2024 Team Preview: Forest Lake Rangers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a season where the Forest Lake Rangers' football team enjoyed a revival season, the Rangers followed up in 2023 with another strong campaign, finishing 6-4, and reaching the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Head Coach Brad Beeskow has done a very good job improving this team and turning them back into a respectable contender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers have a really good opportunity to take the next step following their two rebuild seasons to take over the Metro-East division, though they will have to go through Stillwater and Woodbury in order to do that. Both of the aforementioned teams beat Forest Lake in close matches last season. The Rangers also kick off their 2024 season on Thursday against Prior Lake, who beat Forest Lake in week 1 last season 7-6. However, this Rangers' team enters with more experience and a lot more talent that will set this team for a deep run in the playoffs in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 6 players from the team to watch out for in 2024 that will lead the way for the Rangers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["592117"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd32bb16695"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Forest Lake is the home of the top DL prospect for the class of 2026 in Minnesota. After racking up 28 TFLs and 7 sacks as a junior last season, Johnson committed to the University of Minnesota back in June. There are not many players in this state that have the level of determination, confidence, and freakish athletic ability that Johnson has right now. Johnson is extremely dangerous rushing around the edge, constantly winning his matchups with speed, strength, and aggression off the snap, and the constant effort he puts racing to the ball-carrier to disrupt the play is something that I admire greatly. The 3 star recruit will fit nicely into the Gophers' defense, and he's got one more year in Forest Lake where he'll try to help the Rangers push deep into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204479"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd32bb166ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1204479' first='Jack' last='Thill'] emerged as a great Strong Safety for the Rangers' proving effective as a run-stopper and as a solid coverage defender. Thill plays well lining up as a deep-zone Safety, playing man-to-man, and lining up closer in the box as a blitzer. Thill does a great job at attacking downhill and tackling square on the hips. He's got quick closedown speed and solid timing in disrupting the pass to force an incompletion. Thill has garnered interest from several D2 and D3 teams over the offseason, and he could very much take the next step in 2024 if he continues to polish his play as a Safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204501"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd32bb1672e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1204501' first='Mason' last='Vollrath'] is a bit smaller for his position, but he's held his own as a brilliant blindside blocker for the Rangers' offense. What impresses me the most of Vollrath is his quick instincts, being able to overtake leverage on a defender as he tries to make a move around him, and just throw the defender to the side. Vollrath plays with a great level of tenacity and aggressiveness, and he proves very well when he breaks into the second level of defense to block a LB and open more space in the running game, a unit which averaged just under 250 rushing yards per game last season. Vollrath's drive and competitiveness should not be ignored on the trenches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241423"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd32bb1676d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1241423' first='Connor' last='McPhee'] might be a smaller receiver, but he was a big playmaker on the Rangers' JV team last season, and he has a really good opportunity to break out onto the varsity offense in 2024. McPhee boasts dangerous speed, and he is extremely hard to catch in the open. McPhee also shows to be a fluid route-runner with quick cuts and a dangerous double-move. McPhee plays extremely well both in the slot and as an outside receiver. Regardless of which position he plays in 2024, McPhee should get a lot more playing time this season, and he'll have a great opportunity to be a huge playmaker on the Rangers' offense this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1248633"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd32bb167aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1248633' first='Hunter' last='Hanegraaf'] is an exciting athlete with dynamic speed that glides across both sides of the field effortlessly and hits with great strength. Hanegraaf is a dynamic player that can fit the meld of a LB/Safety hybrid as a quick blitzer and playing well in pass-coverage. Hanegraaf shows good instincts, intelligence, and timing on when to fall back and when to disrupt the play. Hanegraaf might be the X-Factor of the Rangers' defense and they should utilize him in a variety of roles on the defense this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743253"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cdd0195f83d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although starting QB Cole Gerrell ended up graduating this spring, the Rangers are very much anticipating big things from their junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='743253' first='Connor' last='Johnson']. Johnson already boasts exciting throwing power and deep accuracy at his age. Johnson stands tall in the pocket and is able to scramble out to extend the play. Johnson has impressive accuracy and timing passing on the run and he's found great sync with his receivers. Johnson is due to make the jump to varsity in 2024, and even with the high expectations ahead for him this season, I believe Johnson will quickly cement his place as a top QB in the Metro conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->