Brian’s Best: Chatfield vs Eden Valley-Watkins
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On this Thanksgiving Day, the Chatfield Gophers and the Eden Valley Watkins football teams have plenty to be thankful for. Although EVW’s season ended last week at the hands of Chatfield, both teams had great seasons and had multiple players…
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Continue ReadingOn this Thanksgiving Day, the Chatfield Gophers and the Eden Valley Watkins football teams have plenty to be thankful for. Although EVW’s season ended last week at the hands of Chatfield, both teams had great seasons and had multiple players who showed up and played great games in this Class AA state semifinal game.
Backer was, far and away, the most impressive player on the field. Defensively, he made a great open field tackle on a swing pass. One of his most impressive plays was when he knifed into the backfield and took out the lead blocker so Luke Carrier could make the tackle near the goal line. Later, he came out of nowhere to knock a receiver out of bounds saving a touchdown. Late in the game, Backer deflected a pass. On offense, he spun off a tackler and picked up 20 yards when he should have been stopped for a short gain. He showed his speed to the outside on a run to the corner. The senior showed he could throw on the move. On a third and long, he spun and drove his way for a first down, dragging tacklers most of the way. Then, all on his own, he picked up three yards when he should have lost three yards.
Highlights
Geislinger is a good duel-threat quarterback. He moves well in the pocket and is a good enough runner to have designed runs call for him. He showed speed around the edge for a rushing first down. Later, he bounced a run to the outside, setting up third and short. He made an excellent cut to pick up a first down. He made a physical run for two yards to pick up a short-yardage first down. He showed his speed again, getting the edge for seven yards. He made a solid throw to the outside and hit a play-action pass down the middle to Myles Dziengel for 25 yards. A two-way player, Geislinger made a tackle on the edge for a short gain.
Defensively, Schott held the edge and made a nice tackle on the outside. Then, he stuffed a pair of runs on the inside. He showed speed through the hole on the offensive side of the ball, picking up five yards through the middle. He threw a great lead block on the edge for a first down. He continued to get tough yards inside with three tough runs between the tackles. I was most impressed with a block he made on the outside that took out two defenders to set up a first and goal.
Highlights
Landon Neiman
Landon Neiman
On the game’s second play, Neiman caught a deep pass off a pump and go from Geislinger. Then, Neiman was on the end of a trick play that resulted in a catch for Neiman down to the two yard line.
Cole showed his athletic ability by getting downfield to throw a block, leading to a big gain on the ground. He made a nice seal block on the edge to help pick up a first down. Defensively, his penetration into the backfield forced a short gain.
Highlights
Anthony Fink
Anthony Fink
Fink was a problem in the middle of the Falcons’ defense. He stuffed a run short of a first down. Then, he got off his block quickly to make a stop. After stuffing another inside run, Fink shot a gap and made a tackle for a loss. He got leverage on the offensive lineman late in the game and stuffed another inside run.
Drew Schindler
Drew Schindler
On offense, Schindler made a catch in the flat. On defense, he made a great tackle on the outside, preventing a first down on a wide receiver screen. He did it again later in the game, making another nice open field tackle on a wide receiver screen. Late in the game, the senior picked off a pass – helping to seal the victory.
Noah Stommes
Noah Stommes
Stommes got off his blocker and made a tackle for a short loss. Later, his quickness allowed him to make a tackle for loss. On offense, he opened a big hole on an inside run.
Johnson came down with a touchdown catch on a fifty/fifty ball in the end zone. He got up and snagged the ball away from the defender. Then, he caught another deep ball just short of the goal line.
Highlights
Sam Nistler
Sam Nistler
Nistler had the speed to get to the edge for five yards. He made a quick cut for ten yards. Nistler was effective between the tackles, too – as shown by an inside run for ten yards. Defensively, he came up strong to make a tackle for no gain.
Isaac Stevens
Isaac Stevens
Stevens stuffed an inside run early in the game. Then, he put pressure on the quarterback, forcing a bad throw and incompletion. The senior fought off blockers to stuff a pair of inside runs for short gains. On the pass rush, he put pressure on the quarterback again – forcing a short quarterback run.
Luke Carrier
Luke Carrier
He made a tackle for loss on fourth and goal late in the first half. In the second half, he deflected a pass. Later in the game, he made another tackle behind the line of scrimmage inside the ten. On offense, he made a juggling catch for a short touchdown. Then, he broke tackles on the two-point conversion run. Later, Carrier broke a tackle on a throw to the flat, turning a five yard loss into a five yard gain and a first down.
Drew O’Connor
Drew O’Connor
O’Connor blitzed and hit the quarterback, forcing an incompletion. He made a tackle on the edge short of the first down on a fourth and one. Then, the senior stuffed a third and short run. On offense, he caught a quick pass for a first down.