Stratford vs Prairie du Chien: Recap & Top Recruits to Know

The stage was set. An undefeated Stratford met a 12-1 Prairie du Chien team in Wisconsin Dells at the recently renovated Wisconsin Dells facilities. The stadium and field were outstanding, and matched the high stakes that this game had. Coming into the game, Prairie du Chien hadn't given up a point in the playoffs while Stratford was putting together their own dominant run on offense and defense. It was truly going to be a best vs best showdown with plenty of talent to watch throughout. So continue reading to see how the game played out, and then drop down to read about the outstanding individual performances.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Recap</h2>   This game was an impressive showing of two teams sticking to what got them here. Prairie du Chien started things off on the scoring end when they milked clock and ran the ball down the field until reaching the endzone. It was standout Indiana commit [player_tooltip player_id='471808' first='Blake' last='Thiry'] who was able to score on 4th & 1 with a <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857592351708860677">carry between the tackles</a>. With 6:33 to play in the 1st quarter the Blackhawks had a 7-0 lead. The defenses were so good in this game overall. They flew around the field, especially the front seven, playing fast and reactive. Watching the pursuit from both sides was what every coach strives for. It seemed like there was always 4+ helmets getting to the ball on every carry. Each offense had to earn their yards, and Stratford did that when Brooks Vanderhoof was able to score <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857598301719134469">between the tackles</a>. With 7:45 to play in the 2nd Qtr we were tied back up at 7 a piece. Prairie du Chien didn't let that tie last long. In just a couple minutes the Blackhawks offense got down into the redzone. Once again it was the hard running of [player_tooltip player_id='471808' first='Blake' last='Thiry'] that got the <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857599877640868295">ball into the endzone</a> and gave the Blackhawks a 13-7 lead with 5:22 to play in the first half. The second quarter continued its exciting offensive outburst when Stratford's Jett Schoenherr took the toss around the left side and <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857601948569997777">found the corner of the endzone </a>with 1:20 to play. That gave Stratford a 14-13 lead at the halftime break.   The Stratford Tigers continued their scoring streak in the second half. This time it was through the arm and the right arm of Jack Tubbs. Tubbs was able to find WR Alec Chapel behind the defense and Chapel was able to just <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857611148012499340">break the goal line</a> for the 20-13 lead. PDC did a great job of staying poised as a team. They came out and were able to respond on the ground. This time it was the FB Bryce Lenzendorf who took it up the <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857613857134399708">middle for a score</a> that cut the deficit to 20-19. With just 4:00 to play it seemed like Stratford was in position to control the end of this game, but they went to the air and the <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857619433247629418">pass was intercepted</a>. That gave PdC the chance to get downfield and take the lead and that is exactly what they did. Just like the last time down the field, it was FB Bryce Lenzendorf who powered his way up the<a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857621118070227310"> middle for the lead</a>. With 1:57 to play, PdC held a 25-20 lead. Stratford's experience playing in these big moments over recent years came in very clutch on this final drive. The team was poised, together, and did their jobs. It led to the Tigers being able to work down the field through the air very quickly. QB Jack Tubbs would make the play of the game with Alec Chapel when Tubbs launched it to the back of the endzone and Chapel was able to go up between two defenders, make the catch, and <a href="https://x.com/MJ_NFLDraft/status/1857623103066497527">win the game</a>! 26-25! With the highest stakes, both teams came to play, both teams had their hot streaks, and in the end it was the experience Stratford team that was able to pull off the victory and punch their tickets back to Madison!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Recruits of the Game</h2>    Stats: 6 Carries, 21 Yards, 1 TD, 5 Receptions, 36 Yards, 3 Tackles   One of the top overall prospects in this game was senior ATH Jett Schoenherr. The 5'11" 175 lbs two way playmaker stood out from the crowd with every touch because of his athleticism. The senior has that quick twitch athleticism and elusiveness that coaches love to utilize out in space and defenses fear. Jett has the burst and lateral agility to create space and he has the top end speed that flashed as he could get the corner or show off range when flying around the field making tackles. Jett offers that mismatch ability. He needs more eyes on him as he heads into State.     