Scouting Reports: Highlighting 2A Title Game Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After spending around 40 hours in three days covering last week's state semifinals, I'm taking in the championship games from my couch. I actually prefer watching them on the screen as opposed to obstructed views from the UNI-Dome sidelines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 2A title contest pitted No. 1 Kuemper Catholic and No. 6 Van Meter against each other on Friday morning. Kuemper Catholic captured the championship with a 28-7 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at guys that stood out in the game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2060974"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69209be25698c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leonard popped out to me with his play during the Class 2A state semifinal matchup with Wilton and confirmed his abilities in the title game against Van Meter. At 6-6, 250, he sure doesn't look like a 10th-grader. Leonard is a linear athlete with long arms and a frame capable of adding plenty of good weight. With that will come strength, which will help raise his game up even more. At present, Leonard shows a keen feel for offensive tackle with smooth feet and effective hand placement. The sophomore can move and reach blocks in space. He is, without question, one to monitor moving forward as a prospect with a considerable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1694834"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920a262ee639"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steger was one of the guys on a loaded Kuemper roster that I was most looking forward to scouting during last week's state semifinals matchup with Wilton. He impressed with his power and physicality, a scenario that played out again during the championship game against Van Meter. Steger controls the guy across from him on a regular basis. As I said, he physically overwhelms a lot of them but is far from a lumbering big body. Steger is athletic and explosive. He displays slick feet and ease in getting out in space, where he reaches blocks. Steger's strong hands aid him, and he benefits from gaining leverage versus the opponent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621099"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920a59dc3ac2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's easy to get lost in the shuffle a bit when operating on a team with a deep roster of talent. That might be the case with Hoffman, whose Kuemper squad is flush with college prospects. He stood out to me pretty quickly when watching the Knights take on Wilton in the Class 2A state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. He followed up that performance with another impressive effort against Van Meter in the title contest. Hoffman is solidly built, running with a low center of gravity but also displaying wiggle and sharp cutting ability. His patience and vision find holes and a burst helps him jet through them. Hoffman's legs are powerful, making him tough to tackle, while also playing a big part in finishing off runs. He's a weapon as a receiver and does a nice job blocking, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2061043"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920a7f352dde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Van Meter boasts a strong history of developing players for the next level. That's certainly true in the trenches. And it looks like the Bulldogs have another prospect with potential for big performances ahead. Croat caught my attention while watching Van Meter defeat Osage during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. It was good to get another look at him in the title game against a Kuemper Catholic outfit with muscle up front. While Croat wasn't perfect, the sophomore leaned on sound technique and fundamentals to hold his own. His frame still has room to add good weight and strength, which, among other attributes, make him a guy whose progress is worth tracking moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1905838"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920ab0fb3815"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I liked what I saw from Boeck during the Class 2A state semifinals against Osage. Listed as a linebacker, it's where he fits into the Bulldog scheme. Boeck plays in space, effortlessly moving into slot coverage against spread offenses. He runs well and gets downhill in a hurry. His physicality and quickness combine to make him difficult for blockers to square up and separate from them when he is engaged. Boeck entered the title contest against Kuemper Catholic with 47.5 tackles (31 solo, 9.0 TFL), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions and a pass breakup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2061098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920afd2b32b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blevins flashed an intriguing package of skills during the state semifinals against Osage. He brings speed, length and athleticism to the table with the potential to develop on both sides of the ball. Blevins clearest path right now is probably as a defensive back. Backing that notion were his two interceptions and team-best nine passes defended coming into the 2A championship game against Kuemper Catholic. His 13 solo tackles illustrated his ability to break down and bring the opponent to the ground. Blevins scored three touchdowns rushing and found the end zone twice with receptions this season, flashing potential with the ball in his hands. No matter which side of the ball he ends up on if he chooses the next level, Blevins will contribute on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->