Wausau West vs Wis. Rapids: Recap & Prospects of the Game
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I had this game bookmarked since this summer. It was clear that both Wausau West and Wisconsin Rapids were going to be fielding talented rosters, and with the addition of it being the conference opener there was no chance that…
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Continue ReadingI had this game bookmarked since this summer. It was clear that both Wausau West and Wisconsin Rapids were going to be fielding talented rosters, and with the addition of it being the conference opener there was no chance that I was going to miss it. The two teams were perfectly matched. Both leaned heavily on their run games, and their defensive front sevens. The first drive held our first big play. OL/DL Brandt Rice Brandt Rice 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Wausau West | 2023 State WI was able to get penetration leading to a fumble that Wausau West recovered. Rapids’ defense wasn’t going to let the momentum last long as they forced a turnover on downs. Off the turnover, WI Rapids RB Leo Brostowitz Leo Brostowitz 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln | 2023 State WI took over. The bowling ball RB broke through and drug defenders on multiple carries. The final of the drive saw him break loose for the firs TD of the game. Not to be outdone, West took one play to break loose their own RB Ray Reineck for a long TD run down the sideline following a block from RT Brandt Rice Brandt Rice 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Wausau West | 2023 State WI to spring him loose to tie it at 6. The game was moving quickly with the two run games milking a lot of clock. I the second quarter, Brostowitz punched in a short TD to take a 14-6 lead. With 2 minutes to play in the half, Rapids again got the ball, and marched down the field for a field goal to take a 17-6 halftime lead.
It seemed like Rapids was in control of the game at the halftime break. However, Wausau West came out ready to climb back into the game. They took their first drive, marched down the field, and finished it off with another Ray Reineck TD run. TE Bryce Jaworski Bryce Jaworski 6'3" | 245 lbs | TE Wausau West | 2024 State WI snagged the 2 point conversion to put th score at Rapids: 17 West: 14. After each team traded multiple defensive stands West took the ball, and set their sites on taking the lead. They again stuck heavily to the ground and leaned on RB Ray Reineck again. Reineck didn’t disappoint as he powered his way to big chunk plays. He finally broke loose completely and ran in the lead taking TD. With the score West: 20 Rapids: 17 Rapids took the ball and attempted a lead taking drive of their own. However, they fell short, and West was able to run out the clock to bring home the comeback victory.
Prospects of the Game
The 6’5″ 290 lbs RT is our highest ranked uncommitted senior in WI. The big man hold 15+ offers, and he has strong interest from the FBS levels. If you have followed my articles you know about Rice’s physical growth over the years has been well published. I couldn’t’ wait to see the big man throw people around, and I wasn’t disappointed. Rice has the hands of a heavy weight boxer. His punches stopped DL in their tracks. His wide, powerful base allowed him to walk big opponents out of the trenches or straight into the ground. After getting a close look, I do believe Rice will be best at guard at the next level where his strength can shine. Future is very bright for the big man. Any D1 school looking for trench help, you must start here.
Highlights
Stats: 22 Carries, 213 Yards, 3 TDsrnRaymond is the workhorse for Wausau West. The junior was a hard runner between the tackles. He was patient and used his vision while behind the line, and once he attacked up field it was hard for Rapids to bring him down without multiple defenders there to wrap him up. Reineck runs behind his pads well, bounces off tackles, and when he gets green grass he was able to pull away from the defense. Great game for the most productive player of the game. This was a new name for me coming out of the game. I’ll be keeping an eye on him over the next year.
Highlights
The 6’3″ 240 lbs TE/LB had a big impact without putting up huge stats. On offense, Bryce had a clutch two point conversion late in the game, but where he really stood out was a as blocker. He as able to lead across the formation, pull, or take on the man across from him one on one and open up lanes. The junior has an exciting frame for the position. I’ll be looking to see how fluid he becomes in his routes over the next year. On defense, Bryce was a stout edge defender. He attacked the Rapids option offense, and made some chase down plays. Junior to know without a doubt.
Highlights
Caleb Tuley
Caleb Tuley
Caleb was another new name for me coming out of the game. He made sure I knew who he was by the end of the game. The 6’2″ 210 lbs LB was making stops all over the front seven against the Rapids running game. Caleb lined up primarily at ILB where he was able to use his lateral agility to keep himself clean so that he could wrap up ball carriers. He proved to have a knack for making it very difficult to land a block on him. I was impressed with his athletic profile. Tuley had the speed to range from sideline to sideline. Lastly, his blitzes were well timed and led to him making a lot of chaos in the backfield. I believe he is a D3 prospect. He has one offers, so far. Check him out. He is a key to their run defense.
Deondre is an intriguing underclassman. He saw a lot of playing time on the interior of the West DL. He isn’t the biggest kid, yet. However, while he waits to grow into his full frame Deondre has developed his lateral agility. That agility allowed him to slip through gaps, and beat linemen after aligning himself so he only had to defeat half a man. That quickness allowed him to get penetration and make key stops. This is a name to know in the Class of 2025. The 5’11” 225 lbs DL shows potential to be a next level talent.
The 5’11” 180 lbs OLB/DB had an impressive game on defense. He made plays between the tackles as well as out in space where he did a great job of doing his job against the option. Connor was tasked with making a lot of plays out in space, and he proved to have the speed to be able to track down the ball carriers. Calmes is a reliable tackler out in space, and between the tackles. It was interesting to see him line up at OLB, ILB, and safety. No matter where he lined up the athlete flew downhill to the football every snap. The senior has three D3 roster offers.
Highlights
The most impressive prospect on the Rapids sideline is the 6’4″ 265 lbs senior DL was impressive to see in person. His frame is powerful, has very little bad weight, and has room for him to get even bigger and stronger at the next level. The strength he does have already stands out at the HS level where he is able to hold the line of scrimmage against single or double teams. He caught my eyes over and over with his hand use. He ripped, swam, and swatted hands and linemen off him. The big man also stepped in at OL on a few drives to give them an extra lineman. No doubt Connor is a D2 prospect with the potential to get the attention of the FCS level. One of the top two prospects of the game.
Stats: 34 Carries, 244 Yards, 2 TDsrnLeo had a special perfomance on Friday night. He is the definition of a bell cow back. His 5’8″ 195 lbs frame was essentially a bowling ball. He ran through and over defenders multiple times, including his first TD where his stiff arm jammed a defender into the dirt. He is a north-south runner who runs behind his pads very well. Leo looks the par to fa next level RB. He has interest form the next level, but the power back needs more attention. He is going to have an amazing season on tape, and on the stat sheet. D3s should be lining up at the door for him. I came away an even bigger fan than i was when I went into the game.
Highlights
My final standout prospect was the junior ILB out of Wisconsin Rapids. The 6′ 200 lbs backer fit perfectly into this game where he could attack downhill against the run. His ability to read the flow of the line allowed him to move and get into position to make stops on multiple occasions. It didn’t matter where the ball was. It seemed like Carter was getting up off every pile. His sideline to sideline run stopping is his top trait. He is a junior to keep track of this season, and next.