Mondovi vs Osceola: Game Recap and Top Recruits

*Subscribe to Prep Redzone WI with a 30% discount using code Johnson30*   For Week 2 of our live coverage we headed to western WI for a showdown between two of the state's top small school programs. Mondovi played host to Osceola, both entering the day at 1-0 on the year following dominant Week 1 efforts. While these are smaller schools you will see that there was no shortage of next level talent.   The game between the two teams would go on to be an instant classic powered by explosive offenses, and special teams. But it was defense that would strike first with Mondovi picking off Osceola on the first drive. From there the scoring started and it happened fast. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1627996' first='Bode' last='Falkner'] hit his TE for the first score, followed quickly by [player_tooltip player_id='2351618' first='Lucas' last='Bibeau'] returning the ensuing kickoff for a score for Osceola. The Buffaloes didn't let the Chieftains of Osceola hang around long though, driving down the field and finishing it with a Falkner QB sneak. Just like that the 1st quarter ended with Mondovi leading 15-6.   The Osceola Chieftains would quickly close the gap again with a TD pass to 2027 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2351618' first='Lucas' last='Bibeau'], a name that many programs need to have on their radars. Mondovi did a great job not letting Osceola stay close for long in this game. They went right down the field and this time the drive was capped by Falkner's arm with a pass to WR [player_tooltip player_id='2055377' first='Beau' last='Spindler']. The back and forth punches kept falling as Osceola QB Hunter Rondeau-Stoklasa punched it in from the 1 on a sneak of his own. Before I could even fire off that score update tweet Mondovi had returned the ensuing kickoff for 6 points, putting us at Mondovi leading 29-20 and that is where we entered the half.   It was going to be interesting to see if the offensive onslaught between the two teams would continue, and the packed house learned that the scoring would continue when RB [player_tooltip player_id='2351610' first='Cameron' last='Gruber'] ripped off a long TD run to start the 2nd half and give the Buffaloes a 36-20 lead. Osceola responded with a long pass and TD of their own with [player_tooltip player_id='2351618' first='Lucas' last='Bibeau'] once again making the highlight reel play. Mondovi QB [player_tooltip player_id='1627996' first='Bode' last='Falkner'] responded by showing off his pinpoint ball placement with a perfect pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1715430' first='Griffin' last='Rud'] in the corner of the endzone to give Mondovi their two score lead back, 43-28 late in the 3rd quarter. Osceola cut it to a one score deficit before the quarter could end. You can guess who was responsible for the score... [player_tooltip player_id='2351618' first='Lucas' last='Bibeau'] caught a quick pass and raced into the endzone to put the score at 43-36 entering the final quarter of battle.   The quarter went fast as the Mondovi Buffaloes milked the clock with a ton of running game success before QB [player_tooltip player_id='1627996' first='Bode' last='Falkner'] punched it in on the ground for the 49-36 lead. Osceola knew they would need to hurry, and managed to get down the field in about 2 minutes. The drive ended with a passing TD to standout TE/Edge [player_tooltip player_id='2237929' first='Reid' last='Ohman']. Mondovi once again took over up 49-43, but this time the Osceola defense was finally able to force a punt and give themselves one last shot to time or take the lead late. Those dreams would be crushed though as Mondovi would intercept the pass. The final nail in the coffin was delivered when Mondovi punched in the short TD to give themselves a 56-43 lead and giving us our eventual final score.   It was an impressive display of offensive prowess from both teams. Osceola proved they have the athletes to make big plays in the passing game. Mondovi did really well staying balanced and forcing Osceola to have to cover every skill player on the field on every snap. Both teams are in position to have memorable seasons that could last well into November. Good luck to both teams going forward and I hope to see both of you down in Madison in November!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Recruits of the Game</h2>    Stats: 16/30, 158 Yards, 3 TDs, 17 Carries, 82 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 Tackles   Bode was one of the athletes that were my leading drive to come and watch this game. The junior QB delivered on my hype in a big way. He delivered explosive plays with his arm, targeting the short to intermediate levels and zipping the ball into windows with next level accuracy and velocity. The arm talent is there to be able to continue his QB play at the next level. His legs are what also help separate him from the crowd. Bode doesn't look to run right away, but when he does he can make you miss 1 on 1 and he can also beat you around the edge, which he did on Friday night. The junior QB has a strong frame also that can handle the wear that comes from utilizing your legs as a QB. It was great to see Bode in person throwing for the first time. Keep an eye on this 2028 athlete.     Stats: 17 Carries, 166 Yards, 2 TDs, 13 Tackles, 1 TFL   Cameron has a great claim for Player of the Game. He was a key piece on offense and was all over the field on defense making stops. It was his play at RB that most impressed me. The junior RB is extremely patient behind his OL. He let things develop and could do so because he trusted his ability to attack and accelerate through holes when they open. That burst and top end speed allowed him to carve up the front seven without having to take hits until he was well into level two of the defense. The rising junior RB also demonstrated the long speed to be able to rip off the long scores. The instincts and talent of this junior RB make him well worth a follow. He is a game changer.     