All-South-East District
LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle/Pacelli (7-0, 12-1) and Spring Grove (7-0, 9-1) shared the South-East sub-district title with the Cardinals advancing to the state semifinals. Kingsland (5-2, 8-3) took third and made the Section finals while A-C/G-E (3-4, 5-5), Southland (3-4, 5-5), Houston (3-4, 4-5), M-C (3-5, 3-6), GM (1-6, 1-8), and Lanesboro (0-7, 0-9) rounded out the standings. The Cardinals and Lions thus lead the sub-district with five All-District picks each.
LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle/Pacelli put forth a tremendous season with Camden Hungerholt (6’1” 190 Sr. QB/DB), Ryder Stern (6’1” 200 Sr. TE/DE), Carter Sweeney (6’1” 185 Sr. WR/DE), Dylan Christianson (6’2” 230 Sr. OL/DL), and Tyson Stevens (5’11” 165 Sr. RB/LB) making All-District. All five repeated (Christianson from 2022). Hungerholt heads the cast. For the second straight season he is the sub-district’s Back of the Year. The Mr. Minnesota football finalist and Minnesota High School All-Star game selection ripped to over 5,200 total yards and 70 touchdowns (219-2,846 yards, 36 TDs rushing; 127-240, 2,421 yards, 34 TDs, 4 INTs passing). He had seven 200-yard rushing games and five with four rushing TDs. The MSU-Mankato commit chipped in four interceptions and 94 tackles. Over the past two years, he totaled over 9,000 yards offense (5,473 yards, 72 TDs rushing; 4,017 yards, 49 TDs passing). Only Cleveland’s Carter Kopet (186) has more known career scores in state history than Hungerholt’s 147. Stern was a primary blocker on offense, a high-percentage TD-catcher (9-285, 6 TDs receiving). Defensively, he was the team’s top tackler (139 stops, 12 sacks, 18 TFLs, eight forced fumbles). Christianson, an L/P import, was a two-way line starter who had a team third-best 100 total tackles (17 TFLs, 13 ½ sacks). Sweeney was again L-O/L/P’s top receiver (50-861 yards, 13 TDs receiving). On defense, he notably had three interceptions and all three were returned for touchdowns. Stevens had a team second-best 112 tackles plus three interceptions. Offensively, he tallied 11 total touchdowns (77-504, 8 TDs rushing; 14-279, 3 TDs receiving). Making All-District HM are Talan Lewison (6’0” 155 Jr. WR/DB) and Logan Diemer (6’0” 200 Jr. OL/LB). All seven went both ways and were key to the Cardinals fabulous state run, helping Trevor Carrier to the sub-district Co-Coach of the Year award.
Sub-District co-champion Spring Grove has five A-D selections, including District Lineman of the Year Shawn Crouch (6’5” 305 Sr. C/NG), two-time honoree Brandon Jahnke (6’0” 200 Sr. TE/DE), Zach Brumm (6’3” 180 Sr. WR/LB), Bryce Berns (6’0” 175 Sr. QB/DB) and Ben Udstuen (6’6” 190 Sr. WR/DL/PK/P). Brumm and Berns both moved up after receiving HM a year ago. Berns, after amassing 2,436 yards of total offense (1,280 passing, 1,156 rushing), graduates with an SG third-best career total of 4,485 yards. By yardage, he was the loop’s second leading passer and third-leading rusher as well as the second-leading scorer. The team M.V.P. compiled 31 offensive touchdowns (18 rushing, 13 passing). Crouch and Jahnke were half of an O-line that paved the way for an average 344 yards of offense a game. They both also anchored the D-line that helped hold opponents to a league-lowest 15 PPG. Crouch was in on 51 tackles and Jahnke 39. Udstuen (24-554, 4 TDs) and Brumm (24-508, 5 TDs) were the top two receivers by yardage in the nine-team league. Considering rushing, receiving, and returning, Brumm had 1,151 yards all-purpose running. On defense, Brumm led the Lions with 92 total tackles (47 solo), three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He graduates tied for sixth with nine career interceptions. Troy Reinhardt (5’10” Sr. WR/DB) and Tysen Moen (6’2” 280 OL/DL) received Honorable Mention. Kody Moore is sub-district co-Coach of the Year.
