The Pig Mollies – Part I

Brian Jerzak February 6, 2022 @ 09:35 PM

Originally used on-air by the late, legendary college football announcer Keith Jackson, fellow prepredzone.com writer Nate Wahl started a series of stories during the regular season featuring some of the top big men each week – the Hog Mollies. Over the next week, I will be diving into some beef up front too. Although these guys are big enough, they might be too young to be called hogs. In a year or two – yes – but for now, we highlight guys who still have two years to grow into hogs, some of the young talent in the state along the offensive line. I will call them the Pig – soon to be Hog - Mollies. [player_tooltip player_id="241907" first="Luke" last="Speedling"] Minnetonka OT Speedling has great hips. He keeps his pad level low, not by bending at the waist, but by dropping his hips to give him a sturdy base coming out of his stance. That leverage makes up for his lack of size – he tips the scales at 230. That will surely be remedied with a couple of years in the Skippers’ weight room. He also has solid footwork, which allows him to get into his pass sets quickly and allows him to move down the line of scrimmage while staying squared up with defenders. [player_tooltip player_id="120503" first="Aiden" last="Horel"] Prior Lake OT Horel is a physical blocker who can play both tackle positions. When I saw him on tape, I couldn’t believe he was already 260 pounds. He carries his weight well and looks and plays like a smaller kid. As Horel puts more good weight on his frame, look out defenders in the Metro. Even now, his pad level and explosiveness of the line of scrimmage have defenders on skates. His wide base coming off the ball makes him tough to knock off balance. [player_tooltip player_id="242398" first="Cal" last="Worley"] Minnetonka OG The Skippers’ offensive line looks to be in good shape for the next two years, with Speedling and Worley back for two more seasons. At 6’3", Worley is already tall for an interior lineman, but that doesn’t mean defenders can get under his pads. He has excellent lateral footwork and quickness. That quickness allows him to get to the second level and stay with linebackers in the open field. In close quarters, once he gets his hands on a defender, good luck to that defender getting back into the play. [player_tooltip player_id="105391" first="Will" last="Sather"] Eden Prairie C Sather’s first step coming off the ball is about as good as you will see from a sophomore center. He gets into nose tackles so quickly and – sorry to harp on this with almost every guy – has his pad level low right out of his stance. Steps two and three are impressive too from Sather as he gets his hips turned to the hole almost immediately. His strength at the point of attack is already outstanding despite his young age – allowing him to finish his blocks with authority. [player_tooltip player_id="241906" first="Michael" last="Oftedahl"] Mound Westonka C Listed at 280 pounds, Oftedahl is already a physical presence in the middle of the Mound Westonka offensive line. While not as quick off the ball as Sather, Oftedahl makes up for it by manhandling defensive lineman. The sophomore already has quick feet to go with his size as he moves to the second level without issue. Although he is more comfortable mauling guys on the inside, he effectively engages with smaller defenders at the second level.