All-Journal Defense: Merseth, Liebl, Osborne lead All-Journal defensive team
Myles Merseth, jr., LB, MVL
Merseth tallied 113 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss and five sacks with four forced fumbles and two blocked punts for the Chargers despite playing a majority of the year with injuries. So far for his career, Merseth has amassed 247 total tackles, 10 sacks and seven forced fumbles with one more season to play. He earned All-Subdistrict honors.
Devan Liebl, sr., DE, Wabasso
Moving from linebacker to defensive end, Liebl amassed 88 1/2 total tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and 15 tackles for loss for the Rabbits in helping them to the state semifinals. For his career, Liebl finished with 210 1/2 career tackles, 10 1/2 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. Liebl was also named the Southwest District Defensive Lineman of the Year for the East Subdistrict.
Jordan Osborne, sr., LB, Madelia
Osborne amassed 106 total tackles (48 solo, 116 assisted) with 3 1/2 sacks and 13 1/2 tackles for loss for the Blackhawks. For his career, Osborne finished with 254 1/2 total tackles (95 solo, 319 assisted) with two interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries, 11 1/2 sacks and 34 tackles for loss.
Cole Wellmann, sr., LB, New Ulm
Wellmann amassed 84 total tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Max Heiderscheidt, jr., LB, St. Mary’s
Heiderscheidt had 64 1/2 tackles (32 solo, 65 assisted), two sacks and one interception for the Knights. Heiderscheidt is a two-year starter and earned All-Subdistrict honors this year.
Ty Kemp, jr., LB, Wabasso
Kemp amassed 66 1/2 total tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss as a junior. So far for his career, Kemp has 113 career tackles and 8 1/2 tackles for loss as well as one interception returned for a touchdown. He earned All-Subdistrict honors.
Jared Welch, sr., LB, Wabasso
Welch has been one of the most athletic defenders in the area, accounting for 32 1/2 total tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and 5 1/2 tackles for loss as a senior captain for the Rabbits’ state semifinals team. For his career, Welch amassed 245 1/2 total tackles (76 solo) for 8 1/2 sacks and 28 1/2 tackles for loss. He earned All-Subdistrict honors.
Josh Sletta, so., LB, Madelia
Sletta finished with 100 1/2 total tackles (61 solo, 79 assisted) with two sacks, 13 1/2 tackles for loss and four fumble recoveries for the Blackhawks.
Max Deslauriers, sr., FS, New Ulm
Deslauriers was second on the team in tackles with 78 while hauling in three interceptions with two tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Cooper Taylor, jr., CB, Wabasso
Taylor was a standout shutdown cornerback for the Rabbits, amassing 42 tackles with five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He is also a prime target on the offensive end, tallying 375 receiving yards on 17 catches for four touchdowns. He was named the co-Defensive Back of the Year in the Southwest District, East Subdistrict.
Colton Taylor, jr., CB, Wabasso
Just like his brother, Colton Taylor was a standout cornerback for the Rabbits, tallying 33 1/2 tackles with four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. On the offensive side, Taylor has 307 receiving yards on 21 catches for three touchdowns.
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