Game Review: Sartell vs St. Cloud Tech (Offensive Standouts)
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Picture this, you got in your car at sunset with your dad. Drive to a small town where the lights are already illuminating the stadium. You make your way through the crowds of parents and fans, hordes of students dressed…
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Continue ReadingPicture this, you got in your car at sunset with your dad. Drive to a small town where the lights are already illuminating the stadium. You make your way through the crowds of parents and fans, hordes of students dressed like tourists from the 80s, and the angry 5th graders playing tackle football next to the bleachers. You breathe in the crisp fall air, it smells like BBQ and fresh cut grass. You open your eyes to players lining the field for the anthem. You smile content, FNL is back!!!
The Stars of FNL
Cole Hentges Cole Hentges 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Sartell-St. Stephen | 2023 State MN : 2023 Sartell QB 6′ 200 lbs
I went to this game for Hentges, and he didn’t disappoint. His most significant assets continue to be his arm strength and accuracy. Although the Sabers relied on short passes early on, when their playbook expanded Hentges truly showed what he was capable of. He has a lightning-quick release and puts great touch on the ball. The Tigers provided ample pressure last night, and Hentges showed off some very impressive mobility that you typically only see in smaller guys. Shifty on his feet and with good vision, he’s a true dual threat. Going to a scrimmage following the game showed me how blessed Sartell is to have Hentges under center, he is a premier 5A QB. His floor is an electric high school QB who can carry a historically struggling offense to a phenomenal season, his ceiling is a future college QB who will continue to make big plays at the next level.
Parker Knutson Parker Knutson 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Sartell-St. Stephen | 2023 State MN : 2023 Sartell WR 6’1″ 185 lbs
This kid is a certified DOG. Although the stats may not show it outright, Knutson is a difference maker. He is every bit of 6’1″ and fills out a nice 185-pound frame. He is bigger, faster, stronger, and wants it more than the kid across him, no matter who it is. He torched his defenders on multiple occasions and also had a fantastic punt in the second half. Knutson was without a doubt the best athlete on the field the entire game and is a must-watch for all colleges.
Dylan Simones Dylan Simones 5'10" | 140 lbs | WR Sartell | 2023 MN : 2023 Sartell WR 6′ 185 lbs
Two words. Speed. Freak. Simones is a threat anywhere on the field. The Sabers did a great job utilizing him on jet sweeps and routes that maximized his talents. He was Hentges’s favorite target throughout the night and paired nicely next to Knutson. While he ran a variety of routes throughout the night, he excelled on short to medium-length ones, where he got great separation in a little amount of time. Simones is also a legit YAC threat, as his speed and elusiveness made him very difficult for one defender to bring him down alone.
Rising Stars:
Tim Gohman Tim Gohman 6'4" | 225 lbs | OL St. Cloud Tech | 2023 MN : 2023 Tech OT 6’3″ 225 lbs
On an offense that struggled, Gohman was an anchor. The big hoss threw around defensive linemen like ragdolls and provided a protected blindside whenever the Tigers passed. Offensive linemen on struggling teams often go underappreciated and unrecognized and I hope that is not the case with Gohman. He was strong in both the pass and the run and could be a solid player at the next level.
Gavan Schulte Gavan Schulte 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Sartell-St. Stephen | 2023 State MN : 2023 Sartell RB 5’11” 180 lbs
1/2 of a very impressive Sabers running back duo. Schulte is the power back to Donovan Lund Donovan Lund 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Sartell-St. Stephen | 2023 State MN ‘s quickness. When the Sabers opened up the playbook in the second half, Schulte was given some serious redzone responsibilities. He is a head down, lower shoulders, hit the hole at 100 miles an hour back. He scored two touchdowns and bowled over defenders in the process. Schulte is a leader and looks to be a key part of the Saber’s offense moving forward.
Donovan Lund Donovan Lund 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Sartell-St. Stephen | 2023 State MN : 2023 Sartell RB 5’9″ 195 lbs
The other half of the Sabers backfield, Lund is a force to be reckoned with. Deceptively quick, Lund is like a bowling pin who refuses to get knocked over. Extremely underrated, I think Lund will explode onto the scene this year. When Schulte was struggling early on, Lund opened up lanes and turned collapsing plays into 6, 7, or 8-yard gains. He hasn’t gotten many reps catching passes out of the backfield, but I think he can add that asset to his game and further his skillset and this offense.
Under the Radar:
Derrick Payton-Cox: 2023 RB 5’8″ 215 lbs
Payton was the best thing about the Tech offense in the season opener. The stocky back made big plays for the Tigers early on with a pair of first downs off only dives. He was near impossible to bring down in the first half and carried the Tigers down the field several times. He has the potential to become the Tiger’s biggest offensive threat this year and help them rebound after this 0-Week loss.
Kade Lewis Kade Lewis 6'2" | 230 lbs | OL Sartell-St. Stephen | 2023 State MN : 2023 OT 6’3″ 220 lbs
A Butler baseball commit, Lewis is a stud athlete in every sport he plays. He was Hentges’s blind side and protected him about as well you could ask from a blindside protector. On the first Sartell play from scrimmage, Lewis kicked back into protection and pancaked the defensive end. He continued his solid protection throughout the game and his performance shouldn’t go unnoticed, especially when he plays such a crucial role on the offense.