Sun Prairie East vs DeForest: Recap & Top Prospects

A big game in the Badger- Large Conference is what had our attention in Week 9 as we wrapped up the regular season. Sun Prairie East played host to DeForest in a must win game for the Norskies. DeForest entered the game with 3 conference wins on the year, and getting that 4th one would lock up a playoff berth. A SP East victory would end DeForest's season. So the stakes were high in the final game of the regular season. Continue on to see how the game played out in the Game Recap. Then jump down to see who the top prospects of the game were.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Recap</h2>   DeForest came into the game in a tough spot. They were going to be without impressive junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='948127' first='Isaac' last='Ziegler'] and star TE [player_tooltip player_id='685844' first='Jackson' last='Accuardi']. With the missing leaders in the passing game the DeForest Norskies turned to their running game to try and control the flow of the game. That plan was working pretty well to start the game. By the end of the first quarter they only trailed 3-0 following a Brady Melum field goal, and they were able to tie things up early in the 2nd quarter on a 30 yard field goal of their own from [player_tooltip player_id='384582' first='Kyle' last='Ugalde']. However, as the game wore on and it did become clear that DeForest would only be running the ball we saw the Cardinals take over the game. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1220716' first='Brady' last='Kaufman'] and QB [player_tooltip player_id='1599788' first='Max' last='Raimer'] started to win on the ground. Brady punched in a<a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1847436406672523570"> 3 yard score </a>for the 10-3 lead. Then Raimer kept it himself on a <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1847439739877507126">24 yard rushing TD </a>to put them up 16-3. Before the half came to a close Raimer went deep downfield where WR Trystan Fry made a one handed snag on a tipped pass for a <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1847443039456813394">37 yard score</a>.   Sun Prairie seemed well in control coming out of the halftime break up 23-3 and continued to dominate. WR [player_tooltip player_id='685891' first='Cooper' last='White'] created fireworks when he recovered a <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1847449723801567480">block punt for a TD</a>. Then senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1599788' first='Max' last='Raimer'] added another <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1847453586478768386">rushing TD </a>to his day to push the score to 38-3. DeForest did show some life near the end of the 3rd quarter when WR Nick Hermansen took the jet sweep around right tackle <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1847455246378815993">for the score</a>. SP East left no doubts that this was their game and tacked on one final [player_tooltip player_id='1599788' first='Max' last='Raimer'] rushing TD to give us the 45-10 final score.   The victory locked Sun Prairie East into a 2 seed for the playoffs which has them et up for a Level 1 game vs Ashwaubenon. Despite the loss, DeForest did end up qualifying for the WIAA playoffs with their 4-4 record. They locked up a #7 seed and will face off against a tough Rice Lake team in level 1. Good luck to both teams as we start the second season here in WI this week!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prospects of the Game</h2>    Stats: 18/24, 220 Yards, 1 TD, 7 Carries, 75 Yards, 3 TDs   Max put together a fantastic performance in his final regular season game. The 6'3" 175 lbs senior proved that he was a legitimate dual threat QB. He made great decisions to pull the ball and run it on designed options, as well as made great decisions throwing the ball. I love the mechanics on the senior signal caller. He has such a smooth throwing motion that is very consistent throw to throw. Max was surgical in the short to intermediate throws, placing the ball perfectly to his weapons. On the ground he clearly had the speed to break off big plays when he got loose in space. Max is also a talented basketball player, and maybe that is the route he goes at the next level. Give him a look on the gridiron, though.     Stats: 22 Carries, 118 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Reception, 9 Yards   Brady is one of the athletes I was excited to get eyes on Friday night. The junior RB made a big impact on the game and a big reason behind it is his short area agility and explosive burst. At his size you don't expect to see an RB doing damage between the tackles. Brady is able to because he has the quick twitch, make you miss elusiveness thanks to his vision and ability to accelerate or juke away from defenders. Multiple times Brady was able to create space by making a man miss in a phone booth, making something out of nothing. The junior is someone to watch in these playoffs, and this offseason/2025.     