Prep athletes of the week: SMB's Jalen Suggs saves the best for the biggest game

Bright lights. Big stage. Sensational Suggs. The junior quarterback/defensive back accounted for five touchdowns for the SMB Wolfpack, a football co-op among St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake, in a 44-18 victory over Willmar for the Class 4A championship in the Prep Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium.

"Jalen loves to compete and plays his best in the biggest games," Wolfpack coach Collin Quinn said. "He played his best football of the season down the stretch."

Suggs completed nine of 11 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 67 yards and another score and took back an interception 97 yards for yet another touchdown.

The highly sought-after football and basketball recruit had a second interception to go with three solo tackles, one for a loss.

"Jalen did an excellent job of making big plays when we needed them," Quinn said. "He had a great state tournament."

Daniel, a Cornell recruit, has scored five goals and had four assists in the Bears' past three games. "Her explosive speed and high hockey IQ allows her to exploit openings on the ice," Blake coach Shawn Reid said. The Class 2A, No. 3 Bears have a five-game winning streak.

The senior forward got his final prep season off to a flying start. Giesler scored six goals and assisted on four more in the Lions' opening two games of the year. "Zack brings a lot of energy and skill to every game," Lions coach Hal Tearse said. "He has a knack for scoring goals."

Jaeger is the heartbeat of the state's best offensive line. The two-year starter was instrumental in the Panthers rushing for 3,800 yards on the season en route to a perfect 13-0 mark and the Class 6A state title with a 28-21 victory over Eden Prairie.

Asberry propelled the Cougars to back-to-back victories in the Hamline tournament. "She was in attack mode and made the game easier for her teammates," Cougars coach Alexis Gray-Lawson said.

JACK WIENEKE

The sophomore goaltender was outstanding in his first two varsity starts, leading the Crimson to the Turkey Trot title for the first time since 2011. He made 64 stops on 69 shots, a .928 save percentage, in beating Wayzata and Class 2A, No. 2 Edina in a shootout.

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