Kimberly vs Waunakee: Prospects of the Game
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The Level Three matchup between Kimberly and Waunakee was a highly anticipated one as #3 Kimberly came into town to face #1 Waunakee. The Papermakers of Kimberly didn’t allow it to be much of game in the end. After falling…
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Continue ReadingThe Level Three matchup between Kimberly and Waunakee was a highly anticipated one as #3 Kimberly came into town to face #1 Waunakee. The Papermakers of Kimberly didn’t allow it to be much of game in the end. After falling behind 0-3, the Papermakers went on a tear offensively and defensively. They went on to score 31 unanswered points before rotating in their backups in the 4th quarter. After that rotation Waunakee was able to score quickly on two possessions to give us the final score of 31-16. Despite the lopsided affair, both of these teams field serious next level talent. I want to focus on that group, particularly the ones who made the game changing impact. Let’s dive into that talent now.
Stats: 9 TacklesrnThe LB in the middle of the Kimberly defense had himself an impressive night. The 6’1″ 225 lbs senior was a key in shutting down the Waunakee run game. Doucette was able to diagnose where the ball was going all night long. He was also able to get himself to those spots to make the tackle. It wasn’t an easy path to many of those tackles either. Multiple times I got to see Ethan take on a lineman head on, shed the block, and then make the tackle. Both his strength to not lose ground before shedding the block, and actually shedding the block highlighted his strength. Lastly, the senior is a very reliable tackler. Ethan is one of the state’s best uncommitted LBs. A need-to-know prospect.
Highlights
Stats: 33 Carries 186 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Reception, 2 YardsrnMy Player of the Game goes to the 6′ 210 lbs running back out of Kimberly. I have long been saying that Blake is one of the steals in this senior class. He proved it on Friday night. The workhorse back powered his way to big plays, and yards after contact. I was most impressed by Blake’s vision throughout the night. Multiple times the hole wasn’t open for him to hit, but he quickly was able to locate another lane, make one jump cut, and then take off. After getting through the gap, Blake was tough to bring down in the open field. He ran through arm tackles, and was hard to knock off balance. The bell cow back has an offer from Dordt. It can’t be long until he starts getting more attention that he deserves.
Highlights
Stats: 11/14, 201 yards, 1 TDrnThe 6’5″ 190 lbs senior has done an excellent job in his lone season as the varsity starter. He managed this game very well. The Papermakers didn’t need a huge night from him. What they needed was a signal caller who could step up and deliver accurate, on time passes to keep the defense honest. Seth executed in those situations. Friday night, and all season long, Miron has been a very accurate passer. 70%+ completion percentage has been a consistent occurrence throughout the season. His touch on his passes boost his accuracy. Where Seth stands out is that even when he puts touch on his passes they still come out with velocity. He also has the arm strength to be able to use that touch while attacking down the field. The senior just recently earned his first offer from UW- Platteville. Don’t be surprised to see more follow.
Highlights
Stats: 5 Receptions, 73 Yards, 1 TDrnThe go to receiver of the night was the 6’2″ 180 lbs senior. Ethan has a good frame for the position, but the strength of his game is speed. The track sprinter, hurdler, and jumper’s best play of the game highlighted that speed as he easily outran his defender on a post route for a TD. He ate up the cushion, and pulled away after the break in his route. Waunakee played a lot of off coverage presnap, and Kimberly countered by getting the ball out quickly to the speedster. That let Criter use his quickness to make defenders miss in tight quarters. No offers for the senior. Needs a look.
Stats: 4 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 SackrnAn athlete in the running for Top Prospect of the Night was the standout junior DE. Sam checks in at 6’2″ 235 lbs. Even more impressive, Sam has a 6’7″ wingspan giving him the ability to initiate contact and create separation from the OL. McGivern has the athletic traits of a special DE prospect. He springs off the ball at the snap, and has the range to chase down plays across the backfield. He did that for his sack. Got into the backfield and chased down the QB as he was rolling away from his side. He isn’t just a one trick pony on the edge. Sam can also set a strong edge against the run game, and that length again comes in handy when jamming linemen, and then shedding the block to make the tackle against the run. Sam definitely has D1 talent. He holds an offer from Western Michigan, and interest from several other FCS/FBS programs.
Highlights
Sawyer Hanlon
Sawyer Hanlon
Stats: 1 Tackle, 2 SacksrnI came away very impressed by the sophomore DL. Sawyer checks in at 6’1″ 210 lbs, but was a force at DE throughout the night. The underclassman plays with active hands. The sack highlight below demonstrates his swim move. It also shows off the high motor to fight off and around multiple blocks. The 2025 DL is still raw, but his high motor, already solid hand usage, and overall quickness are great building blocks to start with. Definitely an athlete to keep an eye on going forward.
Stats: 3 TacklesrnThe stat line doesn’t do nearly enough justice towards Jack’s impact. The 6’1″ 185 lbs safety proved his three down versatility throughout the night. It was impressive to watch the senior aggressively attack down hill against the run game, and then on seemingly the next play run with receivers in man to man coverage and break up passes. Jack looked natural in both scenarios. Jack has the speed to be able to stick with receivers and TEs in man coverage, and his aggressive hands make it hard to complete the catch at the catch point. Statz’s closing speed jumped out on multiple plays as well. That led to broken up passes and tackles before ball carriers could make a move on him. Statz is another senior on this team that is a hidden gem.
Highlights
Tommy has been a constant in the middle of the Waunakee defense for a few seasons now. The 5’11” 215 lbs senior, while undersized, plays well against the run game. He is able to slide laterally quickly to get himself in position to avoid blocks and make tackles. He is a sound, reliable tackler who can make stops between the tackles and out in space. Raemisch is hard to land a block on as he knifes through gaps to make stops. He wrapped up his career winning Co- Defensive Player of the Year. He is also impressive off the field. The senior holds a 4.0 GPA and has a 34 on the ACT. Athlete to know on and off the field.
Highlights
Stats: 3 Receptions, 32 YardsrnRobert is a special talent at the TE position. In just his first season of consistent varsity TE snaps, Booker has caught the eyes of D1 coaches. The 6’7″ 215 lbs TE has earned offers from Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Kansas, Minnesota, and Iowa State. It is easy to see what has them excited. On top of the elite frame, Robert has potentially the best overall body control on a pound for pound basis. All of his movements look effortless. He gets off the line easily and he gets out of the breaks of his routes without losing speed. That speed allows him to stretch the field, and his huge wingspan allows him to easily pluck the ball out of the air away from defenders. Booker’s receiving talents are special. One of WI’s top prospects.
Highlights
Stats: 2 Receptions, 57 YardsrnDavid isn’t the biggest athlete at 5’9″ 165 lbs, but he makes up for it with explosiveness. Everything David does on the field is done with that same quick twitch and suddenness that scares defenses. Get him the ball in open space, and he can either outrun the field or shake a squared up defender. He has soft hands to go along with that quickness, making him a viable slot receiver option for the next level. The junior has made visits to FCS and D2 programs. Definitely a name to know. He had a strong junior campaign, so look for him to build on that next fall. His testing should stand out at camps next summer also.