Nate's Big Dogs of the Game: Hurley vs. Grantsburg

GRANTSBURG-- Although slightly delayed, we didn't forget our Big Dogs of the Game from the battle between Grantsburg and Hurley on Friday night. Although it was a one-sided affair led by the Pirates, this list has PLENTY of under the radar talent that can play at the next-level as these ten prospects certainly were top performers last Friday night.   Brett Van Epern, Linebacker, Hurley (2024)   Brett stood out to me in this one with his instincts he showed off around the ball especially in the first half of the game. His 6'2 190 pound frame showed off a linebacker that was a ball-hawk slowing down the Grantsburg rushing attack consistently within the inside box in the first half, as Brett showed athletic mobility at the point of attack. Brett is a prospect that also played with distant length, and could get his long arms around ball carriers just out of reach for shorter linebackers.   Danie Lozier, RB, Grantsburg (2025)   A junior that popped out right in front of my eyes was one of Grantsburg's several tailback options that popped out last Friday in 5'9 155 pound Dane Lozier. As an undersized running back, Dane showed off catchy instincts with his awareness and change of direction around the edges on his way to one 17-yard touchdown last Friday. In the other reps I got as well from Dane, I liked the good patience this junior showed as likely one of the Pirates running backs of the future in the coming year.   Jack Caudill, LB/P, Hurley (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack_caudill33">Twitter</a>   If I had to dish out a defensive and special teams MVP from the Hurley Northstars, my vote would be for 6'0 195 pound senior Jack Caudill. At middle linebacker, I liked the fluidity played with his sizable motor he showed off from the reps I watched out of him throughout the game. He shows off physical hands getting off blocks and was another linebacker that was persistently in the mix I felt within the inside box. Jack also hit two absolute bombs as Hurley's punter, as he showed off great hangtime and I recorded one of his punts at 52 yards. I see Jack as a solid under the radar prospect for those Division III or NAIA schools on the hunt for a 2024 linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1220684' first='Brock' last='Matheny'], QB, Grantsburg (2026)   Brock is a quarterback prospect that although just a sophomore, he certainly looks like he has plenty of upside left to show off in the coming years. He shows off the arm talent early that I like as a next-level prospect, as a quarterback that has some well-versed arm strength on all three levels, and I thought showed development from game start to end with his timing and accuracy. Brock also on tape from throughout the season shows off the growing poise in the pocket this 6'2 160 pound quarterback has and one that seems to have a good pedigree to grow an even bigger frame in the coming years to appease a better fit size wise at the next-level.   [player_tooltip player_id='216352' first='Carter' last='Hall'], RB, Hurley (2024)   The running back prospect that lit the biggest spark in the Hurley offense for the night early was 6'2 205 pound [player_tooltip player_id='216352' first='Carter' last='Hall']. Carter logged the only touchdown for the Northstars offense as he used his outside vision and fluid burst to get Hurley the first and only lead of the game in the 1st quarter. The measuables Carter has shows off vividly on tape from last Friday, as this kid shows off good durable ability to get thru contact with his well-built frame. Another Hurley prospect that would be a good fit as a under the radar prospect for those D3 and NAIA schools.   Brady Burton, DL, Grantsburg (2025)   The athleticism that Brady showed off in the Grantsburg Pirates trenches was very persistently seen all-game long as this kid got his name called a ton in the tackle department within my notes. At 6'2 180 pounds, Brady moved more like a floating linebacker with the range he showed off from my eyes in the trenches as he was very mobile from the middle to the edges of the inside box as a DL prospect that played way bigger than what those measureables show off. Brady also showed dominance with his hands as he was able to wrangle his quick hands off those Hurley offensive line to find the ball carrier quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1209384' first='Ian' last='Burkman'], LB/RB, Grantsburg (2025) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanBurkman26">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/IMG_9298-rotated-crop-480x316-1697073964.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1041613" style="width:326px;height:214px" width="326" height="214" /></figure>   One of my favorite 2025 prospects overall between both squads in this game was Grantsburg's [player_tooltip player_id='1209384' first='Ian' last='Burkman']. Ian has a soaring football IQ that still has plenty of time to grow as just a junior, as I love the vision Ian showed off between the tackles and in the open field. Not only was Ian a threat on offense either, as he was consistently in the mesh of several tackles as one of Grantsburg's biggest underclassmen ballhawks against Hurley last Friday. He has a twitchy first step off the snap on tape as a prospect in my eyes that projects at linebacker at the next-level. This would be a small school prospect I would buy stock in early college coaches as he has a self-verified 500 pound deadlift which is very impressive as a 6'0 190 pounder.   Gavin Rossow, RB, Grantsburg (2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/gavin_rossow">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/IMG_9297-rotated-crop-480x316-1697074023.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1041615" style="width:316px;height:207px" width="316" height="207" /></figure>   Gavin had one of the most impressive runs I have seen in my five seasons with Prep Redzone, with a 97-yard house call that started on the Hurley 3-yard line and with his excellent vision, took it the distance as a 6'1 215 pound bully-back. Not only did Gavin shine when the ball was in his hands, he also excelled without the ball as a lead-blocker that paved the way with his pummeling hands and strength with his angle blocking to give Grantsburg a developed downhill presence in their run game. With his size, Gavin impressed me with how fluid he was with his agility as Gavin gives you the look of a power back that has the athleticism to expand into the open field with the aggression he runs with. I also was intrigued with Gavin's awareness in a quick pinch as I am shocked that this young man doesn't have an offer yet on the table for next year. At linebacker, Gavin was also consistent with that vision skillset defensively, as he made some hard-nosed tackles as a prospect that always played downhill in every rep I watched on defense. This kid is severely due for his first offer sooner rather than later.   Trenton Johnson, ATH, Grantsburg (2024)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/IMG_9296-rotated-crop-480x316-1697074080.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1041619" style="width:325px;height:213px" width="325" height="213" /></figure>   Wherever Trenton was on the field last Friday night, he was a prospect that was a must watch. Right in front of my eyes, he showed off extremely well-versed vision when he got into the open field as this young man ran the ball with herds of athleticism when he had the ball in his hands as I liked watching his long 6'2 body with the athletic strides he showed off. Even when Trenton got held he still showed the downhill instinct to finish with his strong hands off heavy contact to finish with physicality which was consistent on both sides of the ball. Trenton was also constantly the first contact on the ball carriers from the reps I watched at linebacker. The efficiency Trenton had out of the wildcat allowed him to show vivid patience and vision around the edges was exceptional as another 2024 prospect from Grantsburg that is a swiss army knife well deserving of a next-level opportunity.   Freshmen Prospect to Know:   Curtis Fenton, RB, Grantsburg (2027)

GRANTSBURG-- Although slightly delayed, we didn't forget our Big Dogs of the Game from the battle between Grantsburg and Hurley on Friday night. Although it was a one-sided affair led by the Pirates, this list has PLENTY of under the radar talent that can play at the next-level as these ten prospects certainly were top performers last Friday night.