La Crosse Central vs Onalaska: Game Recap & Players of the Game
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Game two of my two day streak at Roger Harring Stadium on the campus of UW- La Crosse was a highly anticipated showdown between a pair of 2-1 teams; La Crosse Central vs Onalaska. Both teams came with tons of…
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Continue ReadingGame two of my two day streak at Roger Harring Stadium on the campus of UW- La Crosse was a highly anticipated showdown between a pair of 2-1 teams; La Crosse Central vs Onalaska. Both teams came with tons of talent, hundreds of fans, and rowdy student sections all building up to what looked like an exciting matchup. What it turned into was the most exciting game of my 2021 season as far as live coverage goes! Check out how it played out below, and then make sure to check out the Players of the Game because this game had several athletes that will have the opportunity to continue playing at the next level!
Game Recap
This matchup was the most exciting back and forth matchup that I have attended this season. It didn’t take long for the first fireworks to go off and get the excitment going as QB Mason Hertlizke found WR Jackson Warren for a nearly 60 yard TD pass on the second play from scrimmage to give Central the early 8-0 lead after the successful two point conversion. Central had all the momentum to open the game as they were able to get the ball back and work their way down the field on their second drive. Herlitzke capped off the drive with his legs this time around as he pulled the read and scored from a yard out. Onalaska wasn’t going to led the 14-0 deficit feel like too much to overcome, though. They closed out the first quarter with a deep shot down the field after QB Ayden Larson Ayden Larson 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Onalaska | 2022 State WI rolled right to buy time.
Onalaska opened the second quarter with their first points of the game when Larson found WR Nicky Odom on a quick curl. From there Odom was able to use his quickness to make the first defender miss, and then win the race to the corner of the endzone. Central’s offense wasn’t about to let Onalaska climb back into the game easily. The only problem was that on the next Central drive they couldn’t stop shooting themselves in the foot. They returned the kickoff after the score for a TD, but it was called back due to a penalty. Then a few plays later Herlitzke threw a TD pass, but that too was negated by an offensive penalty. Despite those setbacks, Central eventually was able to pull it together and move the ball down the field. On 3rd & 16 QB Mason Herlitzke Mason Herlitzke 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI found WR Porter Pretasky on a quick slant. Pretasky was able to break one arm tackle attempt and then race to the endzone for the 22-7 lead following another successful two point try. With 5:36 remaining in the half it looked like Central was in control of this game. However, Onalaska kept working and on their next drive everything came together very quickly as QB Larson dropped back and found breakout star WR Michael Skemp flying down the offense’s right sideline. Skemp hauled in the pass and went 80 yards untouched to close the deficit to Central: 22 Onalaska: 14. Onalaska continued to capitalize on the momentum swing from the huge play by recovering the onside kick at midfield. That allowed Larson and his offense to take the field again and continue to shred the Central defense through the air. It was once again the Larson- Skemp connection that finished off the drive. This time Skemp used his immense 6’5″ frame to power through the tackle attempt of multiple Central defenders and stretch out his long arms to just barely break the goal line with :07 remaining in the half! That is where we went into the half. With Central holding onto a 22-20 lead following the failed two point try by Onalaska.
It was very clear that both of these offenses were in rhythm and able to do whatever they wanted in the first half. I expected more of the same in the second half and knew that if one of the teams’ defense could get a stop or two it might be the difference in the game. The second half started with no surprise as the Onalaska offense picked up where it left off at the end of the first half. Just like in the first half, the Larson- Skemp connection resulted in 6 more points. Michael Skemp showed off another side of his game on TD #3 as he used that frame to go up and over the DB and rip it away from the defender for the score. This gave Onalaska their first lead of the game at 27-22 with 8:10 remaining in the third. Herlitzke and the Central offense didn’t let the lead last long once they were able to get back on the field. They quickly moved into Onalaska territory, and then QB/ATH Mason Herlitzke Mason Herlitzke 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI kept it himself on the run up the middle of the defense for the score at the 5:33 mark of the third quarter. The end of the third quarter is where the defense started showing up, though. The defensive show started when Central was able to slow down the Onalaska offense enough to force a 43 yard field goal try. Central was able to break through and get the block putting their offense back on the field. Then the Onalaska defense stepped up and forced a punt, but that punt is where one of the wildest plays of the night occurred. The snap went sailing over the punter’s head. The punter recovered the ball, scrambled around and eventually was able to get the ball away. Then an Onalaska player made the mistake of touching the ball allowing Central to jump on it. So, what started as a disaster of a snap ended as a first down for the punting team. The roller coaster of that play represented the roller coaster that these teams felt throughout this whole game. Onalaska did a good job of not letting that unfortunate, crazy situation distract them on defense as they again forced a punt that went their way this time.
