Super Bowl MVP worthy – and coming back for more, Part 2

Brian Jerzak

February 14, 2023 @ 09:32 PM

Day two of the 2022 Prep Bowl highlighted more young talent that will still impact Minnesota high school football in 2023. Here are more athletes who – like the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl a few days ago - were MVP-worthy in their championship games to end Minnesota's high school football season.   [player_tooltip player_id='205273' first='Damian' last='Tapio'] Mountain Iron-Buhl RB Junior   Prep Bowl 18 rushes/80 yards/2 touchdowns, 4 catches 29 yards, 2 tackles   Tapio has spectacular feet, both in the open field and especially in a phone booth, where he is able to make multiple people miss in rapid succession. He is not a big running back, but his low center of gravity helps with his footwork and makes him tough to tackle. Defenders often bounce off him because of his strong lower half. He is a fearless and effective blocker with solid speed when he gets space.   [player_tooltip player_id='1140796' first='Mason' last='Delzer'] New London-Spicer RB Junior   Prep Bowl 27 rushes, 119 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 catch, 5 yards   Delzer has good speed – not only to get the corner – but also to get through the hole quickly. He is best when he can make one cut and then explodes through the hole. His long-striding style makes his speed in the open-field deceiving. He lines up as a traditional tailback, and he also lines up as a wing. He comes in motion from the wing and takes handoffs with a head of steam, keeping him from getting the corner tough. While his speed is his primary weapon, if defenders don't square him up, Delzer will make them pay.   Lucas Swenson New London-Spicer LB Junior   Prep Bowl 14 tackles   Swenson attacks the line of scrimmage with what looks like reckless abandon. The thing is, he attacks but doesn't get out of position and can break down into a good football position even when he looks like he is going full speed. Swanson plays with his hand on the ground on the outside well. He uses his physical strength and leverage to hold the edge and get off blocks to not only hold the edge but blow up the edge. The junior has a knack for getting his hands in passing lanes and knocking down passes. Primarily a defensive player, he is an absolute hammer coming from the fullback position. He blows up guys as a lead blocker.   [player_tooltip player_id='629433' first='Logan' last='Bunker'] Elk River RB Junior   Prep Bowl 7 carries 121 yards 1 touchdown, 3 tackles 1 sack   On offense, Bunker is a patient runner who allows the blocking to develop. Once the hole opens, he shifts into another gear and has solid speed in the open field. I wouldn't call him a bruising runner, nor would I call him a scat-back type. He can do a little of both – make people miss and break a tackle. Like on offense, Bunker is at his best defensively, when he can read the play, and once he diagnoses the play closing quickly on the ball. He is just as comfortable setting the edge near the line of scrimmage as he is playing on the second or third level, but he is most effective when he is allowed to attack the line of scrimmage.   Gavin Schmidt Elk River RB Sophomore   Prep Bowl 16 carries, 89 yards   With two years of high school football in front of him, I like Schmidt's potential for the next two years. He already shows he can do a bit of everything from the running back position. The sophomore has great hands in the passing game – and on defense, for that matter. He doesn't just catch short balls in the flat; he makes catches down the field. Like Bunker, he shows good patience at the line of scrimmage and already has a great combination of power and quick feet.

Day two of the 2022 Prep Bowl highlighted more young talent that will still impact Minnesota high school football in 2023. Here are more athletes who – like the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl a few days ago - were MVP-worthy in their championship games to end Minnesota's high school football season.