Elk River vs. Andover: Recap and Top Performers

Another installment of Friday Night Lights brought PrepRedzoneMN to one of my favorite venues to watch high school football in Minnesota: Elk River. The Elks, ranked #1 in a loaded 5A class, hosted a talented Andover squad looking to shake up the 5A rankings, and the contest resulted in fireworks and splash plays galore. As you begin to grind through your week, make sure you check out the Game Recap and Top Performers from one of Friday night's best games. Enjoy!   --   Game Recap   I got to see another Gopher commit light someone up on kickoff return, as Andover senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='752525' first='Cameron' last='Begalle'] put a hurtin' on an Elk River would-be tackler barreling down the field on the opening kickoff. Senior RB Wyatt Myers popped off a big return to set Andover up well, and the Huskies immediately got to work. Begalle made a splash quickly, as a screen and a third down rushing pickup moved the chains for his offense, but a big hit by Elk River's 2027 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] and a pass rush on 3rd down forced a big 4th down for Andover. However, junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1491934' first='Joseph' last='Mapson'] found fellow junior and WR Aidan Wiegert came up clutch on a 4th down pass, and the next play Andover used a Mapson to Myers option run to find paydirt. 7-0 Andover with 8:29 left in the first. Elk River sure had an answer, as speedster [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] - a junior QB - took the ball 70 yards to the house, virtually untouched, as Elk River's Power T offense did its magic. The ensuing 2pt conversion attempt failed, and we stood at 7-6 with a lot of ball game left. Andover then fired back, as senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='348753' first='Hudson' last='Maynard'] found senior 6', 160 lber. Brady Jenson wide open and far down the field to put Andover back up 14-6. Elk River went 3 and out, and the first quarter ended 14-6 and with Andover driving.   Mapson, leading the Huskies offense, didn't waste any time in getting Andover into the endzone in the newly opened quarter, running the rock in himself a little more than a minute into the 2nd. 21-6 Huskies. Elk River then went 3 and out again, but Maynard was picked off by Elk River DB [player_tooltip player_id='1612778' first='Brody' last='Thompson'], giving the Elks the ball - and some momentum - to try and get back into the game. This is where the contest could have swayed, as the Elks marched down the field with ease, capping things off with a [player_tooltip player_id='348733' first='Brecken' last='Keoraj'] tuddy. 21-12 after another 2pt conversion was stopped, and Elk River was back in the game. However, Andover's offense was too dynamic, and they once again stormed down the field, led by a big throw-and-catch from Mapson to Jenson. Mapson ended up running another touchdown in himself, and the score stood at 27-12 after Andover's own 2pt failed. We went into half at the same score and the home team needing to put some things together in order to climb out of this hole that had been dug. Lot of game left, and the stadium, and filled-to-the-brim bleachers of the home team, were still packed.   The 3rd quarter got off to a rocking start, as Elk River opened the half with the ball and got their offense on the go. A 4th and 4 around midfield was converted, and Elk River continued to carve out big chunks of yardage, led by some dazzling footwork by Harris and a ton of forced missed tackles. The Elks got down to the 1, where senior UMD commit [player_tooltip player_id='743260' first='Gavin' last='Schmidt'] trucked an Andover defender at the goal line to get the home team to win one score after the PAT was successfully kicked. 27-19 Andover with 6:50 left in the 3rd. Elk River then forced a punt, and the atmosphere was starting to get turned up to 10. Sadly, Elk River fumbled the ball in their own territory, and Andover used their own 4th down conversion to get within scoring distance once again. Maynard found Jenson to move the chains, and Maynard then ran the ball in from four yards out to squash a comeback attempt and put the visitors up 34-19 as the 4th quarter got underway.   [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] had another dazzling and electric TD run to get Elk River back within two scores. but another 2-point conversion failed and the Elks were still behind 34-25. Myers scored later in the quarter, and to really put the cherry on top, Andover recovered a fumbled snap at their own 2-yard line to put a dagger in Elk River, as junior LB Gage Roeder - who had a heckuva game - scooped & scored form 98 yards out. Elk River did manage to score on the final drive of the game, and the contest ended in a 47-31 finish, with a major upset having brewed itself up in Class 5A. What a Friday night in Sherburne County. Andover 47, Elk River 31   Top Performers   Game MVP: [player_tooltip player_id='1491934' first='Joseph' last='Mapson'] (Andover) 2026. QB. 6', 185 lbs.   A new name to my radar and another talented QB in the loaded 2026 class of gunslingers, Andover's offense was really humming when Mapson was at the helm. Reads and sees the field well, makes good decisions with the football, is accurate to all levels and can stretch the field, and was able to extend plays and use his feet to improvise and create plays and gains when things break down. Also was effective, quick-footed, and physical as a ball carrier. It was quite exciting seeing him dice up a loaded Elk River defense.   Andover Huskies   [player_tooltip player_id='752525' first='Cameron' last='Begalle'] - Senior. WR. 6', 180 lbs. - Looked and played like the P4 commit he is. Begalle did a little bit of everything on Friday night and was dynamic and physical all four quarters. Great hands, consistently got open despite constant double teams, and was electric in space. Handoffs, screens, and receptions of all kinds, Begalle constantly forced missed tackles and was elusive, quick, and showed off good vision. Garnered a lot of attention and still made a massive impact on the game.   