Brian’s Best: Hill-Murray vs. Chisago Lakes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill-Murray used all three phases of their team to defeat Chisago Lakes<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/hill-murray-is-special-and-earned-a-trip-to-state/"> 42-36 to advance to the state high school football tournament</a>. No one makes it to a section final without solid individual play. Here are the performances that I felt stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Gavin Berg","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hill-Murray","_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":"Berg caught two passes early in on short out routes. He made the Wildcats pay for some short kickoffs – trying to avoid Seidl and Berg. Berg took a kickoff back near mid-field. He made a game-changing play when he came off the edge to block a field goal returned for a touchdown. On offense, he went to his knees to catch a low throw. Then, he went into the air to make a leaping catch on the sidelines for a first down. He showed good feet on an out and up down the sidelines. He made the catch in the end zone, keeping his feet in bounds. On defense, he strung out an option, allowing teammates to make the tackle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Evan Lavalle","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Chisago Lakes","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Lavalle stuffed a run on the inside on third and short and then tripped up a running back for a short loss. He stuffed at least one more runner for a short gain. The senior's primary contribution was as a ball carrier. He is a tough, powerful, straight-ahead runner and a solid lead blocker. On an off-tackle run, Lavalle dragged tacklers for seven yards. In the open field, he was able to open it up some on a forty-yard run late in the game. He showed some speed to the corner for two big runs late in the game. The second run resulted in a touchdown.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6549853b60da9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hill-Murray offensive line - Aloysius Oreland</strong> 5'10 SR, <strong>Levi Kruse</strong> 6'1 JR, <strong>Grayson Crummy</strong> 5'9 JR, <strong>Oswaldo Morales-Hernandez</strong> 5'8 SR, <strong>Carson Jewett</strong> 6'2 SR </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a group, the offensive line gave up very little pressure on the quarterback. The entire line played well, but the interior of the offensive line, Kruse, Crummy, and Morales-Hernandez stood out. Those three allowed the Pioneers to look like the Philadelphia Eagles as efficient as they were with quarterback sneaks. On two fourth and shots, they picked up three and five yards. They opened a gaping hole in the middle for a fifteen-yard run. Then, Morales-Hernandez and Jewett spring a runner for an untouched 46-yard touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Gavin Lewis","_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":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Chisago Lakes","_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":"Lewis didn't throw the ball often, but he ran the option well. Early, he kept the ball on an option and showed his speed around the corner for twenty yards. He kept the ball again and showed his speed to pick up big yards to set up first and goal. His biggest run came when he found the corner and sprinted for a 55-yard run. On the next play, he scored on a one-yard run. Late in the game, he added a three-yard touchdown run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Alex Gross","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Hill-Murray","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gross showed both power and quickness during the Pioneers' victory. He took advantage of the excellent blocking on the interior for fifteen yards. Then, he was stacked up near the line of scrimmage, but he powered his way for five yards. After a five-yard touchdown run, he used quick feet at the line of scrimmage to make something out of nothing. On a sweep, the defender had him lined up, but a spin move faked out the tackler. After getting past the first man, he powered his way to more yards. He showed his speed on a 46-yard touchdown run off the right side. Later, he made a series of moves at the line of scrimmage to find space on a nine-yard run. Late in the game, he put his foot in the ground to make a cut on a sweep and then broke a tackle for thirty yards. On defense, he played the option well and made a tackle for no gain. Then, he made a tackle in the red zone for a short gain.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1582477' first='Blake' last='Siefert']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Chisago Lakes","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Siefert made two tackles early on short throws to the outside. He had to come up with one-on-one open-field tackles and showed great tackling, keeping both of those completions as short gains. Then, Siefert deflected a ball near the goal line.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["105378"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":1080246,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Seidl made his presence known immediately. He returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. On offense, he made a diving catch on an underthrown low throw for a first down. Later, on the same drive, he showed his speed on an end-a-round for ten yards and a first down. A big, physical receiver, Seidl caught a deep out for fifteen yards and then a ten-yard out to pick up first downs. 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He would score later on a short touchdown run and pick up a first down on a run to the edge, but what stood out to me was his blocking on runs to the edge. He made an impact on special teams, too, with a kickoff return out near mid-field.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1582430' first='Jackson' last='Reeves']","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Hill-Murray","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Reeves didn't see anyone open early, so he turned it up for ten yards and a first down. He was solid passing to the outside, starting with a throw to the sidelines for fifteen yards. He used his legs again and got around the corner for a first down. On a fourth and short, he drove his legs until he was into the second level for five yards. Reeves made his best throw on a 24-yard touchdown pass - perfectly thrown down the sidelines. On a third and goal from the eleven, he used his legs again and scrambled for a touchdown.","_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":"Decario Brown","_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":"5'10u0022","_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":"Hill-Murray","_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":"Brown capped off the biggest play of the game when he scooped up Berg's blocked field goal and returned it for a touchdown. On offense, he made a diving catch for a ten-yard gain. On defense, he held the edge and forced the runner inside to his help.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["836689"],"_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":"Although Chisago Lakes' offense had success between the tackles, Grigson did a good job slowing that down. He made a tackle for a short loss - almost forcing a fumble in the process. Then,  near the goal line, Grigson made a tackle for a short gain. Late in the game, the senior made another tackle for a short gain.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6549853b610bd"} /-->