Brian’s Best: East Ridge vs. Totino-Grace

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East Ridge Raptors' offense was nearly perfect to open the 6A playoffs Friday night. They were especially effective through the air during their 40-14 victory over the Totino-Grace Eagles. Here are the players whose individual efforts stood out the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6361da8006ca9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["105379"],"_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":"Zolnosky is the best quarterback I have seen this season. He is as comfortable throwing from the pocket as he is on the move. He hit two early throws into the flat while rolling out. He is not the fastest quarterback, but he had speed enough to get the corner to convert a fourth and two. On a busted play, Zolnosky stayed calm and found a receiver on a check down for a first down. On a third and long, he avoided the rush and completed a short pass. He threw a perfect pass on a crossing route. He picked up yardage on a quarterback draw with an excellent cut at the end of the run for five yards. He hit a crossing route in stride for a touchdown. One of the junior's best plays was called back because of a penalty. The center snap went over his head. Zolnosky caught the snap off the hop, and instead of panicking, he completed a short pass for what would have been a seven yard gain. Later, he rolled to the right and threw back to the opposite sideline for a thirty yard gain. He threw into a tight window for a completion. Even more impressive than his high snap improvisation, his best throw was when he was under distress. Using only his arm strength because he was hit as he threw, he got the ball twenty yards down the field for a touchdown.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["245478"],"_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":"Reese was a threat on both sides of the ball. As a tight end, he caught a seam route for a 36 yard touchdown. He showed his athletic ability when he caught a ball in the flat, cut up the field, and broke a tackle for twenty yards. His most impressive play highlighted his power. The senior caught a short ball near the sidelines and cut up field. He was hit at the five yard line and drove two potential tacklers into the end zone for his second touchdown. He showed his power again late in the game. He caught a crossing route and broke multiple tackles for thirty yards on a third and five. On defense, he got a quarterback hit, forcing an incomplete pass. Later, he pressured the quarterback from his defensive end spot. He fought off a block on a late fourth and short and made a tackle preventing the first down.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Nicholas Ruhland","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Totino-Grace","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Ruhland was under pressure but made a great throw on a crossing route. Then, he showed excellent arm strength with a throw across the field for a fifteen yard touchdown. He can tuck the ball and run, too, going up the middle for a first down. He completed a pass on a crossing route for a first down on third and long.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["348816"],"_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":"Walker is a versatile runner. His vision and cutting ability were evident early. He got through the hole quickly and then made a sharp cut to the outside for more yardage. Then, he cut early in the run to the outside and back to the inside for a first down. He then showed good power through the hole on an inside run and a nine yard touchdown run up the middle. A patient run between the tackles picked up five yards. The junior showed good vision by cutting to the outside for fifteen yards. Then, he should have been stuffed in the backfield, but his quick feet allowed him to find some space to pick up positive yards. Two sudden cuts gave him some room, and then he used a spin move to get out of a tackle for a positive gain.","_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":"Noah Hill","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Totino-Grace","_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":"Hill is not the fastest running back, but he has a low center of gravity and good feet. His low pad level allowed him to pick up yards with a physical run up the middle. He showed his patience, picking his way on a run up the middle. His good feet allowed him to make quick cuts at the line of scrimmage, which he used multiple times during the game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Riley Schwellenbach","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"East Ridge","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Schwellenbach was the fastest player on the field. He caught a pass on a third down well short of the first down, but he used that speed to cut all the way across the field to find space. Then, he cut upfield for twenty yards and a first down. He caught a short pass on a similar play and used his speed and cutting ability to pick up fifteen more yards. He got into the end zone catching a crossing route. The senior – who will be playing baseball in college – made a leaping, contested catch for thirty yards. Finally, he caught a pass for a twenty-yard touchdown on a third and long.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["313303"],"_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":"Mathis' catch and run resulted in a fifteen yard touchdown. Later, he caught a ball in the flat and made a move in the open field. After freeing himself, he used his speed to get down the sidelines for a 50 yard gain. A versatile runner, Mathis does a bit of everything on offense for the Eagles.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='348802' first='Bryce' last='Sharp'] 2023 6'4", Luke Vander Linden 2023 6'2", [player_tooltip player_id='348765' first='William' last='Nordstrom'] 2024 , Justin Johnson 2023 6'1", Kene Anene 2024 6'5"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raptors' offensive line will not wow you with their size, but they are quick off the ball, and in the trap game, Nordstrom, Vander Linden, and Johnson controlled the middle of the line of scrimmage early with most of the successful early runs up the middle. Those three opened the hole for the first touchdown of the game. Johnson had the offensive line highlight of the game when he pulled and got a pancake block on the edge to spring Walker around the corner. This unit gave up some quarterback pressures early but had a great overall game controlling the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6361de8006cb0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["368538"],"_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":"Flemino was a solid mid-range receiving threat for the Raptors. He did good work outside, catching a deep out for fifteen yards and then a short pass in the flat. He got into the end zone with a 17 yard touchdown catch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Alexander Mattes","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"East Ridge","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Mattes didn't give up many completions when they tested him. When he did get tested, he came up with a pick adding a return for thirty yards. 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He attacked the line of scrimmage, helping to stuff a run on third and short.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Grant Miley","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"East Ridge","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Miley showed how versatile a defender he can be. Early, he made two open field tackles. Miley was the only Raptor in the area in both cases, and his tackling prevented big plays. Against the pass, he jumped a route and deflected a pass. Then, he intercepted a deep pass down the sidelines.","_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":"Tyler Fuelling","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"East Ridge","_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":"Fuelling made a handful of tackles on the inside. 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