Luther vs Markesan: Level One Recap & Prospects of the Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It couldn't get more perfect for lat October football here in WI. No wind. Clear skies. mild temperatures. There was nothing that was going to be an extra factor. It was going to be playoff football. Best vs best. Winner moves on to Level Two, and the defeated turns in their pads. The stakes were high, and it brought out the best of the athletes on Luther and Markesan. It was a fun game, and there are names to know scattered across the roster of these small, D6 schools. We will cover both starting with a recap of the action. Let's get playoff action underway!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game opened with defense, defense, and more defense. Markesan got a good return on the opening kick, and their triple option attack moved the ball inside the Luther 10. That is where Luther dug in, and forced a turnover on downs. That momentum swing didn't help the offense, though, and Markesan forced a three and out with Luther's backs against the wall. Following three more combined three and outs, and a failed fake punt by Markesan, Luther made fireworks with their third drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='383800' first='Jackson' last='Kendall']</strong> went deep on the first play of the drive. That is where <strong>WR Nathan Riley</strong> made his first of many standout plays. He reeled in the pass and got down to the 3 yard line of Markesan. One play later, RB Landon Bryant punched it in for the score. The two point conversion gave Luther the 8-0 lead. Markesan created their own fireworks on their next drive. They ran the ball well, and <strong>QB Ryan Mast</strong> executed a perfect keep on an option play. It left the contain man staring at the FB and not noticing Mast go untouched for the score. <strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='304379' first='Micah' last='Kracht']</strong> finished the drive with the tying two point conversion. It seemed like the offenses had really woken up since the first score. Luther came out on their next drive and again used a big play to spark a score. <strong>Nathan Riley</strong> made another clutch third down catch. Then a few plays later he caught a short pass, made some defenders miss, and sprinted down the sideline for the long score. the failed two point try left Luther up 14-8. The remainder of the first half was dominated by the defense again. We saw three straight turnover on downs before Luther knelt it and went into the half with the one possession lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half played out differently for the offenses. Instead of relying on big plays to put any points on the board we saw the offenses be able to piece together drives. Unfortunately, those drives still couldn't find the endzone. Luther failed a fake punt on their opening drive of the second half. Markesan was putting together a beautiful drive until Kracht was tripped on 4th down leading to a turnover on downs in the redzone. Luther was the first to see that slow and steady offense result in points. They pounded the rock until sophomore <strong>RB Landon Bryant</strong> was able to run in a short TD for the 20-8 lead. Markesan again was held to a turnover on downs when <strong>LB Justin Miller </strong>stuffed a 4th down carry. One play later, Kendall went to the air again. <strong>Nathan Riley</strong> again made the catch and used his speed to go for the long TD and 26-8 lead. Markesan didn't roll over, and give up. On 4th down they completed a 52 yard TD pass, and to raise the stakes they recovered the onside kick. They almost scored on that next drive, but a jump ball in the endzone on 4th down fell incomplete. That essentially ended the game leaving us with a final score of Luther: 26 Markesan: 14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Prospects of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63546e6aa2aa2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268942"],"_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":"u003cemu003eStats: 2 Receptions, 11 Yardsu003c/emu003ernrnThe top prospect of the night was junior TE [player_tooltip player_id='268942' first='Logan' last='Bahr']. He checks off a lot of boxes that you look for in a potential D1 prospect. He has elite size and length for the position at 6'6u0022 225 lbs. Where he stands out from other big TEs is with his body control. Bahr is able to move really well out in space, which leads to smooth routes. Routes that create separation, and then he uses that length to haul in passes far away from defenders. His soft, natural hands make it easy to do that. The one area for him to improve is in his run blocking. If he can become as effective in the run game as he is as a receiver then he will be even more valuable to the next level, and boost his stock. Definitely a top athlete to know for the Class of 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63546e93a2aa3","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nathan Riley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Onalaska Luther","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 5 Receptions, 185 Yards, 2 TDsu003c/emu003ernrnNathan was my biggest surprise of the night. The senior took over the game out wide. The 5'11u0022 senior can fly in the open field. He took the top off the defense at will with that superior speed. Riley tracked the ball in the air well allowing him to run underneath where it was. Nathan also made a lot of clutch plays. They went to him in 3rd u0026amp; long situations and when they needed big plays. He delivered all night. D3 programs should look into the senior athlete. He could be a hidden gem. He was the most consistently dominant player throughout the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63546edfa2aa4","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Justin Miller","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Onalaska Luther","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 18 Tackles, 2 TFLsu003c/emu003ernrnJustin was an intriguing prospect. He has next level size at 6'4u0022 202 lbs, and his play should have him earning more attention than I can find for him. He was made for this type of game. A game where he could attack downhill, fill his gap, and beat blocks to get to the ball carrier. I'm surprised he only had 2 TFLs because he was making the majority, if not all, of his plays right at the line of scrimmage. He was slippery to get a block on, timed his blitzes well, and was a very sound tackler. He too showed clutch genes as he made multiple 3rd u0026amp; 4th down stops. Miller held it down in the middle of the defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63546f65a2aa5","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Douglas Horstman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Onalaska Luther","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 5 Tacklesu003c/emu003ernrnDouglas is a raw prospect that could be molded into an impact player at the next level. He plays OLB for Luther. There, Douglas was able to contain a lot of plays, and force them back inside. The type of plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. He also was able to get pressure off the edge when Markesan went to the air. Horstman was a high motor player who could really improve his game as he improves his technique. He has the frame to build upon and fill out. Worth a look as a potential next level developmental prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63546fa7a2aa6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["304379"],"_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":"The top senior prospect was the 6'2u0022 205 lbs athlete out of Markesan. Micah made impact plays as a FB and DE. On offense, Micah is asked to attack north-south in the triple option attack of Markesan. It fits his talents well. Kracht has solid vision, allowing him to find the holes for him to hit. He also has a big frame that comes with plenty of strength. Strength to rip through arm tackles and finish runs falling forward or pushing the pile. Micah also proved to have some speed when given room to accelerate. On defense, Kracht plays a little out of position for his size. At DE he uses those same traits. He plays with a high motor that led to a sack or two. He was able to hold his ground in the trenches against his man despite a size disadvantage. He could find a home in the LB room at the next level. He is a vastly under the radar prospect that needs more attention.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->