D2 State Championship: Waunakee vs Homestead

The title of Division 2 State Champion came down to a battle between Waunakee High School (13-0) and Homestead (11-2). It was a battle of two well rounded teams that knew how to light up the scoreboard. Waunakee came in having scored 23+ points in every game this season, while Homestead broke 23 all but twice this season. The college talent collection between the two teams was extremely deep on both sides of the ball setting up for an exciting showdown. Game Recap The game began with QB [player_tooltip player_id="31240" first="Quentin" last="Keene"] slicing up the Homestead defense as he moved the offense to the Homestead 30. However, Homestead’s defense stepped up on 4th down when DB Jackson Names snagged an INT off a tipped ball by one of the receivers. Homestead couldn’t turn that into any points, but they got a second chance when DB Jack Crowley snagged an INT of his own for the Homestead defense. Once again the Waunakee defense didn’t budge. On Waunakee’s third drive they stayed going to the air, and this time it resulted in Keene connecting with star TE [player_tooltip player_id="31208" first="Andrew" last="Keller"] for a 34 yard TD pass at the end of the first quarter. This time it was Waunakee’s defense turn to make a splash play as DB [player_tooltip player_id="31383" first="Drew" last="Mais"] was able to make the play on the ball and grab the INT. The turnover trend continued for Waunakee as they fumble the ball away after a very hard hit. To make matters worse, Waunakee forced a punt, but muffed the return allowing Homestead to jump on it. Despite the 4 early turnovers, Waunakee still led 7-0 at this point in the game. As the half started to close Homestead finally was able to score as junior QB Sal Balistrieri punched it in from a yard out for the 7-7 tie. The momentum didn’t last long as Waunakee returner Ben Farnsworth showed off the big play speed returning the ensuing KO 98 yards to the house for the 14-0 lead! Then Waunakee DB Caden McCurdy picked off the Homestead QB to give his offense one last chance before the half ended. They responded with a 19 yard TD run by senior RB Michael Gnorski giving us a 20-7 halftime score. Homestead came out in the second half with the plan to give star RB [player_tooltip player_id="118317" first="Joe" last="Ollman"] a huge workload. It moved the ball well, but eventually they were stuffed on a 4th & 2 forcing the turnover. Waunakee couldn’t do anything with the turnover, and Homestead quickly took over again. This time they were able to get Sal loose for a 15 yard TD run! Waunakee would not let Homestead climb back into the game. They quickly responded with a drive inside the Homestead 25 where RB Michael Gnorski again broke loose for a 24 yard TD run. This put Waunakee up 27-14 at the end of the third quarter. Homestead QB Sal Balistieri wasn’t going to go quietly. He used his arm and his legs to punch in another score. This time an 11 yard scramble to cut the Waunakee lead to 27-21 early in the 4th. Waunakee again didn’t panic as they went on a long, time consuming drive. With only 3:06 to play, Keene again found Keller for a 1 yard score and the 33-21 lead. Homestead wasn’t able to put any points on the board their next drive and Waunakee killed the clock to secure the 14-0 perfect season and State Championship! Players of the Game [player_tooltip player_id="31240" first="Quentin" last="Keene"], ’22 QB- Waunakee Stat Line: 12/18, 193 Yards, 2 TDs, 9 Carries, 9 Yards The 6'3" 200 lbs senior signal caller is one of the state's top uncommitted QBs. He has been flying under the radar, but his play in the state championship game shows the type of player a program at the next level is currently missing out on. Quentin has prototypical size, and his athleticism is perfect for being able to quickly maneuver in tight spaces as he avoids the rush while staying in the pocket. He did that several times in this battle. Where he really impressed me is how he was able to make several accurate passes to different levels of the field while using different arm angles. That is not something you see many kids his age being able to do. The senior also proved to be a very poised athlete. Things were not going his way with a couple early INTs, yet he didn't waiver. Instead, he kept coming back and attacking down the field and running the offense the way he needed to. It was an impressive final showing. Check this dude out. He holds one offer from Valporaiso, so far. [player_tooltip player_id="31208" first="Andrew" last="Keller"], ’22 TE- Waunakee Stat Line: 5 Receptions, 80 Yards, 2 TDs The 6'6'' 215 lbs senior TE is going to be fun to watch at Iowa State starting next fall. He has a massive catch radius, naturally soft hands, the speed to stretch the field up the seam, and the physicality after the catch to generate yards after the catch and contact. His frame is also begging for more size to be added to it to make him even better in the physical aspect of the game like blocking and playing through contact at the FBS level. There isn't many weaknesses in the stud's game, and many FBS programs must agree because Keller had quite the list of choices for schools to attend before committing to Iowa State. Good luck, Andrew! Michael Gnorski, ’22 RB- Waunakee Stat Line: 13 Carries, 80 Yards, 2 TDSs The 5'8" 167 lbs senior RB should be looked at as a late rising third down back option. The D3 level should definitely take a look. Gnorski thrived in parts of the game where he was able to highlight his acceleration and long speed. Both