Week 8 Recap & Recruiting Roundup: Mounds View vs. STMA

I don't know about our readers, but I've had a heckuva fun week covering high school football for PrepRedzoneMN. Trying to explain to our non-Minnesotan coworkers what MEA break is always an interesting conversation, but when I mention that I get to watch back-to-back weekday football games with playoff implications and seedings on the line, they can't help but share in the excitement I feel when MEA break rolls around. On Wednesday, I picked a doozy of a 6A showdown between the feisty and overachieving Mounds View Mustangs and one of the hottest teams in the state right now in the St. Michael-Albertville Knights. Backdropped by a beautiful Minnesota fall night at the Knights impressive home field in the NW suburbs of the Twin Cities, accentuated by a pleasantly crisp breeze and a jam-packed, hyped up, and overall fantastic St. Michael-Albertville student section, the two big-school squads went to battle to end their regular season on a high note and position themselves as best as possible for the upcoming sectional run, and the two teams did not disappoint. It was a heckuva ball game from the first to final whistle, and below, PrepRedzoneMN has a recruiting-focused, comprehensive, and of course, fun-to-read rundown of the game, its biggest and brightest moments, its stars and standouts, and more. What a game it was! Let's get to it.   --   Game Recap   With the Knights receiving the opening kickoff, STMA began a campaign of fourth-down conversions that rivaled any football game I've ever seen. After a 4th and 1 conversion by senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='534660' first='Will' last='Barthel'] (6', 170) on a QB sneak, sophomore sensation WR [player_tooltip player_id='343080' first='Owen' last='Egge'] caught a big pass to get his Knights downfield, which set up two more 4th down conversions before an eventual Mounds View PBU by senior DB/WR Peter Nguyen forced the Knights to kick for points and take a 3-0 lead with 3:23 left in the first after the junior specialist Keegan Tisch 23-yarder found the uprights. Mounds View then went 3-and-out, and STMA got back to work on offense, completing another 4th down conversion before attempting a 4th and 5 that was sniffed out by Mustang junior DL Birk Swenson for a nice stop. It was time for Mounds View to get some offensive success going, which was ignited by junior 6'3, 180 lb. QB [player_tooltip player_id='551361' first='Jacob' last='Sampson'], who found stud WR [player_tooltip player_id='242432' first='Tyler' last='Nystrom'] on a deep slant, and the Mustangs continued their drive downfield thanks to some solid running from juniors Mitchell Olson (5'10, 180, also plays OLB) and Jack Bongard (5'11, 170). However, STMA bent but didn't break, and Mounds View had to settle for a FG, which senior St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='864391' first='Ben' last='Hoiland'] nailed from 25 yards out to knot the game at 3 apiece with 4:15 left in the half.   The Knights weren't ready to settle for a tied game at half though, and put together a beautiful offensive possession to end the half that began with a big run by senior Madden Grabau to get the Knights into MV territory, which opened up the passing game for STMA. Beginning with an exciting 3rd and 6 conversion that saw Barthel fake a RB dump, which faked out the Mustangs defense and opened up a streaking Riley Hiltner (2024 - 6'2, 180) down the seam for some solid execution and playcalling. Barthel and Hiltner kept things rolling too, as they combined for a 4th and 7 conversion on a crossing route with 47 seconds left from the Mounds View 17, and despite some tenacious MV defense, led by a crushing hit from DB Chuck Kelly, STMA found the endzone with Grabau finding paydirt right before half. 10-3 Knights with a lot of ball game left.   The second half was quite the doozy, and Mounds View came out of the gates swinging. An effective halftime adjustment was put in place by the Mustangs offense that saw the 'Stangs implement the option for the last half of football, and STMA had its fair share of troubles handling the new found attack. Despite two early delay of game penalties, Mounds View's running game was humming, which set up a deep third down conversion from Sampson to junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='1207000' first='Logan' last='Johnson'], and on a later pressure-filled 3rd down Sampson used his electric footwork and elusiveness to run for a 3rd and 7 to get his sideline fired up. Later, monster LB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='447667' first='Evan' last='Hatton'] made a big catch, and with MV knocking right at the STMA door, Sampson found Nguyen on a shallow out-breaking route for six. WIth 7:44 left in the 3rd, the game was all tied up at 10-10.   