PRzOliver’s Midwest Top Performers: September 1st, 2023
I am absolutely stoked to reiterate what is possibly the sweetest phrase in the English language: football is back. Despite the states of America’s Heartland kicking off their high school football seasons on different weeks, prep football from Minnesota to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI am absolutely stoked to reiterate what is possibly the sweetest phrase in the English language: football is back. Despite the states of America’s Heartland kicking off their high school football seasons on different weeks, prep football from Minnesota to Missouri is now underway, which means PrepRedzone’s popular in-season Top Performers series is finally back! Below, we’ve gathered some eye-popping, standout, and notable individual performances from Midwest athletes offensively, defensively, and on special teams, and boy were there some doozies last Friday night. Find out who set school rushing records, who blew up the stat sheet in all three phases of the game, who had nearly perfect games through the air, and much more below. Hope everyone had a nice holiday!
—
Callen Campbell (Sault Area, MI) 2024. DL. 6’4, 255 lbs. Committed to Northwestern
The Northwestern commit went off in Sault Area’s 26-0 win over Cheboygan Area as he posted 294 total yards and 4 TDs to go along with 7 tackles and 2.5 sacks!
Landon Christensen (North Muskegon, MI) 2024. WR. 5’11, 165 lbs. Uncommitted
Against Muskegon Catholic, Christensen had an explosive day through the air to the tune of 6 receptions for 260 yards and 4 TDs. North Muskegon got the win 41-21.
Jacob Tuttle (Notre Dame Prep, MI) 2024. QB. 6’1, 180 lbs. Uncommitted
An accomplished and statistically prolific QB who earned All-State and Dream Team honors as a junior, Tuttle is keeping the momentum going into 2023 as hit lit up the Hastings High School defense last Friday and finished with 16 completions on 19 attempts for 295 yards and 5 TDs. His 158.3 passer rating is definitely worth mentioning as well. Notre Dame Prep got the win 56-12.
Colton Gumino (John Hersey, IL) 2025. QB. 6’2, 170 lbs. Uncommitted
The junior had a big-time day through the air in Hersey High School’s 49-14 victory over Fremd as he finished his night 25-29 for 368 yards and 5 all-purpose TDs. He’s a part of a talented crop of signal-callers in Illinois’ 2025 class who will see a lot of shine this fall.
Cale McThenia (Marian Central Catholic, IL) 2024. QB. 6’3, 215 lbs. Committed to Northern Iowa
In MCC’s tight, one-score loss to the Milwaukee Academy of Science, McThenia finished his night having gone 26-38 (68%) for 401 yards and 4 TDs and also added 12 rushes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
Dylan Dunn (Blue Valley Southwest, KS) 2024. QB. 6’3, 190 lbs. Uncommitted
In a win against Blue Valley, senior QB Dylan Dunn had a strong showing through the air and finished his night with 25 completions on 32 attempts for 320 yards and 4 TDs to help secure the 33-19 victory.
Brandon Schmelzle (Axtell, KS) 2025. ATH. 6’3, 185 lbs. Uncommitted
The junior had a dynamic performance against Cair Paravel Latin School and finished his day with 243 all-purpose yards, which included a kickoff return for a TD, 92 rush yards and 2 TDs on the ground, 55 passing yards and a TD, and 2 interceptions on defense. Axtell got the W 60-44!
Mitch Bernardi (Floyd Central, IN) 2024. RB. 6′, 210 lbs. Uncommitted
The well-built running back went off in Floyd Central’s thumping of Silver Creek High School and recorded 17 rushes for 172 yards and 2 TDs and added three receptions for 108 yards and 2 more TDs.
Tony Palmer (South Sioux City, NE) 2025. RB. 5’11, 195 lbs. Uncommitted
A stud athlete who has placed twice at the Nebraska state wrestling tournament and has also clocked a 10.98 100M on the track, Palmer set two new school records last Friday after totaling 24 carries for 364 yards and 5 TDs against Sioux City West.
Vincenzo Gianforte (Cedar Rapids Kennedy, IA) 2025. QB. 6′, 190 lbs. Uncommitted
Gianforte went off against Pleasant Valley and threw for 482 passing yards and 5 TDs through the air. Sadly, CRK lost by one point in a thrilling 36-35 contest.
Eli Robbins (Norwalk, IA) 2026. WR/DB. 6′, 180 lbs. Uncommitted
The sophomore had a big day through the air and caught 6 receptions for 210 yards and a TD (plus another called back), as well as 5 solo tackles and a TFL as his Norwalk squad narrowly beat Indianola 21-14.
Casey Kelley (Cedar Rapids Prairie, IA) 2024. RB/WR. 5’11, 160 lbs. Uncommitted
Kelley set a new school record with 6 total TDs in Prairie’s 48-13 thumping of Dubuque and went off for 14 carries for 225 yards, 3 receptions for 40 yards, and 62 return yards.
Aiden Flora (Adel-Desoto-Minburn, IA) 2024. QB/WR. Uncommitted
Against Winterset High School, Flora completed 12 passes on 17 attempts for 261 yards and a TD and added 17 rushes for 197 yards and 4 TDs on the ground.
Brayden Albee (Eau Claire Regis, WI) 2024. LB/RB. 6′, 195 lbs. Uncommitted
In EC-Regis’ Week 3 victory over Elk Mound, Albee had a stellar defensive performance and finished his night with 12 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
Jacques Brooks (Franklin, WI) 2024. WR. 5’10, 175 lbs. Uncommitted
The versatile and dynamic athlete out of heavyweight Franklin High School, in their 23-20 victory over Racine Case, caught 18 passes for 200 yards and 2 TDs and also recorded 3 returns for 110 yards.
Kameron Zielke (Weyauwega-Fremont, WI) 2025. QB/DB. 5’11, 175 lbs. Uncommitted
Against Manawa-Little Wolf, Zielke was all over the field and tallied 9 completions for 90 yards and 2 TDs, 158 rushing yards and 3 TDs, 2 interceptions, 2 PBUs, and 4 tackles for a heckuva day on the gridiron.
Jaron Johnson (St. Francis, WI) 2024. ATH. 6′, 195 lbs. Uncommitted
Johnson had an explosive day on the ground against Dominican and finished his day with 10 carries for 257 yards and 4 TDs!