Preseason Preview: Edina

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Edina Hornets faced arguably one of the most demanding schedules in the state. Like most teams with that schedule would have, they struggled and ended with one win. This season, the schedule looks tough again. However, Edina hopes to have the pieces and experience at some key positions, to get back into the mix in 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets' passing game looks to be formative in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='112140' first='Finn' last='McElroy'] split time last year and looking to have a strong senior season," head coach Jason Potts said. "Wide receiver is our deepest position on the team. [player_tooltip player_id='295814' first='Brady' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='192548' first='Parker' last='Durkin'] provide senior leadership and are very talented. In addition, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='234833' first='Meyer' last='Swinney'] and junior Sonny Villegas are up-and-coming skilled players hungry to prove themselves full time at the varsity level."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, Coach Potts likes what he sees on the front and back ends of his defense. "We have three returning starters on the defensive line: [player_tooltip player_id='295813' first='Liam' last='Cummins'], Mitch Mahlum, and Kade Chrysler. They will provide a strong and experienced defensive front. At defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='245652' first='Peyton' last='Himley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='295814' first='Brady' last='Anderson'] will hold down the pass defense."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Players to watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63014da235a8f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["245652"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"When Himley reads run, he has excellent closing speed and gets up to the line of scrimmage in a flash. He is a solid tackler in space, although he dives for runners' lower halves more than throwing a shoulder into guys and wrapping up. From his deep safety spot, he can get from sideline to sideline. His ball skills are solid when the ball is in the air as he adjusts well and closes on the ball quickly.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["295813"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Cummings can play any position along the defensive line. He has an explosive first step – especially as an inside player. When engaged with a blocker, he keeps his pad level low and uses his quickness to get angles on guys assigned to block him. As his position flexibility suggests, he is not the biggest defensive lineman but uses his athletic ability to beat bigger blockers. He uses his quickness off the line and low hips to double as a solid blocking tight end.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["112140"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"McElroy has a giant arm. When he can step into a throw, he can throw the deep ball on a rope. When under pressure, he has enough arm strength to make stronger throws than an average quarterback still. His arm strength doesn't just translate to deep balls. He can make throws – specifically out routes from the hash to the opposite sideline – that are not advisable for most quarterbacks. He can also get the ball into tight windows. McElroy is not going to look to run for yards but can make throws on the move.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["295814"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Speed is what jumps off the page for Anderson on both sides of the ball. His closing speed allows him to be effective when playing soft coverage schemes. He gets to the line of scrimmage when supporting the run. Offensively, he has the speed to eat up defensive backs' cushion, and if the defensive back makes even the slightest mistake, Anderson can blow past anyone out of position. His hands have highlight reel potential.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["192548"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Most of Durkin's success last season came out of the slot. What immediately stands out is his footwork – both within routes and after the catch. He works especially well on short routes – using his quick feet to create space on short routes. Once with the ball, he can make people miss in the open field. When he gets space, he has the speed to turn a short catch into a big play.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->