Brian’s Best – Centennial vs. Edina

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the best finishes of the year, the Centennial Cougars and the Edina Hornets put on a show that came down to a two-point conversion attempt that fell inches short. There were plenty of great moments during Centennial's 28-27 victory in the Class 6A championship game, and plenty of players stood out in this pressure-packed championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105383"],"_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":"It didn't surprise me that Cummings stood out. His command of the offense and his ability to beat people with his arm, legs, and head were evident throughout the game. He showed some touch on a throw into the flat to [player_tooltip player_id='704473' first='Marcus' last='Whiting'] for a first down. Then, he showed his power when he kept on the option and broke a tackle for five yards and a first down. He made another excellent read, pulling the ball for five more yards. Cummings made a pair of clutch throws on the move for first downs. The senior showed his arm strength with a solid throw to the outside to [player_tooltip player_id='242424' first='Ty' last='Burgoon']. Later, Cummings pulled the ball and cut up-field for nine yards. He put the ball right on Burgoon for twelve yards on the sidelines – a strong throw with good touch. He showed his lower body strength late, dragging tacklers for a first down on third and long. He broke another tackle for five yards and then showed off his wheels when he got loose in the secondary for forty yards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["592125"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another of the Hornets' super sophomores, West showed poise beyond his years. He put the ball in a tight window to Sonny Villegas on the sidelines for 50 yards. He showed confidence and arm strength when he put a ball in another tight window to [player_tooltip player_id='234833' first='Meyer' last='Swinney'], who made a contested catch on the goal line. On 4th and three, West to Villegas picked up a first down on an out route. The sophomore found [player_tooltip player_id='819442' first='Trillion' last='Sorrell'] on a crossing route for 30 yards. West found Villegas on third and ten in another critical spot for a first down. Late in the game, he hit a crossing route that picked up a first down and was thrown in-stride so this receiver could get out of bounds. After a solid throw to the sidelines, West used his legs to find the end zone. On the game's final drive, he showed a veteran's poise. The sophomore hit a crossing pattern for 20 yards, and then – when conserving time was just as crucial as yards, his pass not only picked up a first down but allowed his receiver to get out of bounds. West capped off the potential game-tying drive with a throw to the outside for 21 yards and a touchdown with 16 seconds left.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["704473"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Whiting made an early catch in the flat for a first down. He kept himself available to his quarterback soon after with another catch in the flat for another first down. Then, he went to work on the ground, with a twelve-yard run and then a short touchdown run. Yet again, Whiting moved the sticks with yet another catch in the flat for a first down. Then, he would convert on fourth and short behind Trenton Campbell and Alex Larkin. He found the endzone again -  right up the middle – behind a great Alex Larkin block. On defense, Whiting put good pressure on the quarterback. Then, he read a screen and forced an incompletion. Whiting and [player_tooltip player_id='105389' first='Timmy' last='Ball'] stuffed a run for a loss.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1145305' first='John' last='Warpinski']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Edina","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Like Harper when Centennial had the ball, Warpinski didn't have many splash plays, but he would consistently grind out the tough yards. He had most of his success between the tackles. He showed great patience in picking his way through the traffic and finding space when there was not much. On top of his two short touchdown runs, he lowered his pads and picked up a big fourth and short. He showed speed when he broke into the second level for fifteen yards.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1145327' first='Maverick' last='Harper']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The Hornets' defense defended Harper well, but his tough running was essential to the offense's success. The outside game would not have been effective without the power inside running. His physical style got him five yards right up the middle behind Trenton Campbell, Alex Larkin, and Joe Streff. Later, he was hit behind the line of scrimmage, but he powered his way for three yards. Later, he picked up a first down behind Bradley Brown on third down. Harper got into the open field up the middle for nine yards. A two-way player, Harper stuffed a run on a third and short.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["234833"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Swinney made a contested catch on the goal line for 24 yards. Then, he caught a crossing route for a first down late in the game. He not only picked up the first down but could get out of bounds, saving valuable time late in the game. He had the instincts to get out of bounds during the final drive when he picked twelve yards, a first down, and then got out of bounds with 26 seconds to play.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Josh Lee","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Lee's hand-eye coordination was on display when he came up with an interception off the hands of a wide receiver. He stuck close to his man on a deep ball – giving the receiver no chance to make a play. On offense, Lee caught a back-shoulder throw in the end zone with five seconds to go in the first half.