Waunakee vs Middleton: Game Recap & Players of the Game
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Week Two was a tough week for me when it came to deciding which game I wanted to attend. I slowly narrowed my list Thursday evening into Friday morning before making the decision that the massive load of seniors on…
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Continue ReadingWeek Two was a tough week for me when it came to deciding which game I wanted to attend. I slowly narrowed my list Thursday evening into Friday morning before making the decision that the massive load of seniors on both sidelines in this game was just too good of an opportunity to pass up watching. It’s also become very apparent that when you have those big senior groups on both sidelines the games are usually extremely competitive. Little did I know, that’s exactly what I had in store for me on Friday night in the showdown between Waunakee and Middleton high schools. It was a battle of momentum swings as each team looked to have control of the game at different points. Check out how the complete game played out in the recap below! If you are more interested in who balled out and earned a spot as a player of the game then jump right to the bottom!
Game Recap
Middleton opened the game on offense and came out with a package different than I was expecting as QB/WR TJ Bauer led the offense out. Middleton used the combo of Bauer and RB Elijah Gray Elijah Gray 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Middleton | 2022 State WI ’s speed to attack the edges of the Waunakee defense with success. The strong opening drive didn’t end with 6, but kicker Owen Halverson was able to boot through a 31 yard field goal to take the early 3-0 lead. After the opening score, both defenses were able to hold strong. Middleton’s DT Keda Seals Keda Seals 6'0" | 285 lbs | DL Middleton | 2022 State WI made plays all night long including stuffing a third down run to force on punt on Waunakee’s opening drive. Then Waunakee answered with a quick three & out. On Waunakee’s next drive standout QB Quentin Keene Quentin Keene 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Waunakee | 2022 State WI took over. He opened the drive with a 26 yard pickup on an opportunistic scramble as the defense had their backs turned to him downfield. Two plays later, Keene dropped back and found WR Peter James across the middle of the field for the 10 yard score and 7-3 lead with 3:11 remaining in the first. The big plays continued from there as Middleton RB/return man Bryce Falk returned the kickoff 47 yards to midfield. The big dawgs came to play early as Middleton’s stud RB Elijah Gray Elijah Gray 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Middleton | 2022 State WI put together back to back carries that highlighted his top of the line lateral agility and burst. The second of those carries resulted in a 20 yard run for the 10-7 lead with 1:22 remaining in the first. Waunakee RB Michael Gnorski took his turn to have an electric kick return with a 35+ yard return. The stars continued to shine in the first as Quentin Keene Quentin Keene 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Waunakee | 2022 State WI dropped back on third and long and found TE Andrew Keller Andrew Keller 6'6" | 215 lbs | TE Waunakee | 2022 State WI for a 30 yard gain after a perfect head fake by Keller to break open. Unfortunately, the drive ended when Middleton WR/DB Cole Toennies dove in front of the Waunakee field goal attempt to bring the opening quarter to an end.
Waunakee’s LB Kaden Hooker Kaden Hooker 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Waunakee | 2022 State WI stepped up big on the next Middleton drive as he was able to make the TFL out in the flats on the third down pass attempt. Hooker showed up in several key moments all night long. Definitely the most consistent performer on the Waunakee defense. Maybe the biggest moment of Waunakee’s season occurred on their next offensive drive. After a fumbled and recovered first down snap, Middleton LBs Sam Pilof and Jack Madigan went back to back for second and third down sacks. It was on that third down sack that Waunakee received a huge blow to the team as QB Quentin Keene Quentin Keene 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Waunakee | 2022 State WI was stayed down on the field injured after the sack. It looked to be something involving the ankle or foot and it was severe enough to where he didn’t return the rest of the night. Definitely something to keep an eye on going forward. After the injury, it seemed like the flood gates might be opening on Waunakee as WR/DB/returner Cole Toennies returned the punt 50 yards for the score and 17-7 lead with 8:19 remaining in the half. Waunakee’s next drive was where I became very impressed by the Waunakee offense. They didn’t fold. They rallied around new QB Garett Lenzendorf and dedicated themselves to the run. The duo of Lenzendorf and RB Michael Gnorski led the offense down the field with consistent 4-5 yard chunks on the ground. The duo finished the first Lenzendorf drive with a passing TD on the swing route to Gnorski. With 2:37 remaining in the half we were locked in a tight battle as Middleton led 17-14. After a defensive stop by each side, we went into the half poised for a great finish.
