High Five: Apple Valley vs Hastings

The Apple Valley Eagles dominated the Hastings Raiders on the Eagles' home field Saturday night. They got an early lead and never looked back. For the second game in a row, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;"><a style="color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2019/10/apple-valley-took-their-anger-out-on-hastings-to-advance/">the Eagles took care of the Raiders</a></span></span> – this time by a score of 37-6. Who were the individuals who made it happen and stood out? <strong>Tony Anger Apple Valley RB/LB</strong> One of two Eagles who took over the game, Anger started his day with a pass break up on an in route. On offense, he made a couple of moves in the open field and picked up 20 yards. On 3rd and four – he didn't have a hole, but he powered his way to a first down. He made a nice cut and then used his power to run over a pair of defenders. Back at linebacker, he laid a big hit on a receiver on a slant forcing an incompletion. Then he made a tackle on a slant to keep the receiver short of a first down. He set up a score late in the first half when he dropped into the hook zone and intercepted a pass returned it for 45-yards. In the second half, he had an 8-yard touchdown run and then effectively put the game away when he undercut a slant for his second interception. He returned the pick inside the five-yard line. <strong>Bilhal Kone Apple Valley WR</strong> With Anger doing most of his work inside, Kone did his damage on the outside. He showed good speed around the corner on an end-around for the touchdown. Kone is the punter, and on a fake punt, his explosive speed up the middle picked up 23 yards on a 4th and 17. He then caught an eight-yard touchdown pass. He has good speed around the corner on jet sweeps. He made a 33-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. Kone threw a key block on the outside. Along with offensive lineman <strong>Aiden Cahill</strong>, he sprung Anger for twenty yards on a first and 16. Kone took another end-around in for a four-yard touchdown run. <strong>Connor Elliot and Noah Friedt - Apple Valley LBs</strong> Elliot deflected a pass and stuffed a pair of runs in the middle of the field. Friedt came on a couple of successful blitzes – one for a sack and one that forced a quick throw and incompletion. Later Friedt made a tackle in the backfield. <strong>Apple Valley offensive line Aiden Cahill, Colton Bauer, Jacob Yang, Deon Kelson, Kevin Flores</strong> When your team rushes for over 200 yards and averages over six yards per carry – the offensive line must get some love. They ran the ball thirty-five times and wore down the Raiders' front seven. They worked well as a unit – especially Cahill and Flores at the tackle spots – allowing Kone to use his speed to get around the corner. <strong>Devon McSorley Hastings RB/LB</strong> McSorley was the Raiders' most productive offensive player. His work in between the tackles was the most consistent offensive play. He broke a long run up the middle and showed excellent power between the tackles. Speaking of tackles, he made two nice plays on the outside – open-field tackles for short gains.