Scouting Report: Waverly Vikings vs Elkhorn Antlers (Week 3)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Overview:</strong></p> This was a very exciting defensive battle between two physical teams looking to make deep playoff runs. This was a game I consider to be a possible preview of a Class B playoff game. Both teams can dominate in the trenches, they both have playmakers at skills positions, and don’t make the small mistakes that shoot teams in the foot. Elkhorn is the reigning Class B state champion and is looking to win their second consecutive championship. They feature a super tough defense that doesn’t give up any easy yards and can dominate at the line of scrimmage. On offense, they have two very tough running backs that can wear a defense out not just with their tough running, but also with their receiving abilities as well. Waverly also has similar strengths; [player_tooltip player_id="164824" first="Riley" last="Marsh"] is a star receiver, their offensive and defensive line have mean-maulers ([player_tooltip player_id="147851" first="Trevor" last="Brown"], Wyatt Fanning, Toby Becker, etc.), and they are a disciplined team that plays smart football. Early scores by Elkhorn’s WR Brody Schmielau (Pass from QB Cooper Hunt) Waverly’s RB Eddie Jackson opened the game up to a score of 7-6 with a Waverly lead. For most of the game, the two teams were able to move downfield and put together drives, but the defenses would not give on either end. It was a great show of "bend-don’t-break" defense by both sides, digging their heels back and shutting down any red zone scoring. A couple of field goals from Waverly’s [player_tooltip player_id="171381" first="Devin" last="Moore"] extended Waverly’s lead to 13-6. Late in the 4th quarter, Antler RB [player_tooltip player_id="193815" first="Henry" last="Kroger"] decided to put the team on his back and ran the ball 90 yards to score the game-clinching touchdown. Overall, a great game put on by two top-tier Class B programs. <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Final:</strong> Elkhorn 14 - Waverly 13</p> &nbsp; <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/263/613d16ef9a9c4b03d8e22ed9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/4541/613cf03096777308c0a8ebac" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Top Performers:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>MVP:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="193815" first="Henry" last="Kroger"] (Elkhorn - Class of 2022)</p> <p style="text-align: center;">RB/DB</p> <p style="text-align: center;">5’10" 190 lbs</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13133863/Henry-Hank-Kroger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/KrogerHenry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> <ul> <li>Scored the eventual game-winning touchdown on a 90-yard run (second tweet below) and showed how deadly he can be as a back.</li> <li>He runs so hard and violently. Kroger will make you earn your tackle on him every time.</li> <li>Powerful and agile runner; he makes amazing cuts and sees the field so well. He was wearing down a very tough and disciplined Waverly defense.</li> <li>Added note: he suffered a serious leg injury last year and has been KILLING it so far this season. Kudos to Kroger on the resilience and determination to get back to the game. Awesome stuff!</li> </ul> https://twitter.com/KrogerHenry/status/1437586340355485697?s=20 https://twitter.com/KrogerHenry/status/1437586416494653445?s=20 <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164824" first="Riley" last="Marsh"]</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2022)</p> <p style="text-align: center;">WR/DB</p> <p style="text-align: center;">6’3" 175 lbs</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11115712/Riley-Marsh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RileyMarsh19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> <ul> <li>He is a long, athletic target with great hands and is very reliable in crucial and short-distance situations. Can be played on the outside or in the slot as well; does a good job creating separation.</li> <li>Marsh was the most consistent pass catcher on the Waverly offense against Elkhorn. He did a great job winning his matchups and using his size to come down with the ball.</li> <li>He’s so fast when he turns the corner and takes off. It’s impressive how he can take a short route for a huge gain.</li> </ul> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11115712/613c39720c54040abc404eeb" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11115712/5f95b0ca4797420914b2b4bd" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Mikey Hart</strong> (Elkhorn - Class of 2022)</p> <p style="text-align: center;">RB/S</p> <p style="text-align: center;">5’9" 170 lbs</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14641795/Mikey-Hart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Mikey_hart20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> <ul> <li>Mikey is a football player, straight up.</li> <li>He is a very elusive back with good acceleration to break away on runs. Hart isn’t just speedy, he definitely enjoys some contact and is willing to lower his shoulder.</li> <li>He can also be used to catch passes out of the backfield and can line up in the slot. Mikey has underrated hands and short route running ability; excellent versatility as a 3rd down back.</li> <li>Defensively, he just gets to the ball. Consistent tackler takes good angles, and sizes up his opponent, and follows through with great technique.</li> <li>Overall a super intense, high-motor player you love to have in the locker room.</li> </ul> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14641795/613c3c509680a90a900cb0e7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Aidan Betz</strong> (Elkorn - Class of 2023)</p> <p style="text-align: center;">OL/DL</p> <p style="text-align: center;">6’3" 280 lbs</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13172310/Aidan-Betz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Aidan57923016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> <ul> <li>A disruptive defender that can power his way through linemen and run rampant in backfields.</li> <li>Betz does an excellent job clogging up the middle of the line and shutting down run plays down the middle. He uses his strength and</li> </ul> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13172310/5fc9976cd45ee413fcefb1b8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Trey Jackson</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2023)</p> <p style="text-align: center;">QB/DB</p> <p style="text-align: center;">5’11" 165 lbs</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12842301/Trey-Jackson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Treydjackson3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> <ul> <li>Did a great job stepping in at QB and was able to move the ball effectively downfield.</li> <li>Had good ball placement and was able to extend plays on 3rd down find the open receiver.</li> <li>Reads through his progressions very well and looks for mismatches.</li> <li>Finishing drives with touchdowns was tough, but it was like that for both teams.</li> </ul> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12842301/61408a525eec2c0b94bf608b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="147851" first="Trevor" last="Brown"]</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2022)</p> <p style="text-align: center;">OL/DL</p> <p style="text-align: center;">6’2" 270 lbs</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Hudl | <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorB90546042" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></p> <ul> <li>Exceptional DL with great use of hands, strength and gets excellent leverage over his opponent (wrestling background... makes sense).</li> <li>His motor is nonstop all game long on both sides of the ball.</li> <li>Brown is always pursuing the ball carrier and working his way into the backfield.</li> <li>Equally as good on the OL as well. Ferocious blocker with agility and quickness to get to the second-level and lead block.</li> </ul> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11499224/5fff1f712351dc1090d4c057" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>Notable players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156056" first="Hayden" last="Stec"]</strong> (Elkhorn - Class of 2022) DB 6’1" 215 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13168696/613e2fcf19b03005947b97f2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171381" first="Devin" last="Moore"]</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2022) K 6’2" 155 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11406157/61434aad4ba81c08ac593737" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>Cole Houck</strong> (Elkhorn - Class of 2023)</span> K/CB/WR 5’11" 155 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14641796/612bc6c40dc0160ae4d2a8ee" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Anthony Ruelas</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2022) WR/CB 5’10" 135 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11115708/6142a4347bddc30fd8bc322d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Connor Hunt</strong> (Elkhorn - Class of 2023) QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171372" first="Brock" last="Gleason"]</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2022) LB 6’1" 210 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11115709/5f9727d6da514f0a909a751e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>KJ Schenck</strong> (Elkhorn - Class of 2023) LB/RB 5’10" 160 lbs <strong>Wyatt Fanning</strong> (Waverly - Class of 2022) OL/DL 5’11" 215 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9099117/5fac294c0661630740267c81" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Brody Schmielau</strong> (Elkhorn - Class of 2022) WR/LB 5’10" 180 lbs <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13174784/613c37390c5e8203c4d79b02" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>