Cadets vs. Packers defensive standouts

I was excited to see my favorite rivalry game – one of which was one of the most memorable high school games I have ever seen – renewed. Defense predictably dominated the first game between St. Thomas Academy and South St. Paul since 2016. Each defense shut down every player on the other side of the ball but one player each. Here are some of the players who had memorable performances on Friday night. <strong>Jackson Cercioglu LB St. Thomas Academy</strong> The junior linebacker read a counter run early in the game and stopped it for a short gain. Cercioglu combined with Nick Bartlett to stuff an inside run to force a punt. He was part of an interior of a defense that completely shut down the inside running game of the Packers. <strong>Vincent Mueller DL St. Thomas Academy</strong> Mueller got penetration on a critical 4th and short to keep the back short of the sticks. Later, his immediate pressure forced the quarterback out of the pocket and into an early throw. He combined with Cercioglu to make a tackle for a short loss. The Mueller/Cercioglu was a combination that was in on many tackles and totally shut down the Packers’ inside running game. [player_tooltip player_id="143257" first="Mitchell" last="Vener"] <strong>DE South St. Paul</strong> In the first half, Vener completely wrecked the Cadets’ passing game. He got instant pressure off the edge forcing a quick throw an incompletion. Later, he got instant pressure again on third and long, forcing a quarterback run that ended well short of the first down. Not the only reason – of course – but in the second half, STA kept the ball on the ground – negating his pass rush. The Cadets also ran between the tackles – again staying away from Vener. <strong>Bennett Kotak LB St. Thomas Academy</strong> Kotak read an option and dropped the quarterback for a loss. Later, he didn’t make the tackle but got a piece of the runner and forced him to bow out wide, allowing his teammates to make a play. Late in the game, the junior put pressure on the quarterback – forcing a rushed throw. <strong>Blake Fritz DB St. Thomas Academy</strong> The Packers didn’t throw much, but when they did, Fritz was in tight coverage. He especially showed his skill with great coverage on a deep out pattern that he prevented a completion that helped stop one of the Packers’ best chances to score an offensive touchdown. He showed he could match the Packers’ physical play by coming up strong in the run game – making a great open-field tackle on a sweep. <strong>Tre Harmon DB South St. Paul</strong> Harmon is listed as a defensive back. However, against the run-heavy Cadets, he spent much of the game in an outside linebacker position. He showed good instincts against the run with a lot of range – able to play sideline to sideline. His quickness allowed him to beat the blockers to the spot and avoid blockers without even engaging them. He finished the game with eleven tackles. <strong>Quick hits</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="116271" first="Leo" last="Bluhm"] <strong>STA DL</strong> - part of the front seven that handcuffed the Packers' running game all night, one of his most notable moments was when his penetration on a 3rd and short forced a 4th and short. <strong>Brandon Ogren SSP LB</strong> – stuffed a run to the outside, came up strong, and forced the runner outside and into teammates. <strong>Ramontay Harmon SSP DB</strong> – two open-field tackles on sweeps.