Brian’s Best: Apple Valley vs. Bloomington Jefferson
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Apple Valley and Bloomington Jefferson opened up the Minnesota football playoffs Tuesday night in Apple Valley with an explosive offensive game. Apple Valley held on to win 35-33 in the Section 4AAAAA quarter-final shootout, complete with numerous impressive individual performances.…
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Continue ReadingApple Valley and Bloomington Jefferson opened up the Minnesota football playoffs Tuesday night in Apple Valley with an explosive offensive game. Apple Valley held on to win 35-33 in the Section 4AAAAA quarter-final shootout, complete with numerous impressive individual performances.
If it weren’t for a certain top-ranked player in the state lining up on the other side of the field, Haueter would have been the most impressive guy on the field. He is a tough inside runner but inflicted most of his damage as a receiver out of the backfield. He caught an over-the-shoulder wheel route for a first down. After another strong inside run, Haueter ran a similar route and caught another wheel route for forty yards. He caught a high-pressure pass down the middle late in the game for 27 yards. As a defensive back, he intercepted two passes – one near the goal line. He also read a flea flicker and stayed with his guy forcing a throwaway. He made two impressive tackles, both in the open field and both in one-on-one situations.
Highlights
Freitag was hands down the most athletic guy on the field. He looked like he was playing in a backyard game with the number of cuts he made and the number of guys he left grasping at air. He made two tacklers miss on the outside and picked up ten yards. Then, he read the option pass and threw a perfect pass down the sidelines for a touchdown. His best run started on the left, and he came across the field for a fifteen yard gain. He likely ran 50 yards to pick up fifteen. A 37 yard touchdown run was the best opportunity for him to show off his straight-line speed.
Highlights
Jackson Thornburg
Jackson Thornburg
Thornburg showed a bit of everything from the quarterback position. Early, he tucked the ball and ran for a first down. Later, he showed nice touch on two throws down the sidelines. He threw another perfect midrange ball down the middle for a sixteen yard touchdown. On a third and eight, he stepped into a throw and completed a pass for a 55 yard touchdown. He found a hole up the middle for a first down on a third and five with no one open. His clutch throw late in the game down the seam for a first down keyed the Eagles’ final scoring drive.
Eric Refsdal
Eric Refsdal
Refsdal was causing issues for the Eagles’ offense by taking up blockers in the middle. Early, he stuffed a quarterback draw. With the game in the balance in the fourth quarter, he stuffed a run. He did a good job holding the line of scrimmage with his lower body.
Will Townsend
Will Townsend
Townsend was the most impactful defensive player on the field. He plays defensive end but early, he worked his way down the line of scrimmage to make a tackle on the inside. Later, he came across the formation again and made a tackle on the other side of the field. Part of the game’s biggest defensive play, he scooped up a fumble and added a fifty-yard return. He used his hands well dealing with blockers – fighting off blocks to make tackles in the open field. He did a good job all game holding the edge and keeping Freitag – for the most part – contained. Late in the game, his quarterback sack almost ended the game.
Jonathan Weber
Jonathan Weber
Especially in the second half, Weber was a nice compliment to Freitag. Weber is a patient runner, picking his way through the line. With a low center of gravity, he is a powerful straight-line runner. He had good success running between the tackles.
Jayden Cunningham
Jayden Cunningham
Cunningham was effective on both sides of the ball. On offense, he is a tough, between the tackles runner. He picked up a one yard touchdown run and then bounced off a tackle for a fifteen yard gain Dvante McElroy and Deon Kelson Deon Kelson 6’3″ | 270 lbs | OL Apple Valley | 2023 State MN . He stuffed an inside run on defense for a short gain and then picked up a quarterback sack late in the game.
Jay Moore
Jay Moore
Moore affected the passing game on both levels of the defense. He came on a blitz and pressured the quarterback, forcing an incomplete pass. Then, he was isolated with one-on-one coverage and deflected the pass harmlessly to the ground.
Michael Woods
Michael Woods
A timely blitzer for the Eagles, Woods used his quickness to register two sacks. One of those sacks included a Woods’ forced fumble that set up an Apple Valley touchdown.