Small school returning players to watch – Class AA Part 2

Small school returning players to watch &#8211; Class AA Part 2

Brian Jerzak

July 17, 2022 @ 02:44 PM

Quarterbacks and linemen take center stage in part two of my three-part story highlighting some of the best talents in Class AA who are returning to the gridiron for more this fall. Without further ado, let’s get right to it. [player_tooltip player_id="273301" first="Camron" last="Enright"] QB Redwood Valley 6’1" 185 Enright is not only dangerous with his arm – he throws an accurate deep ball and puts his sideline throws on a rope. He is not only dangerous with his feet – he runs the read option well and looks more like a running back with good vision and footwork in the open field. He is also a punishing inside linebacker who has good tackling technique and does the hitting more than gets hit. His pass drops are solid and - like on offense – plays well in space. [player_tooltip player_id="112106" first="Gage" last="McManemy"] OL/DL Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 6’5" 250 McManemy is an athletic offensive tackle and defensive end. He gets off the ball quickly and has excellent upper body strength to manipulate blockers or shed them completely. He is athletic enough to get in passing lanes to knock down passes on defense and pull across the formation on offensive trap blocks. His quickness allows him to beat offensive linemen off the snap – destroying any blocking angle the blocking scheme might have had on him. He gets to the second level quickly on offense and is agile enough to hang with smaller players in the open field. [player_tooltip player_id="112076" first="Noah" last="Strickfaden"] QB Norwood Young America 6’2" 180 A true dual-threat quarterback, Strickfaden is just as comfortable throwing the deep ball as he is tucking the ball away and picking up yards on his own. He has a strong arm who can push the ball downfield well when staying in the pocket. The Raiders quarterback is willing to take a hit to make an accurate throw. When he scrambles, it is usually to pick up yards with his feet instead of buying time to throw. That is not a bad thing; Strickfaden has great speed and can make guys miss in the open field. His long-striding style eats up angles defenders think they have on him. Landon Fox QB Maple River Fox has a solid arm and uses it well, especially on mid-range throws and throws to the outside. Fox throws well on the move and can get the ball downfield without setting his feet. He doesn’t seem to look to scramble to run but more to buy time in the pocket. [player_tooltip player_id="112157" first="Max" last="Kingsbury"] DL Concordia Academy 6’4" 280 Kingsbury is about as physical a defensive lineman as I have seen doing these small-school features. The soon-to-be senior is just a thick athlete – from head to toe. His strength allows him to blow up blockers head-on, but with his athletic ability – he is just as comfortable with his hand on the ground as he is as a standup defensive end – separates him from most linemen. Right now, he often overpowers his blockers. As he progresses – like most guys his age – lowering his hips and pad level at the point of contact will be keys to seeing how much success he has as a senior and possibly beyond.