Thursday, September 10th's Breakout Performers, Heroes, Standouts

Yesterday, Minnesota's Week 2 action kicked off with 17 games, ranging from big-time 6A, former Classic Lake Conference competitors to exciting 9Man matchups deep into Great Minnesota. Unfortunately, not every team has uploaded their stats to either the PrepRedzone or MNFootballHub scores and stats databases, so I couldn't find the true story of every contest from Thursday, but we did manage to find some Breakout Performers, Heroes, and Standouts from Thursday, September 10th's action. Good job, fellas!   --    Maple Grove vs. Eden Prairie was the best matchup of Thursday night's slate and arguably the best of the weekend. The Eagles ended up taking the heavyweight contest 21-14 after the Crimson made a strong attempt at a comeback that saw them score twice in four minutes before a last-second attempt to tie the game was unsuccessful. Within the various microcosms of the 6A showdown, Tarnowski set himself apart as a true game-changer and the best player for Maple Grove's offense on Thursday night, finishing with 4 catches for 123 yards and 2 TDs in the loss. From the film from the game, Tarnowski made an excellent catch on a 50/50 deep ball that he plucked and high-pointed right over the heads of a helpless Eden Prairie DB. Tough body position and ball location for Tarnowski to high point and work vertically, but he did, and did so very successfully, juggling the rock a bit before reeling the ball in, keepin his feet and chugging forward into the endzone. The 2028 WR also got wide open on a goal line slant, perfect pitch and catch for a well-deserved, easy TD. Also got open on a deep sit down route, perfectly finding space in the Eden Prairie coverage and adding another 10-15 yards after the catch once he stuck his cleat in the ground and worked upfield. This kid is one of the best wideouts in 6A in 2026. Buy stock early.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Crimsonfootball/status/2098231389065777527 </div></figure>     Breakout performance alert! After a slobberknocker of a 14-7 loss to Minnetonka in Week 1, the East Ridge Raptors bounced back in dominant fashion last night against Hopkins, walking away with a 49-14 victory on the back of breakout RB1 [player_tooltip player_id='1636173' first='Ethan' last='Laboy']. The 5'8, 165 lb. ball of dynamite finished his evening with 23 rushes for 203 yards and 1 TD, not to mention the fact that he was also 3-4 on extra points and returned a kick in the victory. Talk about versatility! Laboy showed off good vision and burst following his blocks on a redzone score from the Hudl recap of the win, but I'm still waiting for Laboy to upload some of his own film, especially after the junior tape displayed a twitched up tailback with deadly footwork and cutting ability in the open field and big-time burst gets him into space quickly. Laboy is an specially challenging assignment for that free defender and free safety in a 1v1 setting through the hole and I'm very curiosu to see how his offseason has treated him film/tape wise.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ethan_laboy/status/2088317457228292181 </div></figure>     PRZMN is incredibly excited to be highlighting [player_tooltip player_id='1547329' first='Phillip' last='Moita'] in 2026 and especially this early in the season. One of the biggest recruiting enigma's in Minnesota's 2026 class, Moita is the latest installment of Eden Prairie's high-quality trend of football/basketball hybrids, the reported 6'5, 220 lber. has bounced around a couple of different spots on Eden Prairie's football roster throughout his time with the Eagles, but a massive offseason, some size added to his already D1-worthy frame, and a move to the DL, as well as more experience at WR, seems to have really captured and translated Moita's skillset successfully to the gridiron.   Moita made a beautiful, back-shoulder, contorted snag right out of a breaking <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UGLwa">Maple Grove DB's hands</a>, landed impressively on feet, and strutted in for a highlight reel-worthy score on a talented defensive secondary   As a 5T, Moita shows off a big-time get off, much heavier hands that really make an impact on first contact, closing speed, twitch, and is strong enough to hold a gap and not get washed out on down blocks and run blocking schemes   Unreal frame. Size + length + room to grow in rare fashion.     [player_tooltip player_id='1665763' first='Roman' last='Morton'] is in the midst of a breakout senior season that has already earned him enough recognition for a well-deserved bump to the Ranking's Big Board. An All-Conference wrestler for the Millers who we have listed as a DB, it looks like Morton has transitioned to the Millers' RB1 role, and transitioned well. In Week 1, the 2027 standout went for 19 rushes for 143 yards and 2 TDs + 5 tackles vs. Bloomington Jefferson, and yesterday, in Week 2, he added 19 rushes for 105 yards and 1 TD + 2 tackles in the Millers' loss to Kasson-Mantorville.   