Minnesota's State Semifinalist Top Performers

Seven classes, 14 games. That's what the 2022 season and its blood, sweat, tears, and theatrics have all lead to. With a chance to compete for a state title on the line, Minnesota's toughest and most successful squads in all seven classes of MN prep football went head-to-head last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and produced some of the toughest and most nail-biting finishes the entirety of 2022 has seen. With two, one-point games, six, one-score finishes, and a couple of surprising butt-whoopings, those 14 matchups were hard-fought, grind-it-out battles that won't be leaving the memory of its participants and fans anytime soon. With a ton of fun content coming to the PrepRedzoneMN site in the coming weeks leading up to the state title games, we first needed to wrap up the semifinal round of action and put our own little twist on the synopsis. Coming from a recruiting and individual-effort perspective, PRzMN is here to name the seven MVP's of last weekend's slate of games for your enjoyment. Offense, defense, and special team contributions all made the list, and congrats to the winning sides and their chance to immortalize their programs and rosters in MN state high school football lore. Before we begin, thank you to MNFootballHub for the box score stats. Thanks for reading!   Overall Semifinalist MVP: AJ Ladwig (Hutchinson) Senior. FB/LB. - See below for his stat line!   --   9-Man   Mountain Iron-Buhl = 36 v. Wheaton-Herman-Norcross = 15   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='201177' first='Asher' last='Zubich'] (Mountain Iron-Buhl) Senior. QB. 15-21 for 174 yards and 3 TDs plus 21 rushes for 107 yards and 1 TD. Also totaled 14 tackles and an interception on defense. Zubich is uncommitted but is coming off a recent offer from UMD. St. Olaf football and UW-Stout basketball also are in the mix.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3486-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-205256"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='201177' first='Asher' last='Zubich'] </figcaption></figure>   --   Spring Grove = 27 v. Fertile-Beltrami = 6   MVP: Elijah Solum (Spring Grove) Junior. QB/ATH. Was 12-18 for 116 yards through the air and added 19 carries for 70 yards and 3 TDs with his legs. Posted 9 tackles on defense, tied for second-most on the team for that day. The 6'1, 190 lb. QB/LB and stud hooper hasn't reported any interest or offers yet.   The Hudl film from the game shows Solum doing a great job of extending plays with his legs and allowing his WRs to work to get open. Also broke a ton of tackles when he'd take off and run, and his ability to process and identify opponents play calls while on defense helped him make a ton of plays around the LOS and limit offensive gains to as little yardage as possible.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16579307/63779caf6655af08f053abfc">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16579307/63779caf6655af08f053abfc</a>   --   Class A   Springfield = 54 v. Deer River = 30   MVP: Jakob Nachreiner (Springfield) Junior. QB. - The fantastic Tigers offense headed by stat-monster Nachreiner kept the momentum going and Nachreiner finished with a 22-26 for 371 yards and 5 TDs with three rushes for 18 yard. Finished with an outstanding 158.3 passer rating. No reported interest or offers right now for the 2024 grad.   The Hudl film shows Nachreiner hitting a beautiful 73-yard TD pass that he dropped right in the breadbasket and over the heads of two burnt Deer River DBs. The junior showed touch, accuracy, and timing all game long on passes all over the route tree. Also did a great job of taking what the defense gave him and tucking the ball and running when the coverage was tight. Nachreiner's decision making and poise were on point all game and I think it's safe to say the junior was feeling himself in the state semifinal win.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/29905/6379d02f9a91ac038cc91ec1">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/29905/6379d02f9a91ac038cc91ec1</a>   --   Minneota = 28 v. Fillmore Central = 27   MVP: Dillon O'Connor (Filmore Central) Senior. QB. - The lone MVP from the losing side, senior gunslinger O'Connor popped off for a 14-28 for 249 yard and 2 TD passing performance and 12 rushes for 77 yards and 2 TDs. No Twitter so I don't know where he's at with recruiting!   Despite the loss, O'Connor looks like the lynchpin and sparkplug of the offense with both his arm and his legs. He was efficient at successfully hitting intermediate routes all around the field and stepping up into the pocket to evade pressure. Also showed vision and a strong lower body as a runner and lead his receivers into open space on his throws. There's no doubt he left his heart & soul on the field of U.S. Bank Stadium this past weekend.