Stats: 6 Receptions, 66 Yards, 1 TD Off a Blocked Punt   One of the top uncommitted seniors in WI didn't have a huge statistical night, yet still made a huge impact. Cooper's speed is such a weapon at the HS level, and it wasn't just on offense that we saw that. On his punt block TD the senior came flying in to easily corral the loose ball in the endzone. The senior WR also flashed elusiveness in the short passing game, making guys miss in space and accelerating upfield for yards after the catch. It was clear the defense respected his speed the way they played him. I'm excited to see what he does in the playoffs.     Stats: 5 Receptions, 91 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Blocked Punt   Trystan was not on my radar coming into this game, but he put himself on it by the time this game was over. Solid size, natural hands, and speed were on display throughout the night. The blocked punt got things rolling in the second half as the senior showed off the speed to dive in and easily get hands on the ball. Fry's touchdown was also a highlight reel worthy play as he was able to corral the ball with one hand after it was tipped by the CB. On the play the senior showed the speed to easily get behind the defense too. Fry flashed throughout the night. Keep an eye on him this next week.     Stats: 2 Receptions, 28 Yards, 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs   Jackson was a versatile utility player for Sun Prairie East. He plays TE and LB for the Cardinals and also stepped up on special teams too. It seemed like the senior stepped up every time the team needed him to. His receptions came on check downs that he was able to turn up field with and show power to run through tackle attempts. On defense is where the senior really shines. He was quick to trigger downhill against the DeForest run game. Jackson was all over the front seven making tackles, and seemed to always avoid getting blocked. The senior is a name to know.     Stats: 3 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack   Hudson locked down one of the DE positions for Sun Prairie East on Friday night. He put together a fantastic night of setting the edge. The junior also capitalized on very little pass rush attempts. I believe DeForest threw the ball 6 times, and Hudson still came away with a sack. He showed off bend and a strong long arm to create separation. Against the run Hudson won reps in a variety of ways. He showed that he could avoid kick out blocks and make the one on one tackle. He also could take on blockers and quickly shed them to make the stop. The junior was very stout on the edge and never seemed to give up any ground. His ability to control his section of the line was a big factor in the overall defense's ability to control this game.     Stats: 1 Reception, 17 Yards, 3 Carries, 26 Yards, 1 TD   There were not a ton of bright spots on the night for DeForest, but the senior WR was able to flash his talents. Nick has a great frame to built upon at the next level. There is plenty of length that allows him to create separation. His long strides and play speed lets him cover ground quickly. For a bigger frame, the senior also has solid body control that allowed him to quickly cut up field when he found the lane in the running game. I'm hoping DeForest will get their passing attack back this week so we can see what he does out wide. Definitely check this kid out. He could be a potential steal.     Stats: 10 Carries, 37 Yards   The athlete who was the most impactful for DeForest Friday night was junior Owen Voeck. The junior is a very physical runner. He did a great job running his feet through tackle attempts, pushing the pile, and gaining yards after contact. Owen demonstrated a strong base and contact balance on every carry. He was the type of ball carrier who was going to take the fight to the defense and make them earn their tackles. I'm excited to follow his career more.     Northern Illinois has an impressive prospect in Dane. He checks off so many boxes. Dane has a massive frame with the power to match. From his feet to his hands, the senior OT was able to quickly overpower his opponents 1 on 1 and drive them wherever he wanted. It is the type of unfair power that is needed at the FBS level. Where the senior has really made strides since 2023 is his feet. It was noticeable how quickly he could get out of his stance and get himself in position to wall off opponents. The 2025 OT is putting together a complete package of potential for the next level to work with.

A big game in the Badger- Large Conference is what had our attention in Week 9 as we wrapped up the regular season. Sun Prairie East played host to DeForest in a must win game for the Norskies. DeForest entered the game with 3 conference wins on the year, and getting that 4th one would lock up a playoff berth. A SP East victory would end DeForest's season. So the stakes were high in the final game of the regular season. Continue on to see how the game played out in the Game Recap. Then jump down to see who the top prospects of the game were.