Wyatt Myers - Senior. RB/Kickoff Return. 5'10, 170 lbs. - Myers did a lot of the little things right on Friday night and put the brunt of the physical burden of the win on his back. Hard carries, explosive, full-throttle kick returns, and a lot of contact. Myers showed burst, quickness, and kept his feet churning after contact. I also liked his vision, and he was an explosive kick returner who consistently set his offense up in plus territory throughout the night. He'll be a big part of Andover's continued success in 2024.   Brady Jenson - Senior. WR. 6', 160 lbs. - Maybe the most clutch performer of the night, Jenson capitalized on the coverage attention that Begalle drew, and did a great job of sitting down and finding holes and pockets in the zone coverage. More importantly, his hands were soft and reliable, and he got open at the biggest and most important moments. Andover couldn't have won on Friday without Jenson.   Aidan Wiegert - Junior. WR. 5'11, 180 lbs. - Grinder of a 2026er who did a lot of the dirty work to keep his offense moving. Contributed some clutch catches and a strong blocker on the perimeter.   Luke Donley - Senior. 5'10, 175 lbs. - The safety and cleanup man of the Huskies defense, Donley was a strong tackler and a good job of tackling in space. Hard for ball carriers to gain extra yardage once #21 made contact.   Gage Roeder - Junior. LB. 5'10, 200 lbs.   An outstanding showing by the junior LB, Roeder was rewarded for his hard work, motor, hair-on-fire effort, and booming tackling ability by having a fumbled snap bounce into his lap for a 98-yard scoop & score TD, putting the final nail in the coffin of the home team. Prior to this, he laid some physical and bone-crunching tackles on Elk River ball carriers that had defensive fans in the building fired up. Fun to watch, reads his keys and gets to the ball quickly and effectively, and doesn't mind sticking his face into someone. Great game by #56.   Holden Beberg - Senior. OL. 6'4, 255 lbs. - Good size, physical, and uses his hands well, I saw Beberg go down and walk himself off with a bump or bruise, only to return shortly after with his ankle taped. The kid is tough, and his length, as well as the leanness in his frame, suggest he could really grow into a monster at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1256228' first='Eddie' last='Miles'] - Junior DT. 6'2, 250 lbs. - Big kid, heavy hands, and was disruptive around the LOS for Andover against a massive Elk River front. Strong kid and a new name in the 2026 DL mix.   [player_tooltip player_id='945922' first='Kaleb' last='Weikel'] - Senior. LB. 6'1, 240 lbs. - One of the biggest linebackers in the Metro, Weikel is a beast at taking on and defeating iOL climbing to the second level and eats contact and would-be blockers up like it's breakfast. Big, strong, physical presence in the middle of Andover's defense and plays with a ton of varsity snaps and experience under his belt. Someone is going to get a steal with the uncommitted 2025 LB.   Kyle Mach - Senior. LB. 6'3, 225 lbs. - One of the most underrated and under-the-radar senior LBs in Minnesota, I was very happy to get Mach on my radar last Friday night. Legit size, listed at 6'3, 225 lb, with long arms and positional versatility. Mach got down in a 3-point stance in some special packages with Andover's defense and also played off-ball linebacker throughout the night. Physical, had some pass-rush ability, and could change direction well for his size. Someone check this dude out!   Elk River Elks   [player_tooltip player_id='923833' first='Levi' last='Harris'] - Junior. QB/ATH. 5'11, 170 lbs. - No doubt the MVP for Elk River, junior QB Harris is a creative, exciting, confident, and athletic ball carrier who was absolutely nasty in the open field last Friday night. Great footwork and timing, combined with quickness, had some cutting and side-stepping past would-be tacklers and sending them flying past and out of control like they were shot out of a cannon. Harris can cut on a dime and can make things happen in the open field like not many in the state can.   [player_tooltip player_id='348733' first='Brecken' last='Keoraj'] - Senior. RB/DB. 5'7, 155 lbs. - Dynamite and versatile athlete Keoraj did what he did best on Friday night and was all over the field. Whether at corner or running back, Keoraj played fast, wasn't afraid to stick his head into the action, and made plays. Keoraj had some big runs and good reps in coverage throughout the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] - Sophomore. ATH. 5'10, 175 lbs. - Good range, both in run support and pass coverage, and made some plays thanks to his physicality on Friday night. I'm excited to see how he continues to progress this year.   Josh Shade - Junior. RB/LB. 6', 200 lbs. - Hard hitter who put some serious licks on Andover ball carriers throughout the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='924236' first='Simon' last='Bicek'] - Junior. DL/OL. 6'3, 220 lbs. - Plays both ways, noticeable motor, and put some bone-jarring hits on opponents throughout the contest, both on offense and defense. Grew from last year too.   [player_tooltip player_id='743260' first='Gavin' last='Schmidt'] - Senior. RB/LB. 6', 210 lbs. - Sideline-to-sideline speed and range in defense, and had some tough, hard-nosed carries from his RB spot. UMD got a very experienced, athletic, and well-built 2025er coming into the program next fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='924343' first='Austin' last='Anderson'] - Junior. RB/LB. 6', 215 lbs. - Made an explosive gain with the ball-in-hand later in the game, and passed the eye test as both a RB and LB. Sleeper of a talent on the Elks loaded roster.

Another installment of Friday Night Lights brought PrepRedzoneMN to one of my favorite venues to watch high school football in Minnesota: Elk River. The Elks, ranked #1 in a loaded 5A class, hosted a talented Andover squad looking to shake up the 5A rankings, and the contest resulted in fireworks and splash plays galore. As you begin to grind through your week, make sure you check out the Game Recap and Top Performers from one of Friday night's best games. Enjoy!