Super Saturday for MSL football

Tom Nelson and Scott Tolzien were two of the top quarterbacks in the MSL and area just a few years ago. Now they're getting their opportunities to showcase their skills at the highest levels - Nelson in the NFL and Tolzien in the Big Ten. Nelson, a 2004 Daily Herald All-Area player at Hersey, found out today he had made the final 53-man roster with the Cincinnati Bengals. Tolzien, an all-area captain at Fremd in 2005, found out he can throw it around with the best of them in the Big Ten in his first collegiate with Wisconsin.
Both were not only excellent high school football players but the kind of kids you root for and are glad they're headed for bigger and better things. Both had to overcome their share of adversity at the high school and college levels to get where they are.
Nelson was a dynamic athlete who drew comparisons to Tommy Zbikowski at Buffalo Grove - right down to wearing No. 9. Nelson wasn't quite in the same class but he did show he could be a threat at any position at Illinois State. After a stellar college career at Illinois State, Nelson was undrafted but undeterred from chasing his dream. He was signed by the Bengals as a free agent and his ability to play special teams, cornerback and safety made him a nice, versatile fit.
Tolzien was a pure passer who put up big numbers at Fremd but was recruited by primarily Division I-AA schools (now Football Championship Subdivision). He got a late offer from Wisconsin and accepted and bided his time through a redshirt first year and not playing last year. But he stuck with it and was named the Badgers' starter this week. And on the first play he lofted a perfect 80-yard TD strike to start what was a big day for Tolzien and his teammates.