Mid-Sized School Top Performers: Week 6:

We are three-quarters of the way through the 2025 regular season, and all across the state, athletes continue to impress. I've found a bunch of standouts from midsized schools (4A/3A) who had fantastic games across the state. Meet some of Week 6's best athletes!   LB: Jack Hantge, 5'9" 185 lbs, Hutchinson 2027   Hantge has quietly put together one of the most productive linebacker seasons in the state over the last 6 weeks, and he had another fantastic game against Detroit Lakes last Friday. He recorded 11 total tackles, 2 TFLs, and his first PBU of the season. This marks the 3rd game this season where Hantge has brought down more than 10 tackles, and his 5th game where he recorded at least one TFL. I can't wait to see his junior tape later this winter!   RB: Kyle Bell, 5'8" 180 lbs, Hutchinson 2028   This was, without a doubt, the best game of Bell's young varsity career, as he recorded season highs in every measurable rushing statistic. Bell took 26 carries for 251 yards and 2 TDs, all while averaging a wild 9.7 ypc. His game tape highlights his vision, which is excellent, especially considering the fact that he's only a sophomore. He also explodes well through gaps. Bell has a lot of room to grow and a lot of time to do it. He's a compact power back who thrives grinding down a defense, and should be a name to know going forward.   RB/DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1633473' first='Hanley' last='Neumann'], 5'9" 160 lbs, Hutchinson 2027   Neumann is a quick and explosive back who is mostly known for his track prowess, and he had one of his most productive games to date last Friday against Detroit Lakes. He took 6 carries for a season high 73 yards and managed to find the endzone for the second time this year. He also averaged a season high 12.2 ypc, and found a tackle and a PBU on defense. Neumann's top-end speed is very impressive, and he manages to reach it quite quickly. I like Neumann's upside ahead of his senior year.   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='1365368' first='Landon' last='Teetzel'], 5'10" 175 lbs, Hutchinson 2026   I've been a fan of Teetzel and his potential to make plays on both sides of the ball, and it's safe to say that WIAC powerhouse UW-Eau Claire got a good one after what Teetzel was able to do against Detroit Lakes. He took 4 carries for 19 yards and found the endzone twice, his first TDs of the season. He was also his team's most dominant receiving force, catching 3 balls for a season high 61 yards with a receiving TD in the mix. But he was arguably even more impressive on defense, where he recorded 4 tackles and picked off Detroit Lakes two times! Keep an eye out for Teetzel in the playoffs.   LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1651480' first='Grant' last='Eslinger'], 6'0" 210 lbs, Orono 2028   Who doesn't love a 6'0" 210 lb that is only a 2028 and is already uber productive at the varsity level? Eslinger had his best game of his young varsity career last week, and what a game it was. Eslinger recorded a stunning 16 total tackles and a TFL, lighting up the stat sheet once again. He doesn't have any Week 6 tape yet, but he does have some from earlier in the season. On it, Eslinger showcases solid instincts and flows well to the ball carrier. He every bit looks the part, and should be an exciting name to watch in the future.   DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1602677' first='Dane' last='Kanwischer'], 6'3" 210 lbs, Orono 2026   A three-sport varsity athlete who boasts an insane frame. Kanwischer had an incredibly productive game against what is one of the best teams in AAAA, Marshall. He recorded a season high of 12 total tackles, blowing out his previous season totals. He also had two punts for a combined 64 yards. He doesn't have any game tape from this season, but his upside as a 6'3" DB (listed at 6'4" in some places) is clear. Would love to see more from the Orono senior.   LB: Lucas La Belle, 5'10" 175 lbs, Orono 2027   La Belle has been one of the most productive members of that talented Orono defense, and against Marshall, he filled the stat sheet across the board. He recorded 9 total tackles, 1 TFL, and brought down his first sack of the season. When you dive into his tape from the first half of his junior season, you notice how quick he is immediately. La Belle is also very physical and boasts solid instincts. La Belle is a 2027 prospect to keep an eye out for going forward.   QB: Max Fredin, 6'2" 185 lbs, Rocori 2026   Man, when baseball standout Max Fredin is on, he's on. And he put forth an incredible performance against Fergus Falls last Friday. He went 18/26 (69.2%) for 255 yards and 2 TDs, with a season-high passer rating of 126.3. He also had 12 rushes for 39 yards. At his best, he's one of the best dual-threat QBs in the state. He doesn't have any tape yet from his senior season, but if he decides to go the football route in college, I like his chances to be an impactful player.   WR: Mayson Wahnschaffe, 5'9" 150 lbs, Rocori 2027   Wahnschaffe has been in many ways a breakout player for Rocori this season, and last Friday, he made a statement against Fergus Falls, leading the team in yards and receptions and setting season highs in every receiving category. Wahnschaffe caught 6 balls for 112 yards with his first two TDs of the season, averaging an impressive 18.7 ypr. He also had a rush for 6 yards. Wahnschaffe doesn't have any film out right now, but I would both love to see his junior tape and see him in person at a combine during the offseason. He's a name to look out for.   TE/LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1648561' first='Mason' last='Oland'], 6'0" 180 lbs, Fergus Falls 2026   Oland consistently manages to play well, and even though Fergus Falls had a tough loss to Rocori, Oland recorded 9 total tackles and caught 2 balls for 7 yards on offense. He's got some tape out from his senior campaign that showcases his underrated speed, physicality, and impressive catch radius. Oland would be a solid addition to plenty of MIAC squads next fall.   RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1694137' first='Hudson' last='Sjoberg'], 6'2" 210 lbs, Willmar 2027   I like Sjoberg's potential as an RB/LB prospect a lot, and against St. Cloud Tech last week, he cemented that status for me. Sjoberg took 14 carries for a season high 99 yards and found the endzone for the 7th time this season, and kept his TD streak alive at now 6 weeks and counting. He already has some film out from last week, too. Sjoberg is a physical freak, with impressive closing speed and a willingness to lay the wood when confronting a ball carrier. I could see big things in the future for him.   QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1114836' first='Jordan' last='Ellingson'], 5'9" 150 lbs, Willmar 2026   A solid prospect on both the gridiron and the baseball diamond, Ellingson played exceptionally well, setting many season highs in Willmar's win over St. Cloud Tech last Friday. He went 14/17 (82.4%) for 208 yards and 2 passing TDs, with a nearly perfect 156.9 passer rating. He already has tape from that game out, and it's perhaps his best yet. It shows off impressive pocket mobility and some great ball placement, both on and off platform. Willmar could shock a lot of teams in the playoffs behind Ellingson.   WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1781056' first='Aidan' last='Paulson'], 6'1" 160 lbs, Willmar 2027   Paulson was Willmar's top receiver in Week 6, catching a season high 6 passes for 103 yards and 2 TDs. There's some tape out on his X, and I really like both the top-end speed and acceleration that he showcases. He torches lesser DBs instantly, and by the time he creates separation, it's already too late. He's been very productive throughout his junior year and has flashed NSIC potential at times. I like what I see from the Willmar product.

We are three-quarters of the way through the 2025 regular season, and all across the state, athletes continue to impress. I've found a bunch of standouts from midsized schools (4A/3A) who had fantastic games across the state. Meet some of Week 6's best athletes!