The second half opened as the Garett Lenzendorf show. He came out firing early and often on their opening drive. He found TE Andrew Keller Andrew Keller 6'6" | 215 lbs | TE Waunakee | 2022 State WI for 11 yards, and then found WR Ben Farnsworth on the bubble screen. Farnsworth showed off impressive speed and awareness as he tip toed down the sideline for the 65+ yard score and 21-17 lead. Middleton’s offense couldn’t get it going through the air and punted back to the hot Waunakee offense. Lenzendorf continued to step up with two huge completions that got the offense down inside the Middleton 10. Even when the plays didn’t go right they went right. Inside the 10, Lenzendorf fumbled the snap, scooped it up, broke a tackle, and then made it into the endzone for the 27-17 lead after the missed XP. The flood gates seemed to now be opening on Middleton as Waunakee was able to recover the kickoff after a bobbled recovery attempt by the Middleton return unit. A new face showed up on the next Waunakee drive as RB Corey Marionneaux made a 28 yard gain on a reception out of the backfield to the Middleton 1. Marionneaux finished what he started as he took the handoff up the middle for the score and 34-17 lead with 6:55 remaining in the third. It seemed like this game might be over early as Waunakee LB Kaden Hooker Kaden Hooker 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Waunakee | 2022 State WI sniffed out a third down screen forcing another Middleton punt. The punt was blocked by Connor Carroll of Waunakee and recovered inside the Middleton 15. This is where Middleton flipped a switch and started getting back in the game a bit. Their defense dug in and forced the turnover on downs at their own 1 yard line. The offense once again couldn’t capitalize, though. They moved the ball a bit, but eventually ended with a turnover on downs. The Middleton defense refused to let this game get away, though, as they again forced a turnover on downs as the third quarter came to an end.
Middleton opened the 4th with a new QB at the helm. Sophomore Gabe Passini came in to replace starter Logan Raffel. Passini wasted no time sparking the dormant Middleton offense. He picked up a first down with his legs to start the drive, then with his arm to WR Kaden Klubertanz. Klubertanz started seeing a lot of targets from Passini as he was again found for a reception. This time it was for a 20 yard TD narrowing the Waunakee lead to 34-24. The Middleton defense stayed hot as they forced a punt, but this time Waunakee’s also stepped up forcing a punt of their own. It looked like Waunakee was going to finish this game off as they entered Middleton territory, but the late third and fourth quarter was Middleton defense’s time. They held Waunakee to a field goal attempt that they faked resulting in an incompletion and turnover on downs. Middleton’s offense did good to drive into Waunakee territory in hopes of making it a one possession game, but Waunakee DB Drew Mais Drew Mais 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Waunakee | 2022 State WI came up huge as they jumped in front of a Passini pass attempt for the INT. Nothing came of the INT as Middleton’s defense forced another three and out. Middleton’s offense found their groove with a great two minute drive powered by RB Elijah Gray Elijah Gray 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Middleton | 2022 State WI . First Gray picked up 46 yards on the ground, then Bryce Falk got the team into the redzone. Gray finished the drive through the air with a 6 yard reception where he won with his speed to the corner on the swing route. This put us at a Waunakee 34-31 lead with :19 remaining in the game. It all came down to the onside kick where Waunakee LB Kaden Hooker Kaden Hooker 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Waunakee | 2022 State WI again stepped up huge as he recovered the kick sealing the victory for his team.
Players of the Game
Quentin Keene Quentin Keene 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Waunakee | 2022 State WI , QB- Waunakee
Before leaving with the injury, Keene lived up to my expectations. He proved to be the most poised QB I have watched live over the past year. He was never rushed. He moved around in the pocket when he had to while keeping his eyes downfield. His passes were accurate, and on time, and he spread the ball around. I was also surprised to see him show off some athleticism that usually doesn’t show up on his tape. Hopefully he has a quick recovery from his injury. Quentin is one of the best uncommitted senior QBs in the state. Make sure you check out the 6’3″ 205 lbs signal caller’s film!
Garett Lenzendorf, QB- Waunakee
What a night for Garett. Waunakee needed him to be someone they could lean on and he proved he could handle the pressure. He shined with his arm and his legs. Through the air, Lenzendorf tore it up on the short- intermediate range with perfect location as he knew he could put it up high for Keller, and got it out of his hands quickly to bubble screens. On the ground, Garett proved to be a shifty ball carrier that could make LBs miss in space and then had the speed to get the 5-10 yard chunks consistently. You couldn’t have asked for a better performance from your backup QB that had to step up in a mid-game scenario.
Andrew Keller Andrew Keller 6'6" | 215 lbs | TE Waunakee | 2022 State WI , TE- Waunakee
The Iowa State commit was everything I was expecting. What I wanted to see most last night was his blocking. With the injury to Keene I got to see the run blocking quite a bit as Waunakee looked to shorten the game. Keller stepped up on the ground as he used his athleticism to consistently wall off defenders giving his RB and QB a lane to the outside as he hooked the contain man. Through the air, I was blown away by Keller’s route running. His 30 yard reception was highlighted by a perfect head fake that sent the DB biting one way as Keller cut the opposite way. Andrew also showed off his huge catch radius as he high pointed several pass attempts. Great game for the elite prospect.
