Prep athletes of the week: Highland Park playbook reads 'Just give it to No. 5'

AMITRI COLLINS-WESTLUND

The first time the senior quarterback ran the ball in a 64-28 victory over St. Anthony on Saturday, he ran 65 yards for a touchdown. Suffice it to say, Meech — Amitri is his full first name — knew he was in for a big day.

"When that happened, I got the feeling this was going to be a special game," he said. "It was a big confidence-builder."

Collins-Westlund didn't stop until the game was firmly in control. He ran nine times for 284 yards, an astonishing 31.6 yards per carry, and five touchdowns. He also completed 12 of 18 passes for 274 yards and three more scores. In all, Collins-Westlund compiled 558 yards of total offense.

"I didn't know the numbers until my offensive coordinator texted them to me after the game," he said. "I was shocked."

What makes his production even more stunning is that initially, he didn't want to play quarterback. "I thought I was better suited to receiver," he said. "I'm loving it now. I love always having the ball in my hands."

Highland Park coach Dave Zeitchick said a player such as Collins-Westlund makes his job a lot easier.

The junior setter notched her 1,000 career set assist in a three-set victory over Shakopee. In two matches Case, who has committed to Nebraska-Omaha, had a total of 89 set assists, 11 digs and four blocks for the Class 3A, No. 3-ranked Cougars.

The junior forward scored eight goals and added four assists in victories over Henry Sibley, South St. Paul, Duluth East and Hudson (Wis.), running his streak of consecutive games with a goal to 11. He leads the metro with 27 goals.

In his past five games, the senior forward/midfielder has tallied nine goals and five assists, helping the Redhawks compile a 4-0-1 record. He also kicked six extra points for the SMB (St. Paul Academy-Minnehaha-Blake) Wolfpack football team.

The senior outside hitter paced the Beacons to a 5-1 week, their only loss to Class 3A, No. 8 Roseville in the Blaine tournament. Fallert totaled 73 kills with a .372 hitting percentage, 48 digs, seven aces and five blocks.

The senior RB/DB did a little of everything in a 31-23 victory over Farmington. He rushed 23 times for 119 yards and a touchdown, completed two passes for 67 yards and a score and made six tackles.

JIM PAULSEN