Brian’s Best – St. Thomas Academy vs Alexandria

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As comebacks go, it might not have been as epic as the Minnesota Vikings' comeback against the Indianapolis Colts last season. However, being down 23-0 in the first half, only to rally to score 42 unanswered points en route to a 42-30 victory was still impressive. Here are some of the individual solid performances from each team from Friday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105372"],"_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":"The best player on the field was Hart. Although he was bottled up well by the Cardinals' defense in the first half, his talent was obvious. The senior has good speed and quickness. He bounces off tacklers if they don't wrap up. He was chipping away at the defense with short runs, but it was lights out when he and the offensive line got in sync. The entire game turned around when Hart took an inside handoff near his own goal line. He made one move at the line of scrimmage to squeeze through the hole. Then, he made a move to avoid a linebacker. The senior hit the accelerator at that point, showing his explosive speed. After the 75-yard run, he scored one play later, and the floodgates were opened. He showed excellent vision on an inside trap for 15 yards. Then, he made the signature play of the day. Hart started left, bounced off tacklers, and cut all the way to the right side of the field. He used a stiff arm to get to the corner and then used his speed to get to the sideline. He wasn't done. A defender had the angle on him, but he used his strength and balance to stay inbounds while getting hit on the sidelines to stay inside the right pylon for the twenty-yard touchdown run. He continued to show what a nightmare he is for defenders in the open field as he made a couple of moves at the of scrimmage to convert on a third down and then a pair of moves on a later carry – leading to his third and final touchdown of the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["641133"],"_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":"Like his team, Thompson's game was a tale of two halves. In the first half, he connected with receivers all over the field. He has a prototypical body for a quarterback and a solid arm to go with it. Especially in the first half, he was deadly with his accuracy on short and intermediate routes. His command of the huddle was most evident when he used the short passing game on the sidelines to move the ball down the field in a first-half two-minute drill. His best moment – unfortunately, by this time, the momentum and lead had swung over to the Cadets – was a throw on the move. He showed his athletic ability, arm talent, and pocket awareness all in one play as he moved laterally, just staying behind the line of scrimmage to complete a pass to the outside.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["242375"],"_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":"Starting late in the second quarter, Knapp was all over the Cardinals' offensive line and was a big reason the Cadets' defense dominated in the second half. Knapp got off a block and made a tackle for a short loss. He used quick penetration to pick up a second tackle for loss. Working laterally down the line of scrimmage from his defensive end position, he made a tackle for no gain on the inside. He would continue his dominating second half, beating a blocker and getting penetration for a tackle for loss and again for another tackle for no gain.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["551427"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"In the first half, Rumohr was one of the best players on the field. He was giving the Cadets' offensive line fits and was one of the biggest reasons the Cardinals got out to such a big lead. Rumohr stuffed a run on second and long, eventually forcing a punt. Then, he fought off a block and put a big hit on the running back to force a fumble recovered by Alexandria. From his defensive end position, he stuffed another inside run by working his way down the line of scrimmage.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655d7f7901b58"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Thomas Academy offensive line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='242492' first='Robbie' last='Wollan'] 6'4 SR, Charles Hanousek 6'1 SR, [player_tooltip player_id='348666' first='Max' last='Anderson'] 6'3 SR, Emilio Gomez 5'10 SR, Isaac Wagner 6'2 SR </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group deserves a lot of credit for helping the running game dominate with over two hundred yards on the ground. They were solid in pass protection, too – they did not give up a sack the entire game. The most impressive thing about the Cadets' offensive line was their perseverance. They were getting pushed around in the first half. However, they found something late in the first half, and whatever that was allowed them to turn the game around on that side of the ball. Three-yard runs were turning into five-yard runs, and five-yard runs were turning into huge chunk plays and touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["641141"],"_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":"When the Alexandria offense was clicking, Klundt was a huge reason why. He seemed to get hurt late in the first half, and although the Cadets' improved play was the biggest reason, Kludt's ineffective play was right up there. Before he was hurt, he got wide open for a 61-yard touchdown pass on a deep post. On defense, he made an interception on a rushed throw. At least once, he was open down the field, and it was apparent that he didn't have that extra gear that he had earlier in the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["607249"],"_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":"Sims did his best work while on the move. I don't know if it was the game plan or what the offense liked to do all year, but they took advantage of Sims' ability to move the pocket and throw on the move. He threw a 45-yard touchdown pass and then topped it with a  perfect throw down the sidelines for a 69-yard touchdown. He used his legs to move in the pocket but was unafraid to tuck the ball away and run. During STA's second-half comeback, Sims was efficient on third down, using his arm to keep the chains and the comeback moving. His most impressive throw was one that coaches typically don't want quarterbacks to make. Rolling out, Sims threw across his body, but he had enough arm strength to get the completion.