Mankato West vs. St. Thomas Academy – Defensive standouts
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Before their AAAAA state quarterfinal game, Saturday afternoon, the Mankato West Scarlets and the St. Thomas Academy Cadets were routinely scoring north of thirty points a game. That is until they met each other. In one of the hardest-hitting games…
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Continue ReadingBefore their AAAAA state quarterfinal game, Saturday afternoon, the Mankato West Scarlets and the St. Thomas Academy Cadets were routinely scoring north of thirty points a game. That is until they met each other. In one of the hardest-hitting games I had seen all season, the Scarlets advanced with a 21-14 victory. The Scarlets’ and the Cadets’ defenses put on a show ending – fittingly – with an interception on the game’s last play. Here are some of the many individuals who helped keep these high-scoring offenses in check.
Ryan Haley Ryan Haley 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Mankato-West | 2022 State MN Mankato State LB
Haley was all over the field on Saturday. Playing against the run-heavy Cadets, it seemed like his name was being called by the public address announcer every other play. He is a sideline to sideline linebacker who can stuff the run coming right at him, but more impressive is his ability to chase down plays that are not in his area.
Jackson Cercioglu Jackson Cercioglu 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Saint Thomas Academy | 2023 State MN St Thomas Academy LB
Like Haley, Cercioglu was a tackling machine. He got credit for a whopping sixteen tackles. Those stops included his pass-rushing ability with a sack and his speed when he ran down a screen pass from behind. He lined up as an inside linebacker, but he made plays from sideline to sideline.
Cael Friesen Mankato West DB
Friesen made plays in the passing and running game. He came up strong in run support to make a tackle on the outside. Then, late in the game, his tackle on the outside resulted in a short loss and forced a fourth down. In the passing game, he intercepted an underthrown pass.
Jake Borman Jake Borman 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Saint Thomas Academy | 2023 State MN St Thomas Academy DB
Borman came across the field from his safety spot to deflect a pass early on. Later, he showed good range coming across the field to intercept an over-thrown ball. He is not just a cover safety either; he is not afraid to make a big hit. Although the receiver caught the ball, the junior laid a huge hit on a deep route. Borman then turned back a West scoring chance with his second interception of the game – right on the goal line. Late in the game, he got involved in the running game to make a tackle for a short gain.
Damian Riewe Mankato West DB
Rieve plays defensive back, but he was so involved in stopping the run, you might have thought he played linebacker. Most of his eleven tackles were not in the secondary; they were near the line of scrimmage with the corner supporting the run. He also made an impact in the passing game with a deflected pass.
Leo Bluhm Leo Bluhm 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL St. Thomas Academy | 2022 State MN St Thomas Academy DL
Bluhm held down the middle for the Cadets and kept blockers off his linebackers. He consistently got off blocks and kept the inside running game contained. Bluhm is not just a space-eater in the middle, either. He made at least five tackles on the inside for little or no gain.
Brady Haugum Mankato West LB
Three of his seven tackles resulted in short or no gain. His best moment was when he made an open-field tackle for a loss. He helped keep the Cadets’ backs inside by doing a solid job holding the edge. Twice, he kept his leverage and fought off blockers to make tackles on the edge.
Peyton Goettlicher Mankato West DB
Goettlicher made an impact on both sides of the ball. In addition to a touchdown catch and leading the team in receiving yards, the defensive back made a tackle for a short loss supporting the run. He made a possible game-saving interception on a deep post in the end zone – keeping West in the lead. His second interception – off a desperation heave – actually ended the game.
Gannon Rosenfeld Gannon Rosenfeld 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Mankato West | 2022 State MN Mankato West DE
Rosenfeld got into the backfield more than once during the game. He made one of the biggest defensive plays of the game. Late in the game and protecting a one-score lead, Rosenfeld got immediate penetration and dropped the running back for a loss on fourth and short.
Quick hits
Gibson Blackstad Mankato West DE – stuffed a run up the middle
Bennett Kotok St Thomas Academy LB – strung a run out to the outside, allowing his teammates to make a tackle for a short gain
Tanner Shumski Mankato West DL – read a screen pass, tipped the pass, and almost made the interception
Brian Larsen Mankato West DL – tackle for loss
Mark Rogalski Mark Rogalski 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Saint Thomas Academy | 2023 State MN St Thomas Academy LB – fumble recovery
Blake Fritz St Thomas Academy DB – tackle for a short loss
Elijah Bollman Mankato West LB – open-field tackle on punt coverage
Nick Bartlett St Thomas Academy LB – tackle on an off-tackle run forcing third and long, stuffed an inside run