Brian’s best: Prior Lake v Shakopee
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In easily the best game I have seen this young season, two Minnesota top ten 6A teams went head-to-head in Prior Lake. In a wild fourth quarter, Prior Lake held Shakopee one yard away from the end zone on the…
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Continue ReadingIn easily the best game I have seen this young season, two Minnesota top ten 6A teams went head-to-head in Prior Lake. In a wild fourth quarter, Prior Lake held Shakopee one yard away from the end zone on the game’s last play, clinching a 24-16 victory. Here are some players who made this game a memorable, early-season contest.
Joey Krouse Joey Krouse 5'10" | 185 lbs | WR Prior Lake | 2023 State MN Prior Lake RB/DB
Before making the game-winning tackle on the game’s last play, Krouse stopped an outside run near the goal line. On offense, he used his speed and got the corner on a sweep. He also caught a pass in the flat. On defense, Krouse assisted on a tackle on a third and short. He stuffed the option for a short loss on third down. I thought he sealed the game when he recovered a fumble from an errant option pitch. On the critical last play of the game, his open-field tackle prevented a sure touchdown. Krouse read a post route and made a tackle at the one yard-line.
Jadon Hellerud Jadon Hellerud 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Shakopee | 2023 State MN Shakopee RB
Hellerud was the Sabers’ primary offensive weapon – especially between the tackles. Early in the game, his two runs right up the middle set up an early Shako score. A tough inside runner, Hellerud picked up a critical fourth and short late in the game. He made a physical run near the goal line, setting up his short touchdown run. He is not just a runner, catching a ball in the flat. His low pad level keyed a tough run up the middle on fourth and two.
Greg Johnson Greg Johnson 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Prior Lake | 2023 State MN Prior Lake OL/DL
Johnson was the best player on the field. He opened a big hole early in the game. He sealed the edge, allowing running back Grayson Spronk Grayson Spronk 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Prior Lake | 2023 State MN to get the corner and a touchdown. Johnson then opened a hole, and guard Evan Laughridge came across with a trap block to spring a running back. Johnson – a Gophers’ commit, picked up a pancake block on a sweep. The senior was forced to play both ways due to injuries and an ejection. He was a physical presence at defensive end in the second half.
Ben Marty Ben Marty 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Shakopee | 2023 MN , Carter Derendal and Preston Keplin Preston Keplin 6'5" | 255 lbs | OL Shakopee | 2023 State MN Shakopee OL
Marty, Derendal, and Keplin keyed the fourth-quarter drives to nearly win the game, opening lanes for the option attack. Marty opened a hole on fourth and short and keyed the dive game on the final drive – opening up the option game.
Aidan McGowan Aidan McGowan 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Prior Lake | 2023 MN Prior Lake LB
McGowan stopped an outside run early in the game. Then penetrated the line of scrimmage, allowing teammates to make a tackle for loss. He forced his way into the backfield again to force the runner into teammates. Finally, he stuffed an option run for a short gain.
Hunter Grommesch Shakopee DB
Grommesch made a tackle on the inside for a short gain. Then, he stuffed an off-tackle play near the goal line before stopping another run to the outside.
Grayson Spronk Grayson Spronk 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Prior Lake | 2023 State MN Prior Lake RB
Spronk is a tough inside runner. He runs with a low pad level and especially showed his power with a physical run around the corner.
Evan Laughridge Prior Lake OL/DL
Laughridge played both ways and did much of his damage coming across the formation throwing trap blocks – keying many inside runs. On the defensive line, he helped keep the high-powered running game of the Sabers in check. His penetration allowed teammates to make tackles at the line of scrimmage.
Dominic Jackson Dominic Jackson 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Shakopee | 2023 State MN Shakopee QB
Jackson threw an excellent corner route for a big gain. His most significant contribution was how he ran the option. He sidestepped a tackle at the line of scrimmage and carried tacklers for three yards. He made many great reads on their final touchdown drive. Dropping back for a pass, he faced immediate pressure up the middle. Jackson used a stiff arm, scrambled to the outside, and made a strong throw on the run for a completion. On the game’s final drive, he cut up the field instead of pitching for twenty-five yards.
Jide Abasiri Jide Abasiri 6'6" | 290 lbs | DL Prior Lake | 2024 State MN Prior Lake DL
Abasiri was a critical part of the run defense for the Lakers. He made maybe the biggest play of the game – until Krouse made the play of the game – when he kept his pad level low, got into the backfield, and stuffed a fourth and short setting up points for his team late in the first half.