Kaden Hooker Kaden Hooker 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Waunakee | 2022 State WI , LB- Waunakee
If Waunakee needed a play on defense you could expect to see Hooker near the ball making that play. He did it all over the field. He stuffed inside runs, he made tackles out in space against the pass, and he stepped up to finish the game with the onside recovery. The 6’1″ 195 lbs senior LB is a versatile prospect that needs to start getting more attention for his play and impact on the field. He can play at the next level.
Michael Gnorski, RB- Waunakee
The other player that stepped up most after the Keene injury was RB Gnorski. Michael isn’t the biggest back at 5’8″ 167 lbs, but he didn’t let that effect him. He found just as much success between the tackles as he did off tackle out in space. Whether he was between the tackles or out in space, Gnorski won in the same manner. He did it with short area quickness and agility. Michael made it hard for the Middleton defense to corral him before he had made it 4-5 yards down the field. The back also showed the third down impact as a receiver out of the backfield. Gnorski was the engine that moved the offense the most consistently throughout the night. Great game by him. He is a senior I’ll be interested in following the rest of the season.
Keda Seals Keda Seals 6'0" | 285 lbs | DL Middleton | 2022 State WI , DL- Middleton
Keda was a name that I was hoping would have a solid game, but he actually had a great game. The 5’11″ 285 lbs DT kept making plays throughout the game. He comes out of his stance with a nice burst and maintains active hands throughout the play until he beats his man. Once he does beat his man, I was impressed with his athleticism. He was able to close quickly for his size and position, and he also made some plays with his lateral movement skills. Seals is an under the radar senior prospect that looks like he is in the midst of a breakout season. Definitely take a look at the big man in the middle of the Middleton defense.
Cole Toennies, WR/DB/Returner- Middleton
Every time Middleton needed a play Cole was there to make it. He made highlight level plays on all three sides of the ball last night. He showed his vision, and speed, on his 50 yard punt return TD. He let us see the burst as he flew around the edge for the field goal block. As a receiver, Cole was one of Passini’s go to in the 4th quarter as they climbed their way back into the game, and on defense he proved to be a reliable tackler in the defensive backfield. Great game by Cole. He is a senior that needs some looks.
Sam Pilof, LB- Middleton
Middleton asked a lot of the 6’3″ 205 lbs sophomore LB, and he stepped up to the challenge. Playing at OLB, Sam made plays in pass coverage on more athletic slot receivers, he set a solid edge against the run, and he proved that he can get pressure on the QB. The traits are there. He uses his length when rushing the passer, and he proved to have the play speed to cover receivers downfield; not just in the flats. He is still a raw player right now, but with several years ahead of him you can bet I’ll be following how he develops.
Gabe Passini, QB- Middleton
It’s not often that a player earns a Player of the Game spot after playing only one quarter, but Passini stepped up huge for the Middleton offense when he came in during the 4th quarter. The moment never looked too big for 6’3″ 160 lbs sophomore. Instead, he came out attacking with his legs, and downfield with his arm. Gabe wasn’t afraid to be aggressive as he worked to lead Middleton back into the game. He even had to battle through a strong wind that was blowing right into his face. With everything against him, Gabe still stepped up and got Middleton back into the game in the 4th quarter. He will be a name to know over the next couple of seasons.
Jack Alexander Jack Alexander 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Middleton | 2022 State WI , OL/DL- Middleton
Jack had an impressive game on both sides of the ball. His 6’4″ 290 lbs frame and play strength allowed him to hold strong in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. He rotated a lot on defense, but he was still able to pile up several impact plays as he made multiple tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Jack is at his best on offense. The LT was locked in all night. On the ground, he mauled DEs on inside carries as he kicked them out and off the ball. Middleton was also able to find success outside because he was able to secure the edge with his lateral quickness as he hooked the DE to break contain. Alexander holds several offers already, but more could be coming. Talented kid that might be at his best at guard if he goes the D2 route. I’ll be following his recruitment closely the rest of the year.
Elijah Gray Elijah Gray 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Middleton | 2022 State WI , RB- Middleton
I really became a big fan of Elijah’s during our rankings update for the senior class this past July. He is so shifty, and agile, and his burst out of those change of directions and lateral movements makes it seems like he never slows down. When Gray gets out in space he was the most dangerous player on the field last night. If you give him any space he has the athletic abilities to go the distance. I’m surprised he isn’t more heavily pursued in recruiting. I could see him being an impactful change of pace/third down back as well as a return man, and a slot receiver. With his athleticism you just need to find as many ways to get him the ball in space as you can.