Pregame Preview: Rogers at Elk River
ELK RIVER– There were two games between these two opponents last year. Between the two of them, those games were decided by just 2 points total. The Royals got the win during the regular season 40-36, and the Elks got the win when it mattered most, winning 20-14 in the section semifinals on their way to their state playoffs in Minneapolis.
Tonight I will have the privilege to watch two teams separated by less than 10 miles by Highway 101 on what will be one of the best games in Class 5A on Friday night. Here is what I am watching for both teams tonight.
ROGERS
On offense, the Royals will return their leading rusher last season in Ben Dahl (2021), who was the North Central Blue’s running back of the year last season and who ran wild, with over 150 yards rushing/per game for the Royals. Blocking up front for him will be stud OL Charlie Folkens Charlie Folkens OL Rogers | 2021 State MN , who was very impressive in 1on1 drills this summer from what I witnessed from a few feet away. Expect the Royals to pound the rock more this year, with the graduation of QB Easton Miller who was a solid QB1 for the Royals.
Switching over to the defensive side of the ball, there is not a bigger story coming back to the Rogers Royals than DB Michael Olowo Michael Olowo 6'2" | DB Rogers | 2021 State MN . After shutting down the idea of taking his talents to Arizona, Olowo is looking to show many high major Division I college programs that they took a huge miss on him as Olowo is one the top undecided 2021 prospects Minnesota has to offer. Olowo also had a hot summer playing 7on7 from what I watched and showed why he is Minnesota’s best lockdown corner. The Royals also have a very physical linebacker in Alexander Emmrich that we’ll be watching tonight. Emmrich, on film, plays with a bulldog type mentality and is just so physical when he gets in the backfield. Stuffing the line will be Alexander VanRueden, a massive player who plays both sides and stands at around 6’5 310 pounds.
ELK RIVER
Expect the Elks gameplan to be similar even stronger in their rushing attack than the Rogers with their big T offense, which features three running backs in the backfield and by far one of the top running backs in the state in Carter Otto Carter Otto 6'0" | RB Elk River | 2021 State MN . In my opinion, Otto is in the most gritty running back in Minnesota with a strong build and defines the term: ground and pound and had over 2000 total yards last year with 20 touchdowns. Otto is also a terrific linebacker too, and it’s no surprise he has the interest and offers from Division I and Division II programs. Who’s my sleeper at running back for the Elks? His name is Rahim Avery. I found this kid’s film over the summer and was very impressed with how durable a runner was between the tackles.
Defensively at linebacker, the Elks have one of the more sound linebacking cores in Minnesota with Otto and Ryan Wilson Ryan Wilson 6'0" | LB Elk River | 2021 State MN . Wilson had near 100 tackles last year and is one of the state’s most physical hitters when someone in front of him has the football. He has a good vision in coverage and is the 3rd man in that Elks backfield at fullback. /On the Elks line, watch for Cooper Oudekerk to be a factor. Although a slightly undersized defensive end, Oudekerk has terrific vision and will appear on many plays over the loudspeaker tonight in Elk River. Ryan Blake is another quick player on the Elks defense to watch, as he has an elusiveness to his game I enjoyed watching on tape.
My Game Pick:
In a game that I believe will be close, I can only pick one winner. Watching the tape, the Elks show me more stamina which is what it will take to win this game after a long break from high school football. Elk River 31, Rogers 28. A Rylen Keoraj Rylen Keoraj 5'9" | 155 lbs | K Elk River | 2022 State MN field goal might win this one!