of this TDs came on carries where he was given a big lane to run through, and he wasted no time utilizing it and leaving defenders no chance of pursuing him. If he can find a role where he can in space I think he can make an impat at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="31383" first="Drew" last="Mais"], ’22 DB- Waunakee Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU The 6'2" 168 lbs senior is a long, lean DB prospect that stepped up on the biggest stage for the Waunakee defense. This was my second time watching Drew live and he delivered a key INT in that game as well. Clearly Drew has a clutch gene to his play on defense. He also is an aggressive player who doesn't hesitate as he flies downhill to stop the run. Homestead came out looking to run the ball early and often, and Drew responded by showing off his ability to get through the box to bring down the ball carrier, and corral RBs out in space. I'm excited to watch him for a third time at the Prep Redzone WI Stock Up Showcase this Sunday! Ben Farnsworth, ’22 WR- Waunakee Stat Line: 98 Yard KO Return TD, 2 Receptions, 32 Yards The 6' 170 lbs senior shined with his limited touches on the big stage. He used his superior straight line speed, and playmaking abilities to quickly steal back the momentum when it looked like Homestead may be taking control of the game. The 98 yard score looked too easy as Farnsworth deleted pursuit angles on the way to the score. The speed alone is worth taking a look at the senior. Connor Carroll, ’22 DE- Waunakee Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 TFLs The 6'2" 207 lbs senior DE impressed me throughout the game on the edge. I would of guessed he was even heavier than the 207 lbs because he has a strong, thick frame that allowed him to step up and set a strong edge against the outside run. He used leverage to his advantage along with heavy hands to be able to set the edge, and then shed and make the tackle. The edge defender was able to be disruptive in the backfield against the pass and run. He didn't get a ton of work in pass rush this game, but he stepped up in the 4th quarter to help put the game away with a clutch third down sack. Potential steal here. Sal Balistrieri, ’23 QB- Homestead Stat Line: 8/16, 111 Yards, 20 Carries, 94 Yards, 2 TDs The 6'1" 185 lbs junior QB is an exciting athlete. He is more of an athlete than a QB at this point in his development, but his track speed should have the next level's eyes on him. Sal is a natural playmaker who consistently made something out of nothing and made the unusual play look easy all season, and he continued that into this game. His elusiveness in the pocket and downfield as a runner will give defensive coordinators nightmares Sal doesn't need a lot of space to spark the big plays either. A glimpse of daylight with his acceleration is all he needs to get it rolling. Definitely a name to know going forward into next season! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8226679/619968225b3e8509b4d05527">Sal's State Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118317" first="Joe" last="Ollman"], ’22 RB- Homestead Stat Line: 32 Carries, 135 Yards, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 28 Yards The highlights from the game start off with the play that surprised me the most. Ollman did a great job of reeling in a deep pass where he had to demonstrate a wildly impressive ability to track the ball in the air and adjust to it. He also had to make the catch at a difficult angle. On the ground, Ollman demonstrated his one cut running style that highlights his patience as a runner and vision. Ollman's physicality also was needed as the yards were not easy to come by against a talented Waunakee front seven. It's worth noting that Ollman has been recruited as an LB by the FCS level, and his length along with 6'2" 210 lbs frame makes it easy to see why. Not a guy you want to miss out on! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12947390/6199576223475b0290af7655">Joe's State Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31388" first="Drew" last="Wilson"], ’23 LB- Homestead Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 TFLs One of the top 2023 LBs to know going into next season is the 6' 208 lbs ILB from Homestead HS. His main strength is his athleticism and pass coverage traits. Drew definitely fits into that new age LB role who wins with sideline to sideline range, and a high level of awareness in coverage. He also proved this game that he can be an effective blitzer from the ILB position by using his strong initial burst to shoot through interior gaps. Drew also does a really good job of using his lateral agility to avoid blocks and stop the inside run game. This is going to be a defender you want on your recruiting boards, and someone you want to get on early! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15027039/619d46cd5b47fa09b8d2e4e7">Drew's State Highlights</a> Cole Elsbree, ’22 LB- Homestead Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 TFLs I'm not sure if the 5'11" 175 LB has the size to be able to play at the next level, but he had himself a day in this showdown. The senior was a menace in the offensive backfield against the run and the pass proving to be an effective blitzer. He also clearly had a nose for the ball, and he was a natural playmaker. It seemed like every time Homestead needed a play on defense he was trying to make it happen. Definitely a gamer that earned himself a spot as one of the top performers in this game! Dude was a problem for the OL to slow down.