Preseason Preview: Prior Lake

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the last half dozen seasons or so, the Prior Lake Lakers have been stuck in no man's land in Class 6A. Playing one of the more challenging schedules nearly every year, they have been a .500 program. They would always be a tough out but could not get to that next level as a program. Coach Matt Gegenheimer looks to have a squad that will cruise right past the .500 mark in the standings in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We feel we can be very competitive week to week both in our district and section play no matter who we play," Gegenheimer said. We have a good group of returning starters but will have some new faces. We like the progress they made this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Lakers' youngsters get up to speed quickly, the program's best season in many years – and possibly a deep playoff run – could be in the Lakers' future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We will have some guys without much Friday Night experience," Gegenheimer said, "so they will have a learning curve to go through but should be very good players for us when all is said and done."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Players to watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63058fb62c52b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112105"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Johnson plays offensive tackle, but he moves like a tight end. He has excellent size for an offensive lineman, but what immediately stands out while watching the Minnesota commit is how fast and agile he is. Johnson gets around the corner and into the next level as fast as any lineman in the state. His agility doesn't mean he isn't physical. His punch off the line of scrimmage rocks defenders backward, and defenders end up on the ground when he gets a chance to finish.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["208274"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Spronk is one of the most complete running backs in the state. His physical build makes it obvious he breaks tackles, but his speed – for a back his size – separates him from other runners. His explosion through the hole is surprising based on his size. At the line of scrimmage and in the open field, his footwork is impressive for a back who is a long-striding runner. The senior is a multi-talented back. He appears just as comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield as taking a handoff.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["112055"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Krouse quickly gets in and out of his cuts. He has the straight-line speed to take the top off the defense. He plays both out wide and in the backfield. While the Lakers use his speed out of the backfield mainly on sweeps and wheel routes, Krouse is physical enough to occasionally run between the tackles and break arm tackles in the open field. As a receiver, he uses his hands well and goes after the ball instead of letting the ball get into his body.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["112107"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The Minnesota-Duluth commit is a huge target and has a large catch radius. Bowman plays both in the traditional tight end spot but will also split out into the slot. He uses his length well by using his hands and not allowing the ball into his body. At this point, he is not the most physical tight end but will take a big hit to make a catch. With his height, he needs to work on getting his pad level lower when run blocking, but he uses his long arms to keep defenders off his body when engaged with a defender.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Aidan Horel","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Prior Lake","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"As a sophomore, Horel is a very physical tackle. He will need to put on some good weight – which he likely already has – but last season, he made up for his lack of size with a great pad level and low hips. He is also quick off the ball and gets into defensive linemen quickly. At this point, he is a better run blocker than a pass blocker, but he has good footwork during his pass pro reps on his highlight package. Mainly a right tackle, Horel also took snaps at left tackle without any noticeable drop-off.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["112052"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Owusu uses his arms very well to keep distance from himself and blockers. He can control the line of scrimmage because he has a wide and strong base. His lower body makes it challenging for blockers to move him off the line or even get him turned away from the play. Taking on double teams is a big part of any 3-4 defensive end's responsibilities. Owusu does that but is also athletic enough to be a factor on the pass rush and athletic enough to cover a ton of ground laterally. Owusu is also explosive off the ball, often beating offensive linemen off the line of scrimmage. His straight-line speed allows him to track plays on the opposite side of the field.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["313210"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"When Gegenheimer decides to attack the line of scrimmage, he gets to the ball quickly. He has speed, but what is more impressive is his control. He closes quickly, but he always attacks while under control. His control allows him to adjust his routes to the ball and react to the running backs' cutbacks. As an inside linebacker in the Lakers' 3-4 scheme, Gegenheimer does a good job of using his quickness and angles to avoid blockers more than being forced to take blockers on head-on.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["301589"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Soukup plays a physical outside linebacker. He does a great job holding the edge in the running game by stopping blockers in their tracks and getting rid of those blockers to make plays. He is a physical tackler who also tackles with great technique. He has the quickness to run plays down from behind. His athletic ability allows him to move well taking pass drops.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Tanner Rueckert","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Prior Lake","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Ruekert is a load in the middle of the Lakers' defensive line. He keeps his hips low, gets under the pads of his blockers, and explodes upwards, straightening offensive linemen up. Once that happens, Ruekert has blockers on skates and drives defenders into the backfield. He might not make the tackle, but he plays on the offense's side of the line of scrimmage, collapsing the pocket and forcing blockers and running backs off their intended paths. Offensively, Ruekert is a mauler at guard. He bullies defensive linemen with his strength and explosion off the line of scrimmage.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["313211"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"McGowan's change of direction at an outside linebacker spot allows him to close down on inside runs while still keeping his outside leverage. It allows him to adjust his play responsibilities on the fly effectively. An example is initially holding contain but quickly closing down to the inside to make the tackle after the running back cut. McGowan has the strength to hold the edge but also has the speed to run down plays from the backside.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["112153"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Hanson gets out of his backpedal quickly and has solid closing speed when reacting to the ball or an opponent's route. His good hips allow him to stop quickly and change direction smoothly. His football instincts and that great change of direction allow him to get off coverage and get to receivers in the pattern that wasn't even his initial responsibility. He plays a solid corner both in bump-and-run coverage and when asked to play off the line of scrimmage.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->