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Merseth, Knowles, Toll lead All-Journal Defense

Landen Merseth, LB, Jr., MVL

Merseth ended his junior year with a team-leading 126 tackles. He also led the team in tackles for a loss this season with 37 while picking up four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. Merseth was also named an All-District player this year.

Sam Knowles, LB/DE, Sr., Cathedral

Knowles finished his senior season with the Greyhounds with a team-leading 133 total tackles (83 solo tackles). The 6-4, 215-pounder also recorded two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three pass deflections, one forced fumble and a sack. The two-time All-Subdistrict player finishes his career with 209 total tackles.

Ashton Toll, LB, So., Springfield

Toll finished his sophomore season with the Tigers with 111 total tackles and eight for a loss. He also had three fumble recoveries and an interception and was described by co-head coach Adam Meyer as a sideline-to-sideline player that was outstanding at defending both the run and pass.

Caleb Hauger, LB, Sr., Springfield

Hauger, the All-Journal Football Defensive Player of the Year last season, finished his senior year with 104 total tackles. The senior also had eight tackles for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He wraps up his career with 290 total tackles, 18 TFL, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Jaden Drill, LB, Sr., NUHS

Drill finished his senior year as the backbone of the Eagles’ defense, collecting 89 tackles and two sacks. He also had an interception, a forced fumble and six tackles for a loss. Drill was also an All-District First Team member this season.

Jayden Goblish, LB, Sr., Wabasso

Goblish finished his final season with the Rabbits with 105 tackles (47 solos). The senior linebacker also had six tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Sam Pidde, FS, So., Springfield

Pidde ended his sophomore campaign with the Tigers with 55 tackles and six interceptions. He also recovered three fumbles and had three pass breakups. The free safety was described by co-head coach Adam Meyer as a player that plays the ball in the air well “very, very well.” Meyer also said Pidde was an amazing last line of defense for the team this season.

Malachi Kohls, LB, Jr., MVL

The 6-3, 210-pound Kohls ended his junior campaign for MVL with 70 total tackles and a team-best six sacks. The All-District selection also recovered a pair of fumbles and had 23 tackles for a loss.

Matt Zeug, LB, Sr., Cedar Mountain

Zeug ended his senior season with the Cougars with a team-best 99 total tackles as the team’s middle linebacker. He had 68 solo tackles, two sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. He ended his career with 162 1/2 total tackles and 15 TFL.

Jacob Stevens, DL, Sr., St. Mary’s

Stevens was one of the top pass-rushers on the Knights during his senior year, finishing with 73 tackles and eight sacks. He also collected 12 tackles for a loss. He finished his career with 120 tackles, 19 TFL and 12 sacks.

Owen Warmington, MLB, Sr., Nicollet

Warmington ended his senior year of football with the Raiders with 81 total tackles in seven games. He also had two sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Honorable Mentions

Isaak Lothert, OLB, Sr., Springfield

Julian Hernandez, DL, Sr., NUHS

Adam Veerkamp, DE, Sr., Springfield

Nick TenEyck, LB, Jr., GFW

Jaden Miller, LB, Sr., NUHS

Tanner Mathiowetz, LB, Sr., Cedar Mountain

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