Matt Kolling’s Kingsland group contended in the South-East, making their second straight section final. The Knights get four All-District picks in Parker Johnson (6’1” 210 Sr. TE/DE), Zach Reiland (6’0” 175 Sr. RB/LB), Caden Reiter (6’0” 160 Sr. WR/DB), and Seth Howard (6’1” 200 Sr. OL/DE/LB). Johnson is was the sub-district’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was the Lineman of the Year last year. The four-year starter, and three-time A-D pick, had a team second-best 95 tackles (26 TFLs) including 18 sacks. He chipped in nine total offensive TDs (39-311, 7 TDs rushing; 20-253, 2 TDs receiving). Johnson is credited with a 45 ½ career sacks. Reiland tallied 20 total TDs (133-1,357 yards, 16 TDs rushing; 9-205, 4 TDs receiving). He added 69 tackles on defense. Reiter did a little of everything on offense (20-31, 296 yards, 3 TDs, INT passing; 30-294, 2 TDs rushing; 7-190, 2 TDs receiving). He also kicked (31-41 PATs, game-winning field goal versus SG), returned kicks (9-239 yards), and returned punts (18-309 yards, 2 TDs) while adding a team-best four interceptions. Howard was the team’s top tackler with 113 total stops (16 TFLs) and a key offensive lineman. Making A-D HM for the Knights are Sam Howard (6’3” 215 Sr. TE/OLB > 72 tackles) and Ira Schmidt (6’3” 260 Sr. OL/DL > 71 tackles, 7 sacks). Said guys have gone 21-4 the past two seasons.
Houston also gets four All-District picks in Maddox Rodriquez (5’10” 180 Sr. RB/LB), Aden Kulas (6’0” 190 Sr. OL/DL), Axel Vix (5’10” 215 Jr. TE/LB/ DE), and Logan Kinstler (6’1” 185 Jr. OL/DL). Rodriguez and Kulas each repeat. Rodriguez led Houston with 13 total scores (187-1,227 yards, 12 TDs; 18-243, TD receiving). Kulas (57 tackles) and Kinstler (46 tackles) each played both ways including tying for the team lead with six sacks and 13 TFLs. Vix (56 tackles) was another top tackler while accruing some receiving stats (20-390, 3 TDs). Making A-D HM for Cody Hungerholt’s group are Lee Klunder (5’9” 155 So. RB/LB > 115-674, team-high 13 TDs rushing) and Morgan Rohweder (6’2” 175 Sr. QB > 66-113, 928 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INT passing, 6 rushing TDs).
Getting three All-District picks are Paul Tollefsrud’s Mabel-Canton group. Kale Tollefsrud (5’8” 160 Jr. RB/DB), Isaac Underbakke (6’1” 165 Jr. QB/DB), and Tyler Larson (6’0” 190 Sr. RB/LB) make the cut. Tollefsrud led the Cougars in rushing (151-929 yards, 5 TDs) and receiving (36-403 yards, 3 TDs). He also had 97 total tackles and a fumble return TD on defense. Underbakke (62-108, 744, 8 TDs, 3 INT’s passing; 263 yards, 5 rushing TDs) accounted for 13 total TDs, grabbed two interceptions, and had 55 tackles. Larson earned his fourth A-D nod. His season was hampered by an ankle injury (88-454, 4 TDs rushing, 5 total TDs; 43 total tackles). Making A-D HM for the Cougars are Milton Hutchinson (Jr. OL/DL) and Darian Hershberger (Jr. OL/LB). All five played both ways M-C.
Grand Meadow gets just one All-District selection in Nathan Fretty (5’11” 165 Sr. RB/DL). He was mainly a blocking back on offense (42-236, TD rushing) but he also amassed a team second-best 67 total tackles. Dalton Pischke (5’8” 170 Sr. RB/DB > team high 5 rushing TDs, 57 tackles) and Halen Schumann (6’3” 230 Sr. TE/DE > team-high 70 total tackles) made A-D HM. Lanesboro also gets one A-D pick in Cole Sass (5’11” 180 Sr. RB/DL). Holdyn Willford (6’1” 240 Sr. OL/DL) and Mason Gilbertson (5’10” 165 Jr. QB/DB) made A-D HM.
