Success on the grid-iron and the hardwood - Part I

The final boys' winter state tournament is just around the corner. The state field might be set by the time you read this story. It is a perfect time to dive back into my dual-sport series. Here is part one of my two-part gridiron to hardwood stories highlighting athletes who make their mark on the basketball court and will be lining up for one more year on the high school football field in the fall.   The football rankings are from prepredzonemn.com. The basketball rankings are from prephoops.com/Minnesota.    Football #1/Basketball #33   Voss is one of the most versatile football players in the state. As a quarterback, he has a great arm and is athletic enough to throw on the move. Voss' speed is problematic when the junior scrambles for yardage and on designed runs. As a receiver, he is physically a problem for any defensive back, plus he adds that speed and solid hands. As a defensive back, he has solid range and is physical when supporting the run. On the basketball court, Voss has missed some time recovering from an injury. However, the small forward is back to help his team (24-4) make a run toward the state tournament.       Football #4/Basketball #29   Petersohn is a long, rangy quarterback who can really push the ball down the field. Especially down the middle of the field, he has great accuracy on his deep ball. Petersohn is not just a drop-back passer. He moves well in the pocket to avoid pressure and takes advantage of his speed to pick up yards on the ground. His arm strength allows him to get the ball downfield even when he is on the move. On the basketball court, he is just as likely to block a shot at the rim as he is to lead the fast break or knock down a three.       Football #6/Basketball #2   Moore is a physical wide receiver who is built almost like a tall running back. He is a beast in the running game. He is stronger than most corners and can effectively eliminate one player in the running game. The junior is not just a blocker; Moore runs effective routes and has a nice catch range and solid hands. When he is in the open field, he has that extra gear that allows him to separate from defenders. On the hardwood, Moore helped his team to a 25-2 record and a spot in the section finals. He distributes and runs the offense well at the point. Moore can also get into the paint and knock down an outside jump shot. He nearly averaged a points/assists double-double on the season.       Football #8/Basketball #71   Fenney is a dominating presence as an edge rusher. It is a cliché, but he looks like a man amongst boys when he comes off the edge. His length makes him look like he wouldn't be powerful at the point of attack. However, he has explosive speed and power at the point of contact. That explosiveness comes from his great straight-line speed off the edge. Not just a pass rusher, Feeney stays disciplined in his rush lanes. He doesn't over-run draw plays, and does a good job coverage when he is not asked to get after the passer. On the basketball court, Fenney is a physical presence in the paint and does a lot of the dirty work on the boards and defending the rim.       Football #12/Basketball #200   Francois is a true dual-threat quarterback. One of the more athletic quarterbacks in the state, the junior is just as effective with his arm as his legs. He runs the read option like he has been doing it since he was in pee-wee football. His arm strength and accuracy on the move separate him as a passer. As a basketball player, he is a solid three-point shooter who can stretch the court with his range. The junior averaged nearly ten points a game.

The final boys' winter state tournament is just around the corner. The state field might be set by the time you read this story. It is a perfect time to dive back into my dual-sport series. Here is part one of my two-part gridiron to hardwood stories highlighting athletes who make their mark on the basketball court and will be lining up for one more year on the high school football field in the fall.