The best I saw – regular season addition

With the regular season wrapped up and before we hit the second season – the playoffs – I looked back at the regular season. I picked out my favorite individual performances I witnessed in person this season. [player_tooltip player_id="116197" first="Zach" last="Juckel"] <strong>DL Lakeville South</strong> Juckel had the most dominant individual defensive game I saw all year. Early on, he made a tackle in space. Later, he didn’t fall for the inside fake, kept his leverage, and made an open-field tackle. Soon after, he didn’t bite on a misdirection screen and made another open-field tackle for a short gain. He used his quickness to track down a run to the outside. Late in the game, he had a three-play sequence to wreck a drive single-handedly. First, he strung out a quarterback run and made the tackle near the sideline for a short gain. He drew a holding penalty on the next play, and finally, he got in on another tackle to force a punt. <strong>Jack Stevens OL Eastview</strong> Stevens helped anchor his offense to 21 points through three quarters, but they were still down double digits to start the fourth quarter. That is when Stevens went to work. I wish I were keeping track, but I swear the Lightning ran the same play ten straight times – right behind Stevens. He was moving that helpless defender three or four yards off the line of scrimmage every time. Those ten plays – and a few others led to two fourth quarter touchdowns and a two-point conversion to complete a comeback. Late in the comeback, the Lightning was facing a fourth and three. They ran left again, and instead of going off Stevens’ left shoulder, they moved over one hole – off Stevens’ right shoulder for a critical conversion that led to a thrilling come from behind victory. [player_tooltip player_id="49827" first="Zach" last="Jorgensen"] <strong>QB Fairmount</strong> Jorgensen was the best quarterback I saw in person this season. He can make all the throws and was spot on with two deep throws. He hit a crossing route for a 46-yard touchdown. Later, he threw an absolute dart down the sidelines for a 62-yard touchdown. He made throws while being hit and with a clean pocket. He showed his dual-threat capability and speed, cutting back for 15 yards and a first down, then by scrambling and cutting across the field for thirty yards. He is not afraid to lower his shoulder for extra yards. His 42-yard touchdown run – in which he made three guys miss in the open field – might have been the best run – by any one – of the game. [player_tooltip player_id="116267" first="Eli" last="Anderson"] <strong>WR/DB Fairmount</strong> Jorgensen was the best quarterback I saw, his favorite target – Anderson – was the best receiver I saw. He showed his route running and separation on a 46-yard touchdown on a crossing route. He showed his speed and hands when he was covered but found another gear at the last second and made a great catch down the sidelines. It looked like he caught the ball below his waist without breaking stride. On a bubble screen, he made a move in the open field to get upfield. He is physical too. He made a nice block on a screen pass. He caught a crossing pattern on his third offensive touchdown and left the secondary helpless in his wake. On touchdown catches alone, he racked up 130 yards on three catches. He picked up a fourth touchdown on the night - a pick six. <strong>Rai’Shaun Wade OL/DL Minneapolis South</strong> As a former undersized offensive lineman like Wade, his game was one I will not soon forget. His low center of gravity allowed him to get under the pads of the defensive lineman and his quickness off the ball allowed him to beat the defender to his spot so he could get in position to execute his block. His quickness also made him effective pulling. He also contributed on the defensive line – a defense on this day that gave up just one touchdown. All that was great, but he made this list for his play on special teams. Coming out of the locker room to start the second half, he made the play of the game. The good hands’ guys were up front, and Wade lined up as one of the deep kick returners, expecting a squib kick. The ball was kicked deep – right to Wade. The offensive guard got upfield, threw out a stiff arm, and turned on the speed for a touchdown. [player_tooltip player_id="116485" first="Alexander" last="Carstens"] <strong>Chanhassen LB</strong> Facing one of the top running backs in the state, Carstens was all over the field for the Storm. He recorded an impressive 17 tackles on the night. He was instrumental in not allowing running room on his side of the field. Even when he didn’t make the tackle, he forced many outside runs back into his teammates for minimal gains. A play that summed up his night for me was when the offense tried to run to his side of the field – unsuccessfully again. While drawing a holding penalty, he still slowed up the runner enough for his teammates to make the tackle for a minimal gain. [player_tooltip player_id="49843" first="Jacob" last="Meissner"] <strong>Providence Academy RB/DL</strong> Meissner’s running style does not match his size. However, he has a great build for a running back, not necessarily for a running back as physical as he is. The 6’0″ 215-pound senior certainly does not have the typical body of a defensive lineman. Despite his size, he was possibly the most physical player – on both sides of the ball – on the field. He rushed for 122 yards – averaging over five yards a carry – but it was the way he picked up those yards that put him on this list. He punished tacklers and must have had nearly half his yards after contact – often carrying tackles for extra yards. Meissner was a force on the defensive side of the ball, too – part of a defensive performance that allowed just one touchdown to a ranked program.