Top Prospects From the Menasha vs Sheboygan North Game

To wrap up the final week of the regular season, I made my way towards Menasha, WI for their showdown with Sheboygan North. A showdown that held playoff implications. Entering the game, Sheboygan North looked to have a solid hold on a playoff spot, while Menasha was on the outside looking in despite a 5-3 record. With a win it looked like Menasha would secure a spot, though. The Bluejays of Menasha seemed to have a good sense of the weight of the game as they came out ready to play. From the jump they controlled the game. Offense went up and down the field with an explosive running game and supplemental/opportunistic passing attack. The defense was fast and equally opportunistic, recovering 3 fumbles.   The game was not much of a competition to speak of. Menasha reached the 35 point lead threshold to engage the running clock just before the first half ended. With their reserves playing most of the 2nd half we saw Sheboygan North tack on 21 unanswered points after Menasha jumped out 43-0. That left us with our 43-21 final score. The victory secured Menasha a playoff berth, and ended up pushing Sheboygan North down the list for their division and actually out of the playoffs. Congratulations for the well deserved playoff berth to Menasha and good luck vs La Crosse Central this Friday. Before we turn our attention towards playoffs, let's talk about the individual talent that caught my eyes in this game. The athletes that the next level should have their eyes on.    Stats: 8/13, 147 Yards, 1 TD, 61 Rush Yards, 2 TDs   Paul launched himself onto my radar with his performance in Week 9 to help his team secure a playoff berth. The 6'3" 210 lbs junior no doubt looks the part with the that big frame, and plays the part of a potential college recruit. Paul dominated with a dual threat attack. It was his legs that shined first, carving up the defense with downhill, physical runs that wore down the defense and put points on the board. As the game went on we saw more glimpses of the arm talent. He launched a beautiful deep ball on his TD pass where he rolled out and got the ball off without setting his feet. The kid can sling it, he is mobile, and he has the size. I'm very intrigued by what he could develop into.     Stats: 10 Carries, 123 Yards, 2 TDs, 10 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FR   Without a doubt, sophomore RB/S Keonte Thigpen was one of the best athletes on the field Friday night. Starting on offense, Keonte shredded the defense with his college level athleticism. His speed, agility, and short area quickness were nightmarish to try and contain. If he had the angle Keonte proved that he couldn't be caught from behind. If he didn't have an angle or space to make a play the sophomore could use that elusiveness and agility to create space and make people miss. Flipping to the defensive side of the ball, Thigpen's speed again shined. We saw him do a great job of covering ground as a safety and getting involved in plays across the field. His football IQ was able to shine too, quickly diagnosing plays and getting to the right spot on time. For such a young athlete, Keonte has really good instincts. I will be keeping a close eye on the 2028 and recommend college coaches do as well.     Stats: 2 Tackles, 1 FR   It wasn't a wildly productive night for the reigning All State DL, but Elijah was still able to catch my eye a few times throughout the night. The senior is blessed in the athletic sides of the DE position. Quick off the line, ability to drop his pad level and bend, fast and active hands. Elijah is undersized, but his gifts could make him a contributor in obvious passing situations at the next level off the edge.     Kolin is a massive OT for Menasha. As you might guess the talented big man wins his battles with the force and power that his massive frame can produce. The senior does a great job of timing his hands and pounding his feet through the initial contact, creating a devastating initial hit and a surge of positive movement in the trenches for the offense. The big man is sufficiently nimble too. He could get some depth in pass pro, but I believe his home is on the interior. Kolin is no stranger to that though as he played center in 2024.     I'm very intrigued and excited for the future of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1709855' first='Noah' last='Kiley']. The '28 has a long, lean frame that will be able to carry plenty more weight over the coming years. Right now the underclassman wins with athleticism and turning quickness into power. Noah is quick out of his stance and into his man, getting his hands in good position, dropping his hips, and driving through the DL. I was able to watch the sophomore OL drive the big Sheboygan North IDL out of gaps on multiple occasions. Noah is just scratching the surface on what he can grow into and the power he can bring to the field to match that athleticism. Get Noah on your boards.     Stats: 7 Carries, 85 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Reception, 35 Yards   My top offensive player from the night on the Sheboygan North side was RB Noah Blaha. The senior has a massive frame for the wing position that he plays for North. The size has been an advantage for him. At 6'3" 210 lbs, Noah brings the physicality to the defense. He ripped through arm tackles effortlessly and was able to create yards after contact at a solid rate despite having more of an upright running style. The big man also showed off some speed. Speed the offense counts on the get the edge and win out in space. Noah is such a well rounded athlete that I could see him filling several rolls at the next level and going into a team as an athlete and then figuring out where he fits. He currently holds multiple WIAC offers.     Stats: 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs, .5 Sack   The top uncommitted athlete in this game was senior [player_tooltip player_id='1610206' first='Kingston' last='Steward']. The senior was the athlete I wanted to see most heading into the game, and despite the loss he flashed over and over. Kingston has done a great job of filling out that frame and making himself more dangerous while doing so. He hasn't lost any burst off the line, and can now create even more force on contact with the OT because of the 260+ lbs frame. The senior also proved he could bend and run sharp loops into the backfield around OTs. Steward was able to disengage and make stops on the edge on his own and he disrupted a ton of plays without necessarily making the stop. A lot of programs should be coming after the talented DL.     Stats: 11 Carries, 60 Yards, 7 Tackles, 1 TFL   Milton had a solid night. This was my first time knowing of the senior RB/LB. Offense is where he caught my eyes. The way he was able to pinball off tackle attempts on multiple carries throughout the night was impressive. For such a big frame he was able to stay balanced and under control while taking those hits. That RB athleticism flying around at LB was an effective weapon too as he was able to make an impact between the tackles. The under the radar senior could be a nice add for a D3 program.     Sheboygan North fielded several massive OL Friday night. Leading the way was Elijah Gonzalez. The left tackle made several blocks that highlighted his heavy hands and strong upper body. Elijah was able to get DL off balance those hands and when he could fire out of his stance, get hands on, and drive through his man he was a positive impact for his team. That type of quick-hitting power attack would fit the senior well at the next level.     Stats: 10 Tackles, 2 TFLs, .5 Sack   We can't talk about the top recruits from this game and not mention [player_tooltip player_id='1220658' first='Blake' last='Buhr']. The senior edge defender is committed to North Dakota, and the Fighting Hawks should be pumped to have him. Blake stood out from the crowd. Elite length, a powerful frame, athletic tools that pair with that length to make him a nightmare matchup off the edge. Blake's first step alone gave him a huge advantage. That would carry over to speed around the edge, or the ability to go from speed to power and get underneath the OT and drive them into the backfield. Blake's balance and body control at that size was elite too as he could change direction or pad level or counter move. The senior is a special athlete and no doubt a D1 caliber defender.

To wrap up the final week of the regular season, I made my way towards Menasha, WI for their showdown with Sheboygan North. A showdown that held playoff implications. Entering the game, Sheboygan North looked to have a solid hold on a playoff spot, while Menasha was on the outside looking in despite a 5-3 record. With a win it looked like Menasha would secure a spot, though. The Bluejays of Menasha seemed to have a good sense of the weight of the game as they came out ready to play. From the jump they controlled the game. Offense went up and down the field with an explosive running game and supplemental/opportunistic passing attack. The defense was fast and equally opportunistic, recovering 3 fumbles.