Mukwonago vs Kettle Moraine: Game Recap & Players of the Game
In this article:
I spent Friday night just up the road in Mukwonago, WI scouting the Mukwonago vs Kettle Moraine matchup. I was very excited for the showdown as both teams are filled up with talent poised to continue their playing careers at…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI spent Friday night just up the road in Mukwonago, WI scouting the Mukwonago vs Kettle Moraine matchup. I was very excited for the showdown as both teams are filled up with talent poised to continue their playing careers at the collegiate level. From the FBS- D3 levels, there was something for everybody in this game. Coming into the evening, weather definitely looked like it was going to be a concern, and it didn’t take long for a steady downpour to begin right at kickoff. Luckily, the rain cleared out a few minutes into the first quarter and held off for the rest of the game. With one less uncontrollable factor to effect the game we were able to get a good sense of what these two teams are made of. Don’t let the final score throw off how this game went. It was a battle all night long that looks lopsided due to late game scores. Let’s get into how it all played out!
Game Recap
The game didn’t waste a second before it shot off it’s first fireworks of the night as Mukwonago returned the opening kickoff down their right sideline untouched for the quick 7-0 lead. Not to be outdone, QB Chase Spellman Chase Spellman 6'4" | 230 lbs | QB Kettle Moraine | 2024 WI led the Kettle Moraine offense onto the field and, using his arm and legs, was able to drive KM own the field. While the drive looked promising, Mukwonago’s LB combo of Tysson Campbell and Ben Rehl Ben Rehl 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI were able to step up on third down in their redzone and hold KM to a short field goal. That first drive also gave us a look at a budding star in ’24 WR Drew Wagner as he hauled in a deep shot that put KM inside the redzone. The defenses playing strong and forcing big plays was going to be a theme all night as Kettle Moraine’s came out for their first drive and forced a fumble on third down that they recovered at the Mukwonago 23. The Spellman- Wagner connection wasted no time as Spellman floated a perfect deep ball to Wagner on first down for the 23 yard score and 10-7 lead with 4:24 to play in the first quarter. Mukwonago responded by going to what has gotten them their undefeated record on the season. A healthy dose of their two RBs Jake Adams Jake Adams 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI and Wynn Stang Wynn Stang 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI . The two split carries as they moved Mukwonago down the field. These two proved to be perfect counters to each other as Stang is the more agile dangerous playmaker out in space while Adams is the powerful runner with the contact balance to pick up a lot of yards after contact. Jake Adams Jake Adams 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI was the one to finish off the drive when he plunged into the endzone from 1 yard out giving Mukwonago the 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was a defensive battle with only 10 points being scored, and none coming until the final 4 minutes of the quarter. The defensive battle started with Mukwonago LB Tom Craig batting down a third down Spellman pass attempt to force a punt. Then Kettle Moraine’s DL Sam Coufal Sam Coufal 6'2" | 250 lbs | DL Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI broke through the line and chased down Mukwonago’s QB at the Mukwonago 1 yard line. The sack led to a Mukwonago punt that should of gave KM great field position, but the return man bobbled the catch and Mukwonago’s Riley Wernes was able to corral the loose ball. The defenses continued to hold strong, but thanks to a couple of penalties, and a nice Jake Adams Jake Adams 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI run, Mukwonago was able to work down the field, and with 3:53 remaining in the half Mukwonago QB Evan Herbig Evan Herbig 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI kept it himself and weaved his way into the endzone for the 21-10 lead. Then began a rough stretch of snapping the ball for Kettle Moraine. The ball sailed over Spellman’s head and back to their 2 before he could jump on it. KM was able to nearly dig out of that hole, but in the end had to punt back to Mukwonago. With 1:11 remaining in the half Mukwonago’s Evan Herbig Evan Herbig 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI found RB Jake Adams Jake Adams 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI on the screen pass. Adams weaved his way through the defense, utilizing his blocks, and got down to the KM17 with 3.5 seconds to go. Mukwonago finished the half with a field goal of their own giving them the 24-10 lead. Despite the two possession lead, this game felt like it was very close and if Kettle Moraine could cut down on the mistakes they would get right back into this game.
Those mistakes weren’t able to be prevented as the second half kicked off. The first down snap again went sailing over the head of Spellman and back to their 1 yard line before he could lay on it. Mukwonago’s defense capitalized on the great situation as LB Ben Rehl Ben Rehl 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI was able to chase down Spellman in the endzone for the safety and 26-10 lead. The third quarter went a lot of the same way as the second quarter did. The defense kept digging in and forcing turnovers or punts. KM forced a three and out, then their offense drove down the field on the arm of Spellman and the hands of Wagner. Unfortunately, the drive came to a stop at the Mukwonago 9 when a 4th down pass fell incomplete. That was the first of two huge missed opportunities for the Kettle Moraine offense in the third quarter. They got great field position on the following drive after Mukwonago fumbled at their own 9. The offense just couldn’t find a way to punch it in and narrow the deficit to a one possession game. Instead, it was another turnover on downs. The third came to a close following another Mukwonago punt.