Stats: 4 Receptions, 67 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 5 Tackles   Griffin was the athlete who seemed to step up right when Mondovi needed something big to happen. He made an interception earlier in the game, scored the first points of the game, and scored one of the last times as well to keep Mondovi ahead as Osceola was looking to tie things up. The WR has a stocky frame that allowed him to be strong on defense when tackling too. His 2nd score on offense highlighted his ability to track the ball over his shoulder and be able to lay out to secure the catch. The first TD came from some tough running after the catch. Griffin had a night that perfectly featured his well rounded skill set.     Stats: 5 Receptions, 44 Yards, 1 TD, 4 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks   This game had no shortage of talent when it came to the receiving game. Leading the way for Mondovi is 2028 WR/OLB [player_tooltip player_id='2055377' first='Beau' last='Spindler']. The junior athlete has a well built, 6'3" 195 lbs frame and used it to make key plays on offense and defense Friday night. On defense Beau proved to be a strong edge setter, but also that he has the speed to get around the edge and chase down the QB. His impact on the edge was key on several drives to help Mondovi maintain their lead from start to finish. On offense he was a reliable option to target to convert the short yardage situations because he could use his size to protect the catch and also power his way to yards after the catch. This is one of the top athletes to know in the Class of 2028.     Stats: 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs, .5 Sack   Aiden is an under the radar OL recruit. He has the prototypical size of a next level OL, checking in at 6'4" 280 lbs. When the football season isn't going on Aiden is a 100+ career wins wrestler and multi-time State Qualifier. So you know the balance, and use of leverage are going to be there on the football field. The big man used that ability and his raw power to dominate on both sides of the line for Mondovi. Especially on defense where he made it nearly impossible for Osceola to find success between the tackles. His ability to play with his hands and control the line, shed the block, and make the tackle flashed on so many drives. The senior holds a D2 and D3 offer currently. He needs more eyes on him. Check him out!     Stats: 5 Carries, 22 Yards, 1 Reception, 8 Yards, 2 INTs, 5 Tackles   Blake was a surprise standout for me in the game. The senior flashed multiple times throughout the night including on the final defensive drive where he secured the win with his 2nd INT of the night. The senior DB has does really well at the safety position over the past two years. The experience has allowed him to develop strong instincts and with his range he is able to turn what he reads into big plays for his team. Blake is going to be a key piece of the defense the rest of the season and a name to follow.     Stats: 18 Carries, 56 Yards, 1 TD, 6 Tackles   Elliot is an old-school battering ram of a FB and LB. The junior checks in at an imposing 5'11" 220 lbs and he does his best to use every pound to punish opponents. On offense the yards were extremely tough to come by but the big man was able to muscle his way to several short yardage conversions and a TD. On defense the big man used that same physical play style to control the inside run game and shed blockers. The numbers may not have been crazy but Havlish did his best to keep his offense balanced and converting 3rd downs.     Stats: 6 Receptions, 163 Yards, 2 TDs, 5 Tackles   This was the premier talent of the night. Reid brings an elite frame to the field, checking in at 6'5" 210 lbs. His biggest contribution of the night came on offense where he was producing big play after big play. The junior is able to stretch the field and is great at high pointing the ball and coming down strong with it. The big play threat was able to set up multiple scores for his offense with his downfield receiving and both of his TDs came from that ability to get vertical and box out DBs. On defense the LB showed off the range and physicality to be effective stopping the run and was able to naturally slide in space while in coverage. The 2028 standout looked the part and should be one of the top recruits in the Class of 2028 here in WI.     Stats: 6 Carries, 30 Yards, 3 Receptions, 59 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 KOR TD, 4 Tackles   The breakout player of the night was Osceola senior [player_tooltip player_id='2351618' first='Lucas' last='Bibeau']. The senior seemed to be a walking highlight reel. Any time a big play needed to happen there was a great chance it was going to be Lucas that they leaned on. He started his day showing off the speed and vision, returning a kickoff for a TD and almost breaking another one. On offense the playmaker was able to repeatedly find soft spots in the coverage and if he had space after the catch then he was going to make the defense pay because of his acceleration and overall top end speed. For only touching the ball maybe a dozen times it was wild what the senior sleeper was able to produce. Coaches you need to check this kid out if you haven't.     Stats: 3 Tackles   It was a solid night on defense for Gage, but the true talent of his is displayed on offense. The OT has a massive frame with length to match standing at 6'6" 275 lbs. The big man is able to bulldoze DL in the run game when he gets hands on and his feet pounding into the ground. He showed that ability to reset the line of scrimmage over and over on Friday night. The big man also was able to show that he has developed his flexibility and mobility since he first hit our radar last summer. With his development steadily progressing it gives me confidence he will continue that at the next level. Leading to him being a legitimate steal in the Class of 2027. Don't miss out on the 2027 OL.     Stats: 8 Tackles   I really liked what I saw from the 2027 OL/DL out of Osceola. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. The senior has a 6'4" 210 lbs frame that fits perfectly as a DE at the next level. Over and over I was impressed by the range and burst that Brody was playing with. He was quick off the line and also able to get after the ball outside of the pocket. The senior did really well playing with his hands and keeping separation so he could disengage and slip past linemen for the stop. Brody has a really solid blend of size, traits, and gritty mentality that will help him become a next level type of player.

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