Centennial/Champlin Park/Spring Lake Park Scrimmage Recap

There's no better sound than that of of pads cracking early on a summer morning or under Friday night lights. The former is an indication that football is on the cusp of returning, a triumphant homecoming that ends the dead period of summer without contact sports, and any sport besides baseball, right as football fanatics are beginning to go mad with longing. I was lucky enough to get that sweet thrill of a preseason contact fix from the welcoming and hospitable Centennial Cougars program, who welcomed me to their July scrimmage against Champlin Park and Spring Lake Park last Thursday. A battle of three Metro area competitors all with strong traditions of program success and productive and periodically high-profile college football prospects, I was more than excited to get an early look at these 6A and 5A heavyweights, and they did not disappoint. Below, PrepRedzoneMN has a brief synopsis of each squad, as well as their top performers from the event, as we inch closer & closer to fall camps kicking off and the 2023 season beginning. Best of luck to all of these programs this fall, and thanks again to the Centennial staff for allowing me to attend. Let's get to it!   --   Centennial Cougars   Synopsis:   I think Centennial is going to be a big player in the 6A conversation and really make some noise. Possessing size and physicality, especially on their defensive line, LBs, and amongst their RBs, the Cougs offense is going to pound opposing teams into the ground with the majority of their OL returning, plus a variety of experienced RBs with differing playstyles, but also can stretch the field with returning QB [player_tooltip player_id='105383' first='Daylen' last='Cummings'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='242424' first='Ty' last='Burgoon']. On the flip side, they're going to be tough defensively, with the aforementioned size coming from their LB corps and some experienced and playmaking DBs that are technically sound and able to support both the run and pass with equal effect. The DL's two-deep are all big, long, and physical as well, which will make them very tough to run on, and with the dynamic ability from their LBs being able to come down to the LOS, I think they'll be able to get after the passer as well. There isn't an obvious weakness to this 2023 Centennial squad, which should scare opponents, and I'm very excited for their 9/8 matchup against Blaine, one of the most heated rivalries in the state. Don't sleep on the Cougs in the 2023 6A race.   Top Performers:   [player_tooltip player_id='704473' first='Marcus' last='Whiting'] - 2024. DE/OLB/FB. 6', 215 lbs.   All of his reported weight, Whiting is fresh off his first two offers from Drake University and UW-Eau Claire, great moves by both the Pioneer League and WIAC institutions. He looked like a bowling ball of power last Thursday, flashing strong reps on both sides of the ball and excelling at the point of contact. Whiting will put his face into an opponent and drive them backward as both an OLB or FB. He can win 1-on-1 situations from either position as well, showing a variety of moves to beat blocking attempts and the ability to gain extra yardage after initial contact as a FB. Positionally versatile, strong, athletic, and physical, he's going to wear down opponents over the course of four quarters and is poised for a very strong senior campaign. Whiting was one of my favorite players to watch last Thursday regardless of team.   Alhaji Harris - 2025. DB. 6'2, 170 lbs.   A long, rangy defensive back just entering his upperclassman campaign with the Cougs, Harris was an eye-catcher due to his size and length, and backed it up with some strong reps from the Centennial backfield. Able to get downhill quickly and cover a ton of ground in coverage, he can contribute to both the run and pass game and is a good athlete with no qualms about playing physically. I'm very excited to have him on PRzMN's radar now.   [player_tooltip player_id='945935' first='Kellen' last='Binder'] - 2025. TE/WR. 6'4, 215 lbs.   Good size, long arms, concentration, and toughness going over the middle, rising junior TE [player_tooltip player_id='945935' first='Kellen' last='Binder'] made for a nice target for Centennial's QBs and was able to nab tough, high-pressure catches through traffic and tight coverage. That's a really nice and consistent safety valve for a quarterback who can help keep his offense moving. Split time between JV and varsity last fall and will be making the transition to hopefully a full-time varsity role this fall for the Cougs.   [player_tooltip player_id='105405' first='Will' last='Quick'] - 2024. DB. 5'10, 155 lbs.   