Prospect Spotlight: Blake Haus – Sartell-St. Stephen (2022)

The Sartell-St. Stephen Sabers’ football team has been struggling in recent years. Before 2020, the past three seasons, they won a total of one game. Despite the shortened season, the 2020 team won more games than any Sabers’ team had since 2016. Although a 3-3 season might not mean a state championship is around the corner, they took giant steps toward bringing the program back. A big part of the team’s turnaround was junior [player_tooltip player_id="116192" first="Blake" last="Haus"]. His play helped not only his team but also his prospects to play at the next level. "Overall, the season went well," Haus said. "With the COVID year, you can’t expect everything to go perfectly. With the slump Sartell football has been going through, getting a few wins under our belt will boost our confidence coming into next year." Their improvement was fueled by improved play on the line of scrimmage. "Offensively, we had good blocking and good play calls along with our running back [player_tooltip player_id="18088" first="Ethan" last="Torgrimson"]," Haus explained. "He was a beast for us this year. On defense, we had some lockdown defensive backs and got a lot of pressure with our defensive line and linebackers." The season was not only successful for the team but its junior lineman. "I had a lot of fun. It was a good year. I used this year to show out, do what I could for the team and see what kind of attention I could get." An early-season position change didn’t slow Haus down. "I started as a blocking tight end this year. A couple games into the season, they moved me back into right tackle. I was usually doing some type of down block, or I would be sealing an edge, pulling or getting to the next level." Haus is a two-way player. "I started on offense since the beginning of my sophomore year and have been starting on defense since mid-way through my sophomore season," the 6’5" 265-pound junior said. "I was a three-technique – between the tackle and guard on the strong side of the formation. Once in a while, they would kick me out to end, usually at the ends of games when teams were passing deep." Although he is a fixture on the Sabers’ line, Haus knows he needs to improve. "I am working on my feet," Haus – who likes to hunt deer and pheasant and fish, said. "I need to get my footwork quicker and better. I am also working on hip mobility, flexibility, and my overall quickness. I am just working on my overall athletic ability." Working on his feet starts with basketball. "Basketball was a good time," Haus told prepredzonemn.com. "I play center but am more like a power forward. I am a good defender. Most of my points come in the paint, but I like to step outside and shoot a three once in a while." Haus is a three-sport athlete. This spring, he will be on the diamond. "I have always played first or third base, and I do like to pitch a little bit too. I am normally our number four-hitter, but I like to keep my average up. I am not always trying to hit for power." Although his other sports keep him busy, football is never off his radar. "During basketball, I will lift a couple times a week," Haus explained. "In the spring, I am able to lift three or four times a week. I play baseball in the summer, but I get in the weight room even a little bit more." His hard work has helped his future prospects. "Recruiting has been fun," Haus – who is being recruited on both sides of the ball - said. "To have these coaches talking to me and to see all the differences and similarities between the programs; it has been cool to be part of this process." He has an offer from South Dakota and interest from North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and Army. He also has a camp invite from Wisconsin. "They like my size and say they like my film. A couple of the schools say they like my motor." If Haus’ senior season is anything like his junior year, the Sabers’ football program and even more college programs are sure to like him even more.