Beaver Dam vs Baraboo: Recap & Best Prospects of the Game
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Week Two found me making the trip to Beaver Dam High School to cover the Golden Beavers of Beaver Dam taking on the Baraboo Thunderbirds. It was a talent rich environment for colleges at the D1, D2, and D3 levels…
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Continue ReadingWeek Two found me making the trip to Beaver Dam High School to cover the Golden Beavers of Beaver Dam taking on the Baraboo Thunderbirds. It was a talent rich environment for colleges at the D1, D2, and D3 levels with both teams fielding multiple athletes that will be playing college football. The first half of this game was a battle. Beaver Dam seemed to have every momentum swing go in their favor. They recovered two muffed kickoffs by Baraboo that gave them short fields. They also scored multiple TDs of the night on the first plays of drives. The first being a 93 yard pass from QB Eli Bryant Eli Bryant 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Beaver Dam Highschool | 2025 State WI to WR Kyler Keel. The second was stud RB/DE Camron Mendoza Camron Mendoza 6'3" | 220 lbs | ATH Beaver Dam | 2024 State WI ripping through the defense for an 80 yard TD. Despite all the momentum going in Beaver Dam’s favor, that is where we went into the half. Beaver Dam up 13-0, and Baraboo’s defense mostly keeping them in the game.
The second half was very different. Beaver Dam, led by standout senior RB/Safety Gabe Klatt Gabe Klatt 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Beaver Dam | 2024 State WI , took this game by the throat and didn’t let up. It started with QB Eli Bryant Eli Bryant 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Beaver Dam Highschool | 2025 State WI finding TE Brandon Morrissey for the 20-0 lead. Then Klatt took the handoff, ran through arm tackles, and sprinted for the 78 yard TD. The Bryant-Keel connection wasn’t done either. They hooked up for their second TD connection of the night to give BD the 33-0 lead. Senior Gabe Klatt Gabe Klatt 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Beaver Dam | 2024 State WI added a second rushing TD later in the half, and after the depth players got some playing time we ended up with Beaver Dam getting a statement win of 47-8. Beaver Dam is off to a hot start with wins of a talented Baraboo roster, and last year’s D3 State Champions Monroe HS. Keep an eye on this team, and the prospects on it that I will talk more in depth about next!
Top Prospects of the Game
It has been great seeing Gabe back on the field this season after missing all of 2022. It was even more impressive seeing him in person and play snap to snap. After seeing him in person, it is clear he needs to be ranked as an ATH. Coming in we knew about his play at RB. He is a physical runner with a lot of power in his 6′ 205 lbs. Klatt is able to run through arm tackles, and his low center of gravity is very hard to get off balance without the help of gang tackling. Where I was very impressed also was his play at safety. That is where we really got to see how much more gifted he is with his physicality. Not only did he have the range to be able to be a force against the run from his 12 yard deep safety spot, but he also delivered sound, hard hits when he got to the ball. He also proved to have the strength to be able to disengage with blocks in the box. Gabe has a solid frame, good athleticism, and the strength to handle the college level. He holds an offer from Augustana. Don’t miss this kid!
Highlights
Another one of the top uncommitted seniors I couldn’t wait to see live was the massive 6’3″ 220 lbs FB/DE Camron Mendoza Camron Mendoza 6’3″ | 220 lbs | ATH Beaver Dam | 2024 State WI . Mendoza made a big impression on both sides of the ball. On offense, Mendoza was a force to try and stop. His long TD showed off his strength as he ran through arm tackles, and stiff armed DBs off of him before turning on the speed. Camron also was a powerful lead blocker that was able to move the pile or completely clear LBs out of holes for Gabe to follow through. On defense is where Camron projects best at the next level. He played stand up edge for Beaver Dam last night. It was a great fit. We saw his strength shine as he took on several pullers, stood them up, and then got off the block to make the tackle for no gain. Mendoza is very well put together and looks like he has the power to do the same role at the next level. He also showed off some pass rush ability. Camron was able to run the loop and display a little bend on his way to a 3rd & long sack late in the 3rd quarter. Mendoza is a force on the edge and pairs up with Klatt to make one of the scariest backfields in the state. Don’t sleep on this kid. I believe he is still looking for his first offer.
