Level 4: Best Performances of the Week
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We have made it! The 14 teams that will battle for a State Championship have been set. We have new teams and faces as well as some rematches from 2021. It is going to be an exciting slate highlighted by…
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Continue ReadingWe have made it! The 14 teams that will battle for a State Championship have been set. We have new teams and faces as well as some rematches from 2021. It is going to be an exciting slate highlighted by student athletes with next level talent. Before we kick off those games on Thursday let’s go back to Level 4, and look at all the top performances put on by WI’s best talent. We have 10 film segments to go through as well as many other student athletes to know that put up big numbers, but don’t have film cut up yet. Check them all out! Let’s get into it!
Stats: 28 Carries, 279 Yards, 4 TDsrnThe ultra-productive senior RB was back at it again in Level 4. I watched him in person during their Level 3 matchup and it was more of the same this past Friday. However, this week we got to see some more of Blake’s big play ability. Multiple times he was able to weave his way through his blocks and then show that he has enough speed to win in the open field. Those big plays were sprung y his patience behind the line of scrimmage. I’m excited to see how he caps off his dominant senior season Friday afternoon. Keep an eye on him. He is uncommitted, and under the radar. Check him out.
Highlights
Stats: 15/25, 175 Yards, 2 TDs, 19 Carries, 32 Yards, 1 TDrnOne of the biggest steals in the Class of 2023 here in WI is the signal caller from Sussex. Nate brings a big frame, dual threat, and live arm to the table. Let’s start with the arm talent. Kollath can easily attack the short, intermediate, and deep levels of the field with velocity thanks to a strong right arm. He also has good ball placement both from the pocket and on the run. Nate plays with good poise in the pocket even with pressure closing on him. He even has some clips of him delivering dimes with different arm angles. On to the dual threat part of his game. Kollath is even more dangerous because he doesn’t quickly give up on the pass. He will move around in the pocket and outside it to buy time instead of bailing out. On designed runs, he is a powerful ball carrier thanks to his superior size. The team that earns his commitment is going to be very happy with what they get. This is an athlete you have to know.
Highlights
Stats: 25 Carries, 114 Yards, 1 TDrnThe biggest breakout player of the 2022 Playoffs is the Kaukauna senior RB. He came into the season as a name to know at the RB position, but what he did this fall definitely will push him up our board, and the board of many teams. The 5’10” 175 lbs RB has great speed. The type of speed that gives the senior a chance to take it to the house any time he gets a sliver of daylight. He is a big play waiting to happen. Hofmann uses strong instincts and vision to read his blocks, and find the gap. Noah also possesses the contact balance to be able to create big plays through contact. Get him in a third down/ change of pace/ returner role and let his natural playmaking ability change the outcome of games. He is one of the top uncommitted playmakers in the state.
Highlights
Stats: 31 Carries, 211 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 Receptions, 41 YardsrnOne of the state’s most electric athletes has led his team to the State Finals. Najeh is a game changer. He runs a reported sub 4.40 40 time. He is a threat as a runner and receiver. That receiving threat is made him standout as a running back. So much so that the Duluth commit will be playing WR at the next level. It is a great fit for him. Mitchell accelerates in a flash. He can change directions with ease, and he has natural hands to pluck the ball. That running back background is going to have him ready to play tough after the catch also. Big things coming for Najeh this week and in the future.
Highlights
Carson Clausen
Carson Clausen
Stats: 6 Receptions, 136 Yards, 2 TDsrnThe 6’1″ DL/TE has been a weekly big impact player for Freedom this fall. Sadly, their season came to an end on Friday. However, Carson did everything he could to prevent that from happening. While Carson is undersized for the DE/TE positions, the junior was a mismatch athletically. On offense, they used him in the slot and he was able to run away from defenders down the field. Clausen has natural hands that make every catch look easy. Lastly, Carson did a good job of finishing his plays after the catch with physicality. I’m excited to see how the junior develops this offseason. Athlete to know.
