Edgewood vs Stoughton: Recap and Top Recruits of the Game

The Week 7 slate was a fun one to pick through in search of the best matchup of college talent. In the end I elected to attend the Badger- Small conference game between Edgewood and Stoughton. Edgewood entered the game with an unblemished 6-0 record while Stoughton entered with a 3-3 record. The two teams entered the game impressively similar when it came to offensive production. Both featured RB1s with around 400 yards and both passing games led the charge and were rapidly approaching 1,000 passing yards for both QB1s. With plenty of firepower on offense I was very intrigued to see how the defenses would respond. The talent was definitely there to utilize with several outstanding seniors, juniors, and even a sophomore or two that looked like legitimate college prospects. So let's dive into how it played out, and then talk about those impressive individuals that stood out most.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Recap</h2>   Things started strong for Edgewood. Their defense quickly forced a punt on the opening drive, and on that punt the snap would go over the head and through the hands of the punter. Stoughton would jump on the loose ball, but the damage was done as the Crusaders of Edgewood would take over inside the Stoughton 10. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='533175' first='Gannon' last='Bagstad'] didn't waste any time and would keep it himself, follow his blocks, and get into the endzone for the early 7-0 lead. The momentum stayed on Edgewood's side as they would force another punt and quickly go back to work on offense. This time it was Bagstad's arm that got things going. He would find WR [player_tooltip player_id='1620377' first='Ben' last='Morey'] on a quick pass. Morey would get to the sideline and easily win the race to the endzone for the long TD reception and 14-0 lead.   The Crusaders continued their dominance on defense in the second quarter while the offense went through a short drought. It wasn't until 4:05 left in the half when Bagstad would again find [player_tooltip player_id='1620377' first='Ben' last='Morey'] on a quick pass in the redzone. Morey would quickly weave into the endzone for the 21-0 lead. Big things continued to happen for the Edgewood punt coverage team. Their next time out they would create fireworks again when returner Cash Soma raced down their left sideline for the punt return TD and 28-0 lead. The half ended with what looked like one final nail in the coffin from Edgewood's offense. [player_tooltip player_id='533175' first='Gannon' last='Bagstad'] would go deep over the middle to WR [player_tooltip player_id='1863229' first='Will' last='Kelly'] who reeled it in and easily trotted into the endzone for the 35-0 halftime lead.   That 35-0 lead would have the 2nd half begin with a running clock. Any time a team gets a 35 point lead in WI HS football it forces that running clock. The Edgewood kick return unit and returner Cash Soma would make sure that lead wasn't given up as Cash would return the opening kickoff of the second half all the way back for a TD to push the lead to 42-0. That is where the score would stay as time quickly ticked away. However, before the game would end Stoughton did find the endzone. It would be on the back of a tough, physical run from RB [player_tooltip player_id='1538589' first='Gatlin' last='Empey'] to bring us to our final score of 42-7.   Congratulations to the Edgewood Crusaders on an outstanding display of dominance. They controlled the game from the jump, set the tone in the trenches, and created electric plays to pile up points. Edgewood looked like a team that will be able to give teams matchup troubles in the playoffs as they have size, power, and speed spread across their offense, and their defense is loaded to the brim with talent. They looked like a team that will be able to play well into November if they can keep working as a team, do their jobs, and have as much fun as they were having Friday night.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recruits of the Game</h2>    Stats: 8/11, 146 Yards, 3 TDs, 19 Rushing Yards, 1 TD   One of the risers in the deep QB Class of 2026 is [player_tooltip player_id='533175' first='Gannon' last='Bagstad']. He looks the part at 6'2" 200 lbs, and as a senior he has played the part of a potential college passer. Gannon delivered on nearly every single drop back. He was decisive, got the ball out quickly when he had to, and always placed the ball perfectly for his man to catch it in stride. The lefty was technically sound, and also flashed some athleticism when needed. It was a surgical night for the uncommitted senior QB.     Stats: 4 Receptions, 91 Yards, 2 TDs   The most explosive playmaker of the night was junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='1620377' first='Ben' last='Morey']. Both of his TDs came off of quick passes. The first he was able to get to the sideline and once the junior had green grass in front of him there was no chasing him down. His top end speed is some of the best I have come across for the Class of 2027. His 2nd TD showed more of his agility and short area quickness as he took the quick pass and weaved through defenders to get into the endzone. Ben has that playmaking ability to a level where any touch could result in 6 points.     Henry was a contributor on both sides of the ball in Week 7, but his home is at OG. The junior is building a powerful frame. One that has shown in past weeks that it can bully DL and drive them off the line in the run game. This past week we got a close look at his ability to provide secure pass protection by setting a strong anchor so his QB could step up when needed. The big man has a solid base of athleticism, allowing him to pull across the formation and get up to LBs in the run game. The junior will be one to watch for teams looking to add to the interior of their OLs in 2027.     