Week 3 Game Recap: Minnetonka vs Moorhead

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Minnetonka 47 (3-0) vs Moorhead 21 (2-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two Top-10-ranked teams dualed it out in this highly competitive matchup that saw Minnetonka cement itself as a top 3 team in its class. Moorhead was without starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='1194605' first='[player_tooltip player_id='1194604' first='Jett' last='']' last='Feeney'] for the night's matchup, so a rematch down the line might look a little different, but both teams are, without a doubt, still a tough ask for anyone in this class to play. Next, Minnetonka travels to Prior Lake to take on a (1-2) Lakers team. Moorhead will host the (0-3) Wayzata Trojans in their week 4 game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Minnetonka:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1029336' first='Caden' last='Gutzmer'], 6'2" 205 lbs, Minnetonka 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been really impressed with Gutzmer so far throughout his junior year, and he stepped up to the plate against a game Moorhead defense. He went an astounding 15/17 for 264 yards through the air, as well as a passing TD. He was also effective running the rock. He had the second-most rushing yards on the team last week and managed to find the endzone on his legs, too. Gutzmer is a QB to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'], 6'2" 200 lbs, Minnetonka 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athlete is the only word that can properly describe what the Iowa State commit does for his team, because Francois literally did it all for the Skippers during this win. 82 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs while averaging 5.5 ypc is already a great stat line, but he also caught 6 balls for 108 yards and a TD, AND he threw for a 22-yard TD. Early on, Francois looks like a finalist for Mr. Minnesota Football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR/DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1120526' first='Cody' last='Braun'], 6'0" 180 lbs, Minnetonka 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a two-way threat. Braun is having a breakout season of sorts as a two-way starter for the Skippers as a WR/DB double threat. Against the Spuds, Braun caught 4 balls for 81 yards and a TD, which was the second-best receiving showing on the team. He also made his impact felt on defense. 4 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup rounded out his stat line for the evening. This 2027 Skippers class is legit, and Braun is a key part of that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR/CB: [player_tooltip player_id='1570002' first='Kirion' last='Vogel'], 5'10" 145 lbs, Minnetonka 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vogel was a jack of all trades last Friday night. He caught three balls, which was a season high, for 42 yards. He also brought down a tackle, had a 38-yard kick return, but the cherry on top was a 90-yard punt return for a TD with a minute to go in the first half. Keep an eye out for Vogel during the rest of his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OLB: Brady Young, 5'10" 165 lbs, Minnetonka 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A consistent member of the Skippers' defense through the first three weeks, Young played well last Friday. He wasn't quite as involved in terms of number of tackles as he's used to being, but he made up for that with a big-time interception. If he can replicate his previous success the rest of the season, he could land some solid MIAC/WIAC offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1654702' first='Myles' last='Augustyn'], 6'3" 205, Minnetonka 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Augustyn has been balling through the first couple of games, and this performance was no exception. The big body junior LB brought down a season high 10 tackles on Friday, the 3rd most on the team, and came down with a pass breakup too. He's been putting on a clinic this season, and his size alone makes him offerable. I'm expecting big things the rest of the year from Augustyn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1898036' first='Riley' last='Battani'], 5'11" 175 lbs, Minnetonka 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battani may have had a slower start to the season than he expected, but he had a monster showing against Moorhead to find his way on this list. He brought down 10 total tackles, most of them solo, more than doubling his total from the previous two games. I'm eager to see if Battani can recreate this success over the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB: Logan Backes, 5'10" 200 lbs, Minnetonka 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My pick for the defensive MVP for the Skippers last Friday night, Backes, is a 2028 prospect with a lot of room to grow and a lot of time to do it. The sophomore tallied 15 total tackles, which, when broken down, include 10 solo, 5 assisted, and 5 tackles for a loss. He had a productive Week 2 as well, so I don't see this as being a one-off occasion. Keep an eye out for this potential stock riser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Moorhead:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1662721' first='Austin' last='Dryburgh'], 6'7" 205 lbs, Moorhead 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dryburgh was forced to step up into a starting role last week, and against an incredibly talented Skippers squad, he gave an alright account of himself. He went 14/22 (63.6%) for 205 yards and 3 TDs. He threw two interceptions and ended the night with a 95.6 passer rating. He also had a carry for 5 yards. Dryburgh is primarily known as a basketball athlete, but if called on again, he looks like a solid option at QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1288313' first='Taye' last='Reich'] 5'10" 195 lbs, Moorhead 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reich is without a doubt one of the most talented backs in the state, and although he didn't put up his usual 100+ rushing yard game, he managed to hit that mark with an exceptional day receiving. Reich finished the game with 56 rushing yards and 58 receiving yards (second most from the Spuds), on only 3 receptions. He also had a tackle on defense. Expect Reich to continue to cement his status as one of the state's top athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'], 6'1" 175 lbs, Moorhead 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WR1 for the Moorhead Spuds, junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack'] brought down 7 balls (tied for a season high) for 69 yards and 2 TDs (tied for a season high). He's a consistent finder of the end zone, a trend he's carrying over from last season, where he brought down 18 TDs. He's up to 5 TDs on the season, and just might be one of the best red zone threats in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->