One of the players I was most excited to see coming into the scrimmage, Centennial's stud DB [player_tooltip player_id='105405' first='Will' last='Quick'] was as advertised, and locked down his half of the field versus both Champlin Park and Spring Lake Park with ease. Not the biggest DB you'll come across, but he makes up for it in experience, technical prowess, and control, as he keeps himself in good body position, has the speed to carry WRs all over the field, and gets out of his breaks quickly. He's a good athlete who excels in pass coverage and will be manned up on Centennial's opponents best wideouts this fall. I've loved watching him the past couple of years and the best is yet to come this fall.   Blake Scheierl - 2024. DL. 6'2, 280 lbs.   One of the biggest players on the field last Thursday, Scheierl overpowered opponents and made a major impact in the trenches while flashing some strong reps winning against single and double blocking attempts. He looked good and played well, and was one of the aforementioned maulers on the DL for Centennial. He'll be a handful this fall for the Cougar's opponents.   Ethan Von Wald - 2024. DL. 6'3, 295 lbs.   Another one of Centennial's bears on the defensive line, Von Wald played well and ate up gaps and blocking attempts like they were his breakfast. Combined with the other Centennial DL sharing great size, he'll have some opportunities to make plays for his team in 2023. No film from last season, so we may have a potential breakout campaign on our hands for Von Wald this fall.   Champlin Park Rebels   Synopsis:   The Champlin Park Rebels were looking good last Thursday and are hoping to make another deep run into the 6A playoffs this fall. Although they didn't travel with a full squad, they are coming into fall camp with nearly 100 players, and in addition to their depth, the Rebels are in possession of size, experience, and physical prowess, especially in their defensive front seven. Defensively, the DL and LBs fire off the ball and get downhill quickly, and were able to disrupt opposing run games in impressive fashion at the multi-team scrimmage. They also showed off some athletic CBs, who will benefit from their massive DL and LB counterparts impacting the pass game and getting into quarterbacks heads. Offensively, RB Arthur Russell is going to see the lion's share of the offensive workload for the Rebels this fall, and is athletic, dynamic, and quick, although he had a tough time getting going last Thursday. Champlin's OL is big and strong however, so I'm not concerned with their running game getting going during the season. The strength of the team will undoubtedly be their defense, who I'm very excited to see during the fall, as their experience, physicality, and measurables will stack up well against 6A competition.   Top Performers:   [player_tooltip player_id='262805' first='Nicholas' last='Joseph'] - 2024. DT. 6'3, 250 lbs.   My #1 favorite player from last Thursday's scrimmage, DL [player_tooltip player_id='262805' first='Nicholas' last='Joseph'] was a beast in pads and had a great day of competition against high-quality opponents. Got off the ball well, had a ton of pop at the point of attack, and was strong against double teams, Joseph also used his hands well and was productive and dominant in run defense and could also impact the pass game from the interior DL. Additionally, I loved how coachable he was, as he never left his DL coach's side and was a sponge for feedback and advice, and Joseph was also a heckuva leader who did a great job of watching, supporting, and coaching up his teammates and the DL behind him. He was a natural leader that the Rebels' defenders looked up to and turned to throughout the day of action. Plus, great size on top of it. Drake, UWEC, Augsburg, and Valley City State are all heavily involved right now.   [player_tooltip player_id='368531' first='Matthew' last='Heinen'] - 2024. LB. 6'1, 210 lbs.   Thick, powerful, and well-built, recently UMD Bulldogs commit [player_tooltip player_id='368531' first='Matthew' last='Heinen'] had a strong showing last Thursday and looked & played like a DII scholarship LB. Read his keys and triggered on the ball quickly, strong when attacking and shedding blocks, and strong at the contact point, Heinen will be a tackle machine this fall for the Rebels defense. UMD got a good one!   [player_tooltip player_id='479373' first='Michael' last='Bruggers'] - 2025. DE/OLB. 6'3, 230 lbs.   A rising junior who was a part of the front seven of CP's defense that passed the eye test and will be sure to intimidate opponents this fall, Bruggers possesses good length and flashed some good reps in both run and pass support. I especially liked how angry he played, and the results from that playstyle showed. He's going to have a big season this fall.   Colin Ellingson - 2024. OL. 6'4, 275 lbs.   The Rebels OT was a leader for the offensive line and was big, strong, and mobile enough to handle himself in the trenches but also work and shut down opponents in space at the second level of the defense. He was tough to ignore due to his size and performance from the scrimmage. Currently unoffered!   