Stats: 37 Carries, 193 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Reception, 18 YardsrnWe have him ranked as an RB, but Colton fits more into the ATH identification. The 6′ 210 lbs junior shines at both RB and LB. The thing that instantly stands out from the crowd is the big man’s athletic traits. He is an easy mover, plays at a different speed than the rest of the field, and his strength looks over matched for his opponents. Brunell also sees the field better than the rest of the field on both sides of the ball. On offense, he has that innate ability to find the open grass. On defense, he sees the play happening as it develops allowing him to get to the spot he needs to be on time. There is no doubt that Colton can play either side of the ball at a high level of college competition. Look for him to put on a show in the championship game.
John Schwaab
John Schwaab
Catholic Memorial has an embarrassment of riches along the OL. At center is a 6’2″ 250 lbs junior to know. John is extremely light on his feet. He pulls with ease, and suddenness, after the snap. Schwaab did a good job with his hand placement this week. He landed his initial punches on the chest plate, and kept his hands working preventing them from being knocked down. The young man has solid reactive athleticism and anchor strength. That is key to prevent penetration from the interior of the pocket during pass protection. I’m excited to watch John in person, and to see how he grows and continues to develop those impressive traits. Check out the film below.
Stats: 11 Carries, 108 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 Reception, 19 YardsrnZander and Regis HS were not going to leave any doubt about who the best team was in their Level 4 matchup. Zander led the way on the ground using his 6’1″ 240 lbs frame to bull doze his way to nearly 10 yards per carry. The Gophers commit is a dominant force. On defense, Rockow blasts off the line and chases down opponents with his elite closing speed. On offense, Zander runs hard behind his pads, bounces off tackles attempts, and has the long speed to dominate this level of competition in the open field. I’m excited to see him live at State, and to see how he is used at the D1 level.
Highlights
Stats: 9 Carries, 90 Yards, 1 TDrnThe 5’10” 200 lbs senior RB lines up at FB in Regis’ offense. Jack was another ball carrier on the Regis offense putting up 10 yards per attempt on the way to an impactful night. I was most impressed with the senior’s patience. He is used to attack the middle of defenses. In the trenches between the guards can be a mess and lead to a lot of backs just putting their head down and going forward for a couple yards. That isn’t how Jack attacks. Instead, he is patient amid the chaos. He waits for his blocks to set up, and when he sees them that’s when he accelerates through the hole. Weisenberger also demonstrated some nice power to break through tackle attempts from second level players, and the speed to capitalize on break away opportunities. A senior to watch this week at State. he holds an offer from UW- Eau Claire.
Stats: 21 Carries, 273 Yards, 4 TDs, 1 Reception, 66 Yards, 1 INTrnThe 6’1” 195 lbs RB/LB has another week under his belt of dominant play. He will look to finish off the perfect season with a State Championship in a rematch of the 2021 State Championship against Aquinas. There isn’t much of a surprise to Blake’s game at this point. It is impressive how consistent he is on the field. His combo of size/speed/strength are hard to find anywhere else in the state. The game seems slow for him as he quickly picks through defenses. You can see his instincts for the position as he seems to always be in the right position to make a big play. That size/speed/power combo is boosted by those instincts. The senior is a walking big play. He holds a few D2 offers. Keep a close eye on him in his final HS game. He is sure to put on a show. Give him the attention he deserves.
Other Noteworthy Performances
Cole Bensen
Cole Bensen
Stats: 13/26, 205 Yards, 20 Carries, 74 Yards, 2 TDs
Highlights
Brett mcConkey
Brett mcConkey
Stats: 8/14, 140 Yards, 2 TDs, 17 Carries, 59 Yards, 3 Tackles
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Stats: 11 Carries, 115 Yards, 2 TDs, 13 Tackles
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Alex Hernandez
Alex Hernandez
Stats: 24 Carries, 198 Yards, 3 TDs, 2 Tackles
Jaymeson Sullivan
Jaymeson Sullivan
Stats: 6 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 FF
Justin Klinkner Justin Klinkner 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Two Rivers | 2024 State WI
Justin Klinkner Justin Klinkner 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Two Rivers | 2024 State WI
Stats: 17/26, 187 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 Tackles
Stats: 21 Carries, 110 Yards, 15 Tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT
Highlights
Stats: 2 Carries, 137 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Receptions, 21 Yards, 12 Tackles
Highlights
Stats: 14 Carries, 192 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Reception, 6 Yards, 2 Tackles