A senior who surprised me was Avery Priewe Avery Priewe 6’0″ | 190 lbs | DB Beaver Dam | 2024 State WI . The 6′ 190 lbs senior safety was all over the field Friday night. He played with solid instincts, trusted his eyes, and showed off the range to be able to get to the ball after diagnosing the play. Avery moved well in space, was able to change directions, and had the lateral agility to not be shook by WRs or RBs in one on one scenarios in the open field. The senior safety was a sound tackler too. When he got to the play, plays ended quickly. Avery is still looking for that first offer, but he does have interest from the D2 level.
A new name on my radar is the 6’3″ 190 lbs junior QB Eli Bryant Eli Bryant 6’3″ | 190 lbs | QB Beaver Dam Highschool | 2025 State WI . Bryant put together a monster game with 3 TD passes. It was a sound display of talent from start to finish for the junior. He has a frame that looks the part of a next level QB. He was poised and didn’t panic when pressure got to him. Instead his eyes stayed downfield and he was able to deliver some impressive off platform throws. Eli has the arm to give him the ability to target all over the field and the control over the ball to be able to palce it where needed. Unfortunately for college football programs, Eli is currently committed to play baseball at Kent State.
Kyler Keel
Kyler Keel
Kyler was the go to receiver for QB Eli Bryant Eli Bryant 6’3″ | 190 lbs | QB Beaver Dam Highschool | 2025 State WI . He turned his first catch into a school record tying 93 yard score. A catch that started as a short out route from the slot. Keel’s speed allowed him to pull away and not be threatened by any pursuit angles. His second score was another short pass that he turned into a big play. This time it was a screen that he was able to show off his vision and elusiveness on his way to the endzone. He would need time to fill out his 6′ 145 lbs frame, but he has good length and speed to build on.
Isaac Monheim
Isaac Monheim
My final Beaver Dam standout is a junior prospect to keep an eye on. It is starting OT Isaac Monheim. The junior checks in at an intriguing 6’8″ 240 lbs. His frame is beyond ready to fill out, and looks like it can hold another 50+ lbs. Isaac kept catching my eyes with his long arms, quick feet, and range to get up to the second level and land key blocks. This next year will be huge for him as he continues to grow and adds the strength that will be needed to make him a top OL prospect. However, the building blocks are there. He has a lot of the tools you can’t coach. Get him on your radar.
Northern Illinois has a good one coming to town next year. Ross looked every bit of his list 6’7″ 225 lbs. He has the long arms to match as well. The senior is blessed with excellent athleticism too. He made some impressive chase down tackles 50 yards downfield against skill players. His first step at his size is FBS quality, and he is developing his hand usage very well. As he continues to fill out his frame at the next level I expect to see him find a key contributor role at DE for the Huskies. Good luck at the next level, Ross!
PRZ WI’s top uncommitted senior in this game was the two way starter for Baraboo. The 6’4″ 265 lbs athlete best fits on the OL. He is the starting LG for the Thunderbirds, and he fits that spot perfectly. In pass protection, the big man has a stout, strong anchor that he could set and completely stonewall DLs/LBs. He also showed off impressive athleticism with his constant pulling in the run game. He was also able to get up to the second level as well. Finally, Kyle checks the box for power at the position. He was able to move his man around the trenches when he got his big paws clamped onto them. Felt holds multiple D2 offers currently.
Highlights
We end with senior athlete Luke Vittengl Luke Vittengl 5’11” | 185 lbs | QB Baraboo | 2024 State WI . The 5’11” 185 lbs senior is the starting QB for the Thunderbirds. However, I believe he projects outside of that position where he can use his athleticism more consistently. Luke has developed a strong frame that was able to play through contact. He also showed off good elusiveness and agility in a phone booth against the swarming defense of Beaver Dam. The Baraboo offense had a rough go, but Luke was trying every way to get the offense consistently moving down the field with his legs and arm. D3 programs should definitely check him out.