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["368544"],"_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":"With Klundt appearing to be dealing with an injury, Weber did his best to keep the Cardinals' offense rolling. Early, he made a 15-yard catch on third and eight. He did a great job moving the chains or keeping the offense ahead of the chains with sure-handed, short-route catches. He spun off a tackle on one of those throws and got upfield for an extra ten yards. He showed good awareness, keeping his feet in bounds later in the game, and picked up two big first downs – one on a deep out on third and long and another with a catch over the middle.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655d7f7901c28"} /--> <!-- 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":"Luke Dobbs","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"St. Thomas Academy","_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":"One of Sims' most reliable targets was Dobbs. He made a leaping catch on a five-yard out. That was a preview of much of his night - effectiveness on short routes – especially early. He did get a chance to show his speed for a 45-yard touchdown catch. However, his most impressive play converted a third and long. The defender tipped the pass, but Dobbs's concentration allowed him to pull in the pass on the sidelines.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["945334"],"_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":"Gorghuber was another reliable weapon in the passing game. He got off the line of scrimmage cleanly and caught a quick slant for a five-yard touchdown. He picked up two first downs on short routes. One of those first downs required him to grab an underthrown ball that he caught just before it hit the ground. His best catch was an over-the-shoulder catch down the sidelines for twenty yards.","_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='1581587' first='Finn' last='Benz']","_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":"5'10u0022","_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":"St. Thomas Academy","_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":"Benz showed up massively in the second half. The Cadets had the lead, but Alexandria was putting together one of its best drives of the second half. It looked like the Cardinals were about to take back the momentum. STA's defense forced Alexandria into a fourth and ten, and the Cardinals had a man wide open over the middle on a crossing route. Benz broke on the pass and made a sure tackle just short of the sticks. There was plenty of time left, but I felt like Benz had just put the first nail in the Cardinals' coffin. Later, he made another open-field tackle on a screen pass. He was part of the great coverage as a secondary unit in the second half – almost completely shutting down the passing game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["551313"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Staples' pressure on the quarterback forced an underthrown ball. Then, he read a reverse and made a tackle for a short gain. Later, he was at it again, making a great open-field tackle – preventing a long gain.","_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":"Charlie Probst","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Academy","_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":"Probst made a solid open-field tackle early in the game. On the very next play, he tipped a pass – leading directly to an interception. Late in the game, he recovered an on-side kick.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["551305"],"_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":"Flaten showed his hands and vision, catching a screen pass on third and long for 50 yards. He used his blockers and wove his way into the red zone. Then, the senior showed good power on a run up the middle - dragging talkers for an extra three yards. Late in the first half, he made a pair of solid runs up the middle to move the chains.","_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":"Charlie Kern","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Academy","_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":"Kern made the pick off Probst's tipped ball. Then, Kern deflected a pass of his own. Later in the game, the senior read a wide receiver screen, got off a block, and made a one-on-one tackle for no gain. He finished off his night by deflecting a deep pass.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1246747' first='Chase' last='Young']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Academy","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"When the Cadets started to pull away, Young was a solid complement to Hart and Dobbs. Young made a great leaping catch for 20 yards. On the next play, he caught a touchdown. The catch was a leaping, contested catch on the goal line. He made two chain-moving catches late in the game – the second on third down.","_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":"Paddy Emerson","_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":"6'4u0022","_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":"St. Thomas Academy","_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":"Like his teammate Benz, Emerson also made a huge play on fourth down. He wasn't fooled when the Cardinals tried to run an inside screen. The senior was all over it – dropping the ball carrier short of the first down. Earlier in the game, he worked his way into the backfield to make a tackle for loss.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["592227"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Rogalski showed perfect timing on a big hit short of the sticks and dislodged the ball from the receiver.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655d7f7901f45"} /-->