Nate’s Big Dogs of the Game: PA vs. Spectrum, Defense

<strong>ELK RIVER-- </strong>We launch into another year of Nate's Big Dogs of the Game! What does it take to be a Big Dog of the Game recipient? It’s not just the top players of the game, it also goes out to the prospects showing the most heart on the field which is a skill set you can’t teach, it just comes naturally. We identified six prospects on defense in last night's game between Spectrum and Providence Academy that played with a ton to give to their team whether they were on the winning or losing end of the game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="116260" first="Mark" last="McCarthy"] | DL | Providence Academy | 2022</strong> McCarthy showed off early a DE prospect that has a solid bend at the waist and well put together stance on the line. At 6’4 230 pounds, he was dominant as far as shedding off the Sting offense line and had some smooth paths to get into the backfield with ease. He showed solid awareness when in pursuit as well. McCarthy on multiple reps showed he could multi-engage with the offensive line and still make a play on the ball carrier. McCarthy had the best play on either side of the line in my opinion, when he swatted down a [player_tooltip player_id="119578" first="Tanner" last="Gangl"] pass with authority. He is receiving interest from the Division II level and high-level Divison III schools. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Egq8N">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/mark_mccarthy88">Twitter</a> <strong>Eli Hoehn | LB | Spectrum | 2022</strong> Hoehn showed his high physicality level defensively in last night’s game against Providence Academy. When you watch his game tape, you also have to enjoy Hoehn’s contact level and his readability to identify where the ball carrier is going in the inside lanes. He also shows he can be an asset in pass coverage with his athleticism  Based on the film I have watched, this young man has what it takes to be a scholarship-level linebacker. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9429617/6037e38838643b0a10146579">Jr Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EliHoehn">Twitter</a> <strong>Ja’[player_tooltip player_id="1643" first="Rory" last="Purnell"] | DB | Providence Academy | 2023</strong> Purnell made a solid amount of sound plays on the football in the secondary. What stood out to me is just how athletic he looked to be at cornerback as he showed good backpedal and solid ball instincts as seen in the clip below. Purnell was listed as an All-Tournament Team nominee this summer by our Prep Hoops colleagues at the Northstar Hoops Report State Tournament. Hopefully, we can see more football tape out of Purnell this season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14157416/JaRory-Purnell">Hudl Profile</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Jarory1">Twitter</a> <strong>Max Reis | LB | Spectrum | 2022</strong> Reis set the bar up for one of Spectrum’s only defensive touchdowns in last night’s game against Providence Academy. He was able to swipe the ball out of Providence Academy QB Jack Reller’s hands and TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id="112083" first="Brandon" last="Riddle"] scooped it for an 18-yard score. Reis is a very under-the-radar senior and that will hopefully get more film to evaluate as his one clip he showed a solid drive in his feet with his blocking ability. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FgfyF">Scrimmage Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49843" first="Jacob" last="Meissner"] | DL | Providence Academy | 2022</strong> Meissner was for sure the best two-way prospect I watched in yesterday’s game. Defensively he was a high contact linebacker that used his terrific vision to read his way into several key tackles on the Sting ball carriers. Not only did he make several tackles, but there is something to be said about this young man and the way he makes contact. Meissner is a three-time All-American on the wrestling mat so you can imagine when he gets his hands on the ball carrier he shows a high level of contact. Hence why I always say I love football players that wrestle, as like Meissner it really makes them a driving force on the defense side of the ball. Meissner is a top 40 prospect, that should become an FCS talent, but will likely become a steal at the D2 level as he’s also a high academic prospect with a 3.9 GPA. Meissner was my pick last night overall for Big Dogs of the Game for his play on both sides of the football. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CGMLn">Tape</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JacobMeissner28">Twitter</a> <strong>Logan Ahlers | LB | Providence Academy | 2022</strong> Ahlers made some excellent contact in Thursday night’s game against Spectrum. He was a disruptive force in the Sting’s backfield and his Junior tape shows some similar skillsets. I really like Ahler’s tape against Minneapolis North last year, as he took on a high-level rushing attack, but had the first man to the ball mentality and did a solid job reading the steps of the best running back in the Class of 2021 in UNI signee [player_tooltip player_id="18033" first="Terrance" last="Kamara"]. There is a lot to like about this young man’s reaction speed. No offers to note. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EeYvs">Jr Tape</a>