MVPs of Mississippi Valley Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mississippi Valley is going to be a very competitive conference. In 2022 the top 4 teams made the playoffs with conference champ Onalaska making it to Level Four of the WIAA State Playoffs. The most exciting part is that all eight teams return multiple key contributors. So when conference games roll around we should witness weekly exciting showdowns. In this article we are going to look at those key contributors on every team and identify who is in position to be the team MVP. We start with the reigning conference champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Onalaska MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270643"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the most prolific passers from the 2022 season will be back on the field in Onalaska. In his first year at the helm, Adam led the high flying offense to a 12-1 record and one game away from a State appearance. Skifton went off for 2,584 yards passing, 29 TDs, and a 64.7% completion percentage. All at a 10 yards/att rate. Skifton shreds defenses with excellent ball placement to every level of the field. He is aggressive with his throws, but knows how to keep the ball out of harms way while doing it. He can put the ball on a dime from the pocket, scrambling, or off platform. He is going to be a riser when the new rankings debut. Get ready for a big senior season from the 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b5f1f"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Baraboo MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405500"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This was a very tough choice. Baraboo is going to field a team with standouts at every position. They have [player_tooltip player_id='273014' first='Isaac' last='Pelland'] at RB and LB, [player_tooltip player_id='405466' first='Ross' last='Liegel'] at DL, [player_tooltip player_id='268993' first='Kyle' last='Felt'] at OL, but in the end I had to go with a two way starter that will also have the ball in his hand the most frequent. That is QB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='405500' first='Luke' last='Vittengl']. Vittengl is a dual threat QB who does most of his damage with his explosive athleticism. Luke has the speed to break the game open on a signal play. He rushed for nearly 700 yards and 13 TDs in 2022. He also roamed the defensive backfield. If he can build on his numbers from 2022 Baraboo will be in a great position to chase a conference title and much more in 2023. This is a loaded roster.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b5f8a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reedsburg MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533152"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This was another tough choice. Reedsburg graduated key contributors in the pass game, run game, and defense. They will be looking for someone new to step up and breakout. A player who will need to most, if he wins the job, is QB [player_tooltip player_id='533152' first='Aiden' last='Throgmorton']. The 6'2u0022 180 lbs 2025 looks to be next up at the helm. Aiden brings a dual threat to the field. He has the long speed to go the distance if he can get out into open space, and he isn't afraid to finish runs physically. I will be very interested to see how his arm has developed. The accuracy is there for him to be able to win the short- intermediate ranges right now. We could have a breakout player here.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b5fe4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holmen MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Chase Blank","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Holmen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Holmen will be looking for a lot of new go to backs in their offense as they graduated their top four leading rushers, one of them being the starting QB as well. While the offense looks to get up to steam, Holmen will have to turn to their defense to keep them in games. At least early on. If they want to return to the playoffs the unit will need to continue their strong efforts from 2022 where they held opponents to 14 points or less in all 5 of their wins. Returning at the middle of the defense is 2022 leading tackler LB Chase Blank. He will need to continue to stuff the inside run and make stops all over the field like he did in 2022. He will be the key for them this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b6093"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">La Crosse Central MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["685905"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"La Crosse Central has a few key contributors returning to the field in 2023 that I had to choose from. Could have gone with the leading tackler in [player_tooltip player_id='636996' first='Antoine' last='Hardie']. He will be back to roam the middle of the field again. Central also returns two of their top three leading receivers from 2022. In the end, I had to go with the athlete who I believe will shoulder the biggest share of the offense. That is RB [player_tooltip player_id='685905' first='Gavin' last='Shepard']. Last season, Gavin put up 677 yards at nearly 6 yards/att, and 8 TDs. All of which led the team. Gavin is a compact, powerful runner with a low center of gravity. He runs his feet through contact, and finishes his runs. He also has the long speed to pile up the yards after contact. He is my pick for team MVP, and we could be in store for a breakout statistical year too. Keep an eye on him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b60ef"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">La Crosse Logan MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270696"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We have Johnny listed at QB, but that may have to switch to ATH during our next update. The 6'3u0022 190 lbs '24 was the leading passer, rusher, and has the 4th most tackles of anyone returning on the team in 2023. Johnny will be contributing in every way. Teams will have to find a way to contain the dual threat on offense. That won't be easy. On the ground, Johnny is a physical runner with solid vision to find the cut backs or blocks. Leaver brings solid range to the field at safety also. Expect him to fill up the stat sheet, and help Logan win games.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b6153"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tomah MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["281464"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Tomah is in position to make the biggest jump in record from last season to this season in the entire conference. They have solid OL play returning, talent at the LB position, and they have a stud athlete in [player_tooltip player_id='281465' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] returning to the team. That is who I have selected as my team MVP. Elijah  contributed some in the run game and is the leading pass catcher returning to the offense. The standout athlete made his biggest mark roaming the defensive backfield where he secured 3 INTs. We should see Elijah all over the field this fall. He has elite speed that won him the 100M State Championship this spring. He also has excellent burst and agility in tight quarters. He is going to be tough to contain on offense, and he will have dominant range on defense. He is one of the top talents in the conference overall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b61a8"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sparta MVP</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105021"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"My prediction for the team MVP of Sparta is the 6'3u0022 230 lbs QB [player_tooltip player_id='105021' first='Thomas' last='Laufenberg']. The big man is one of the top hidden gems at the position. He has a big frame, and it comes with a live arm that can push the ball to the third level of the defense, and his tight windows in the short to intermediate levels. Along with being the leading passer, Thomas is also one of the top returning rushers on the team. Coaches should check him out. He offers position versatility as well with QB, TE, LB, DL all listed. Look for him to lead the way for Sparta this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b08633b61f7"} /-->