Stats: 13/15, 142 Yards, 2 TDs, 14 Carries, 57 Yards, 5 Tackles   Jack is a gamer. A kid that is going to lead his team and find a way to do what needs to be done to get the win. Every time Stratford needed a play in the second half it seemed like they were relying on his right arm to get it. Jack delivered accurate dimes all night long that allowed him man to make a play after the catch or go and get the ball while protecting it from defenders. Tubbs also showed off the ability to create plays with his legs as he was able to save some plays that looked like they were going to be a loss and at least gain positive yards. I'm excited to watch the clutch leader take his team into Camp Randall.     Stats: 16 Carries, 87 Yards, 1 TD, 10 Tackles   Brooks put himself on the radar with his play on Friday night. The 5'11" 165 lbs RB proved to be a twitched up athlete. Multiple times he was able to knife through the front seven with his explosive lateral agility. That elusive running style allowed him to gain yards before he faced his first contact. Brooks' vision and burst also sparked his big night in the backfield as he was able to find the hole and fly through it before the defense could collapse on the lane. On defense, Brooks was flying around the field with that speed and was fearless as he closed quickly on every tackle attempt. I loved his aggressiveness on defense. Definitely a name to know.     Stats: 3 Receptions, 65 Yards, 2 TDs, 13 Tackles   Alec just might be the player of the game with the clutch, highlight reel plays he made throughout the night. On offense is where the senior had the sparks really flying. Both TDs came on deep pass attempts where he was able to get behind the defense and go up and get the ball in traffic. The game winner was between a pair of defenders. Alec was able to show off the strong hands and the concentration. Plus on the first TD he had to show off some physicality to power his way to the goal line for the score. On defense the senior was an instinctive athlete who showed off range to tackle sideline to sideline and excellent technique in his tackles. I'm excited to see him impact at State.     Stats: 310+ Yards of Total Offense & Played DL   The top OL/DL was junior Drew Gage. Drew has a solid frame at 6'3" 250 lbs with good arm length. The big man proved to have effective foot quickness and overall mobility in the trenches. The big man was also able to create that positive surge in the trenches to get holes opened up and reset the line downfield. That strength also flashed on multiple defensive snaps where he was able to hold the line vs the PdC run game. Drew will be an OL to watch this week at State.     Stats: 25 Carries, 193 Yards, 2 TDs, 4 Receptions, 46 Yards, 5 Tackles   The top recruit in this game, and one of the best in the state was [player_tooltip player_id='471808' first='Blake' last='Thiry']. The TE commit was used mostly in the backfield. At the HS level Blake has the athleticism and power to honestly thrive anywhere, so getting him involved in the run game was definitely a smart plan this season. Blake's big, powerful frame was a load to bring down all night long. He flashed the ability to power over defenders or throw them aside with a powerful stiff arm. The speed was there to get to the edge too. The receiving reps we got to see were also impressive. Blake was able to show that he could use his body to create separation. We also saw his strong hands rip the ball away from a DB at one point. I can't wait to see him develop as a TE at the Power 4 level. Good luck at the next level, Blake!     Stats: 7 Tackles, .5 Sack, Blocked for 300+ Yards on Offense   Another junior OL/DL who caught my eyes throughout the game was Jack Simmons. Jack has a powerful, compact frame that projects well to the interior. His power in his hands to deliver a strong initial punch caught my eyes on multiple reps. I was also impressed by his short area quickness. The junior was able to get himself in position to have the leverage advantage and also get himself between the defender and the ball consistently. Jack was a key piece to the PdC rushing success on the night. He was also key to stopping the Stratford rushing attack with his stout play on the DL.     Stats: 10 Carries, 50 Yards, 2 TDs, 16 Tackles   Bryce flashed on both sides of the ball Friday night. On offense, Bryce showed off the short area burst as he dominated carrying the ball right up the middle of the defense. His balance and power were keys to his game changing TD runs. That power and short area burst helped him massively on defense too where the senior was able to read and react quickly and get to spots to make the tackle.     Stats: 17 Tackles, 1 TFL   Another Lenzendorf who was flying around the defense was senior Brady Lenzendorf. Brady was another athlete who showed the quick play recognition traits and the athleticism to get to the ball after reading the play. The senior LB was a strong tackler as well who was able to quickly end plays once he wrapped up the ball carrier. The well built LB prospect has a solid combination of athleticism, strength, and football IQ that is well worth taking a look into.

The stage was set. An undefeated Stratford met a 12-1 Prairie du Chien team in Wisconsin Dells at the recently renovated Wisconsin Dells facilities. The stadium and field were outstanding, and matched the high stakes that this game had. Coming into the game, Prairie du Chien hadn't given up a point in the playoffs while Stratford was putting together their own dominant run on offense and defense. It was truly going to be a best vs best showdown with plenty of talent to watch throughout. So continue reading to see how the game played out, and then drop down to read about the outstanding individual performances.