’22 Season District Previews: Linebackers – Big Southeast – Blue

[player_tooltip player_id='313110' first='Ben' last='Glogowski'] | Mankato East | 2023 Ben is a backer who shows great speed that allows him to cover a large amount of ground in a short period of time, collapsing on the ball carriers. This young man is an outside backer who is fully capable of commanding control and coverage of his ⅓, and when he gets his hands on those who possess the ball, there are rarely any broken tackles. Ben shows an astute ability with his tackling skills and is wonderful at attacking the ball handlers at their thigh pads. Shooting low and attacking their legs, as I call it. This young man plays larger than his size and plays like a human hit-stick, looking to lay the boom. As Ben goes into his senior campaign, I would like to see him work on his athletic stance while in play, as he shows instances of getting too high at the waist while in play. However, this athlete is bound to make a plethora of magnificent plays for the Cougars going into this season with the football IQ he displays while in play and the trust he shows in his vision. [player_tooltip player_id='19008' first='Bryan' last='Cassellius'] | Winona | 2023 This athlete is able to stonewall offensive linemen who come to the second level and attempt to block him, effectively standing them up in their tracks. Bryan is a great defender entering his senior season campaign who shows the ability to dominate his ⅓ of the field and make it a hostile environment for ball carriers that wish to enter. While fleeing out from his position, Bryan is great at breaking down at the ball and making a play on the carrier. This young man is the definition of a versatile player who just wants to be on the field in the way that he plays every part of the game. Kicker to Linebacker; this young man does it all for Winona. I look for this young man to have a great senior year and to continue on at the next level. Reid Bielen | Byron | 2023 Reid attacks the ball with a vicious tenacity and then snaps into an alligator roll to get the ball carriers to the ground. If I were to give a clinic on getting the offensive player to the ground, I would insist that Reid gives the demo. This young man is also great at breaking down at the play and keeping his feet pounding through contact once a collision with the ball carrier is initiated. In addition to his fantastic tackling skill set, Reid is spectacular at keeping his shoulders and center of gravity low in his body positioning, allowing him to be balanced when reacting to any offense movements. This young man keeps his body well positioned as he maneuvers through the trenches in search of the ball. Reid sometimes shows hesitancy in reacting to plays, and I would like for him to trust his vision and attack the holes with more intention as he goes into his senior year. This young man is bound to make plays for Byron this year as they begin their quest for a championship. Dominic Mann | Kasson-Mantorville | 2024 Dominic is a downhill backer who displays a search and destroy mentality while out on the field. This young man is tremendous at weeding his way through the collision of masses that is the trenches while in search of the ball. Dominic has a wonderful first step downhill from his linebacking level, a first step that is tremendously quick and aids Dominic's quick instincts on the field. Dominic has great vision, trusts what he sees, and is able to get himself into the action rather fast. I might sound like a broken record at this point, but Dominic is also a wonderful tackler who wraps up tremendously well and keeps his feet driving through contact. This young man is someone who you want on the field at all times, but someone who you need to make sure is on the field in 3rd and short situations. Kasson-Mantorville has a spectacular ball player on their hands who is only a rising junior with plenty of time for further growth. I look to see this young man do great for his team over the next two years as well as at the next level of play.