Best of Week 8: Offensive Standouts
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! How crazy is it that we only have one week of regular season football left to go? It seems like we just kicked the season off, but here we are. Teams…
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How crazy is it that we only have one week of regular season football left to go? It seems like we just kicked the season off, but here we are. Teams are jockeying for playoff position and conference championships. There are a lot of high quality college prospects leading the way in these pursuits. That brings us to today’s article! Who dominated on offense in Week 8? Let’s find out, and see what the film has to say about their next level potential.
Stats: 34 Carries, 318 Yards, 4 TDs, 2 2-Pt ConversionsrnKaleb was an absolute monster on offense in Week 8. He shouldered an insane workload, and responded with a huge statistical night leading to the victory. Friday night, Kaleb repeatedly demonstrated patience and vision. He allowed his blocks to set up, and then quickly found the lane or best way to make a free defender miss. Kaleb is a power runner who keeps his feet churning and moving the pile. Kaleb’s short area burst and quickness jump out this week too as he makes a lot of highlight plays between the tackles and against very crowded boxes. Don’t sleep on this kid. He just earned his first offer from Carthage.
Silas Hartz
Silas Hartz
Stats: 14 Carries, 153 Yards, 4 TDsrnThis kid has been a nightmare to tackle all season. The 5’9″ 215 lbs senior RB has a compact, powerful frame that is accentuated by a very low center of gravity. The highlights show a player that is hard to get off balance, much less get him to the ground. Hartz is able to move the pile and does a good job of using leverage to move or fall forward. Hartz also has some lateral agility wiggle to him in one on one scenarios. Silas is a hard running, tone setter for the Johnson Creek offense and has helped lead them to a great season, so far. D3 programs need to check out the tape fro the hidden gem.
Stats: 26 Carries, 106 Yards, 2 TDsrnI enjoy watching Trenton’s tape every time I go to it. He isn’t the biggest back, but he plays big. Trenton has taken a step forward this fall following a solid junior season. He plays between the tackles very well. Both slipping through tight gaps or bouncing off tackle attempts. The senior RB has also shown that he can make something out of nothing with his elusiveness and vision. The senior has compiled over 2000 rushing yards since the start of 2022. He is still looking for that first offer. Get this kid on your radars.
Highlights
Stats: 13/19, 163 Yards, 4 TDs, 7 Carries, 65 Yards, 2 TDsrnI have been excited to watch the film of Justin for awhile. He currently sits in our Watch List, but you can bet I will be moving him up after the season. Justin has led one of the best offenses in the state over the past two years. He continued that success in Week 8. Justin is a dual threat passer. Through the air, Justin does a great job of keeping his eyes downfield and working through progressions. The senior thrives with his touch and accuracy. He has completed over 72% of his passes on the season. Justin maintains that accuracy while on the move. On the ground, Klinkner has the speed to do damage when he breaks through the front seven. He is flying under the radar, but it is time for the spotlight to be on him and what he is doing in this offense.
Ethan Feldner
Ethan Feldner
Stats: 11 Receptions, 125 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Carry, 39 Yards, 1 TDrnThis is an athlete you will want to get on your boards now. The junior currently leads the state in receptions, receiving yards, and yards/game. I watched a few games of Ethan’s to get more of a feel for his traits. Right off the bat, Feldner stands out fro the crowd with his speed. They get him the ball in space with passes, reverses, and as a returner. The junior thrives in those scenarios. Where he can beat pursuit angles, eat up cushions on deep routes, and just simply win footraces. Ethan also has strong hands to make the difficult catches. I look forward to getting him ranked among his peers.
Blake Buchinger
Blake Buchinger
Stats: 3 Receptions, 62 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Carries, 77 Yards, 2 TDsrnPlaymaker. That’s the scouting report in a word. Blake lines up at WR and RB. Anywhere they can get him the ball quickly. Once he has the ball Buchinger really goes to work. He sees the field so well, finding blocks, setting up defenders, and finding cut back lanes. Blake possesses exceptional speed that is a mismatch for defenses. He is also a sudden route runner. Someone who can start and stop quickly, opening up plenty of space for his QB to target. The senior is a mismatch that far more need to know about.
Stats: 25 Carries, 251 Yards, 5 TDsrnThis kid is a runaway freight train out of the backfield. Carson is such a powerful athlete. One that I can see playing LB or RB at the next level. Focusing on offense, Carson makes the defense earn their tackles. He lowers the shoulder and pumps that strong lower body to generate yards after contact. Downfield, the senior also has some lateral wiggle to into make DBs miss. Bilitz rounds out his game with enough speed to be able to break off the long gains when he hits the open field. I am a big fan of the physical athlete, and believe he can definitely contribute at the next level.
I am a big fan of the dominant junior OL out of Wausau West. Will is developing an impressive array of traits that should have OL coaches at the next level turning their heads. Will is very explosive out of his stance. He instantly bursts onto his man in the run game and is able to turn that burst into power on contact. McCorison is a strong athlete who is able to run DL off the ball. He also moves very well laterally, which allows him to move along the line in zone blocking and reach DL. The range to get to the second level is also there. Will is a force in the trenches, and I believe he could play on the interior of the OL at a high level. Definitely a name to follow.
Highlights
Stats: 208 Rushing Yards, 4 Receptions, 84 Yards, 5 Total TDsrnZeke has been steadily on the incline this season. This season I wanted to see his athleticism take a step forward from where he was as a sophomore. It seems to have done just that. Zeke has put out weekly highlights showing him stretching the field, creating big plays after the catch with speed, and now we are seeing him take handoffs, making people miss, and showing off solid acceleration through the gap. Strand has good vision as a ball carrier too. He is quick to find his holes and where his help is. To go along with that athleticism is power and an impressive 6’4″ 200 lbs frame. Zeke uses that size and strong hands to make the catches in traffic. He also uses that size to break tackles in the run game and after the catch. This is a junior to get on your boards now. He also plays safety. There is a lot he can do and offer.
Other Dominant Performances
- Joseph Kayon, RB- Shoreland Lutheran: 19 Carries, 219 Yards, 3 TDs
- Cade Voelker, QB- Kiel: 5/9, 64 Yards, 1 TD, 4 Carries, 116 Yards, 3 TDs
- Evan Olson, WR- Pepin/Alma: 6 Receptions, 107 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Carry, 17 Yards
- JaRon Johnson, RB- St. Francis: 19 Carries, 228 Yards, 1 TD