The most impressive athlete of the night was sophomore DT [player_tooltip player_id='1628031' first='Azindo' last='Takoro']. We will have to update the weight of his profile because the sophomore has blown up this past offseason. He now checks in at a solid 309 lbs. That extra size has been built in the weight room and it is showing up on Friday nights. Azindo has instant power in his movements. Off the line he quickly collapsed the pocket with his ability to bull rush the center. There were reps where the sophomore ran through the center and the RB providing help without losing a step, then got after the QB. Takoro matches his overall elite power with heavy hands that were able to quickly shed blockers to the side. For a 300+ lbs underclassman the range and motor he showed off really caught my eyes too. The 2028 DL is a special talent and a serious FBS level recruit with Power 4 potential. Get on this kid today if you aren't already.     Stats: 3.5 Tackles   I was pumped to be able to get to see Aydon in action. One of the top uncommitted defenders in the state was all over the front seven. His elite frame and the power he has built into it allows him to play through traffic and get off blocks very efficiently. He finds the ball quickly and has the range to close quickly on it. The senior is looking like he has recovered well from his knee injury that he came back from a few weeks ago. Don't sleep on him.     Stats: 2.5 Tackles, 1 Reception, 6 Yards   Ashton made his biggest impact on defense. He was a monster off the edge at DE. The senior looks the part with his 6'4" 235 lbs frame and long arms. The senior was all over the backfield getting pressure and creating havoc. The stat line doesn't come close to demonstrating his impact on the game. The senior DE is loaded up with power. Power that he used to drive OTs off the line, and his upper body strength was able to maintain separation while getting that push. I loved the way he used his hands throughout the night to defeat blocks. The versatile athlete needs more attention.     Stats: 8 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 FR   Chris was new to my radar, but it was hard to ignore the sophomore LB once the game started. Lee would go on to lead the team in tackles, making plays all over the field. You have to love the way Chris flies around the field at 100 mph. Find the ball and you will find the sophomore. He has a nose for the ball and the closing speed to make tackles before plays can develop. I'm excited to see how the aggressive LB grows and develops over the next two years.     Stats: 1 KOR TD, 1 PR TD, 3 Carries, 15 Yards, 1 Reception, 15 Yards   I don't often include athletes for just their special teams contribution, but Cash did way more than the standard special team contributor. Cash broke this game wide open with his late 2nd quarter and early 3rd quarter TD returns. Those two plays showed off the vision needed to excel at the job. He found the alleys quickly and once he found it could attack so quickly with his speed that got him through those alleys before any real threat of taking him down. The electric junior is well worth keeping an eye on.     Stats: 4 Carries, 21 Yards, 1 TD   One of the athletes on the Stoughton side that I was excited to see in person was senior [player_tooltip player_id='1538589' first='Gatlin' last='Empey']. The senior looks the part of a college prospect. 6'1" 225 lbs that was filled out with muscle. The RB/LB thrives when he can utilize his power. His short TD run featured that power as he ripped through the middle of the defense for the score. That same physicality makes the senior a potential impact player at LB too where he can be a force vs the inside run game. Get eyes on the uncommitted senior.     Stats: 13 Carries, 59 Yards, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards, 3 Tackles   Logan flashed on both sides of the ball throughout the night. Yards were not easy for Stoughton to come by, but Logan ran hard with his touches. He moves the pile and plays much bigger than his 190 lbs frame might suggest. I was impressed with his vision between the tackles too. Quickly finding blocks and glimpses of daylight and accelerating through the hole then lowering the shoulder to try and fall forward on every carry. Logan is another senior in this game that deserves next level attention.     Stats: 2 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 TFLs, 1 FR   A new athlete on my radar for the Class of 2028 is DJ Jones. The sophomore is barely scratching the surface at this point in his career. He has elite length at 6'6" and carries his 260 lbs so easily, telling me he could get to that 280+ lbs range by his senior year. DJ proved that he knew how to use that length and power to get himself into the backfield. He could get OL to stand up and use that length to open up enough room to slip past them into the backfield. I can't wait to see DJ take that next step and turn into a special recruit. Get this kid on your radars sooner rather than later.    <ul class="wp-block-list"></ul>    Stats: 2 Tackles, 1 TFL   Reid is another top uncommitted senior defender here in WI. He has proven to be very productive and disruptive in the backfield with his 7 sacks, and 18 TFLs. The numbers may not have been there Friday night, but the 6'5" 225 lbs senior should be heavily pursued. He has a great frame, we see him use that length to keep separation as he runs around the edge or sets the edge. Reid can win with speed or power. He also is 2nd on the team in receiving. Size, athleticism, power, versatility. There is so much to work with and develop at the next level. Check him out.

The Week 7 slate was a fun one to pick through in search of the best matchup of college talent. In the end I elected to attend the Badger- Small conference game between Edgewood and Stoughton. Edgewood entered the game with an unblemished 6-0 record while Stoughton entered with a 3-3 record. The two teams entered the game impressively similar when it came to offensive production. Both featured RB1s with around 400 yards and both passing games led the charge and were rapidly approaching 1,000 passing yards for both QB1s. With plenty of firepower on offense I was very intrigued to see how the defenses would respond. The talent was definitely there to utilize with several outstanding seniors, juniors, and even a sophomore or two that looked like legitimate college prospects. So let's dive into how it played out, and then talk about those impressive individuals that stood out most.