All Mid-Southeast District
Fillmore Central (7-1, 9-2) won their third straight Mid-Southeast Blue title and finished as 1A runner-up. A young Rushford-Peterson squad (3-5, 4-6) took third behind FC and Lewiston-Altura (6-2, 7-3). Wabasha-Kellogg (3-5, 3-6), Winona-Cotter (3-5, 3-6), and Hayfield (2-6, 2-7) rounded out the standings. The Falcons mop up on sub-district awards, getting a league-high eight All-District selections. Heading the cast are “Blue” individual awards winners Greg Kennedy (6’6” 190 Sr. WR/CB), the Most Valuable Player; Atlee Hershberger (5’10” 205 Sr. OL/LB), the Lineman of the Year; Joey Ristau (6’4” 195 Sr. T/DE), the Defensive Player of the Year; and Bridon Bahl (6’0” 170 So. QB), the Offensive Player of the Year. Kennedy, with his massive step-up, had opposing coaches asking, who is this guy and was he on the team last year? The long, speedy, and elusive receiver caught 1,000 yards worth of passes (46-1,002 yards, 21.8 average). He reeled in 13 touchdowns and rushed for another score. Defensively, three of his four interceptions were returned for TDs (246 total yards). On special teams, he returned two kickoffs and two punts for scores (449 and 270 yards respectively). All told, the senior had 2,004 all-purpose yards! Kennedy made A-D honorable mention last year (18-331 yards, 4 TDs receiving). He has been selected to play in the Minnesota High School All-Star game. Hershberger (41 total tackles) wrapped up a four-year varsity career by making A-D a third time. Ristau had a team-best seven sacks and 11 total tackles for loss of his 52 overall stops. Both Hershberger and Ristau were two-way trench battlers. Bahl had probably the best sophomore campaign from a Falcon quarterback ever (127-193, 2,117 yards, 25 TDs, 8 INTs passing – four came in one game). He added three rushing TDs. Also making A-D for the Falcons are Josh Haugerud (6’0” 165 Sr. WR/LB), Kane Larson (6’0” 180 Jr. RB/LB), Anthony Kiehne (5’9” 155 Sr. RB/DB), and Tyler Gulbranson (6’7” 285 Sr. OL/DL). Larson was the team’s top rusher (151-740 yards, 15 TDs; 17-210 receiving) and top tackler (75 stops). Haugerud (15-407, 5 TDs receiving; 24-244, 2 TDs rushing) and Kiehne 37-304, 4 TDs receiving; 55-200, 4 TDs rushing) each were versatile on offense. Haugerud also had a kickoff return TD and was credited with 50 total tackles and two interceptions. He earned his second A-D nod. Kiehne added three interceptions on defense. Gulbranson played on both the offensive and defensive lines. Making A-D HM for the Falcons are Cody Serfling (5’11” 160 Jr. RB/LB > 67 total tackles), Brody Niemeyer (6’0” 250 Jr. OL/DL), Joseph Otto (6’2” 260 So. OL/DL), and Ryan Schroeder (5’11” 245 So. OL/DL). Said guys helped Coach Chris Mensink earn the sub-district Coach of the Year.
Rushford-Peterson got four All-District picks in Jonah Bunke (5’7” 180 Sr. RB/LB), Carson Johnson (6’1” 170 So. WR/DB), Chace Drazkowski (5’10” 230 So. OL/DL), and Jaxson Meldahl (5’10” 175 Jr. WR/DB). Bunke earned his third A-D nod. He was probably the team’s best all-around player, as he was the team’s leading rusher and yardage getter (118-862 yards, 10 TDs rushing; 22-180, 2 TDs receiving). Defensively, he was credited as the team’s top tackler. Meldahl repeated making A-D after scoring five offensive touchdowns (13-60, 3 TDs rushing; 21-300, 2 TDs receiving) while also starting on defense. He was the squad’s leading receiver by yardage. Drazkowski was the Trojans’ top lineman and two-way starter. Johnson was also a two-way starter with six total touchdowns on offense (on just 12 touches) plus four interceptions on defense. Five of his seven receptions went for scores. Making A-D HM for the Trojans are Domanick Corcoran (6’0” 170 Sr. WR/LB > 15-234, 4 TDs receiving; interception return TD), Zach Baker (6’1” 175 Jr. OL/DL), and Cole Thompson (5’10” 160 So. WR/DL).
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