We started the 4th quarter with another punt. Onalaska was pinned deep in their territory forcing the punter to be near the back of the endzone. I’m not exactly sure what caused him to do it, but instead of punting it away on 4th & very long, the punter tucked it and ran right. He was brought down well short at their own 7 yard line setting up Central with a great chance to build on their 1 point lead. That’s exactly what they did as RB Ethan Shepard broke through for the score on the ground. With 10:38 remaining in the game we sat at Central: 36 Onalaska: 27. Onalaska’s offense had been in this deficit before and looked poised to cut into it as they moved into Central territory, but that is where the Central defense stepped up again. DB Boston Brindley was able to haul in a tipped Ayden Larson Ayden Larson 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Onalaska | 2022 State WI pass and return it to near midfield. Just like how the offenses did a great job of responding to each other in the first half the defenses did that in the second half. Onalaska responded to the INT with an INT of their own. With time ticking down, Onalaska needed to capitalize on the turnover. That’s exactly what they did. Larson used 4 passes to get his team down to the Central 1. Once their he performed a well executed fake QB dive into a jump pass to Connor Johansen for the score. With 2:46 to play, Onalaska had cut the deficit to 33-36. Central had the biggest drive of their season coming as they looked to run out the clock with their strong rushing attack led by QB Mason Herlitzke Mason Herlitzke 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI . Slowly, but surely, that’s what Central did. They milked the clock down to :57 remaining. Facing 4th & short they needed to either convert or punt it away. They elected to keep the offense on the field and go with their leader, Mason Herlitzke Mason Herlitzke 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI , to convert the 4th down on the ground. Mason was able to use his elusiveness in the backfield, and vision, to find a cutback lane that got him the first and ended the game giving La Crosse Central an exciting 36-33 victory over Onalaska!
Players of the Game
Mason Herlitzke Mason Herlitzke 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI , QB/ATH- La Crosse Central
Stat Line: 4/10, 131 Yards, 2 TDs, 19 Carries, 141 Yards, 2 TDs
The most electric athlete on the field was the Central QB. The 5’7″ 160 athlete is a twitched up dual threat QB. Where he shines is on the ground portion of the position’s duality. Mason’s acceleration and ability to stop on a dime is deadly, and it allows him to make several big plays even when the play starts with him in heavy traffic. Once he gets in the open field Mason has the sustained long speed to pull away from defenders. It’s not just the athleticism that shined last night either. Mason’s vision and instincts as a ball carrier were working to the max as he used his blocks and found cutbacks with ease. The playmaker made the unusual look easy last night on the way to a big night and the victory. Mason’s Week 4 Highlights
Jackson Warren, WR- La Crosse Central
Stat Line: 2 Receptions, 73 Yards, 1 TD, 5 Carries, 39 Yards
The 6’1″ 185 lbs slot receiver has speed to burn! Warren piled up the big plays and yards on the night and was utilized in multiple ways that allowed him to get the ball in space or at full speed so he could leave his opponent in the dust. Jackson demonstrated good route running on his as he pulled a double move on the DB that forced him to bite inside. Once he got that opening to the outside it was an easy pitch and catch followed by the track speed to the endzone. Central also used Warren in the screen game where he could set his blocks up and then burst past them for big plays. Warren also got involved on the ground in the form of jet sweeps and as the pitch man on option. Both allowed him to get the ball outside of contain where he could make DBs. The senior had a great night! Check him out! Jackson’s Week 4 Highlights
Porter Pretasky, WR- La Crosse Central
Stat Line: 1 Reception, 36 Yards, 1 TD
The stat line isn’t crazy, but even on a night where he was able to corralled Pretasky was still able to come away with a big play and score on the night. All game long he was locked up in a tough matchup with Onalaska standout WR/DB Michael Skemp, so Porter had to earn everything Friday night. The 6’5″ 190 lbs senior is a big target that should intrigue schools at the D2- D3 level. As he continues to fill out his frame, Porter is going to be a tough cover for DBs as he will be able to win with strength over just his length and route running. Those two traits are usually enough, but when matched up with a bigger DB, like last night, you can see how that is where he needs to improve on his game. If he does that then look out! Check this dude out!
