Best of the Postseason: Level 2
Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! The climb to Madison continued last Friday night. We saw some absolute slug fests, teams impose their will, and individual athletes rise up to the occasion and take over games. We…
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The climb to Madison continued last Friday night. We saw some absolute slug fests, teams impose their will, and individual athletes rise up to the occasion and take over games. We are changing it up a little bit starting this week. We will be compiling offense and defense into one big article. So, let’s dive into the tape of the best from Level 2 of the WIAA playoffs!
Stats: 14/19, 165 Yards, 81 Rushing Yards, 5 TDsrnKane has led his team to multiple impressive wins through clutch performances. The junior added another one to his resume with the upset over #2 Mosinee. We saw the full potential of Kane’s dual threat in the game. The speed was surprising, even after watching a full game of his earlier in the season. Donnelly has good vision while running, and has the wiggle to be elusive. Through the air, Kane stretched the defense with aggressive shots downfield. He was able to hit receivers in stride so they could pick up yards after the catch. Somerset is going to be a tough out with Kane at the helm.
Highlights
I have long been a fan of how much of a technician Logan has been throughout his HS career. That being said, the senior OL has never looked better than he does right now. The technique is razor sharp. Good knee and ankle flexion, accurate and powerful hand placement, keeping his shoulders square to the line, and feet that he trusts to get him where he needs to be on time so that he is never caught reaching. What has also made this his most impressive film is the power behind the technique. Gross was tossing DL around Friday night with that strong initial punch, and his lower body allowed him the ability to easily run DL off the ball when he clamped those big hands on them. It is clear to see why the recruitment has continued to increase for the standout OT. This is a need to know prospect who is on the rise.
Highlights
Stats: 14 Carries, 46 Yards, 3 TDs, 4 Receptions, 63 Yards, 1 Forced FumblernTre proved to be a true do-it-all athlete in the Level 2 Playoffs matchup with Middleton. Need a back who can win with speed to the outside? Tre can do that. Need a receiver with the suddenness and body control to run sharp routes opening up plenty of separation? Tre can do that. Need a CB who can flip his hips and change direction while staying in the pocket of the receiver? That is where the standout junior is at his best. No question, Tre has the athleticism, size, and football IQ to play at the Power 5 level.
Highlights
Stats: 121 Rushing Yards, 1 TD, 7 TacklesrnKoehler is one of the best two way athletes still in the playoffs. He was just awarded Offensive and Defensive player of the Year for his conference thanks to his dominant play at RB and LB. On offense, the senior runs angry. He plays behind his pads, and runs his feet through contact. He follows his blocks, and has enough speed to stretch the defense and pick up the big chunk plays when he gets in the open field. On defense, Koehler has strong, natural instincts as an LB. He quickly reads plays, has the strength to take on OL, and quickly shed the block and deliver a hard hitting tackle. Don’t sleep on the small school stud.
Highlights
Aidan Crowley
Aidan Crowley
Stats: 430 Passing Yards, 4 TDsrnGermantown wasn’t able to keep their season alive Friday night, but it wasn’t from a lack of effort. QB Aidan Crowley ended his HS career with a school record passing performance. The 6’3″ ATH attacked every level of the field with a surprising blend of velocity and accuracy. He fired the ball into tight windows, made throws from the pocket and on the run. Crowley’s pinpoint accuracy jumps off the tape as he dropped multiple dimes along the sideline. The senior was a decisive decision maker who got the ball out of his hands quickly after the snap. The QB also plays WR, TE, and LB. He is a versatile athlete to take a look at.
Stats: 18 Carries, 132 Yards, 2 TDsrnDoucette is making a name for himself this postseason. If you were a frequent reader of our offseason weight room standouts articles this is a name you recognize. No surprise, the strength has translated to the field. Doucette has a low center of gravity and he pairs that with his power to be a difficult tackle. You see him drag tacklers for extra yards, rip through arm tackles, and absorb hits from defenders who don’t wrap up. The junior RB isn’t just a physical back, though. Marcus shows some wiggle and elusiveness in tight quarters. Marcus is developing a well rounded attack on the ground. Keep an eye on him this postseason.
Stats: 2 Receptions, 157 Yards, 2 TDsrnIt is quick film, but that is because the 6’4″ 200 lbs senior WR didn’t need many touches to make a huge impact on the game. Andrew is a mismatch out wide. He has straight line speed to take the top off the defense, tracks the ball well, and has soft hands. Andrew is also quick off the line and showed he can shake DBs with his route running. Andrew is one of the top hidden gems in the Class of 2024. Give him a look. He has the tools that translate to the next level.
