11 Week 2 Ballers From Across the State

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL: Jason Ekue-Hettah 5'9" 220 lbs SMB 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They say every team's nose guard is often the defense's biggest dude and <strong>Ekue-Hettah's</strong> week 2 showcase is a fantastic testament to that statement. Lining up over the center the entire game against South St. Paul, the big man managed to accumulate 9 total tackles, 3 TFLs, and 4 QB hurries throughout the night. He was able to command the line of scrimmage at the point of attack and fought hard through double teams. An unsung hero of the trenches in a hard-fought loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1425934' first='Treyvon' last='Benson'] 6' 150 lbs Pelican Rapids 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of a 52-27 domination of Warroad, <strong>Benson</strong> has looked elite through the first quarter of the season. He has an uncanny ability to create immense amounts of space from the DB and boasts high-level speed and body control that allows him to maximize the damage he can create off every route. You cannot play press coverage against him, <strong>Benson </strong>has a variety of top-notch releases that he burns corners with en route to him racking up serious YAC. He's an outstate baller who's going to cause problems during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TE/WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1191533' first='Monteff' last='Dixon'] 6'5" 210 lbs CDH 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man hauled in 9 receptions for a total of 123 yards with 1 TD during a hard-fought week 2 loss to Bemidji. When you open up his week 2 tape, it's clear he doesn't move like your typical tight end. <strong>Jackson</strong> is a far more fluid route runner than your typical TE, and once he gets open he's able to use that big frame to exploit mismatches with smaller DBs. He's quick enough to beat LBs and big enough to strong-arm DBs, proving himself to be a powerful offensive weapon. How he doesn't have more recruiting attention is beyond me. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1120541' first='Izaac' last='Vanek'] 6' 195 lbs Brainerd 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reeling in 4 receptions for 58 yards against what looks like a State tournament Elk River team, <strong>Vanek</strong> led his team in both receptions and receiving yards last Friday night. A trend that's continued through the first two weeks of the season. With the ability to go up and bring down tightly contested passes, <strong>Vanek </strong>has been a safety blanket for the Warrior's offense who is reliably open and protects the ball tightly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: Jake Baldus 5'6" 165 lbs South St. Paul 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baldus</strong> burst onto the scene with a huge game against SMB that saw him carry the rock 16 times for 104 yards and 1 TD. Throughout his week 2 tape, he showcased shocking speed and quickness which he used to devastate defenses between the tackles. <strong>Baldus</strong> showed off impressive pop once cracking through the line of scrimmage and I'm amped to see more of the film he can produce during his junior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1395226' first='Oliver' last='Kuhn'] 6'1" 190 lbs Breck 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kuhn</strong> was a prospect who impressed me a lot during the offseason and he ended Week 2 with a diverse stat line of 5 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 punt block, 2 PBUs, and 1 TFL. Between <strong>Kuhn's </strong>solid frame, great instincts, fantastic ball skills, and high motor, it looks like he's got all the tools to evolve into one of the top DBs in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='Jett' last='Feeney'] 6'1" 185 lbs Moorhead 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last=''] <strong>Feeney </strong>is the real deal. Returning after an elite freshman season that saw him light up northern Minnesota football, he manages to only continue to improve as he puts up an amazing performance during a Week 2 game versus a game Rogers squad. He went 24/30 on pass attempts for a total of 254 yards with 5 TDs. His arm talent is elite as is his decision-making with the ball. The top QB in the class of 2027 is a lot closer to the best QB in the state than a lot of people think. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='945919' first='Jacob' last='Williams'] 5'11" 200 lbs Aitkin 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Williams </strong>had dominant performance after dominant performance last season, and through two weeks that trend has continued flawlessly. He racked up 130 combined yards and made one of the most impressive one-handed catches I've ever seen, in extraordinary contested space mind you. Time after time <strong>Williams</strong> proves to be a dominant athlete who succeeds every time you manage to get him the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1248644' first='Lucas' last='Wodtke'] 6' 185 lbs Robbinsdale Armstrong 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wodtke </strong>is having a fantastic junior year so far and he built on his incredible Week 1 with a good Week 2 outing where he recorded 50 receiving yards on 2 receptions with a TD. His speed when he can uncork and get in open space is impressive, and there aren't many balls that go his way that he doesn't bring down. <strong>Wodtke</strong> can routinely break tackles and isn't afraid to run a defender over to send a message. Keep your eyes out for more of Wodtke throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>ATH: Samuel Shaughnessy 6'1" 185 lbs Blaine 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnesota-Duluth commit Sam <strong>Shaughnessy </strong>had another elite game on the ground, this time amassing a stunning 221 rushing yards while averaging 8.5 yards per carry. In Minnesota's largest class of football, and against the returning state champs he was able to gash the defense for massive gains. He made team plays, whether that be staying and taking a hit to deliver a pass, or leaping into the endzone through defenders, he does what it takes to win. <strong>Shaughnessy's </strong>senior year is off to a big start. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: Jonathon Parrington Chaska 6'2" 235 lbs 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally showing some love to the trench dogs, <strong>Parrington </strong>had a fantastic Week 2 against the New Prague Trojans. He allowed 0 sacks and 0 TFLs throughout the four quarters he played on Friday night. His tape is full of incredibly physical run blocking that showcases his ability to get to the second level and drive opponents into the dirt. <strong>Parrington's </strong>pass-pro looked elite as well, as he was capable of stonewalling defenders nearly immediately. A fantastic game from a rising junior offensive line prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->