Senior DB/WR Nguyen wasn't done creating big plays, and picked off Barthel and STMA on their next offensive drive, a long go-route down the home team's sideline that Nguyen played perfectly from a technique standpoint. The ball dropped right into his hands, and the Mounds View sideline and crowd turned wild with excitement. Mounds View capitalized too, and Sampson converted a 3rd and 4 in electric fashion, making two STMA defenders miss before getting off the last-second pitch to his RB for the first. A couple nice runs later, Sampson found Nystrom on a bomb, which the big-time senior WR high-pointed over two Knights DBs draped all over him for a eye-popping catch AND the flag. Sampson then ran the rock in to give his Mustangs a 17-10 lead with 1:04 left in the third. However, the game was far from finished.   STMA's accomplished senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='551414' first='Ryan' last='Kaydea'] picked the most high-pressure of times to pop off the biggest offensive play for the Knights that evening, as the first play of St. Michael's offensive drive saw him explode for a 66-yard run down his team's sideline, which ended in a horse-collar penalty that added 15 yards onto the run and got STMA deep into the 'Stangs redzone. Kaydea then finished the drive a play ater for a 6-yard TD run. 17-17 with 11:56 in the 4th.   Mounds View received the ball next, and despite their hopes, a big sack and an incomplete pass forced them to punt it back to the home team. STMA got back to work, with Grabau, Egge, and eventually Barthel (who converted a 4th and 3), and STMA's junior specialist Tisch kicked the go-ahead FG from 27 yards out to give his team a 3-point lead with 3:02 left in the game.   In nail-biting fashion, Mounds View stormed down the field behind the legs of Bongard and the hands of Nguyen, and found themselves at STMA's 27 with 1:08 to play and a 4th and 2 ahead of them. With an experienced kicker waiting in the wings, Mounds View elected to believe in their run game and move the chains, but a false start moved them back to a 4th and 7, and in their 4th down effort, senior DB Noah Miller picked off a tipped pass and ended the game for the home team. It was a hair-raising, get-on-your-feet final drive, and STMA saw themselves walk away with another tight victory to keep their four-game win streak alive and cooking! What a game and what a finish.   Recruiting Roundup & Standout Performers   Mounds View   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='447667' first='Evan' last='Hatton'] - 2024. LB/TE. 6'1, 205 lbs.   Maybe the best individual performance I've seen covering MN prep football for PrepRedzoneMN in 2023, senior LB Hatton was dominant, productive, dynamic, and ridiculously physical in last Wednesday's game against STMA. I loved his high-energy, hold-his-teammates-accountable, vocal playstyle, and boy oh boy was this dude productive. Laid one of the biggest hits I've seen all season on a goal line blitz, which cranked the ball out of the QBs hands and bounced him off the turf like a basketball, and he was effective as a blitzer all night long. He's a true three-down LB though, and could flip his hips in pass coverage and was a helluva force against the run as well. Great at diagnosing opponents plays and runs, he'd be at the ball in the blink of an eye and brought a ton of pop, thud, physicality, whatever you want to call it, to the contact point, laying some gigantic hits throughout the night. Big hits, tons of TFLs, sacks, forced fumbles, PBUs, he was everywhere on defense, and he also had a great day on offense to boot. Strong blocks, clutch receptions through tight coverage and contact, and juice after the catch, Hatton was exceptional in every phase of the game and through all four quarters last Friday night in Albertville. As I said in my tweet after the game, he's got my vote for All-Metro this fall. The awards should come rolling in soon.   Additional Standouts:   [player_tooltip player_id='551361' first='Jacob' last='Sampson'] - 2025. QB. 6'3, 180 lbs.   I was not expecting Sampson to have so much juice with his legs, but boy, this kid could make things happen as a ball carrier. Quick, sudden, balanced, and not scared to bring the rock into contact, Sampson had some electric runs throughout the evening and was incredibly potent running the option for the Mustangs offense. Also had some solid throws throughout the night, was cool under pressure, and didn't force the ball into tight coverage, he kept his squad in the game and was fun to watch as the MV signal-caller.   Peter Nguyen - 2024. DB/WR. 5'10, 160 lbs.   