Hayden's Hotshots: More of Week 1's Top Preformers (O)

Although my colleague Oliver already put together an amazing piece about this week's top performers, I thought that there were so many standouts that I could give another list of guys who weren't included in Olivers, but they were still very impressive in their start to the season. So I'll provide a link to Oliver's so you can see more of the top athletes, and only include those who were left off his. I decided to separate the offense into three parts, Passers, Rushers, and Ball-Catchers. Enjoy!   Link: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/09/minnesotas-week-1-top-performers/">https://prepredzone.com/2023/09/minnesotas-week-1-top-performers/</a>   Passers:   Peyton Podnay: 6'3" 180 lbs Anoka 2025   Stats: 15 Completions, 55.6% Completion Percentage, 296 Yards, 3 TDs, 131.1 Passer Rating   Anoka had an electric win over Champlin Park, headlined by Podnay's performance. The Tornado's offense put up 32 points, in a win over the Rebels, and started their season 1-0. They take on the 0-1 STMA Knights next week at home.   Offers: N/A   Jacob Ginskey: 6'1" 175 lbs Owatonna 2024   Stats: 14 Completions, 53.8% Completion Percentage, 250 Yards, 4 TDs, 126.6 Passer Rating   The Owatonna Huskies lit up the Hastings Raiders behind Ginskey. A three-year starter for Owatonna, Ginskey has appeared to finally take that leap that I've been holding out on. In one game this year he's already put up 2/3 of his TDs last year, and 28% of his passing yards. Owatonna takes on the 1-0 Chanhassen Storm in Chanhassen next week.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='1202042' first='Koen' last='Schlangen']: 6'3" 210 lbs Monticello 2025   Stats: 7 Completions, 50% Completion Percentage, 243 Yards, 4 TDs, 135.4 Passer Rating   Forced into action due to injury, Schlangen stepped up to the plate and led his team to a 28-26 victory over the Bemidji Lumberjacks. The well-built QB had a phenomenal varsity debut and looks to hold onto the mantle for the next couple of years. The Magic take on the 1-0 Alexandria Cardinals at home next week.   Offers: N/A   Nirvaan Yogaraja: 6'4" 190lbs BSM 2024   Stats: 14 Completions, 77.8% Completion Percentage, 247 Yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT, 135.2 Passer Rating   The Scarlet Knights started off the 2023 season with a dominant 47-0 victory over Columbia Heights. Yogaraja was a big part of the Knight's deep section run last season, as he tallied over 2500 yards his junior year. His TD/INT ratio last year was a little high, but he's started this season off on the right foot with a 5/1 ratio. They travel to Byron next week to face the 1-0 Byron Bears.   Offers: N/A   Rushers:   [player_tooltip player_id='551378' first='Kalvin' last='Eull']: 5'10" 185 lbs Rogers 2025   Stats: 21 Carries, 263 Yards, 12.5 YPC, 1 TD   I was on the [player_tooltip player_id='551378' first='Kalvin' last='Eull'] train before the season, and he had an explosive debut as the Royals RB1. He ran all over the Sartell Sabers in a 45-0 week 1 victory. They take on the 1-0 Moorhead Spuds at home next Friday in a game that is sure to be a must-watch.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='743274' first='Kevon' last='Johnson']: 5'8" 170 lbs Robbinsdale Armstrong 2025   Stats: 22 Carries, 219 Yards, 10 YPC, 2 TDs   Johnson was part of the reason my alma matter got smoked in its home opener last Thursday. His quick cuts and fast feet tore up the Fighting Saints' defense in a 42-18 victory. He was a constant big-play threat and looks to be a key part of a fatal Falcons offense this season. They take on the 0-1 Harding/Humbolt Knights at home on Friday.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='1145327' first='Maverick' last='Harper']: 5'10" 190 lbs Centennial 2024   Stats: 28 Carries, 170 Yards, 6.1 YPC, 4 TDs   Harper and the Centennial Cougars ran through the Coon Rapids Cardinals in a 48-22 victory. Harper is currently the team's leading scorer and rusher, and he exemplifies a ground-and-pound bellcow. They take on the 1-0 Blaine Bengals next week at home.   Offers: N/A   Michael Douglas: 6' 175 lbs Blaine 2024   Stats: 36 Carries, 176 Yards, 4.9 YPC   Douglas put the Blaine Bengals on his back last week with a crazy 36 carries and 176 yards. His efforts led to a tight 17-14 victory over the STMA Knights. Douglas and the Bengals will travel to Centennial this week to battle the 1-0 Cougars in what should be an exciting rematch from last year's 34-0 defeat.   Offers: N/A   Pass Catchers:   [player_tooltip player_id='1191521' first='Hudson' last='Omoke']: 6'3" 170 lbs Sauk Rapids-Rice 2025   Stats: 12 Receptions, 249 Yards, 2 TDs   On a team that graduated most of its starters, Omoke returned and lit up the field. He was the primary target all night long. He also made an impact on defense with 5 tackles. Already known as a stud basketball player, expect Omoke to light up the stat sheets the rest of the season. He was a key part of the Storm's 22-19 win over Irondale, and they travel to Satell to face the 0-1 Sabres next week.   Offers: N/A   Afy Ibeweke: 6'2" 190 lbs Anoka 2025   Stats: 4 Receptions, 165 Yards, 3 TDs   A returning All-Conference player, and the favorite target of QB Peyton Podnay, Ibeweke carved up the Champlin Park Rebels last week. He proved himself an elite threat averaging an astounding 41 yards per reception. He too will face the 0-1 STMA Knights at home next week.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='961190' first='Haden' last='Katzenberger']: 6' 175 lbs Monticello 2024   Stats: 4 Receptions, 161 Yards, 3 TDs   A two-sport athlete and the owner of the first Magic TD of the season, Katzenberger proved himself as the clear WR1. Stepping into a tough environment against a run-dominant Bemidji squad is always tough, but Katzenberger made it work. They will take on Alexandria at home next week.   Offers: N/A   Braden Siroin: 6' 165 lbs St. Anthony 2025   Stats: 4 Receptions, 143 Yards, 2 TDs   Siroin had a tough week 1 loss to Faribault week 1 in a 28-14 defeat but he still posted an incredible statline. He brought down difficult contested catches and ran deep routes excellently. Siroin and the Huskies take on the 0-1 Columbia Heights Hylanders next week at home.

Although my colleague Oliver already put together an amazing piece about this week's top performers, I thought that there were so many standouts that I could give another list of guys who weren't included in Olivers, but they were still very impressive in their start to the season. So I'll provide a link to Oliver's so you can see more of the top athletes, and only include those who were left off his. I decided to separate the offense into three parts, Passers, Rushers, and Ball-Catchers. Enjoy!