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/17028/637b09530660c4052cc62355">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/17028/637b09530660c4052cc62355</a>   --   Class AA   Barnesville = 41 v. Jackson County Central = 12   MVP: John Roller (Barnesville) Senior. FB. - The big-time offensive sparkplug totaled 13 rushes for 140 yards and 2 TDs at an impressive 10.8 YPC average. Don't know where the senior is at with his recruitment, unfortunately.   The only film I could find from the game was Roller's 61-yard TD run against the Huskies. In it, he runs up the gut uncontested, makes a move in the defensive backfield, and is off to the races. He then runs through a diving tackle attempt at his heels to finish the run for six. Big play fullbacks are far from a bad thing!   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10541805/637a0fbf0660c4052cc509be">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10541805/637a0fbf0660c4052cc509be</a>   --   Chatfield = 27 v. Eden Valley-Watkins = 12   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='112047' first='Sam' last='Backer'] (Chatfield) Senior. QB. - To no one's surprise, MSU-Mankato RB commit [player_tooltip player_id='112047' first='Sam' last='Backer'] was the MVP of the Gophers semifinal win. 7-9 for 55 yards and 2 TDs through the air, 30 rushes for 150 yards and 3 TDs. Also had 5 tackles!   --   Class AAA   Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton = 16 v. Fairmont = 7   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='313003' first='Jordan' last='Summers'] (DGF) Senior. RB/LB. - Put the team on his back when it mattered most and shouldered the carries with a 33 for 168 yard and one TD performance. Added a catch for 19 yards and one tackle as well. The 5'8, 185 lber. visited MSU-Moorhead's junior day this past spring but hasn't reported any other interest or offers.   The film from the semifinal shows off Summers' patience, vision, quickness, and outstanding lower body strength that helped him break through a mass of dog-piled bodies and continue forward for extra yardage. Also laid some big hits on defense and made some solid open-field tackles. I really enjoy watching him run between the tackles. He lets the blocks set up, uses an effective jump-cut to create space and burst forward, and can run through tackle attempts with his strong legs. Low center of gravity, strong, and determined combine to make a tough tackling assignment.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13063893/637a6320688e640a3864f601">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13063893/637a6320688e640a3864f601</a>   --   New London-Spicer = 33 v. Watertown-Mayer = 28   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='382842' first='Brycen' last='Christensen'] (NLS) Senior WR. - My pick for NLS' top talent in 2022, 6'3, 190 lb. Christensen rushed 4 times for 66 yards and a TD and caught three passes 49 yards and 2 more touchdowns. Also posted 7 tackles, good for third on the team in their semifinal win. Also returned a punt 10 yards. The under-recruited senior only holds offers from Bemidji State and MSU-Mankato.   --   Class 4A   Simley = 17 v. Rocori = 16   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='295970' first='Tayvion' last='McCoy'] (Simley) Senior. WR/DB. Totaled 10 rushes for 65 yards and a TD, 4 receptions for 90 yards and a TD, and 5 tackles. The 3x All-District pick hasn't reported any offers from college suitors late into his senior campaign.   The Hudl recap shows McCoy looking super shifty and twitchy in the open field with the ball in his hands. Also did a great job of sneaking behind a CB and S as his QB was rolling out to buy time and reeling in a high-pressured catch for a long TD reception. Did everything asked of him on the gridiron and looked like the best athlete on the field in the Spartans semifinal win.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/17188/6377d6514206090634ff5a29">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/17188/6377d6514206090634ff5a29</a>   --   Hutchinson = 42 v. Zimmerman = 28   MVP: AJ Ladwig (Hutchinson) Senior. FB/LB. - The 2022 breakout star had another big performance and finished with 33 carries for 113 yards and 4 TDs, three catches for 42 yards, 4 tackles, a sack, and 2 massive forced fumbles on the defensive side of the ball. Unfortunately, I don't know where he's at with recruiting, especially since he's blown up this fall.   Ladwig looks strong and compact in the game recap against Zimmerman and came unblocked off the edge and laid a big hit to force one of his two fumbles. Also showed soft hands out of the backfield, a consistent ability to finish short-yardage runs, and opened some big holes thanks to his overall physicality for his fellow RBs. Hutch is rolling!   