Regular Season Recap – Brookings

Miles Pastian

October 17, 2022 @ 01:33 PM

Brookings played hard and worked harder the entire year, they showed me the entire year that they wanted to work with anyone that they played on the field. This team was defined this year by the defense that was hard-nosed and was one of the best pass-rushing teams this year, having some top players that were always getting to the QB. They had one of the top defensive lines that SD had to offer this year, they were able to do so much with the players they had. The question to look at now is if they are able to keep up the form that they have shown the past few years and build upon the success that they have had. While the playoffs have not ended the way that they would not have liked to, they will move on and look to build, so let us take a look at some players that will be leaving and who can step up to be the next man up.     The offense was not the main focus for this team, but they did have a solid running game that allowed them to stay into games. What they showed me the entire season was a defensive unit that was truly impressive with defensive leaders of [player_tooltip player_id='89287' first='Jaxton' last='Eck'], [player_tooltip player_id='273694' first='Caleb' last='Loehr'], and [player_tooltip player_id='223095' first='Tyson' last='Brandt']. Those three have been the ones who have made big plays and while Brandt had missed some time with injury, he had played great with the other members of his defense on the field. Eck and Loehr made big plays as the season went on and at the next level, they will be plays that will make a big impact to be stars at that level too. Brookings does not have any young players that jump off the page at me right away but I think next year we will see players who fit that role step into the life. That is what they have always done, have great development of defensive prospects and talent that make some very college-ready players.     The offense is based on the run and I think next year they will have a break out of some players that will be looking to make a big impact to turn some of their offensive woes around. One player who I have my eye on the offensive side of the ball is Josiah Thomas and his ability to be an elite rusher. In the limited snaps that I have had to see him in, I think he has the potential to be a game-changing style of player that affect a game in many different ways. He can be a pass-catching power back who can break off for big runs and also catch some passes out of the backfield, truly a player that could become an offensive weapon that teams will struggle to contain. The offensive line will also be a great unit with payers coming back, with no big names, I could see some of them breaking out and being one of the better units.     Overall, the Bobcats had a solid year that was backed by a defensive identity that was seen to be defensive stoppers and it will be interesting to see how they do next year with some unproven talent with players that could make an impact.       Players to Watch - Josiah Thomas, Andrew Hahn, Ethan Houtman

Brookings played hard and worked harder the entire year, they showed me the entire year that they wanted to work with anyone that they played on the field. This team was defined this year by the defense that was hard-nosed and was one of the best pass-rushing teams this year, having some top players that were always getting to the QB. They had one of the top defensive lines that SD had to offer this year, they were able to do so much with the players they had. The question to look at now is if they are able to keep up the form that they have shown the past few years and build upon the success that they have had. While the playoffs have not ended the way that they would not have liked to, they will move on and look to build, so let us take a look at some players that will be leaving and who can step up to be the next man up.