State Finals Primer: 1A – 4A Preview, Picks, Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “BLACKFRIDAY2025” for 50% off your annual subscription THIS WEEK ONLY***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have reached the final week of the high school season!&nbsp; Eight state champions will be decided.&nbsp; Here is our Primer of the 1A-4A Games with states, top prospects, and picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brown County vs Lena-Winslow (10:00 AM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year ago Lena-Winslow was in this same game against Althoff where a superstar took them out.&nbsp; This time they come in as the favorite.&nbsp; Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1585199' first='Aiden' last='Wild'] is a tank who has racked up 2,026 yards and 32 touchdowns while [player_tooltip player_id='1585285' first='Alec' last='Schlichting'] has 1,459 yards and 21 touchdowns himself.&nbsp; Defensively they are led by Miles Mahon, Merrick Mahon, and [player_tooltip player_id='1598836' first='Gannon' last='Dunker'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown County has outscored its opponents this season 470-111!&nbsp; They are also a run dominated team that will rely on Trey Fullerton who has 815 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season and Jack Sefton with 687 yards and 11 scores.&nbsp; Fullerton is also the leader on the defensive side with 173 tackles while hoops prospect Bradley Markert also impacts with 8 TFLs this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Lena-Winslow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maroa-Forsyth vs Wilmington (1:00 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maroa-Forsyth comes into this game at 11-2 on the season with one of those losses coming to Williamsville 39-20 in week 8.&nbsp; They have a balanced attack with quarterback Ryne Sheppard throwing for 3,000+ yards and 41 touchdowns to only 2 picks while also running for 772 yards and 17 scores.&nbsp; Jordan Watters also racks up yards with 671 on the season including 8 touchdowns.&nbsp; Sheppard's go to receiver is Zach Smith with 1,339 yards and 21 touchdowns.&nbsp; They have three 100+ tackle defenders led by Isiah Bohlmann with 181 tackles and 14 TFLs.&nbsp; Troy Pulliam and Connor Henegah should also be watched out for!&nbsp; Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1184797' first='Tanner' last='Jacobs'] is an impact player as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominant season by Wilmington outscoring teams 600-95!&nbsp; They are a running team behind Ryan Kettman (1,566 yards and 28 touchdowns), Hunter Kaitschuck (949 yards and 19 touchdowns), and Billy Moore (828 yards and 13 touchdowns).&nbsp; On defense Zach Ohlund and Declan Moran are the playmakers to watch out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Wilmington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tolono Unity vs Byron (4:00 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byron enters this game with a perfect 13-0 record.&nbsp; Just like a lot of the smaller school teams they are run heavy with Caden Considine carrying the load with 1,657 yards and 31 touchdowns this season.&nbsp; Dawson Criddle is his back up who has an impressive 713 yards and 10 scores of his own.&nbsp; Those two are factors defensively as well along with Ben Hiveley who has 100 tackles on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unity has not lost since week two early in the season.&nbsp; Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1001161' first='Dane' last='Eisenmenger'] has made noise all season with his play.&nbsp; Thrown for 2,900 yards and 32 touchdowns while also getting 9 on the ground.&nbsp; His lead back is [player_tooltip player_id='2061525' first='Crewe' last='Eckstein'] who has been fantastic with 1,624 yards and 23 touchdowns.&nbsp; He runs behind talented senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1670112' first='Coleson' last='Miller'].&nbsp; They have a pair of 1,000+ yard pass catchers in [player_tooltip player_id='1472518' first='Tre' last='Hoggard'] and Tyler Henry.&nbsp; Keegan Germano is the star on defense with 125 tackles and 6 sacks.&nbsp; Coleton Langendorf will get after the QB with 12 sacks and 20 TFLs.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2061142' first='Desmond' last='Winfrey'] also shows upside as a defensive lineman for Unity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Tolono Unity</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Montini vs Rochester (7:00 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior Montini quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='611846' first='Israel' last='Abrams'] sits at #2 overall in the 2027 rankings and has never lost as a starting QB with his perfect record including a state title a year ago.&nbsp; Spectacular season for Abrams with 3,647 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air while also running for 9 more.&nbsp; In the backfield Charles Flowers and Isaac Alexander split the work.&nbsp; Balanced wide receiver core with three receivers over 700+ yards and have 10 TDs in [player_tooltip player_id='209448' first='Nico' last='Castaldo'], [player_tooltip player_id='1274195' first='Damacio' last='Ortegon'], and Luca Florio.&nbsp; Santino Tenuta, [player_tooltip player_id='1669894' first='Orlando' last='Greco'], and Laddie Asay led the defense.&nbsp; On the defensive line are highly coveted recruits junior [player_tooltip player_id='1334146' first='Namari' last='Anderson'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1549620' first='Blake' last='Pohlman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rochester comes in at 12-1 with JP Leonard under center who has thrown for 1,442 yards and 12 scores.&nbsp; On the ground it is Kaiden Stout with 1,155 yards and 8 scores.&nbsp; Connor Broughton has been a disruptive force for their defense with 70 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 22.5 TFLs.&nbsp; So has Parker Seifert with 78 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 9.5 TFLs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Montini</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->