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/34427/63789a989a91ac038cc7773c">https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/34427/63789a989a91ac038cc7773c</a>   Class 5A   Elk River = 38 v. Mahtomedi = 21   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'] (Elk River) Senior. QB. - One of the top unsigned players in the state, Osterman rushed 18 times for 225 yards and 2 TDs and added 6 tackles on defense for good measure. Did throw an INT as a QB, however. The Elks playmaker holds offers from Winona State, MSU-Mankato, Dordt, UMD, and Sioux Falls. Was just named KARE11 All-Metro and a MN All-Star Game participant as well.   In his game film from the Mahtomedi matchup, Osterman displayed his patented speed and quickness that is so potent in the Elk River rushing attack. He can consistently make the first man miss, has the speed to finish big runs, and has the skillset to break tackle attempts in a variety of fashions. Laid some strong, emphatic bits from his safety spot as well. Great game and great season, Cade.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/Cade-Osterman-rotated.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-486235"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'] </figcaption></figure>   HM: Michael Barry (Mahtomedi) Junior. WR/DB. - The 2024 went off for 7 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs to continually supply the Zephyrs with momentum and fight.   --   Mankato West = 14 v. Rogers = 10   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='246028' first='Bart' last='McAninch'] (Mankato West) Junior. QB. - The outstanding junior was 11-15 for 89 yards and added 7 rushes for 18 yards and 2 TDs. In the low-scoring, hard-fought affair, it was tough sledding for both team's offensive standouts and was overall a balanced showing from both sides. No offers for the PrepRedzoneMN Showcase standout but that is surely set to change this offseason.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/86-Bart-McAninch.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-247437"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='246028' first='Bart' last='McAninch']</figcaption></figure>   Class 6A   Maple Grove = 14 v. Lakeville South = 7   Co-MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='112054' first='Jacob' last='Kilzer'] (Maple Grove) Senior. QB. - Was perfect through the air with a 9-9 for 131 yards and 1 TD and added 16 rushes for 73 yards in the win. Kilzer is fresh off a NDSU PWO opportunity and also holds a FBS scholarship offer from Ohio.   Co-MVP: Max Johnson (Maple Grove) Senior. OLB. - Recorded 9 tackles and 2 INTs to play a big role in shutting the Cougars offense down to one score. Also a stud wrestler who placed in last year's Class AAA state tournament, Johnson could play either sport in college.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/159-Jacob-Kilzer-1024x810.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-330781"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='112054' first='Jacob' last='Kilzer'] </figcaption></figure>   --   Rosemount = 14 v. Eden Prairie = 10   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='368541' first='Landon' last='Danner'] (Rosemount) Junior. QB. - Tough pickin' here, but Danner walks away with the MVP thanks to his YPC average being the best on the team and his contributions to special teams, plus his age. 8 rushes for 67 yards (8.4 per attempt) and booted 3 punts for 123 yards at an impressive 41-yard average. The junior is just getting his recruitment started and hasn't reported any news, interest, or offers.   Danner's Hudl recap from the game shows him hurting a tough EP defense on designed runs and some size and strength in the open field as a ball carrier. Also shows some quickness in his cuts and those punts I mentioned all came off of one step. Grinding performance in a grinding win.   --

Seven classes, 14 games. That's what the 2022 season and its blood, sweat, tears, and theatrics have all lead to. With a chance to compete for a state title on the line, Minnesota's toughest and most successful squads in all seven classes of MN prep football went head-to-head last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and produced some of the toughest and most nail-biting finishes the entirety of 2022 has seen. With two, one-point games, six, one-score finishes, and a couple of surprising butt-whoopings, those 14 matchups were hard-fought, grind-it-out battles that won't be leaving the memory of its participants and fans anytime soon. With a ton of fun content coming to the PrepRedzoneMN site in the coming weeks leading up to the state title games, we first needed to wrap up the semifinal round of action and put our own little twist on the synopsis. Coming from a recruiting and individual-effort perspective, PRzMN is here to name the seven MVP's of last weekend's slate of games for your enjoyment. Offense, defense, and special team contributions all made the list, and congrats to the winning sides and their chance to immortalize their programs and rosters in MN state high school football lore. Before we begin, thank you to MNFootballHub for the box score stats. Thanks for reading!