Nate’s Big Dogs of the Week, Week 8 Part I
DAKOTAS– Week 8 is in the books! We start off our Big Dogs of the Week with five of the top performers that stood out last weekend. We will take five tonight and break down even more on Thursday night…
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Continue ReadingDAKOTAS– Week 8 is in the books! We start off our Big Dogs of the Week with five of the top performers that stood out last weekend. We will take five tonight and break down even more on Thursday night as we prepare for Week 9, which is nearing us really close to playoff season in the Dakotas. Take a look at our first five of Week 8!
Ben Rohl | WR | Aberdeen Roncalli (SD) (2022)
Stat Line: 4 receptions, 152 yards, 2 touchdowns.
In a big Week 8 for Ben Rohl of Aberdeen Roncalli, Rohl showed some solid skillsets for a prospect that was off our radar until today. I really like Ben’s explosion speed coming out the gates. He shows a determination out the gates to get where he wants to go with some a vengeance on his routes. He shows on multiple routes how well he can adjust to the football. I think Rohl could be an under-the-radar small-school prospect for the right suitor locally.
Game Tape vs. Clark/Willow Lake
Xander Sheehan | QB | Hamlin (SD) (2022)
Stat Line: 19/26, 325 passing yards, three touchdowns.
When I rolled his film from Week 8, there was a lot to like about the meat on the throws Sheehan showed on tape. It started with his touch on the football as he showed poise inside the pocket showing great touch on his throws. I really enjoyed his arm strength when he came around that 10-yard threshold around the sidelines, has he could whip it in there. There is also a lot to like about his ball placement, as I saw several throws on film that showed excellent precision. Sheehan looks to be a prospect that will get some looks here after the season as he’s been getting interest at the D2 level recently.
Erik Salmen | RB/LB | Hitchcock-Tulare (SD) (2024)
Stat Line: 12 carries, 149 rushing yards, two touchdowns.
Wow, it was hard to believe Salmen is just a sophomore because I believe he’s got an excellent future ahead of him and plays so much tougher than his age. Do not, I repeat do not give this young man an open lane to run thru and attack your ball carrier, as he’s explosive as all heck thru an open lane. That clip alone showed what a big running motor he plays with as just a sophomore. At running back, Salmen is a well-put-together (5’11 200) downhill runner with good longevity on his burst that will only get better with more than two seasons under his built. He’s also a hard-nosed runner that is not afraid of contact and gets plenty of yards after contact from what our eyes can see. He may be just a sophomore, but I can already tell this young man likely has a college football future as his versatility is fun to watch on film.
Cole Edberg | QB | Centerville (SD) (2024)
Stat Line: 23/42, 470 passing yards, five touchdowns vs. 9B #1 ranked Avon.
Edberg as just a young sophomore to my count is already a two-timer on our Big Dogs of the Week list this Fall. We now have some tape to evaluate! Edberg shows a quick dropback, at the most 2-3 steps. I like how quickly he can release the football even on a deeper throw. On his throws, he shows good poise in the pocket and places the football in a solid spot to give his receivers a chance to grab and go. The film is still limited, but it gives us a better evaluation of this young man’s skill set.
Johnny Gutzmer | RB | Wyndmere-Lidgerwood (ND) (2022)
Stat Line: 35 carries, 367 rushing yards, three touchdowns.
We are still waiting on the film to come out for Gutzmer, but man did this kid play with a heck of a lot of heart in Week 8. We found out later from his head coach Scott Strenge that they found out after the game, that the last play he scored the game-winning touchdown on he did it on a broken leg and that one-play was enough to give Wyndmere-Lidgerwood home-field advantage in their first-round matchup. Best of luck to Johnny in his recovery as he showed his blue-collar work ethic to get his team in a great position to start the playoffs and broke a school rushing record to go along with it!