DeForest vs Sun Prairie West Recap & Prospects of the Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30 off a new subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 8 led me to Sun Prairie West to take in their Homecoming matchup with DeForest HS. On paper, these two teams looked like they matched up very well across the board. Plus the talent, and high stakes were all there leading me to believe this would be one of the better games of the week. It didn't take long for the fireworks to start either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They started on the opening kickoff when DB [player_tooltip player_id='634711' first='Carter' last='Morrison'] weaved through the kick coverage unit of SP West and nearly housed it before being tripped up deep in Wolves territory. The offense of DeForest didn't waste the early momentum as senior <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='933435' first='Max' last='Mitchell']</strong> dropped back and found <strong>senior TE [player_tooltip player_id='104999' first='Tucker' last='Grundahl']</strong> for the 7 yard passing TD. The Mitchell- Grundahl connection was far from over after that. A couple drives later, Mitchell found Grundahl on a short pass, and the powerful TE earned some tough yards after the catch to put the Norskies in position to add to their lead. <strong>RB Jaylen Carter </strong>capped off the drive when he powered his way in for the 4 yard score. From there the defenses controlled the game. Each team forced multiple punts as the first half winded down. However, the SP West Wolves weren't going into the half with nothing on the scoreboard. Senior <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='634715' first='Brady' last='Rhoads']</strong> completed a deep pass to put them on the doorstep. After working even closer to the goal line, senior <strong>TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='105033' first='Ean' last='Ackley'] </strong>took a handoff and punched it in from 1 yard out with :04 left in the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half proved to be a well balanced brawl on the field. Each team traded defensive stops and offensive scores. The first being <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='933435' first='Max' last='Mitchell']</strong> kept it himself on the ground and found his way into the endzone from 4 yards out to give DeForest the 21-7 lead to start the second half. West didn't waste any time and <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='634715' first='Brady' last='Rhoads']</strong> led another scoring drive through the air. This time he finished it off with a pass to <strong>WR Daniel Wilson Jr.</strong> from 8 yards out. DeForest was trying their best to pull away but West wasn't giving up any space on defense. The defense is what dominated most of the half from there. We saw drives go punt, INT by DeForest, back to back turnover on downs, three more straight punts, and another turnover on downs before DeForest added to their one score lead. It was as the Norskies were attempting to run out the clock.<strong> QB [player_tooltip player_id='933435' first='Max' last='Mitchell']</strong> again got loose around the edge and scored from 23 yards out on the ground. That gave us our final score of DeForest 28 Sun Prairie West 14. The victory moved the Norskies to 4-4 and moved West to 5-3 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospects of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104999"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 9 Receptions, 108 Yards, 1 TDu003c/emu003ernrnI have been impressed by the senior TE out of DeForest. I saw him over the summer at a River Falls camp where he performed well, earning an offer. The 6'2u0022 220 lbs senior TE again caught my eyes Friday night. He has a strong, sturdy frame that has proven it can handle the physical side of the position. Tucker is a smooth athlete before the catch. He had enough speed to be a mismatch for the LBs he faced, and once Tucker had the ball he was a pain to bring down. The strong TE runs behind his pads, churns his feet through contact, and finishes his runs. This is an under the radar senior TE prospect to know.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb078"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["634711"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Carter was the first standout of the game when the playmaker took the opening kickoff and nearly housed it. From there, the senior DB looked good on every snap I focused on him. The senior may fit best as a safety at the next level because of his strengths. Carter looked very good in zone. He read and reacted quickly, changed direction and burst suddenly, and Carter was a reliable tackler in space. Morrison also brings the range to not only cover his zone, but also go chase down a ball carrier. It was a strong night all around for the senior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb0e7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933435"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 17/26, 203 Yards, 1 TD, 6 Carries, 28 Yards, 2 TDsu003c/emu003ernrnThe athlete I was looking forward to seeing that was under the radar for me was the senior QB out of DeForest. Last I saw Max he was playing WR. He made the switch to QB this season, and has grown into the position. Max brought a dual threat to the field. He didn't panic and take off, instead he only tucked it on designed plays or when there was no other option. In the pocket, Max was delivering accurate passes all night. He carved up the short to intermediate levels. Next level programs should consider him at either WR or QB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb147"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["685844"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 1 Reception, 14 Yardsu003c/emu003ernrnStats don't come close to telling the story here. First off, Jackson is one of the most impressively built TEs I have seen. Despite weighing 225-230 lbs, Jackson looks like he can easily add another 30 lbs at the next level. His arm length is nothing short of elite and the soft hands allow him to catch the ball away form his body and provide his QB with possibly the largest catch radius in WI. Those long arms were major strengths in his run blocking too. He always was able to make first contact, control his man, and position himself to have the leverage advantage. Jackson showed off power as a blocker. We saw a lot of double teams including him that easily removed DL from the front seven. Accuardi is just scratching the surface on his potentail. FBS level talent.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb1aa"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["942596"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The final DeForest standout we need to highlight is junior left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='942596' first='Dane' last='Schmidtknecht']. Coming into the season it was clear the tools were there. He has a great frame and was developing next level strength quickly. However, I wanted to see the nuanced parts of the position that separates the top kids from the rest. Friday night we saw it. The balance, body control, footwork, and flexibility have all made a strong jump since his sophomore season. Dane moves, changes direction in pass protection and run blocking smoothly, and still maintains a strong anchor. In the run game, Dane is able to play low, adding leverage to his strength and that allows him to get a big push off the line. He is already ranked high, but solid chance we see him move up even more.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb20a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105033"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 5 Carries, 25 Yards, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 28 Yards, 18 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FFu003c/emu003ernrnAs the stat sheet shows, Ean was all over the field Friday night on both sides of the ball. In the end, Ackley is an LB at the next level. That was more than clear watching him in person. Ean has developed a strong football IQ and that leads to excellent instincts at the LB position. He reads and flows with the OL, filling his gap even as it moved. Ackley also did a great job of finding the ball and even made some impressive highlight plays cutting back against the grain, mirroring the RB and making the tackle at the line. Even out in space, Ean is a good matchup on RBs. He is a strong,s tout defender against the run but can move and change direction out in space. Ean has a well rounded game, and it is great to see the D2 level extending him offers. If you haven't watched his highlights, do it today.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb26e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["634715"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 15/37, 141 Yards, 1 TDu003c/emu003ernrnQB [player_tooltip player_id='634715' first='Brady' last='Rhoads'] is an intriguing prospect. First off, the senior seems open to a position change. He attended the Minnesconsin Mega Camp as a TE this summer. On the field though, the big bodied senior lines up at QB for the Wolves. On Friday night the senior showed off solid pocket mobility. He was able to avoid pressure, and get the ball out of his hands even without getting his feet set. Brady did most of his damage in the short range of the field, but kept the defense honest with some deep shots that he was able to connect on. Check out the senior. He has tools to work with and mold.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb2c5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270824"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Our final standout of the night was senior OT [player_tooltip player_id='270824' first='Jon' last='Morina']. I project Jon inside at guard at the next level. That is where he best traits align. I was impressed with Morina's short area agility in pass protection. He was able to move laterally and set a strong anchor. Two traits that fit perfectly in pass protection at guard. In the run game, Jon really stood out. He played with a wide base, stayed low out of his stance, was able to get underneath his man and use that leverage and his power to bulldoze DL off the ball. Morina also was able to get up to level two to land blocks on LBs. He is a well rounded athlete that the D3 and D2 levels should have a look at.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65234803cb314"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->