Brian’s Best – Forest Lake vs. East Ridge
In this article:
It was a tale of two halves in Woodbury when Forest Lake visited East Ridge. The Raptors got out to a big lead, but in the second half, the Rangers’ running game and defense took over, leading Forest Lake to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt was a tale of two halves in Woodbury when Forest Lake visited East Ridge. The Raptors got out to a big lead, but in the second half, the Rangers’ running game and defense took over, leading Forest Lake to a 35-29 win. Here are the athletes I thought stood out.
Forest Lake Offensive line Wesley Morris, Cody Huston, Zachary Burns, Mason Stebleton, Mason Vollrath Mason Vollrath 6'0" | 235 lbs | OL Forest Lake | 2025 State MN
This group – especially in the second half – controlled the game. Vollrath and Stebleton opened a big hole for quarterback Cole Gerrell Cole Gerrell 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Forest Lake | 2024 MN on a twenty-yard gain. Later, they sprung running back Layton Patzer on an outside run. Stebleton was involved in several long runs. He opened another hole and then made a great block on the outside to spring Sam Cordie on an end-a-round. Morris moved his man off the line to open another big hole for the running game.
Leyton Patzer Leyton Patzer 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Forest Lake | 2024 State MN Forest Lake RB
The biggest benefactor of the dominating offensive line was Patzer, but he did plenty on his own, too. He showed good speed around the corner with a nice stiff arm early in the game. He made an excellent cut at the line of scrimmage to pick up a first down. He showed his speed again around the corner for an 18-yard touchdown run. He showed great footwork on the boundary to pick up a first down. He got in behind Stebleton and Huston for another long run. He made a quick cut and then used some physical running for six yards when he should have had one yard. After he showed some power on a touchdown run up the middle, he showed off his speed again and found the corner for twenty yards. Patzer made a great cutback for a first down. Late in the game, facing a second and 20, Patzer ripped off a game-sealing 30-yard run up the middle – breaking multiple tackles.
Cole Gerrell Cole Gerrell 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Forest Lake | 2024 MN Forest Lake QB
Early, he hit a nice throw on a crossing route. However, Gerrell did most of his damage with his feet. He made an excellent read on the option, cutting it upfield for twenty yards. On a designed run, he sprinted for ten yards off-tackle. On another designed run, he picked up ten yards. Later, he picked up a first down with his feet. Then he found space at the second level on another designed run for a 26-yard touchdown. Late in the game, he escaped pressure and picked up a first down with his scrambling ability.
Tanner Zolnosky Tanner Zolnosky 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB East Ridge | 2024 State MN East Ridge QB
Although Zolnosky had an up-and-down game, but his arm talent was still apparent. He hit a deep out for 20 yards. Then, he hit a fade to Kyle Frendt Kyle Frendt 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE East Ridge | 2025 State MN for a 15-yard touchdown on third and eight. Later, as he was being hit, he threw the ball down the middle of the field for a thirty-yard completion. Some other impressive plays during the game – mainly in the first half included a completion on a skinny post, a scramble for a first down, and the slant he hit for a touchdown.
Colby Christenson Forest Lake LB
Christenson made a tackle on the outside for a short gain. Then, he made an open-field tackle on a swing pass. The swing pass was wide open, but he closed and made a great open-field tackle to prevent a big play,
Charlie Bern Charlie Bern 6'4" | 220 lbs | ATH East Ridge | 2024 State MN East Ridge TE/LB
Bern was a force on both sides of the ball. On defense, he had a fumble recovery. Then, Bern closed down from the outside to stuff an off-tackle run for no gain. On offense, he caught a short pass and cut up-field, tip-toeing down the sidelines for a 37-yard touchdown. He plunged over the goal line with a one-yard touchdown run. His best run was a run on an end-a-round. He was boxed in but somehow picked up five yards. He also made a catch in the flat and cut up-field for a first down. Bern made a 20-yard catch and run on fourth and short to keep a drive alive.
Ethan Lashinski Forest Lake WR
Early in the game, Lashinski made a nice catch over the middle. On fourth down, he caught a quick little pass just off the line of scrimmage. He quickly turned up-field to pick up the first down.
Cael Viesselman East Ridge LB
Viesselman made an immediate tackle on a quick throw to the outside. Later, he blew into the backfield immediately to make a tackle for a three-yard loss.
Mark Rendl Mark Rendl 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Forest Lake | 2024 State MN Forest Lake LB
Early, Rendl put pressure on the quarterback. Then, he shot a gap and tied up a ball carrier long enough for his teammates to get a tackle for loss. He put good pressure on the quarterback. He didn’t get the sack but forced a bad throw. Later, Rendl recorded a sack on third down – forcing a punt.
Reid Olson Reid Olson 6'3" | 185 lbs | ATH Forest Lake | 2024 State MN Forest Lake DB
Olson had solid coverage – especially in the second half. He was in the right place at the right time with a scoop and score from thirty yards out.