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["924336"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Part of the reason Harper didn't have many explosive runs was because of Jezierski. He stuffed an inside run on third and short. He got off a block and stuffed another run at the point of attack. After another solo tackle, he and Kellen Chapuran stuffed another inside run.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Melvin Wallace","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Especially in the first half, Wallace was a problem for the Hornets' offense. He stuffed a pair of runs up the middle – the second for a short loss. Fellow Cougars' defender Cade Coppersmith sacked the quarterback – mainly because of Wallace's pressure. Another play that will not show up in the stat sheet – Centennial's [player_tooltip player_id='105405' first='Will' last='Quick'] picked off a deep ball off the pressure put on by Wallace.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Brody Perry","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Edina","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"On offense, Perry showed quick feet with a trap block that sprung a runner for a first down. [player_tooltip player_id='704476' first='Kade' last='Chrysler'] and Perry stuffed an inside run for a loss. Then, Perry gobbled up another runner for a short gain. Another nice trap block paved the way to another first down. Chrysler and Perry stuffed another inside run for a loss. Finally, the senior stuffed another run for a short gain.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"Joe Streff","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_10_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='242424' first='Ty' last='Burgoon']u003c/strongu003e picked up big yards behind a Streff trap block. Then, his kick-out block sprung a runner around the corner. On 4th and one, the Cougars ran behind Streff for a first down. u003cstrongu003eBradley Brownu003c/strongu003e and Streff completely caved in the right side of the Hornets' defense, keying a forty-yard run.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["923840"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Just a sophomore, Bjorgaard has a great future as a run-stuffing linebacker. His ability to find the ball, attack the hole, and break down to make a solid tackle was evident throughout the game. He was making tackles at the line of scrimmage – inside and outside all game. They weren't his only plays of the game, but he made at least three tackles for – at best – short gains.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["242424"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Early, Burgoon picked up big yards behind a Joe Streff trap block. He made a pair of catches on the outside. The second catch required a nice toe tap on the sidelines. He saved his team a possession when he pounced on a fumble by one of his teammates. Showing his power, Burgoon powered his way for five yards after he was hit at the line of scrimmage on an end-around.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_13_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1145298' first='Owen' last='Kemper']","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_13_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_13_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_13_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_13_player_details_school":"Edina","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_13_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_13_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_13_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_13_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Kemper was all over the field on the defensive side of the ball against the Cougars. He made a tackle in the open field on a Cummings rollout. Then, he read and broke on a crossing route for an interception. He was in tight coverage most of the game and almost picked off his second pass in the end zone. Late in the game, Kemper broke up a pass on fourth down.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_14_player_details_player_name":"Caden Coppersmith","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_14_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_14_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_14_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_14_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_14_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_14_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_14_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_14_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"Coppersmith was able to put pressure on the quarterback on multiple occasions. His work paid off on the stat sheet with a sack. He played the run well with a tackle for a short gain. Coppersmith showed good football instincts when he read an inside screen and wrapped up the receiver for a short gain.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_15_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_15_player_details_player_name":"Sonny Villegas","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_15_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_15_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_15_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_15_player_details_school":"Edina","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_15_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_15_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_15_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_15_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"Villegas was one of West's most reliable targets. He made a contested catch on the sidelines for 50 yards. Later, on 4th and three, Villegas picked up first down, catching an out route. The senior caught a screen on third and 18. Behind a great block by Ryan Zentner, Villegas picked up 30 yards. He made another chain-moving catch on third before catching the touchdown pass with 16 seconds to play.","_player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":16,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6567f72dc9897"} /-->