Best of the Best: Week 9
In this article:
The regular season is in the books! The playoff field has been sorted out, and the matchups are ready to be played. Before we get to that, though, let’s look back on some standout performances, names to know, and big…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe regular season is in the books! The playoff field has been sorted out, and the matchups are ready to be played. Before we get to that, though, let’s look back on some standout performances, names to know, and big time numbers in big situations that occurred in Week 9. We have a little bit of everything in today’s article. Freshman OL to watch, 300+ receiving yards, 200+ passing yards, defensive standouts, and TDs upon TDs. Let’s check them out together!
Jesse Michaud
Jesse Michaud
I haven’t covered a ton of freshmen, yet. However, the 6′ 215 lbs freshman OL has earned his way to some varsity action for Winneconne. The right tackle obviously doesn’t have the size for the next level, yet. There is plenty of time for that to come in. Where his game is strong is his range. Range to get to the second level, and land his block with the proper leverage. If eh can keep that ability while continuing to grow Michaud will be a valuable asset to have in the trenches. I’m excited to watch Jesse’s development throughout his HS career.
Ashton Pike
Ashton Pike
Stats: 27 Carries, 173 Yards, 2 TDs, 7 Tackles, 1 FFrnAshton has been a big time producer all season long for Laconia. His Week 9 performance was key to them locking up a 3 seed in the playoffs. The 6′ 180 lbs senior did a lot of his damage on offense by attacking outside the tackles. Laconia got him the ball out in space on tosses and options. There he could use his 4.8 speed to pick up yards when given alleys. Ashton also proved to have an effective stiff arm on a couple plays. His agility in tight quarters is more important that his long speed. Pike juked, and cut his way to a lot of yards after contact and making defenders miss. We also got a glimpse of his hands and some pass protection this week. The senior has 4 well deserved offers. Check him out.
Stats: 7 Receptions, 230 Yards, 3 TDsrnEthan had himisef a lengedary night to end the reguarl season! The 6’2″ 180 lbs senior turned every touch into a huge play. He made it look easy to break off these huge receptions, make defdners miss, and maintain balance while his body was at weird angles. Criter has turned himself into a solid WR prospect. He has a solid frame, pletny of speed to take it the distance on every catch if they give him any green grass, and he is very hard to contain after the catch. AFter the catch is werhe Criter did a lot of damge. He was able to shake defdners, and win with qucikness or long speed. Next level programs looking for someone to take the top off the defense, check this kid out.
Brett Mueller
Brett Mueller
Stats: 12 Receptions, 340 Yards, 2 TDs, 4 Tackles, 2 PBUs, 1 INTrnWhat a game for the senior! Brett spent Friday night rewriting school records as he broke the longest reception record (92 yards), and receiving yards in a game record (340 yards). Watching through his highlights from the game it looked unfair. Brett easily stretched the field with his 4.6 speed. Brett also tracks the ball in the air well; that led to his ability to make over the shoulder catches look easy. Mueller has natural hands that are soft, but strong when faced with contact while making the catch. The 5’10” 170 lbs senior has been on a lot of D3 campuses this fall, but he is still looking for his first offer.
Stats: 10/14, 219 Yards, 5 TDsrnThe 6’2″ 185 lbs sophomore QB is an impressive QB prospect. The underclassman already plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran. I was very impressed with his footwork. He gets through his drop quickly, always has his lower body connected to his upper, and is so light on his feet. That sharp footwork leads to other strong traits. Vance is already a decisive decision maker. What maximizes his decisions is that he can get the ball right where it needs to be, when it needs to be. Holtz has multiple plays with pinpoint location. He drops it in over a shoulder or zips it through a tight window. I’m very impressed with the sophomore, and an excited to watch him through the playoffs and then develop over the next few years. He is an impressive prospect.
Highlights
Stats: 16 Carries, 136 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Receptions, 29 YardsrnI initially ranked Ben at punter, but that will be changing after the season. Burgess has worked himself into being a viable other in the backfield for the next level. He has recently earned an offer from Carroll to play RB, and he has other interest. There is a lot to like from the breakout senior. He is a solid 6’1″ 195 lbs that runs upright, but is still a tough tackle. Despite running upright, Ben has the contact balance to run through arm tackles, and bounce off lowered shoulders. He also impressed me with his speed which allowed him to turn small lanes between the tackles into big gains. The three way athlete is a name to know. He put together a strong senior campaign, and looks ready for playoff action.
Highlights
Stats: 15 Carries, 151 Yards, 1 TDrnMilz has been a high producing ball carrier for awhile now in the Black Hawk backfield. He was a mainstay in my offseason weight lifting articles, and it trasnlates to his play on the field. Lucas has roughly 4.7 speed, but he is able to gathera lot of yards because he is differnet to bring down thanks to his strength. Lucas can push the pile, and run through arm tackles. The tailback is also a patient runner who allows him blocks to set up and then attacks the lane. You can be confdietn that he is going to finish every carry with violence as well. The ball carrier holds an offer from UW- Eau Claire.
Highlights
Stats: 12/18, 266 Yards, 5 TDs, 21 Carries, 112 Yards, 1 TD, 2 INTsrnIt doesn’t get much more impactful than what Jerzy did in Week 9! The 5’11” 160 lbs athlete did it all for his team. On offense, Jerzy is a dual threat option who can be relied to carry the load on the ground or through the air. On the ground, Jerzy is a quick twitch ball carrier with the vision to find his way out of trouble and the long speed to break off big plays. Through the air, Brocker is more raw, but you see that he is starting to develop a solid arm that can attack down the field. On defense, you see Jerzy’s football IQ as he does a good job of staying deep, reading the play, and jumping routes after baiting the opposing QB. Brocker is looking more like an ATH than a QB, right now. We will see how he develops over the coming years after this season.
Lennon Stroede
Lennon Stroede
Stats: 12 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 2.5 Sacks, 1 PBU, 1 INTrnYou can’t finish the regular season on much more of a higher note than Lennon did on defense. The 6’3″ 235 lbs athlete plays DL, LB, and OL. He is a versatile athlete. This week he made all his plays from the interior of the defensive line. There Lennon proved to be strong and stout at the point of attack. He was able to overpower his opponents, drive them into the backfield, shed the block, and make a lot of tackles. Stroede was a disruptive force all night. He threw off the timing of plays, forced redirects, and made his fair share of stops. They couldn’t get him off his spot, and he looked good sliding laterally to get to the lane that ball carriers were attacking. Lennon is shaping into a steal. No offers that I can see. Time to check this dude out.
Other Notable Performances
Zane Vetter
Zane Vetter
Stats: 20 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF
Peyton Bingham
Peyton Bingham
Stats: 20 Carries, 337 Yards, 5 TDs, 4/6, 25 Yards, 1 TD
Warren Stoner
Warren Stoner
Stats: 9 Carries, 110 Yards, 3 TDs
Stats: 2 Carries, 82 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Reception, 10 Yards, 1 TD, 6 Tackles