Preseason Preview: Prairie Ridge Wolves

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are under a month away from kickoff for the 2023 season. As the season approaches, we will be previewing some of the top programs across the state. Next up is last year's 6A IHSA Runner Up, the Prairie Ridge Wolves. The 3 time 6A State Champs are looking to make another run on the backs of their stout defense. Let's take a deeper dive into some key starters returning for Prairie Ridge, as well as some other prospects who are ready to step up and take on a bigger role this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Dom Creatore","_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":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Prairie Ridge","_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":"Creatore had a breakout junior season for the Wolves last year. The 5'9, 185 lbs hybrid defensive back / linebacker recorded 89 total tackles, 57 of which were solo tackles and 7 were tackles for loss. Additionally, Creatore had 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. He plays a unique style of football, as Creatore can line up all over the field. He is highly instinctual, whether playing in pass coverage or getting downhill in the run game. Creatore is a sure handed tackler who delivers a powerful blow every time he makes a tackle. In coverage, Creatore has strong recovery speed and plus ball skills that allow him to take the ball away and create turnovers. Heading into his senior season, Creatore should be an anchor for the Prairie Ridge defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["832149"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Torkelson has a breakout sophomore season for the Wolves last year. The Class of 2025 safety measures in at 6'2, 185 lbs. Torkelson is an elite tackler, as he can diagnose run quickly and get downhill. He takes strong angles to eliminate space and run down opposing offensive players on the perimeter. Torkelson plays with extreme physicality, running through nearly any block that comes his way and showing off his ability to make difficult tackles in the open field look easy. He fires his hips and hands together at the point of contact and secures the ball carrier while driving him backwards. Heading into his junior season, Torkelson should play an even bigger role for the Wolves defense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["833295"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Tinch is a 6'4, 305 lbs defensive lineman who played a major role for the Wolves in his sophomore season on varsity. Tinch is a run stuffing D-lineman, who is extremely athletic for his size. He plays multiple spots on the defensive line, showing off his versatility and ability to be a game wrecker in the trenches. Tinch has a quick first step and plays with low pad level that helps him get a push as soon as the ball is snapped. He is as quick laterally as he is vertically, showing off his ability to put his foot in the ground and redirect down the line of scrimmage to chase down ball carries. In the pass game, Tinch uses a strong bull rush to beat double teams and flush the quarterback out of the pocket. Heading into his junior year, Tinch's stock is on the rise.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Joseph Vanderwiel","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Prairie Ridge","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Vanderwiel is a 6'1, 180 lbs athlete who shined on defense for the Wolves last season. He may be Prairie Ridge's best athlete, as Vanderwiel runs extremely well and plays with a high motor at allows him to make plays on the edge. Vanderwiel primarily played outside linebacker last year. He is extremely quick downhill, showing his ability to set the edge and redirect to make tackles in the open field. He is a high energy player who always finds himself around the ball. Vanderwiel sticks out as a secure tackler, showing off his solid technique and lateral quickness to bring down opposing ball carriers, often behind the line of scrimmage. Vanderwiel will be a leader for the Wolves team this up coming season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Landon Severson","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Prairie Ridge","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The 5'10, 175 lbs linebacker plays much bigger than his size. Severson primarily plays middle backer, showcasing his ability to diagnose run plays and get down hill in a hurry to secure tackles. He has elite form when tackling, running his body through opposing ball carriers and driving them to the ground with force. Severson is highly instinctual. Once he sees a hole, he hits it with urgency. Playing strong at the point of contact, Severson shows off his physicality and ability to run ball carriers backwards. Heading into his senior season, Severson will be another key piece on Prairie Ridge's stout defense.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["252491"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Ruiz is ready to take the reins at quarterback in Prairie Ridge's triple option offense. He stands at 6'0, 185 lbs and possesses the skills similar to many Wolves quarterbacks who have come before him. Ruiz is a tremendous athlete, who plays with a physical and downhill running style that generally takes multiple defenders to bring him down. Ruiz keeps his shoulders over his toes when running, using his forward momentum to drive through arm tacklers and break multiple tackles. Ruiz also shows shiftiness and balance in the open field, using a variety of moves to beat defenders attempting to tackle him from the side. As Ruiz takes on a bigger role in the Wolves' offense this year, keep an eye out for his breakout junior season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Giovanni Creatore","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Prairie Ridge","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Creatore showed flashes in his 6 games on varsity last year. He is another linebacker for the Wolves, standing at 5'10 and weighing 170 lbs. Creatore showed off his explosiveness from both the inside and the outside. He has the ability to get downhill in a hurry, chasing down running backs or scrambling quarterbacks to secure tackles for loss or sacks. Like many of his teammates, Creatore is a solid tackler who uses strong technique and plus physicality to drive through running backs. Heading into his junior season, Creatore is poised to take on a bigger role as another key piece in Prairie Ridge's defense.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d1253d77b7f"} /-->