2025 Team Preview: Apple Valley Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Apple Valley Eagles struggled during the 2024 regular season. They won just two regular season games. Once the playoffs began, the Eagles went on a brief run, winning two playoff games. Their fourth and final win of the season came by way of one of the biggest upsets of the 5A playoffs when they knocked off previously undefeated Two Rivers 35-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To make another deep run in the postseason in 2025, head coach <strong>Peter Usset</strong> and his staff will have to replace a big chunk of their offensive firepower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One guy they do return is leading receiver Quieris [player_tooltip player_id='1255129' first='Q' last='Barnslater']. Barnslater – despite missing the first month of the season with an injury – was the Eagles' best big-play threat. His combination of size and speed makes him a good deep threat. That combination allows him to do good work with his route running and hands on crossing routes. The soon-to-be two-year starter contributes on defense as well. He is a physical defensive back who can hit like a linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the guys who might have to have a bigger role on the offensive side of the ball this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1550517' first='Colten' last='Himmelwright']. Himmelwright is already a significant contributor on the defensive side of the ball as a downhill, run-stuffing linebacker. He has also spent time as a blocking tight end. His attacking, low pad level self will keep him on the defensive side of the ball, more time at tight end might help fill in some gaps on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other skill position player who will be relied on to take on a bigger role will likely be receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1255912' first='Tylan' last='Ward Jr']. With twenty catches and two touchdowns as a junior, Ward has the potential to fill a void next to Barnslater. One area where his role will not need to be increased is on the defensive side of the ball. His speed and open-field ability with the ball in his hands are nice. His ability to play both press and zone coverage is his strength. Ward is physical in press coverage and plays physical against the run as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of a bigger role, interior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1642220' first='Oscar' last='Agbemaole'] will need to help solidify the interior of the Eagles' offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1292679' first='Oliver' last='West'] was able to watch Agbemaole at a big man camp and came away impressed with the small but tenacious center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He has a great pad level, a balanced base, and has active hands – always working for inside position."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If he excels as the new starter, the offensive line looks to be the strength of the Eagles' team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining Agbemaole on the inside will be returning starting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1640056' first='Kirubel' last='Teferi']. The soon-to-be senior has the perfect build for an interior lineman. He has a powerful base and low hips that allow him to stand up to any interior defender. He has good footwork with his pass sets and his ability to pull. Telferi has solid instincts and vision. He picks up blitzes and stunts and can get off his initial man and pick up new threats. Telferi also has position flexibility as he spent some time at offensive tackle for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another anchor on the offensive line is returning left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1270395' first='Joe' last='Jackson']. Jackson will have the size on most of the defensive ends he will face as a senior. What impressed me most about the 6'4"300-pound lineman was his feet. An athlete of that size doesn't typically move as smoothly as Jackson. His pass sets and ability to slide with smaller pass rushers are solid. His first step and initial punch in the running game will give exactly what any team needs out of their left tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back on the defensive side of the ball, one guy who will make Himmelwright's life easier will be athletic interior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1516213' first='Malik' last='Quadri']. His quickness off the ball, combined with his strength, will make running between the tackles a challenge for any offense. Quadri takes on and sometimes flat-out beats double teams. If single-blocked, he has great hands and uses good leverage to shed single blocks and force runners to re-route.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding to the Eagles' talent on the line of scrimmage could be underclassman <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/torsten-silvernail/">[player_tooltip player_id='1629949' first='Torsten' last='Silvernail']</a>. As a sophomore, he provided some pass rush juice coming off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have a good foundation on the line of scrimmage and on the outside. If they can find solid quarterback play, they have the opportunity for a regular season that will place them as favorites, instead of road underdogs in the 2025 playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->