Nguyen showed up in force in the second half. Arguably the biggest playmaker for the Mustangs on Wednesday night, his INT was a gorgeous display of technique, speed, and confidence, and he carried the playmaking-ability into the rest of the game. Did a good job of getting open when he needed to, soft hands, and solid on both sides of the ball, he showed up big last Wednesday for his squad.   Mitchell Olson - 2025. 5'10, 180 lbs.   The Mounds View LB corps played out of their minds in the STMA and all of the 'backers will be receiving shoutouts for their performances. Olson was tough, physical, and popped off some big hits in the run game against a cohesive, well-built, and aggressive Knights running attack. He did a good job of making the most of his tackles and hits when they came his way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1204482' first='Joey' last='Muhlstein'] - 2025. OLB. 5'10, 190 lbs.   An eye-catching 190 lbs. who looked and played strong, Muhlstein was all over the gridiron last Wednesday in Albertville. Muhlstein had some tremendous solo tackles in the game, including a couple impressive goal line 1-on-1 sticks, a forced fumble that got called back, and a general field awareness that saw him make a ton of plays for his defense last Wednesday. Instinctive, sideline-to-sideline pursuit ability, and thrives with contact, Muhlstein was fun to watch and productive against an STMA offense that's been humming the second half of the regular season. Someone is going to get a stud next recruiting cycle.   [player_tooltip player_id='242432' first='Tyler' last='Nystrom'] - 2024. WR. 6'2, 180 lbs.   A well-recruited wideout in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Nystrom didn't get as many targets as I'd have liked last Wednesday, but boy did he make the most of the ones he got. Big-bodied, long, and tough, Nystrom showed he could climb the ladder to high-point the rock, win 50/50 balls, and finish receptions through contact. Great frame that would blow up in a college S&C program, Nystrom has to be accounted for each and every play and can make plays not every WR can make. He's bound for good things at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1204508' first='Joe' last='Kostolnik'] (2025, LB, 6', 180), Owen Farm (2024, DB, 6'2, 185), and Colin Elliott (2024, DB, 6', 170)   A LB and two safeties, Kostolnik, Farm, and Elliott were all sound tacklers, comfortable in space and 1-on-1 settings, and did a great job of cleaning up loose ball carriers when things spilled into the second or third level of the field. I love watching good tacklers, and all three of these dudes fit the bill.   Jack Bongard - 2025. RB. 5'11, 175 lbs.   Bongard had a productive night for Mounds View and showed off burst, vision, and physicality toting the rock for the Mustangs. He'd explode through the LOS and packed a punch when he'd meet STMA defenders, and did a good job of consistently gaining positive yardage on each and every run he got. I liked watching him work and STMA had a hard time bottling him up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1206997' first='Jonah' last='Willford'] - 2025. OL. 6'6, 260 lbs.   Great size, only a junior, and showed off a skillset that included a physical first punch, a little bit of mobility, and leadership qualities that his fellow OL looked to throughout the game. He's gotten better and better as the season has progressed and his size makes him an automatic eye-catcher for prospective college suitors. Willford was putting in work last Wednesday.   St. Michael-Albertville   MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='551414' first='Ryan' last='Kaydea'] - 2024. RB. 5'7, 160 lbs.   It was tough sledding trying to pick an MVP for STMA from last Wednesday, but I ultimately had to give it to RB Kaydea, who popped off the biggest offensive play of the night for the Knights and was consistent all four quarters to boot. Did a great job of running patiently, waiting for holes to open up, and then exploding forward once he sees daylight, Kaydea's burst, speed, low pad level, and quickness helped him force missed tackles on standout MV defenders all night and could be counted on by his teammates and coaching staff for positive gains and productive plays all day long. He's another RB in a long line of standout STMA RBs as of recently, and like his forefathers, should make for an exciting collegiate RB at the next level.   Additional Standouts:   [player_tooltip player_id='534660' first='Will' last='Barthel'] - 2024. QB. 6', 170 lbs.   Calm under pressure, could keep the chains moving with his arm or his legs, and a noticeable leader running the show for STMA, Barthel did his job when called upon and kept his team in the ball game all night.   [player_tooltip player_id='551359' first='Jackson' last='Brutger'] - 2024. LB. 6', 220 lbs.   All of his listed 6', 220 lbs., Brutger was a force of a ILB in the middle of the Knights defense and used his size to his advantage. When he laid his pads on an opponent you could both feel and hear it from the sideline, and he did a great job of eating up blocking attempts from the MV OL, making tackles through contact, and finding the ball, particularly in short-yardage situations. He had a big-time goal line stop that really impressed me, and his size, experience, and physicality all project well to the college level.   [player_tooltip player_id='343080' first='Owen' last='Egge'] - 2026. WR. 5'10, 155 lbs.   Explosive, a nuanced route runner, and liable to take the top off the defense any given play, Egge was barely held in check by the Mounds View defense last week and a yard or two away from pulling off a massive downfield reception that would have broken the game open. You can tell Mounds View respected his skills and game planned around #19, and for good reason to. He could turn short receptions into big gains, take the ball vertical, and get open on a variety of routes. He's got a bright future ahead of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='551446' first='Zach' last='Purcell'] - 2024. LB. 5'11, 175 lbs.   I almost named Purcell MVP for his performance last Wednesday. The off-ball OLB did a ton of things for the STMA defense and did them all well. Almost primarily working and playing in space around the edge of the LOS, Purcell was instinctive, a productive blitzer, an asset in coverage, and above all: a fantastic thumper at the point of contact. He laid some massive hits each and every tackle and I loved watching him put the pads on opponents. You could tell they felt and didn't appreciate it, and he was all over the field in coverage, both in man and zone, and put pressure on the MV QB as a blitzer as well. I've seen defenders like Purcell come out of the STMA program before, and they turn into do-it-all, ready-to-play-early, and accomplished collegiate LBs and DBs. I'd bet money Purcell will have a heckuva college career if he's planning on playing in college. Don't let the size fool you.   [player_tooltip player_id='1145319' first='Joe' last='Duerr'] - 2024. OL/DL. 6'3, 300 lbs.   A massive offensive center and occasional DT, Duerr was a brick wall at the point of attack and helped open a ton of holes for the STMA rushing attack throughout the ball game. Big, strong hands, beast in the run game, and helped set the OL, Duerr would moonlight as a DT and plug up multiple gaps on the interior when needed as well. Like what he brings to the table as a high school and hopefully collegiate OC going forward.   Gage Kloster - 2025. LB. 6'3, 185 lbs.   Used his length to his advantage as a second-level defender for STMA. Broked up a couple of passes with those long arms and did a good job of staying around the football in the run game as well.   Riley Hiltner - 2024. WR/TE. 6'2, 180 lbs.   Had some of the biggest offensive plays of the night for his Knights. Got open when it counted, showed soft hands, and holds some juice after the catch. Also positionally versatile and tough as a blocker. Was a big reason for the Knights victory in their final regular season game.

I don't know about our readers, but I've had a heckuva fun week covering high school football for PrepRedzoneMN. Trying to explain to our non-Minnesotan coworkers what MEA break is always an interesting conversation, but when I mention that I get to watch back-to-back weekday football games with playoff implications and seedings on the line, they can't help but share in the excitement I feel when MEA break rolls around. On Wednesday, I picked a doozy of a 6A showdown between the feisty and overachieving Mounds View Mustangs and one of the hottest teams in the state right now in the St. Michael-Albertville Knights. Backdropped by a beautiful Minnesota fall night at the Knights impressive home field in the NW suburbs of the Twin Cities, accentuated by a pleasantly crisp breeze and a jam-packed, hyped up, and overall fantastic St. Michael-Albertville student section, the two big-school squads went to battle to end their regular season on a high note and position themselves as best as possible for the upcoming sectional run, and the two teams did not disappoint. It was a heckuva ball game from the first to final whistle, and below, PrepRedzoneMN has a recruiting-focused, comprehensive, and of course, fun-to-read rundown of the game, its biggest and brightest moments, its stars and standouts, and more. What a game it was! Let's get to it.