Big Dogs of the Game: New London-Spicer at Dassel-Cokato
Jack Hillmann, LB, Dassel-Cokato (2022)
Hillman had a couple of hits last night that showed his physicality level. Check out the film from last night below to see it!
Kyle Doty, QB, New London-Spicer (2022)
Doty showed promising signs last night for the Wildcats. Although the ball got away from him a few times, Doty’s film offers a kid with some promise and strong-arm strength.
Mason Ailie, TE, Dassel-Cokato (2022)
I got to watch Ailie for the first time over the summer in Maple Grove. This kid’s frame is fantastic at 6’4 240 and showed off some reliable hands in his one massive grab yesterday in Gillman’s one pass of the night. I think Ailie is a sleeper TE from the outstate you’ll want to keep your eye on in the coming years.
Nick McKenzie, OL/DL, New London-Spicer (2021)
McKenzie impressed me last night with his quick mobility on both sides of the line. His quick feet and ability to feed on multiple tacklers on film were impressive to watch, also on the Wildcats wrestling team, which I can see where he gets his toughness from.
Gregory Clark, QB, Dassel-Cokato (2022)
Clark was another kid I learned about over the summer at the Potenza tryout. Clark didn’t get too many reps at quarterback, but the one throw he made deep showed off his arm strength, which was something that impressed me the first time around in Maple Grove.
Brycen Christensen, WR, New London-Spicer (2023)
Christensen got loose last night for a touchdown last night early for the Wildcats. He has good wheels and some promise as just a sophomore in the Wildcats receiving core. Solid size.
Devan Campbell, DL, Dassel-Cokato (2021)
Campbell shed off a ton of blocks last night and was one of the Chargers defense’s biggest disruptors last night. Also showed off some range with an extra blocked point is the most textbook I’ve seen in my time with Prep Redzone. Campbell is well deserving of my defensive MVP for the Chargers last night.
Jack Novak, RB, New London-Spicer (2021)
Novak showed that he had some bounce off tackles last night. The Wildcats RB has some burst when he’s in transition and has excellent footwork as well—logged two touchdowns in last night’s game. The tandem with him and Tim Thein is a nice back group to watch this season.
Monte Gillman, RB, Dassel-Cokato (2024)
Gillman turned in a solid game for the Chargers in the backfield. This kid is just one that it might take a few players to drag down! Monte’s lower body strength showed off well last night, as this All-American Pole Vaulter is tough as nails. Don’t let the size you see in the football program fool you, as you will find Monte on our 2024 watchlist when it comes out.
Jaden Zylstra, WR, New London-Spicer (2021)
The little brother of former Concordia-Moorhead star and Carolina Panthers WR Brandon Zylstra was a clutch find for Kyle Doty over the middle of the field on a few occasions. Zylstra might be more focused on basketball based on the lack of football film but has a good football pedigree.
Jacob Gnerer, DB, Dassel-Cokato (2021)
Gnerer grabbed the first interception for the Chargers defense last night and set the tone. He now has back to back games with interceptions and has a solid grasp of the ball skills and quality speed.
Connor Rothwell, FB/DL, New London-Spicer (2022)
I talk about “bully ball” quite a bit, and watching Rothwell reminds me a lot of “The Fridge” for the Bears. Feed this 6’1 285 pound near the one-yard line and expect a score.
Beau Nelson, DL, Dassel-Cokato (2021)
Nelson was one of the lead tacklers for the Chargers last night. His ability to make play after play was another key to the Charger’s defense. Although Nelson might be one of the smaller guys on the defensive line, Beau’s disruptive ability was shown on Thursday’s night game in Cokato.
Logan Benson, LB, Dassel-Cokato (2021)
Benson was another Charger that is now on a two-game streak with an interception. Benson’s could not have come at a better time, as it was the icing on the cake for the Chargers night. Benson showed off a great football IQ again to follow where the ball was going and get it when it counted.
Tim Thein, FB, New London-Spicer (2021)
The Wildcats fullback might be one of the toughest ground and pound kids I’ve watched this season. Thein showed tremendous lower body strength to fight out a herd of Chargers tacklers to get some decent yards. I also rolled back the film and was impressed with his physical tackling ability. Thein isn’t the biggest guy on the field but was a gritty player who just kept playing for his team to the final minute and logged over 100 rushing yards on Thursday night. Wildcats MVP of the game.
Eli Gillman Eli Gillman 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Dassel-Cokato | 2022 State MN , RB, Dassel-Cokato (2022), Game MVP
I have to say when I rolled up to Cokato, seeing Gillman at QB1 was not something I expected, but it makes so much sense to place your team’s #1 athlete on the team at quarterback. Gillman’s burst is something else, and at quarterback, he showed solid vision in between the tackles to get the yards his Charger’s team needed. You could tell that Gillman was doing nothing but showing improvement in the role throughout the game and tallied 200 yards rushing on three touchdowns at just under 12 yards a carry. This kid is going to be a special player to whoever lands him. Gillman may have been the best player on the field yesterday, but his humble level is outstanding. Whoever lands Gillman at the Division I level is going to be getting a special player.