Brian’s Best: Minneapolis North vs. Fridley
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Minneapolis North put on a display of almost perfect smash-mouth football Wednesday night to close out the regular season with a road, shutout win over Fridley. The Polars dominated the game, and they dominate this story. Check out who stood…
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Continue ReadingMinneapolis North put on a display of almost perfect smash-mouth football Wednesday night to close out the regular season with a road, shutout win over Fridley. The Polars dominated the game, and they dominate this story. Check out who stood out to me in the 34-0 victory. Here is a hint – a whole lot of Polars’ big guys.
Minneapolis North O line Anaise Dotson Anaise Dotson 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Minneapolis North | 2025 State MN , Azrie Yeager Azrie Yeager 6'2" | 280 lbs | OL MPLS North | 2024 State MN , Donnell Ellis 5’9 SR, LaMarcus Osborne 6’2 SR, Malachi Tolliver 6’2 FR
This group dominated the game from the start. The offense had early success behind Dotson and Yeager. Later, they ran to the other side of the line, and then they ran to the other side, and Dotson and Yeager pulled across the formation to lead the runner. The Polars’ first touchdown run was behind Yeager, Ellis, and Osborne. Dotson also contributed on defense with a quarterback sack.
Yeager was a force on both sides of the line of scrimmage, so he gets a second mention. He helped the Polars run whatever they wanted on offense – especially in the running game. On defense, the big man held off a block, held contain, and made a tackle for a short gain. Later, he fought off a block and made a big hit at the line of scrimmage. Yeager, Dotson, Osborne, and Devin Lay, who would rotate in, dominated the game. They were so much more athletic than the Tigers’ offensive line. One of them was in the backfield much of the time.
Highlights
Tykeilan Hy Shaw-Moore
Tykeilan Hy Shaw-Moore
Hy Shaw-Moore was the most dynamic player on the Tigers’ roster. Early, he made a couple of tackles on the outside – coming up strong to support the run and making open-field tackles. On a sweep, he made one of the game’s biggest hits. He made another tackle on the outside, keeping his leverage to make an open-field tackle. Offensively, he made a leaping one-handed catch on an overthrown throw into the flat and picked up a first down. Running the ball, he broke a tackle in the backfield and used his speed to get outside for fifteen yards.
Tommie Gilkey
Tommie Gilkey
Gilkey was quick off the line of scrimmage early- and basically all game. He used speed to make a tackle for loss on the opposite side of the field. Later, the senior was in the backfield quickly for a sack. The very next play, he came off the edge for a sack. Later, he exploded off the line of scrimmage, right by his blocker, for a big loss. For good measure, he got off a block to make a tackle at the line of scrimmage.
Brown was the primary benefactor of the dominating offensive line play of the Polars. An early inside run picked up a first down. His three-yard touchdown run was between the tackles. Brown has a low center of gravity and is a powerful runner. However, based on his build, he has quicker feet than you would think. The senior broke into the clear on a 30-yard touchdown up the middle behind Azrie Yeager Azrie Yeager 6’2″ | 280 lbs | OL MPLS North | 2024 State MN , Donnell Ellis, and Lamarcus Osborne. He showed good vision with a patient run – picking his way through the line for a first down. He showed his quick feet when he started off-tackle and bounced it outside for fifteen yards. The senior’s strength was displayed when he broke three tackles up the middle. Once he broke into the second level, he used his speed for a 42-yard touchdown run. He capped off his day with a 20-yard touchdown run. A two-way player, he was a presence in the middle as a linebacker.
Regarding the skill position players, the two teams’ talent level was similar. Part of the reason for that was Korti. The senior had little room to operate, but he still showed the athletic ability that has made him one of the better running backs the last two years. On one run, he started right and didn’t have any space, so he cut back to the left for a first down. Then, he found room off the left side for a ten-yard run. Then, he showed good speed to the corner. Later, he showed great footwork and vision with an excellent cut to turn a loss into a short gain.
Highlights
Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson
Jackson held the edge against an outside run and made a tackle for a short loss. Later, he was in the backfield quickly for a sack.
With a solid running game, Darden didn’t have to be great, but he was good when called upon. He made a strong throw on a deep-out route. The senior did most of his damage with his legs. He picked up yards on a designed run around the right side. Then, he showed his speed for a ten-yard gain. On a designed throw, he used his speed again to the corner for a fifteen-yard touchdown run.
Maleek Powell
Maleek Powell
While Kahlil Brown Kahlil Brown 5’9″ | 180 lbs | RB MPLS North | 2024 State MN relied more on power, Powell was the perfect compliment, using speed more than power. He made three guys miss on one of his first carries – two in the backfield. Then, the senior started outside and made an excellent cutback inside for seven yards. He showed his speed around the corner for thirty yards behind Dotson and Yeager. He also added a short touchdown run in the second half.
Merritt played the ball well, coming up with a first-half interception. He nearly had a second pick, but he could at least break up a second deep pass. The defensive back came up aggressively to make a tackle in the open field for a short gain on a throw into the flat. Against the run, he made a solid tackle on the outside, defending a sweep.
Highlights
Quantayvious Roberts
Quantayvious Roberts
Roberts broke on a pass and knocked it away. Later, on a sweep, he kept his outside leverage – keeping contain and allowing him to make a tackle for a short loss.