Offensive X-Factors in Minnesota’s 0 Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnesota High School football is structured where several teams play a game a week before everybody else every year. These few teams are selected every two years when the schedule is redone. This is the second year in the rotation, meaning everyone played each other last year. This extra week can be a huge advantage for teams as come the start of everyone else's regular season, they have a game of experience under their belt. This is the Minnesota 0-week. The 5 games slated this year are as follows; Brainerd @ Coon Rapids, Chisago Lakes @ Delano, Becker @ Rocori, St. Cloud Tech @ Sartell, and St. Cloud Apollo @ Hutchinson. Let's dive into the difference makers for each team during their 0-week matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brainerd: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='312950' first='Marcello' last='Getty']: 2023 QB 6'3" 190 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getty is one of Minnesota's top returning QBs in 2023. He has phenomenal pocket presence and has shown that he has the ability to extend plays on his legs when need be. He has a cannon and can launch the ball downfield in the blink of an eye. He sets his feet, scans the field, and finds an open man within two seconds. Getty can be a deal breaker for teams unprepared for an advanced passing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coon Rapids:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Khijohnn Cummings: 2024 WR 5'10" 175 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cummings returns as the Cardinal's top pass catcher from a year ago. He has excellent speed off the line and is a huge YAC threat. His ability to make defenders miss and his vision make him incredibly difficult to bring down. He took some snaps at running back last year and I think the Cardinals will look to extend his usage in other ways this year. The kid is too athletic not to be used in any play possible and figuring out how to stop him can cause the defense fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Chisago Lakes: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddox Olson: 2023 RB 6' 170 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olson had limited offensive snaps last year, but with the Wildcats graduating most of their team, we will see him take a tremendous jump in reps his senior year. Olson is an accomplished lacrosse player and he can be seen often using his speed and lanky frame to make defenders miss. Olson is the presumed RB1 to start the season and could have a large impact that many teams aren't prepared for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Delano:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='19015' first='Cade' last='Bruett']: 2023 QB 6'3" 215 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bruett returns having a season of varsity football under his belt. The senior lefty has good size and proves difficult to take down. He is well-rounded, able to run the ball if need be, but more comfortable passing in the pocket. He's shown he has the ability to loft the ball down field he can fire it into the hands of a receiver at lightning speed. Experience is everything for a young quarterback and with Bruett having a year under his belt and a whole summer to develop, I expect him to take a huge leap in his final year with the tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Becker:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-bengtson/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-bengtson/">Ryan Bengston: 2023 QB 5'10" 150 lbs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undersized? Yes. Electrifying? Absolutely. Bengston is not the prototypical quarterback. He's shorter, skinnier, and more mobile. But to say that this kid isn't extremely talented is short-sighted. He's shown he's exceptional when rolling out of the pocket and can make great throws on the run. He can sling it downfield and has phenomenal decision-making and excellent ball placement. Colleges and opposing teams alike would be stupid not to understand the threat that this kid poses on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Rocori:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295821' first='Jack' last='Spanier']: 2023 QB 6' 170 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This dude is elusive. Remember that play where Kellen Mond ran around for like a minute in the Vikings-Raiders preseason game? That's basically what [player_tooltip player_id='295821' first='Jack' last='Spanier'] does except he completes the pass too. His tape is basically 6 minutes of defensive linemen and linebackers getting their ankles snapped in half before he finds a wideout 35 yards downfield for a touchdown. When he does have a clean pocket, Spanier is cool, calm, collected, and delivers with excellent ball placement. Watch out for him this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sartell:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='19010' first='Cole' last='Hentges']: 2023 QB 6' 200 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming hot off an injury that ended his junior season, [player_tooltip player_id='19010' first='Cole' last='Hentges'] looks to go on a warpath. This kid oozes talent. One of the top unoffered prospects in MN, Hentges has everything you'd want out of a QB. Mobile, great arm strength, and great accuracy. He's bound to have a huge breakout year and teams shouldn't underestimate him just because of Sartell's record last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">St. Cloud Tech</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='105414' first='Damarius' last='Fletcher']: 2024 RB 5'11" 160 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fletcher was one of the bright spots on what was a struggling Tech team last season. Fletcher is a very well-rounded back, fast enough to beat defenders on the outside, strong enough to bulldoze players up the middle, and slippery enough to break arm tackles. He's shown pass-catching abilities and has consistent work in the screen game. After a successful sophomore outing, we could see Fletcher break out big time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Hutchinson:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='112070' first='Levi' last='Teetzel']: 2023 RB 6' 190 lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teetzel had an incredible junior season rushing for over 1500 yards and leading Hutchinson to a state title in the process. Teetzel is a create-a-character come to life. His vision is unmatched as he hits a hole at 100 miles an hour. If you try to tackle him, you miss. If you somehow do get an arm on him, you're getting run over. Teetzel is an unmatched back and will cause havoc for all teams trying to slow him down this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">St. Cloud Apollo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Da'vion Jackson 2025 QB 6'1'' 175</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson is a true mystery. A sophomore QB with little to no film stepping into the varsity spotlight. Jackson has good size and natural athleticism. He throws a good ball but he's untested and unproven. This kid has a lot of potentials to help turn Apollo around. The true X-factor for the Eagles this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Notable Offensive Players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Mattick 2024 QB 6'3" 180 lbs - Coon Rapids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242379' first='Jerid' last='Fearing'] 2024 WR 6' 180 lbs - Coon Rapids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominick Oelmann 2023 WR 5'9" 150 lbs - Coon Rapids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Damen Bentho 2023 RB 5'9" 180 lbs - Brainerd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295811' first='Caleb' last='Lange'] 2023 TE 6'6" 215 lbs - Brainerd</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reed Bleymeyer 2024 RB 6'1" 165 lbs - Chisago Lakes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='312981' first='Tyler' last='Drury'] 2023 ATH 6'1" 160 lbs - Chisago Lakes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='300101' first='Cole' last='Schmidt'] 2023 RB 5'11" 180 lbs - Delano</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Brown 2023 WR 6' 170 lbs - Delano</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='348808' first='Jackson' last='Stewart'] 2023 TE 6'5" 225 lbs - Delano</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adam Jurek 2023 RB 5'10" 165 lbs - Becker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='318069' first='Logan' last='Eisele'] 2023 RB 6'1" 190 lbs - Becker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alexander Weiss 2023 WR 6' 170 lbs - Becker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hunter Nistler 2023 WR 6' 160 lbs - Rocori</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383740' first='Adam' last='Langer'] 2023 WR 6'2" 190 lbs - Rocori</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Acheson 2023 TE 6'2" 205 lbs - Rocori</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='112191' first='Gavan' last='Schulte'] 2023 RB 5'11" 160 lbs - Sartell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Ladwig 2023 RB 5'9" 180 lbs - Hutchinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Eliott 2023 RB 6'2" 185 lbs - Hutchinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake O'Hara 2023 Ath 5'10" 155 lbs - Apollo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Allenspach 2023 Ath 5'9" 140 - Apollo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->