The 4th quarter was the polar opposite of the third quarter that saw only 2 points scored and a lot of strong defensive play. Within the first minute of the final quarter, Chase Spellman Chase Spellman 6'4" | 230 lbs | QB Kettle Moraine | 2024 WI found WR Payton Schopf Payton Schopf 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Kettle Moraine | 2022 State WI for the TD. The failed two point conversion kept it at a two possession game, but KM felt like they had momentum on their side as their defense was holding strong thus far in the second half, and they came back out and forced another punt by Mukwonago. It looked like KM was poised to punch it in again, but Mukwonago’s DB Cole Girard made an impressive play as he jumped the pass and was able to make the interception in traffic killing the momentum that KM was running with. From there, Mukwonago used their run game to milk the clock away, and the arm of Evan Herbig Evan Herbig 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI to pick up first downs in key situations. With 2:15 remaining in the game, Mukwonago punched it in from about 20 yards out when RB Jake Adams Jake Adams 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI ran through multiple tackles right up the middle and then broke loose into the open field for the 33-16 lead. Mukwonago’s defense made one last highlight as they were able to force a fumble and recover it deep in KM territory. Adams once again came in and finished the game off with another rushing TD giving us our final of Mukwonago: 40 Kettle Moraine: 16.
Players of the Game
Jake Adams Jake Adams 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI , 2022 RB- Mukwonago
If I was giving an overall Player of the Game award it would go to Adams without a doubt. The 5’10″ 180 lbs senior RB shouldered a huge workload on the night and was the engine that moved the offense up and down the field all night long. I’m also a huge fan of the way he plays the game. Jake is a strong runner, and you can see how competitive he is as he refuses to go down on every touch. I can’t think of a play where Adams didn’t end it falling forward. I also can’t think of many times where he was brought down on first contact. Jake set the tone all night long, and the rest of his team stepped up to match it.
Evan Herbig Evan Herbig 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI , 2023 QB- Mukwonago
When the stats come out they may not be earth-shattering, but Herbig stepped up in every moment he was needed. The clutch gene was evident as he converted third & longs as well as some fourth downs to keep drives alive. He also proved his dual threat ability as he was able to hurt the defense with his arm as well with his legs on designed runs. I liked the confidence I saw from him in the passing game as well. He didn’t pass a ton because of the success on the ground, but Evan had no hesitation stretching the field. He was able to do it with accuracy too. Solid day for the signal caller!
Tom Craig, 2022 LB- Mukwonago
I’ll assume Tom is still making tackles to this moment. I swear they called his name on every tackle. The senior LB roamed the middle of the defense, and always found himself around the ball. He had a big job to fill too against the run game as Kettle Moraine fielded a monster RB that was all of 230 lbs. Craig stepped up to the challenge of filling against that as well as dropping back into coverage. This was my first exposure to the 6’ 180 lbs LB. He’s someone I’ll have to dig into more. Solid game.
Ben Rehl Ben Rehl 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Mukwonago | 2022 State WI , 2022 LB- Mukwonago
Ben a fan of the senior LB since last fall, and he continues to impress. He is a very versatile 6’ 200 lbs. He can drop into coverage comfortably and with effectiveness. He also proved he can rush the edge and blitz from off the ball position as highlighted by the safety. Rehl definitely has the range to be utilized in several different positions and scenarios among the LB position. I was impressed with the way he stepped up in the big situations. He got the safety, and he also got his named called on key third down stops that ended drives. The sideline to sideline playmaker had a strong game.
Wynn Stang Wynn Stang 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI , 2023 RB- Mukwonago
The lightning side of the thunder-lightning combo in the Mukwonago backfield is manned by Wynn. The 6’ 175 lbs ball carrier flashed the speed that stretched the defense laterally allowing him to scan and find the running lanes to burst through. Over and over his vision and instincts jumped out as he patiently waited for his blocks and then accelerated by them. It wasn’t just his play out in space last night. Wynn also looked good using that patience between the tackles. Being in the trenches also showed off his agility and quickness over just his pure speed. Stang is a talented weapon and a name to know in the RB class of 2023.
Chase Spellman Chase Spellman 6'4" | 230 lbs | QB Kettle Moraine | 2024 WI , 2023 QB- Kettle Moraine
Chase was the force that kept Kettle Moraine in the game. The offense stayed pretty balanced in their attack, but it was the arm, and sometimes legs, of the junior QB that moved the offense most consistently. He once again showed off all the traits that have made him a high profile recruit and landed him interest from several FBS programs. Spellman has the arm strength to hit closing windows at every level of the field, he can make throws off platform and with different arm angles, and his accuracy was spot on. He did a great job always giving his guys an opportunity to come down with the ball.
Drew Wagner, 2024 WR- Kettle Moraine
The biggest riser of the night was Drew. The 5’10″ 150 lbs sophomore WR had a great game and showed off the base layer of traits that have me very excited for his future at the position. It starts with his route running. Wagner is already a savvy route runner that consistently created separation for his QB. His combination of long speed and short area quickness also make him dangerous in the open field both with the ball and without during his route running. The part that blew me away was his hands and his catch radius. Drew made a lot of catches in traffic and he also made some catches that I’m not sure how he got to the ball. He definitely uses every inch of his frame, and is a very reliable hands catcher. This is a kid you are going to want to know.
Nolan Schopp, 2023 RB- Kettle Moraine
Nolan is a massive RB prospect. He is listed at 6’4″ 240 lbs. That listing might be slightly generous, but his running style is anything but that. Schopp is a bulldozing prospect that has the strength to move the pile or make his own hole where there wasn’t one. The one cut runner is not going to be caught dancing in the backfield. He is going to find his aiming point, stick his foot in the ground, and then create yards after contact. Besides just lowering the shoulder, Nolan also demonstrated a strong stiff arm that kept defenders at bay. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the big ma this season.