Fond du Lac vs De Pere: Recap & Prospects of the Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I spent Level 2 of the WIAA State Playoffs taking in the showdown between #5 Fond du Lac and #8 De Pere. Both teams came into the game playing much better than their record would suggest, proving that record doesn't tell you everything. These two were battle tested and ready for war. So with a Level 3 spot on the line, we kicked off the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De Pere were the first to find the endzone. <strong>QB Easton Arendt</strong> showed some clutch gene as he dropped back and found senior <strong>WR Hayden May</strong> in the endzone on 4th &amp; Goal. Fondy didn't wait too long to even things up. Standout senior <strong>RB Tanner Dalske</strong> was able to get around right tackle and win the race to the corner of the endzone giving us a 7-7 tie at the end of one quarter of play. Both teams traded defensive stands for most of the second quarter. That was until the 5:49 mark when <strong>WR Kalvin Mullins</strong> took a jet sweep and gave Fond du Lac their first lead of the game. Fondy pushed the lead to 21-7 at halftime on the back of <strong>RB Tanner Dalske</strong> and his speed as he again got outside RT and got to the corner of the endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thins were slow to start in the second half. Both defenses were ready to play. It wasn't until the 6:06 mark that we got our first score. This time it was Fondy <strong>QB Connor Klapperich </strong>who kept it on the ground and scored. De Pere fought back into the game on offense as the third quarter came to a close. <strong>QB Easton Arendt </strong>connected on a crazy TD pass. Arendt lofted one into the endzone, it was batted around, and<strong> TE Myles Rubringer</strong> came diving in to make the grab just before the ball hit the ground. That put us at Fondy leading 28-14 entering the 4th quarter. Fondy <strong>QB Connor Klapperich</strong> made sure that they didn't give up the lead early in the 4th as he again kept it himself and powered his way in for the rushing TD. A couple minutes late<strong>r Tanner Dalske</strong> added another rushing TD to push the game to 42-14. De Pere ended the game with one last score with :10 left when Arendt snuck it inside. In the end, Fond du Lac came away with the 42-21 win. The #5 seed will continue their season in a matchup with Milwaukee Marquette in a Level 3 matchup. Congrats to Fond du Lac on a hard fought victory, and congrats to De Pere who never quit, and also won their first ever D1 playoff game in Level 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prospects of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270687"],"_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: 18 Carries, 136 Yards, 3 TDs, 2 Receptions, 18 Yardsu003c/emu003ernrnTanner was the focal point of the offense for the night. His 20 touches piled up 150+ yards and 3 TDs. Dalske continues to improve every time I watch him. He has developed a very well balanced attack as a runner. The senior is able to win with power. He can move the pile, break tackles, and gain yards after contact. Tanner also has enough speed to stretch a defense horizontally has the vision to find the seams to attack. That speed was also key to all his TDs Friday night. He had to beat pursuit angles to the corner on all of them. It is great to see him start to receive D2 offers. The senior needs even more eyes on him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e8f35"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Connor Klapperich","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fond du Lac","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 13/19, 86 Yards, 1 TD, 15 Carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs, 8 Tackles, 1 INTu003c/emu003ernrnConnor is Fondy's starting QB and safety. Friday night we saw the senior make game changing plays from both. At QB, the senior is most dangerous on the ground. Connor looks more like an RB than QB when he keeps it. He has the vision, instincts, and power to consistently pick up chunks of yards. At safety, the senior proved to be have range to make tackles against the run, or jump routes to grab INTs. Connor stood out both ways.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e9051"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405590"],"_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: 8 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INTu003c/emu003ernrnCorbin brings a well balanced game to the field. He proved that he could be relied on to stop the run or drop into coverage. The senior has the quick read/react mental processing that allows him to maximize his athleticism. Because of it, Corbin was all over the field. He closed quickly in the run game, and was hard to land a block on because he could make OL miss. Corbin looked natural in coverage too. He was able to slide, change direction, read the QB, and showed off the hands to make INTs. Corbin is on the rise.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e90dd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405609"],"_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: 8 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 Sacksu003c/emu003ernrnHerbert gave the De Pere OL u0026amp; QB fits all night long. He set up residency in the offensive backfield. The long OLB showed an explosive get off, and hit another gear when he closed on the QB. Herbert showed a high motor making the high effort, chase down plays all over the backfield. Broomfield also did a good job of setting the edge against the run. Herbert was key to Fondy controlling the line of scrimmage. Teams need to get the under the radar senior on their boards. He is a disruptor.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e9160"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944035"],"_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: 13 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sacku003c/emu003ernrnRhett has the highest ceiling of the athletes I watched Friday night. He is an imposing 6'5u0022 athlete with long arms, and a frame that is ready to hold a lot more weight than his current 215 lbs. The junior has experience at ILB and OLB. He has the tools to excel at either. Rhett uses that next level length to keep separation when engaged with OL and then has the quickness to disengage and get past them. Rhett is able to chase down from sideline to sideline. Hlavacka has strong instincts too and quickly reacts to what he reads. This is a need to know athlete in the Class of 2025.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e91e4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405566"],"_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":"Max didn't make big plays in the passing game, yet the massive TE was able to still make a huge impact. He essentially stepped up as an extra OL at TE. His blend of power and athleticism allowed him to get outside of the contain man, drive him off the line or get him hooked so the RB could get outside. Fondy loved attacking the edges, and they mostly did it behind Mengel. Max made key blocks while zone blocking and power blocking. He could attack downfield or move laterally. Teams that use the traditional, inline TE who needs that athlete to block and catch need Max high on their boards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e9265"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533177"],"_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, 107 Yards, 1 TDu003c/emu003ernrnHayden has a skill set that will give a next level program a potential mismatch nightmare. He is an accomplished track athlete, and the speed translates to the field. May is most dangerous after the catch. After the catch Hayden has the speed to turn open grass into huge plays. He also sees the field really well. He can set up DBs, make them miss, or find blocks to utilize. Those traits also made him a dangerous punt return man. May also proved that his hands can be trusted. Check him out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e92e3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383787"],"_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: 2 Tacklesu003c/emu003ernrnAnother high ceiling junior is De Pere's Brock Osbahr. The stats aren't crazy, but he made a big impact on the trenches. Brock was a key reason why Fondy had to find success with the outside run, because Brock stuffed the inside run. He was able to get penetration with a quick first step, and his power made him a consistently successful bull rusher. The junior threw off timing of hand offs, and got the QB off his spot also. This is a difference maker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e9361"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933371"],"_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":"Another hidden gem senior is De Pere OL Grant Gallagher. The 6'3u0022 270 lbs OT has traits to build on at the next level. We got a good look at his pass protection. The anchor strength is there to shut down bull rush attempts. Grant gets his hands on first and has a solid first punch. Plus he did a good job of landing his hands accurately on the inside of the DL chest. Gallagher is light on his feet too, fluidly mirroring pass rushers. Don't sleep on this kid.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e93df"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405605"],"_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: 14 Tacklesu003c/emu003ernrnUnfortunately for programs, Derrick is verbally committed to Drake. The ILB is a tackling machine. It seemed like he was making every one on one tackle or getting off every pile. Derrick is a very instinctive athlete who always seems to be in the right position to make a stop. The senior delivered big hits that ended plays in a hurry. Bunkelman helped stuff the inside run, and was chasing down a lot of those outside runs by Fondy. Congrats on a great career in HS, Derrick. Good luck at the next level!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e9515e945d"} /-->