Every week players go above and beyond and perform at the highest level.
Here is a look at the top performers for the first two weeks of the season:
QuarterBack
Trey Feeney, Moorhead, Sr.
The 6’2” 180-pound quarterback for the Spuds has lit up opponent secondaries with 10 touchdown passes in the team’s first two games. In their season opener at Buffalo, Feeney threw for 408 yards and six touchdowns on 17-for-24 passing, leading the Spuds to a 56-6 win. Not to be outdone, he did it again Oct. 16 in a 42-0 win over Alexandria by throwing for four touchdowns on 22 completions and 226 yards. He currently leads the state in completions, passing yards and touchdowns.
The North Dakota recruit threw for 2,986 yards as a junior and 29 touchdowns. The Spuds advanced to the state tournament a year ago where they lost to Elk River 58-55. In that game Feeney threw five TD passes and threw for 446 yards.
Up Next: Moorhead (2-0) @ Sartell-St. Stephen (1-1).
QuarterBack
Zach Yeager, Minneapolis North, Sr.
Yeager has put together two strong games behind center for Minneapolis North, leading them to two lopsided wins over St. Anthony (40-0) and Providence Academy (40-10). In the win over St. Anthony, Yeager threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown. Last week he threw five touchdown passes against Providence Academy on 270 yards passing. The North Carolina A&T recruit possesses great size and athletic ability at 6-2, 200 pounds.
Up Next: Minneapolis North (2-0) @ Mound Westonka (1-1).
RUNNING BACK
Zac Janz, Farmington, Sr.
Janz opened the season with a bang for Farmington, who is off to a 2-0 start thanks to two impressive performances from their senior running back. Janz scored five touchdowns in the season-opener 68-13 win over Eagan. Janz rushed 12 times for 119 yards, averaging 9.9 yards per carry. He followed that up with a three touchdown game in Farmington’s 48-7 win over Hopkins. The 5-9, 200 pound runner has rushed for 203 yards in the first two games.
Up Next: Farmington (2-0) vs. Burnsville (0-1).
RUNNING BACK
Austin Freerksen, Byron, Sr.
Freerksen rushed for 313 yards in last week’s win over Winona. He scored three touchdowns in the shutout victory. In the opener he rushed for 198 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Up Next: Byron (2-0) @ Austin (1-1)
Wide receiver
Levi Lampert, Upsala/Swanville
Lampert has caught 10 passes so far on the season and nine of them have turned into touchdowns. He had five catches in the season opener and scored on all five, totaling 167 yards. Last week in a loss to Browerville/Eagle Valley, he caught five more passes and scored on four of them. On the season he has 10 catches for 273 yards.
Up Next: Upsala-Swanville (1-1) vs. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (0-2)
Wide receiver
Mekhi Collins, Mankato West, Jr.
At 6’5” Collins is a big target and has hauled in four touchdowns in the team’s first two games this season. In the season opener he caught three passes for 67 yards and two scores and followed up last week with five catches for 102 yards and two more touchdowns.
Up Next: Mankato West (2-0) vs. Northfield (0-2).
Defense
Connor Bushbaum, DB, South Ridge
Bushbaum has proven he can dominate on both sides of the ball. With 467 yards rushing through two games and six touchdowns, Bushbaum has been a dominant offensive force. But he also is doing it defensively with three interceptions to his credit through the first two games. He picked off one pass in the team’s 48-6 season-opening win over Ely. He then picked off two passes last week in a 44-0 win over Northeast Range.
Up Next: South Ridge (2-0) vs. Cook County (0-2).
Defense
Cody Gartner, DL, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton
Gartner has been a dominating force on defense for JWP, notching 19 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks through the team’s first two games.
Up Next: JWP (0-2) vs. Cleveland/Immanuel Lutheran (0-2)