. He has a solid frame for his age at QB (6’1, 180). What also sticks out to me is the percison on his passes as he gives his wide receivers a solid base to get the ball but without overdoing the arch on the football. I think he’s a little raw with his movements when holding the football, but he’s got two more seasons to develop better on that skill set. I think Krog could be a steal of a smaller school prospect in the coming years as he’s one that had developed nicely over the year we have watched here at PRZ Dakotas. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EZsEu">So. Tape</a> &nbsp; <strong>2024 PROSPECTS</strong> <strong>Riddick Westley | Running Back/Linebacker-Defensive Back | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14814394/Riddick-Westley">Hudl Profile</a></strong> <strong>Carson Griffith | Tight End/Linebacker | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14814415/Carson-Griffith">Hudl Profile</a></strong> <strong>2025 PROSPECTS</strong> <strong>Tanner Stein | Running Back-Wide Receiver/Defensive Back/Linebacker | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15090028/Tanner-Stein">Hudl Profile</a></strong> Stein is one of the youngest prospects on the Elks and quite possibly in South Dakota with available film from his 8th-grade season on varsity for the Elks. My first look at this young man is how solid his burst is for his young age. He is a prospect that lines up in many spots for the Elks. Still, he looks most comfortable at linebacker due to his crashing ability into the inside rushing lanes and has some raw ability to drop back in coverage. If Stein can get a growth spurt in the coming years, I could also see him at safety. His get-off speed is fun to watch, and I can’t wait to watch it improve with the plenty of years left Stein has left in his tank in his career with the Elks. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fb3K6">8th Grade Tape</a> <strong>Blake De Vries | Running Back/Linebacker | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16057632/Blake-DeVries">Hudl Profile</a></strong> <strong>Teigan Krog | Tight End/Linebacker |<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15090041/Teigan-Krog"> Hudl Profile</a></strong> <strong>Tanner Drietz | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15863779/Tanner-Drietz">Hudl Profile</a></strong> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2021 Elks Schedule</strong></span> <strong>8/27/21 </strong>Away @ Canistota/Freeman <strong>9/2/21 </strong>Home vs. Arlington/Lake Preston <strong>9/10/21 </strong>Away @ DeSmet <strong>9/17/21 </strong>Home vs. Deubrook <strong>9/24/21 </strong>Away @ Castlewood <strong>10/2/21 </strong>Home vs. Hamlin <strong>10/8/21 </strong>Home vs.  Florence-Henry