Only new film from Morton is from Jefferson, which included a 73-yard TD run, wherein the standout multi-sporter went off-tackle, hit the gap and space with explosiveness, found the sideline and burnt a couple of pursuit angles with the help of some impressive downfield blocking. Morton also displayed contact balance through tackle attempts and impressive 0-60 burst from a dead stop. As a LB, the 612 product crumpled a Jags WR on a screen. Timed the hit up well and stuck him right in the sternum for a clean, beautiful hit that knocked the ball loose as well. Also sideline to sideline defensive range and runs the alley with pace and intent   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MortonRoma5315/status/2096464542519746601 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MortonRoma5315/status/2096464542519746601 </div></figure>     2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2154293' first='Logan' last='Louks'] is taking over the QB1 reigns at the 2025 Class 4A runner-ups in the Great State of Minnesota. Also a good hockey player with the Dodge County co-op, Louks is showing off the dynamic ability he flashed as a junior throughout the first two weeks of the MN prep football season. In the Komets' 2025 state runner-up campaign, Louks posted 35 carries for 373 yards and 5 TDs (10.7 YPC), as well as 3/3 passing for 77 yards and 1 TD, 3 catches for 16 yards, and 20 solo tackles, 2 PBUs, and 1 INT defensively. The senior multi-sporter is off to a good start in 2026 as far as beating the junior year production, as Louks popped off in Week 2 for a 4-6 passing performance for 135 yards and 1 TD + 11 rushes for 76 yards and 2 TDs in win over Washburn. Only game tape available is publicly on Hudl, where Louks proved he can distribute the rock to his playmakers effectively, not to mention show off some touch and accuracy, but I haven't seen any updated clips of him running the rock, something that PRZMN is desperate to see. Update that tape, Logan!   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LoganLouks10/status/2014160121123807235 </div></figure>     A 2029 breakout linebacker out of the Metro and MN's 5A ranks, Elvin Nyemah is a fun and physical part of Robbinsdale Armstrong's defense and impressive now-sophomore class.The 6', 200 lb. thumper posted 5 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 FF in the Falcons' win over Park Center, where the film proved he was an off-ball 'backer who can stick his cleat in the turf, get vertical, and comes downhill and closes with impressive speed and control. The sophomore makes plays all over the box, demonstrates good COD ability and reaction time in coverage, and shoots gaps with pace and timing to sniff out the ball effectively. Also physical at the contact point, especially as a tackler, and shows some juice as a pass rusher. Earned a 1v1 win in pass pro thanks to a well-timed arm-over. Can't wait to see how 2026 continues to develop for this 2029 'backer.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/elvin_nyemah/status/2098454584293245088 </div></figure>     Despite a complete turnover at the LB position that includes two starting sophomores and a first-year starting junior, the Maple Grove Crimson still have one of the best LB rooms in the state of Minnesota this fall. Maybe it's the high-quality coaching from former Mounds View DC Vince Calistro, now the 'backers coach at the recent 6A state champ, maybe it's the type of athletes the city of Maple Grove is producing and attracting of late, or maybe it's genetics. In our opinion, it's a combination of the three, and the Crimson's 'backers seem to rotating in terms of personal production, Friday Night Lights' showings, and personal, well-earned accolades and acclaim. Despite the 21-14 loss to Eden Prairie on Thursday night, the Crimson's defense kept their side in the ball game, and they were spearheaded by 2028 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1882066' first='Austin' last='Thyen']. The younger brother of current St. John's freshman 'backer Beaux Thyen, younger bro Austin has some serious juice, athleticism, and physicality at the prep ranks, and he finished his Week 2 with a banger of a personal stat line, finishing with 18 tackles and 2 sacks against a traditional MN heavyweight.   <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UGRxa">The film displays</a> an off-ball OLB who mixes in some standup EDGE, and he truly embodies the phrase "plays like his hair is on fire." Thyen flashes excellent pursuit speed and nonstop motor helped him hawk down a loose Eden Prairie tailback to save a TD in impressive fashion. Shows a nose for the football, comes flat down the LOS and has the speed to make plays behind the LOS right off the snap, and closes in a blink. Assignment sound, stays home, gap integrity helps him make tackles and stay in a good position throughout a rep. Never takes his foot off the gap, love the physicality and toughness, and plays fast, fast, fast.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AustinThyen3/status/2098184868412707179 </div></figure>     Mahtomedi has a new starter at the QB position! QB1 in 2026 goes by Trevor Rogosheske, and the senior is off to a strong senior campaign with his Zephyrs. A good hockey player with Maht's strong prep hockey program, Rogosheske is making the QB position his own, especially in Week 2, going 10-13 for 191 yards and 1 TD against St. Paul Highland Park. Also added 6 rushes for 23 yards on the ground! That makes the first-year starter 2-0 in 2026 on 17 completions on 27 attempts (63%) for 424 yards and 4 TDs to 0 INTs. Sadly, no film for the Zephyrs' new starter, but I really hope that changes soon and Rogosheske uploads some new tape.   @TrevorRogo9    --

Yesterday, Minnesota's Week 2 action kicked off with 17 games, ranging from big-time 6A, former Classic Lake Conference competitors to exciting 9Man matchups deep into Great Minnesota. Unfortunately, not every team has uploaded their stats to either the PrepRedzone or MNFootballHub scores and stats databases, so I couldn't find the true story of every contest from Thursday, but we did manage to find some Breakout Performers, Heroes, and Standouts from Thursday, September 10th's action. Good job, fellas!