Whoever was wearing #47 and #49 for Champlin Park on Thursday also had strong showings, although I was unable to track down their names. If a player or parent knows who those kids were please let me know and I can edit this article no problem!   Spring Lake Park Panthers   Synopsis:   The lone 5A squad at the multi-team scrimmage last Thursday, you have to give props to the Spring Lake Park Panthers, as they showed up and showed out against some big boys in the 6A Metro scene. I love watching these dudes play and have for a while, and classically, the Panthers were slightly undersized as a team but made up for it with instincts, cohesion, technique, and playmakers on both sides of the ball. Their defensive speed was noticeable and played with high energy and as a team, and were consistently assignment sound and positioned themselves well for success both before and after the snap. All three levels of the defense were on the same page, and when they were given a chance to make a play, they absolutely took it. Offensively, the option game looked solid, and they had a ton of success running between the tackles against larger defensive fronts set on stopping the run. The Panthers were scrappy, dynamic, and athletic, and once again, I loved watching them play. You're going to need to earn every yard in blood and sweat against SLP this fall.   Top Performers:   Brodie Gemlo - 2026. DT. 6'4, 250 lbs.   What a 2026er we got on our hands! Arguably the most impressive of the SLP Panthers I saw, DT Brodie Gemlo was definitely the biggest, and made some impressive plays in both run and pass support. He had a nice sack against Centennial in the last portion of the day's action, and was a gap-stuffer who could eat up and defeat double teams with his combination of strength, hand usage, and leverage. The pad level was good or a kid of his size and age, and is physically developed and able to move and work laterally as well. He's got the chance to be a high-profile prospect in MN's 2026 class.   Josh Lach - 2024. LB. 5'11, 200 lbs.   The leader of the Panther's defense, Lach was commanding and productive from his ILB spot, and was a thick 200 pounds and knew how to use it. He was instinctive and able to read, react, and trigger on an offensive play call very quickly, and was slippery through the LOS and able to beat blocking attempts with either speed or power. Also was a strong tackler who could make plays when given the opportunity, and set the tone for his defense both vocally and with his play. Fun to watch and a smart, productive LB who SLP will be leaning on a ton in 2023. I think he's up for the challenge.   [player_tooltip player_id='234852' first='Teddy' last='Wackman'] - 2025. LB. 6'1, 180 lbs.   The other SLP ILB, Wackman had good length, a frame capable of holding a ton more good weight, and played with a ton of speed. Like his LB partner Lach, Wackman was instinctive and able to read offensive formations and tells, as multiple times I heard him successfully call out the opposing squad's play call before the snap. He did a great job of making plays both between the tackles and out on the edge, and I loved how fired up and energetic he played. When he or a teammate made a play, Wackman's energy level only increased, and he had a lot to celebrate last Thursday. I'm very excited to see this LB duo in 2023.   Whoever was earing #7 (safety) and #29 (OLB/DE) on Thursday for the Panthers also had very good showings, although I wasn't able to locate their names, so if an SLP player or supporter could DM their names I'd be more than happy to update this article with their performances. Thank you!

There's no better sound than that of of pads cracking early on a summer morning or under Friday night lights. The former is an indication that football is on the cusp of returning, a triumphant homecoming that ends the dead period of summer without contact sports, and any sport besides baseball, right as football fanatics are beginning to go mad with longing. I was lucky enough to get that sweet thrill of a preseason contact fix from the welcoming and hospitable Centennial Cougars program, who welcomed me to their July scrimmage against Champlin Park and Spring Lake Park last Thursday. A battle of three Metro area competitors all with strong traditions of program success and productive and periodically high-profile college football prospects, I was more than excited to get an early look at these 6A and 5A heavyweights, and they did not disappoint. Below, PrepRedzoneMN has a brief synopsis of each squad, as well as their top performers from the event, as we inch closer & closer to fall camps kicking off and the 2023 season beginning. Best of luck to all of these programs this fall, and thanks again to the Centennial staff for allowing me to attend. Let's get to it!