Preseason Preview: Pipestone Arrows

There is too much good going for the Pipestone Area Arrows to not do a Preseason Preview on the school of less than 400. Located three and a half hours Southwest of Minneapolis and nearly touching the border of South Dakota, the Arrows have been a perennial mainstay in the Class AA playoff picture since 2014 and also enjoy the services of Pipestone defensive coordinator and fellow PrepRedzone scout Jake Evans (@jdevans1134), who contributes to our MN and Dakota sites. With a strong recruiting class in 2022 and another Class AA state playoff appearance last fall, it's about time we show SW MN some love, and PrepRedzoneMN is pumped to bring another Preseason Preview to our lovely subscribers in the form of this Pipestone Arrows team breakdown. Get to know the returning squad below and thanks for reading. Go Arrows!   Team Review   There have been far more highs than lows for Pipestone since their 10-3 campaign in 2014, as they went 13-1 in 2015, 12-2 in 2017, 8-3 in 2018, 7-4 in 2019, and 11-1 in 2021, however that vaunted state championship sadly still eludes them. They've also produced some notable prospects that went onto the next level, with Boyer Bouman (c/o 2015, SMSU football), Tyl Woelber (c/o 2018, Augustana T&F), Cole Maly (c/o 2016, Sioux Falls football), Ryan Woodbury (c/o 2022, MN West football), Seth Gawerecki (c/o 2022, Dakota State football), and the aforementioned Jake Evans (c/o 2016, SMSU T&F) leading the way as former Arrows to make waves as prep recruits, sometimes in multiple sports. Bouman in particular is a must-know name for MN prep recruiting diehard fans, as he transitioned from a decorated college career as Southwest Minnesota State's quarterback into a college coaching career with stops so far at SMSU, South Dakota, and back to SMSU. However, now it's time for the class of 2023 to try and leave their mark, and in the wake of key departures such as Maddox Biever (RB - 6'1, 180), Ty Hansen (WR - 5'8, 160), Cole Paulson (LB - 5'9, 170), Ryan Woodbury (WR - 6', 160), Mason Musch (OL, 6'1, 190) and Seth Gawerecki (OL). That leaves a lot of playing and leadership opportunities up for grabs, and with some physically large and imposing seniors returning with a larger crop of juniors and sophomore backing them up, I don't doubt the Arrows can replicate the success of their past graduating classes. Let's get to know some Players to Step Up, Top Dogs, Breakout Candidates, and more below.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/125-Maddox-Biever.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-247473" /><figcaption>Maddox Biever '22</figcaption></figure>   Players to Step Up   Logen Hailey - OL/DL. C/o 2024. 6'5, 240 lbs.   Limited film sometimes equals limited experience, and if that's the case for the well-built Hailey he could be an X-factor this fall for Pipestone and make a very large and imposing three-person front on either the OL or DL, or both! He does have run blocking experience and will bang the pads, so if he can do that in a larger and more efficient capacity in 2022 then Pipestone can really impose their will at the LOS.   Evan Gawerecki - OC/DT. C/o 2025.   The younger brother of Dakota State offensive line commit Seth, younger brother Evan got varsity reps last season as a freshman and beat double teams, executed double teams, and worked to the second level in his limited freshman tape. With good genetics and some openings on the offensive line of Pipestone I think the young buck is going to be thrust into a more demanding role and if he can hold up against older competition, especially deeper into the season, that OL is going to be formidable and potentially dominant against AA competition.   Rogen Smidt - LB. C/o 2023.   The linebacking corps of Pipestone saw some attrition this offseason, which leaves reps and leadership opportunities up for grabs for the returning Rogen Smidt. Effective in pass coverage and a physical and willing hitter, Smidt was the enforcer in the MOF last year but will need to level up his game as a senior to help get his defense back in state playoff form. His high motor and vicious cut tackles will definitely help him in his pursuit of senior glory.   Top Dogs   [player_tooltip player_id='119520' first='Jayden' last='Hoss'] - OT. C/o 2023. 6'3, 245 lbs.   Also an All-Conference and state qualifying heavyweight wrestler, Hoss is the undisputed big dog of the Arrows at 6'3, 245 lbs. going into his senior year. His junior tape shows off a two-way lineman who also kicked PATs and possesses lateral agility, a comfortability working and blocking at the second level, and a solid pass set for a small school lineman more used to run blocking. Hoss also shows a bit of a nasty side, never a bad thing in an offensive lineman.   [player_tooltip player_id='313206' first='Kellen' last='Johnson'] - QB. C/o 2023. 6'5, 200 lbs.   The big dog of Pipestone's recruiting class for 2023 and beyond, 6'5, 200+ pound Johnson holds offers from Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State and was featured in the DakotaNewsNowSports "Pigskin Preview" of local standout athletes in South Dakota and SW MN. With eye-catching size, Johnson was a 2021 All-District selection and '21 District Offensive Back of the Year after passing for 2,283 yards and 28 TDs. He was also selected All-District HM in 2020 and is an All-Conference HM basketball pick to boot. The 6'5 gunslinger can hit just about every throw on the route tree, and shows off solid timing and the ability to lead the receivers to the football without putting them in compromising positions. I also like his accuracy and how he uses his legs to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield and scanning for targets, and it definitely looks like he has what it takes to play QB at the college level, and do it successfully at that. The offense and team is going to run through Johnson this season, and as an experienced Top Dog I think he's ready for a state playoff-worthy workload.   Breakout Candidates   [player_tooltip player_id='101186' first='Caden' last='Miller'] - OL/DL. C/o 2023. 6'3, 315 lbs.   Holds a University of Jamestown offer from my guy Brian Mistro. Also visited UMD and camped with SDSU and Wyoming this summer. Miller is the biggest returning Arrow and dominates at the point of attack both on offense and from the defensive line. For a big boy I also like how he gets out of his stance, and he shows some mobility both when beating blocks as a DT and pulling along the OL. There's some good potential in that hog molly frame and I think he's got a lot to prove and can boost his recruiting stock significantly with a strong senior season.   Team Recruiting Review   Senior classes always vary in size and talent, and that's always the case with smaller schools and outstate programs in Minnesota. With a thinner '23 class this season, Pipestone's recruiting cornerstones will revolve around Hoss, Johnson, and Miller, but that doesn't mean they're the only college worthy recruits on the roster. Having those three means that word about other players, especially in the younger grades, gets around quicker, so the team's recruiting those three will get an inside scoop on some up-and-comers in the program and other names to know. Hoss and Miller show scholarship potential and have the chance to join their QB as NSIC recruits. For more recruiting information and insight on the Pipestone Arrows and other programs of all sizes around Minnesota, stay tuned with PrepRedzoneMN!   Other Players to Know   Trevor Chaulsett - WR/CB. C/o 2025. 5'6, 150 lbs.   Determined and physical run blocker on the perimeter as a young receiver for the Arrows last season.   Hayden Brooke - ATH. C/o 2025. 5'8, 160 lbs.   Got varsity reps last fall as a RB and looks to show off his offseason work this coming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='234915' first='Nohel' last='Vivanco'] - K. C/o 2025. 5'5, 150 lbs.   Handled kickoffs as a freshman and showed off a decent leg for a young buck that is going to be able to find the endzone soon if he keeps working hard in the weight room. I'm interested to see if he made any gains going into his sophomore year.   Zaker Bashir - WR/CB. C/o 2023. 5'10, 150 lbs.   Connor Holt - TE. C/o 2023. 6'2, 230 lbs.   Caleb Velde - C/o 2023   Kyle Newell - C/o 2024   Davis Budden - LB. C/o 2023   Steadman Fenicle - OG. C/o 2023. 5'11, 200 lbs.   Colton Pottratz - OG. C/o 2023. 6', 250 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='234917' first='Logen' last='Punt'] - C/o 2025. 6'2   & more!

There is too much good going for the Pipestone Area Arrows to not do a Preseason Preview on the school of less than 400. Located three and a half hours Southwest of Minneapolis and nearly touching the border of South Dakota, the Arrows have been a perennial mainstay in the Class AA playoff picture since 2014 and also enjoy the services of Pipestone defensive coordinator and fellow PrepRedzone scout Jake Evans (@jdevans1134), who contributes to our MN and Dakota sites. With a strong recruiting class in 2022 and another Class AA state playoff appearance last fall, it's about time we show SW MN some love, and PrepRedzoneMN is pumped to bring another Preseason Preview to our lovely subscribers in the form of this Pipestone Arrows team breakdown. Get to know the returning squad below and thanks for reading. Go Arrows!