Stats: 11 Receptions, 157 Yards, 1 TDrnVerona peppered Michael with targets Friday night, leading to the offense being in position to score over and over. Michael is another hidden gem in this Class. His speed is his best attribute. He can do his damage in the quick passing game with his burst, agility, and elusiveness. Or you can let him get behind the defense and easily reel in deep passes. Valitchka also has multiple impressive route running clips this week. He ate up cushion, made sudden cuts after getting the DBs on their heels, and was able to burst out of breaks. Michael is going to be a steal for a program.
Highlights
Stats: 19 Carries, 239 Yards, 3 TDsrnI try to focus on the uncommitted athletes in these recaps to help them get more spotlight, but I had to include Terrance in this week’s Top Standouts. He took over the game against Oak Creek, showing off dominant traits that make him an FBS recruit. His instincts for the position are special. He seems to always know where the best path to green grass is. Whether it is through the designed hole or not. Shelton has a special blend of quickness, agility, and power that should have him fighting for a large workload early in his career at the next level. Terrance can win between the tackles or out in space, with agility or power. His skill set is so well rounded. I’m excited to watch him finish his HS career with a run at state and then move on to the next level.
Highlights
Stats: 11 Carries, 103 Yards, 3 TDsrnThe Badger Conference Offensive Player of the Year took care of business in Level Two. Ben has dominated every game this season. He is a bully with the ball in his hands. That was on full display Friday night as he ran through arm tackle attempts, and occasionally right over the top of defenders. Ben’s contact balance is next level ready. He thrives between the tackles with that power, plus Ben has the lateral agility to jump cut into open grass or shake an LB in the gap. Once Lindley finds that green grass he has the superior speed over the field to be easily win the race to the endzone. The dominant RB needs more eyes from next level coaches.
Highlights
Stats: 7 Receptions, 113 Yards, 1 Carry, 20 YardsrnIt’s not the way Menomonie wanted their season to end, but WR Charlie Behrend did everything he could to help keep his team in their Level 2 game. The senior fits the mold of a possession receiver. Someone who wins with the nuanced parts of the position like route running and being able to find the soft spot in coverage. Behrend also makes an impact as a blocker. Menomonie doesn’t hesitate to even line him up at TE so he can make blocks on edge defenders. Give the senior WR a look. Tape is below!
Highlights
Gavin Rossow
Gavin Rossow
Stats: 9 Carries, 31 Yards, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 30 Yards, 1 TD, 10 TacklesrnAnother dominant two way senior athlete is Grantsburg’s Gavin Rossow. The 6’2″ 220 lbs senior regularly makes an impact in the run game, pass game, and defense. The senior projects as an LB at the next level. On tape, Gavin is a brick wall when tackling. Where he makes contact is where forward progression ends. The senior wraps up, runs his feet, and puts ball carriers on their backs. Rossow checks off the box when it comes to strength. He is able to take on blocks, even double teams, shed the OL, and make the tackle. On offense you see that same overpowering play. He simply tries to run through the defense instead of around them. Gavin is also a great blocker from the RB position. Don’t sleep on the senior. He has been a dominant two way force all season.
Other Dominant Performances
- Tommy Novotny, RB- Milwaukee Marquette: 36 Carries, 141 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Reception, 45 Yards, 1 TD
- Jacob Siner, RB- Arrowhead: 24 Carries, 225 Yards, 1 TD
- Gabe Passini, QB- Middleton: 5/9, 64 Yards, 1 TD, 15 Carries, 109 Yards, 2 TDs
- Jack Labisch, RB- Muskego: 22 Carries, 139 Yards, 2 TDs
- Brayden Rhode, WR- Oak Creek: 4 Receptions, 118 Yards, 1 TD
- Chase Horstman, ATH- Bangor: 23 Carries, 94 Yards, 2 TDs, 15 Tackles, 2 Sacks
- Miles Burke, RB- New Richmond: 18 Carries, 261 Yards, 3 TDs
- Collin Jindra, DB- West De Pere: 10 Tackles
- Zach Hellendrung Zach Hellendrung 6'4" | 225 lbs | ATH Boyceville | 2026 State WI , DL- Boyceville: 8 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 Sacks