Best of the Best: Week 8
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There was a plethora of impressive performances in Week 8! It is a great sign to see these athletes stepping up in the big moments. The moments where teams are trying to become playoff eligible or conference champions. In this…
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Continue ReadingThere was a plethora of impressive performances in Week 8! It is a great sign to see these athletes stepping up in the big moments. The moments where teams are trying to become playoff eligible or conference champions. In this week’s Best of the Best we dive into 10 offensive/defensive efforts that are worthy of grabbing the attention of the next level. We have athletes from the Class of 2025 up to 2023. Plenty of names to know. Let’s get it started!
Stats: 20 Tackles, 1 INT, 2 Carries, 38 Yards, 1 TDrnBrett plays all over the field. His primary position is LB, but his frame is in that ‘tweener range at 6’1″ 180 lbs. Wee will have to see how he grows and fills out over the next year to have a better idea of his next level position. Right now it is looking like safety is his home. What he does bring to the table, right now, is exceptional range. He has one play where he chases down an RB across the formation and tackles him out in space on a swing pass. Brett is also gifted in the area of getting through the trenches unscathed to make tackles. He is shifty and agile making it hard for OL to block him. Cashton is a small school, but they have a solid stable of talent.
Highlights
Stats: 9 Receptions, 112 Yards, 2 TDsrnThe 5’10” 160 lbs WR is built to win in the short passing game. Kihn is explosive and quick in short areas. He can cut, change directions, and accelerate rapidly. Those are all key as Nick runs routes leading to large gaps of separation for his QB to target. Both of his TDs showed off his ability to make defenders miss in tight quarters along the goal line. Sussex focused on getting the ball in his hands quickly so he can use his athletic gifts to create yards. It proved to be a good plan for them on Friday night. Kihn is also a talented return man. Another position that does well to highlight his best attributes.
Stats: 5/7, 105 Yards, 3 TDs, 4 Carries, 27 Yards, 1 Tackle, 1 INTrnBen has been a fun athlete to watch over the past couple years. It seems like everything he does has the same quick twitch look to it. He snaps the ball out of his hand at QB. He quickly picks up receivers that enter his zone. Ben showed that toff on his INT where the receivers crossed, and forced him to pick up a receiver he wasn’t initially over. I believe his home is not at QB at the next level, but you can see his natural feel for the game as he scans the field and finds open receivers in rhythm or after scrambling around. Outside the pocket, the 6′ 180 lbs athlete has the speed to kill the defenses if they have their backs turned to him. Ben holds an offer from UW- Eau Claire.
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Lucas Rameker
Lucas Rameker
Stats: 3 Receptions, 72 Yards, 1 TD, 1 TFLrnThe 6’4″ 185 lbs TE/WR is looking like an intriguing steal of a senior prospect. His frame will need time to fill out at the next level, but the potential is exciting. Lucas lines up inline at TE as well as out wide. The pass catcher does well to use his superior height and length to give his QB a big target, and make it hard for DBs to disrupt the catch when he catches the ball away from his body. Lucas plays at one of the traditionally successful programs in St. Mary’s Springs. So that makes it hard to believe he has no offers. However, all I see reported is a basketball offer from Ripon. Lucas needs more attention. He has been a contributor on a team looking to win a conference championship this week. Check him out!
Eli Lindsey
Eli Lindsey
Stats: 11/14, 180 Yards, 2 TDs, 3 Carries, 27 Yards, 2 TDsrnMineral Point has put out some solid talent over the last few years. The sophomore QB has the tools to be the best if he works at it. Eli has an elite frame at 6’5″. That big frame doesn’t hinder him either. He can catch and release the ball almost instantly, and has shown he doesn’t need to step into it making it come out even quicker. I like his command over the ball also. He knows when to place it with touch, and when he can sling it. Lastly, Lindsey has enough athleticism to buy time in the pocket, and he can get downfield some. I’m excited to see how his arm develops over the next few years. As it gets stronger Eli will really begin to breakout and grab attention from the next level. Definitely save this name. He can work himself into one of the top QBs in his class.
Sawyer Seefeldt
Sawyer Seefeldt
Stats: 3 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 SacksrnColeman HS is looking to return to state in 2022. They have the talent to do so at the D7 level. One of the top contributors is junior DE Sawyer Seefeldt. The 6’3″ 200 lbs lineman has a decent frame. He will have to add more size to be a legitimate next level prospect. However, there are a couple things that catch the eye right now. The first is that Sawyer has a solid get off at the snap. He seems to have a plan during his rush as he will go right into a swim, rip, or dip move. Developing technique is usually the hard part, but Seefeldt’s hand fighting is solid. I’ll be following his development, and we may be seeing him in person depending on their playoff success.
Stats: 10 Tackles, 1 PBUrnIndian Trail has been solid at establishing the run this season, so Connor was going to have to play downhill, and aggressive this past Friday. The senior safety stepped up and delivered double digit tackles for his team. The 5’10” team captain isn’t the biggest athlete, but he didn’t let that effect his impact. Connor uses his State qualifying track speed to close from his safety position to the line of scrimmage to meet RBs near the line of scrimmage. Connor is a reliable tacker who knows when to go low on bigger ball carriers. He also did well tracking down ball carriers when they broke contain, and was a reliable last line of defense. Krznarich has received some D3 attention, but he is under the radar right now.
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Ben Buchholtz
Ben Buchholtz
Stats: 23 Carries, 200 Yards, 3 TDsrnThe 5’10” 195 lbs senior is a compact, strong back who has proven he can handle a large workload. He needs more looks because I don’t see any interest for the ball carrier. Ben is best as a north- south runner. Situations where he can attack downhill and use his 4.6 speed to break off long runs, and use his low center of gravity to break through arm tackles. Buchholtz has some ability to jump cut laterally, and it has led to big plays, but he is best being aggressive and going forward. D3 programs should give him a look.
Stats: 4 Receptions, 217 Yards, 4 TDs, 1 Tackle, 1 INTrnWhat a week for the standout junior WR! Every time he touched the ball he scored or created a turnover on defense. It is great to see him fully breaking out this season and earning his Top 15 overall ranking. Aside from his long, lean frame, the best trait that jumps out is his top end speed. The big target ate up cushions and flew right by the deepest defenders on the way to his huge game. Thomas found his way behind the defense over and over Friday night. Adrian is smooth in his routes, and has soft hands. His INT was arguably his best catch of the night as he pulled it in in traffic along the back of the endzone. I’m very excited for Adrian’s future. Big things coming!
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Hunter Thiel
Hunter Thiel
Stats: 7 Receptions, 154 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Tackle, 1 INTrnThe 6’5″ senior WR is built for the redzone. Let him stretch the field, get himself in position to box out defenders, and put the ball where he can use his elite length to high point the ball away from defenders. Hunter is a long strider out in space, but he has shown that he can cut on routes with relative ease thanks to his ability to break down and use shorter, choppy steps. Hunter is also a talented basketball player, and seems to get ore attention in that sport. Don’t let him slide under the radar. I believe he can make plays at the next level in certain situations.