Best 5A Week 3 QB Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 3 is in the books, and the season is FLYING by. We are almost halfway through the regular season at this point, and I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the best QB play we saw last week, with everything ranging from elite passers to true dual-threat athletes. I've got 7 QBs from Minnesota's second-biggest class, and often the most entertaining and competitive one. Meet some of the top performers from Week 3!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633390"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab00168b8f6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the state's highest-touted athletes, Roach had a laundry list of accomplishments last season (including a state championship), and he's off to a strong start this fall. In his first start under center this season for the Panthers, he had one of the best rushing performances by a QB in 5A, finishing his Week 3 game with 68 yards and a TD through the air, but 82 rushing yards and a very impressive 3 TDs on the ground. Spring Lake Park is frequently rated as a Top-10 team in the state so far this season and has now won two in a row. I'm pumped to see what else Roach has in store for 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1641751"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab00168b8f9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The head gunslinger for the most prolific passing offense in 5A, it's no wonder that Russell finds himself among the top performers in any given week. The first-year QB is extremely talented and is having an incredible start to the season. He went 17/27 through the air, finishing with an impressive 289 passing yards, an elite 4 TDs, and an eye-catching passer rating of 138.7. Russell has already put out some tape from last Friday, and it was pretty legit. The junior throws a slick ball and has no issue hitting tight sideline windows. He showcases fantastic pocket poise and doesn't mind taking a big lick to deliver a deep strike to a wideout. He's capable of taking dinks and dunks in a soft-zone look, or pushing the ball deep and stressing out a secondary. I really like what Russell has to offer as an athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1217899"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab001e329648"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mankato West is commonly thought of as a Top-5 team in 5A, and after last Friday's whooping of Mankato East 42-8, they've cemented themselves as a brutal team to play. Lorenz was a massive part of that success. The hyper-talented Minnesota-Duluth commit devastated the Mankato East defense through the air and on the ground. He passed for 140 yards and 2 TDs on just 7 completions, racking up a 125 passer rating in the process. He was equally as effective on the ground. Lorenz took 14 carries for an additional 115 yards and 2 TDs. Lorenz is easily in the conversation for the single best showing of the week, and the Scarlets are very scary with him at the helm this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2124090"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab001e3296db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a rough start to the season, Northfield has been on a tear, culminating in a monster 35-0 win over Rochester John Marshall in Week 3, cementing them as a legit Top-20 team in 5A. Ness was inarguably the heart and soul of this Raiders squad, and he showed in on Friday night. He finished 8/14 through the air for 200 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, and a very solid 111.6 passer rating. His time in the end zone doesn't stop there, however. Ness also took 7 carries for an additional 56 yards with 2 more rushing TDs to boot! I know he gets a lot of love for his work as a DB, but I think Ness could have real potential to break out as a quarterback. He should be a senior to watch closely throughout the remainder of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["224416"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab0044d3a1ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although Minneapolis Washburn has had a rough start to the season, kicking off 0-3, Skjefte had a really solid game in a 28-20 loss last week to Minneapolis Roosevelt. He finished 12/23 through the air for 246 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT, ending the night with a 101 passer rating. He also picked up a TD on the ground in the first quarter. He's got some early-season tape out right now, and on it he showcases some real talent. Skjefte has a smooth release and has been able to hit tight windows in very competitive coverage and still find a first down. He's got flashes of great pocket poise as well, by expertly climbing up a collapsing pocket and delivering a big-time pass to move the chains. Keep an eye out for this 2028 gunslinger. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kellen Burger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rochester Mayo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab0044d3a274"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The QB1 for the Rochester Mayo Spartans has had his ups and downs this season, but Burger really found his rhythm in a 17-10 win over New Prague last week. Burger finished 11/15 for 130 yards and a passing TD, with a 121.5 passer rating to boot. He doesn't have any recent tape, but if the senior can continue to play efficient football, we could have a baller on our hands. The Spartans suffered a few tough losses to elite teams to start the season, but don't let them heat up and gain momentum, or we could see them go on a late postseason run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dylan Kasper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Chaska","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab0044d3a33a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A junior with a promising frame, Kasper got his first nod as a QB this season in a tough matchup against the highly touted Hastings Raiders. He went 7/11 through the air for 125 yards, 2 TDs, and a near-perfect passer rating of 142.0. He's not just some pocket passer, however; Kasper took the rock 5 times on the ground for an impressive 91 yards, further adding to his offensive upside. He doesn't have any tape out yet, but with his build and a glimpse into what he could become this season, I'm excited to see more of Kasper going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->