Quinn Servais, DB/WR- La Crosse Central
Stat Line: 1 Reception, 22 Yards
I don’t have defensive stats for Servais, but that is where he played his best last night. Quinn heard his name called quite a bit last night as he found himself around the ball early and often. The 6’1″ 180 lbs safety/receiver tests well, and it translates to the field. He quickly was able to read and diagnose plays and use his 4.6 speed to get to the ball quickly to stop plays before they could be broken open for big plays. Quinn is another member of a loaded Central senior class. Check him out when his film goes up!
Marquis Cagle, DL- La Crosse Central
Marquis was a new name for me coming into the night, but the 6’2″ 270 lbs trench monster quickly had me looking through the program to find out who he was. On defense, Cagle was stout on the interior of the defensive line. Onalaska had a difficult time getting any inside run going. Neither RB that was used on the inside rushing attack average over 4 yards per carry, and a big part of that was Marquis’ ability to own the line of scrimmage with his size and strength. It was just his ability to eat up blocks either. He was also able to get separation with long arms, find the ball, shed the block, and make the tackle right at the line of scrimmage. He also was able to collapse the pocket by either walking him man back or winning with heavy hands and then closing on the QB. Another must know senior!
Ayden Larson Ayden Larson 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Onalaska | 2022 State WI , QB- Onalaska
Stat Line: 22/32, 329 Yards, 5 TDs, 9 Carries, 16 Yards
Ayden has made a nice jump in play since I saw him last fall. I was very excited to see him work with a whole new backfield and receiving corps from when I last watched him. He responded by absolutely lighting up the stat sheet and scoreboard all night long. Ayden was the leader that his team needed all night as he led a comeback from an initial 14-0 hole and even helped the team take the lead. The most impressive part of his game wasn’t a physical trait. It was his clutch play. As the game went on Larson played better and better. He kept Onalaska in this shootout right up until the final whistle. As far as physical traits, Ayden’s accuracy from the pocket was sharp. Whether he was putting up a jump ball where only his guy could get it, getting the ball out quickly on screens, or attacking the short-intermediate ranges Ayden displayed good control over the ball. The 6’ 175 lbs senior QB should get a shot at the next level.
Michael Skemp, WR/DB- Onalaska
Stat Line: 5 Receptions, 115 Yards, 3 TDs
As far as prospects and recruiting goes, nobody helped themselves more than the 6’4″ 200 lbs senior WR/DB. On defense he was able to use his size to muscle his receiver at the line and bump him off his path all night long. Where he burst onto the scene was at WR. Skemp dominated the passing game in every way possible. He used that big frame to Moss a DB in the endzone as he went up over the back of the DB and ripped the ball away for a score with his strong hands. He also used his strength to muscle through the tackle attempt of several defenders and then use his length to barely stretch the ball over the goal line while the defenders hung all over him. Michael wasn’t just a big body though. He also won with speed as he took the top off the defense for an 80 yard receiving TD. Skemp turned out to be one of the most well rounded athletes on the night. He is locked on my radar and needs to be on the radars of the next level. He is going to be a steal if he chooses football. Basketball looks to also be on the table. Not a surprise as you could see the basketball background in how he played jump balls.
Woke up still thinking about this catch
GO GET IT! 🔥 https://t.co/BxfQb5haW5
— Mark Johnson (@MJ_NFLDraft) September 11, 2021
Nicky Odom, WR- Onalaska
Stat Line: 8 Receptions, 111 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Carries, 52 Yards
Odom perfectly complemented Skemp at WR. Odom is the faster, quicker, twitchier WR that is able to attack the defense with screens, jet sweeps, and quickness through the breaks of his routes that allowed him to break open with ease. The 5’7″ 130 lbs WR consistently hurt the defense with that quickness. He took jet sweeps around the edge where he could get in space and read his blocks. His TD reception came after his out route left the DB still running up field as he made the cut. He also had a nose for the soft spots in coverage and would settle there for his QB to find. Nicky led the team in receptions last night, and has done a great job stepping up, so far, this year.
Samuel Wallace Samuel Wallace 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Onalaska | 2022 State WI , OL- Onalaska
The 6’2″ 260 lbs OG had a solid night overall. He had a tough battle all night with the interior of Central’s DL, but Wallace and the rest of the line were able to break contain on the ground and provide the protection needed for Larson to go off through the air. Samuel should definitely get looks from the D3 level. He has sufficient athleticism for the position as he mirrors interior linemen. Wallace is light on his feet and it allows him to get himself in good position to make his block effective. One thing for him to work on is his overall strength so his anchor can be more effective. With increased strength Samuel has the potential to develop into a contributing D3 OL. Senior to know.