Malachi Kohls, LB,

Sr., MVL

The 6-foot-5, 242-pound senior linebacker was one of the Chargers’ biggest assets on defense this year, finishing the season with 113 tackles and 13 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles and had an interception while recording 31 tackles for a loss. Since coming to MVL, Kohls grew 10 inches in height and 85 pounds in weight to become one of the school’s most physical defenders.

Ashton Toll, LB,

Jr., Springfield

The captain of the Springfield Tigers’ defense and already a three-year starter in just his junior year this season, Toll finished the season with a team-best 199 tackles, 84 solo tackles, and 14 tackles for a loss in 14 games. He also had three sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Toll was described by his head coach Adam Meyer as an outstanding leader that gets players aligned defensively and has a great nose for the ball. He was also an All-District player this season.

Landen Merseth, LB,

Sr., MVL

Merseth, last year’s All-Journal Defensive Player of the Year, finished his senior campaign with a team-best 145 tackles. He also had three sacks and a fumble recovery. The 6-2, 215-pound Merseth combined with Malachi Kohls to become arguably the area’s most intimidating linebacker duos. Merseth has interest from numerous colleges to play football next year but he has yet to make a decision.

Sam Rummel, OLB,

Jr., Springfield

Rummel was one of the Tigers’ top tacklers during his junior year, finishing second on the team in total tackles with 107. The All-District linebacker also had 30 solo tackles and a team-leading five sacks.

Arian Saenz, LB,

Sr., Sleepy Eye

Saenz finished his senior year with Sleepy Eye with 103 total tackles and three sacks. He also had four tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a fumbele recovery. For his career, Saenz finished with 255 total tackles, four sacks, 13 TFL, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Head coach Joe Hoffmann called Saenz a special player for the team that contributed on both sides of the ball on varsity the past three seasons.

Brayden Sturm, CB,

So., Springfield

Sturm was a ballhawk for the Tigers in the defensive backfield this season, finishing his sophomore year with a team-leading 10 interceptions in 14 games. He also had 75 total tackles, 46 solos, and 11 pass deflections. Sturm was also an All-District player this year.

Sam Pidde, FS,

Jr., Springfield

In 13 games this season, Pidde picked off five passes and racked up 69 total tackles, 27 solos. He also had an interception return for a TD, forced a fumble and recoverd a fumble. He was also the Tigers’ go-to punt and kick returner, averaging 20.9 yards per kick return and 8.9 yards per punt return. He also had a kick return for a TD.

Ryan Kevelin, CB,

Jr., Cedar Mountain

Kevelin led the Cougars on defense his junior year with 38 solo tackles and 21 tackle assists. He also led the team in interceptions with four. Kevelin also broke up 22 passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles for a Cedar Mountain defense that gave up 240.8 yards per game, second in the 9-man, South District.

Dan Rogotzke, OLB,

Jr., Springfield

Rogotzke finished his junior campaign with 81 total tackles, 31 solos, in 14 games. He also had an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Head coach Adam Meyer said Rogotzke was a very disciplined player and a great leader for the team.

Brandon Tauer, LB,

Sr., St. Mary’s

Tauer finished a solid senior year as one of the Knights’ top tacklers, picking up 72 tackles, five for a loss. He also had two sacks and recovered a fumble for a 92-yard TD in a playoff game against Ortonville this season, a game the Knights won 48-22. For his career, Tauer finishes with 143 tackles, 13 TFL and four sacks.

Ashton Buboltz, DE,

Jr., GFW

Buboltz ended his junior season with the Thunderbird with 30 solo tackles and 16 tackle assists. He was one of the team’s top pass rushers also this season, finishing with six sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.

Honorable Mention

Luke Boyle, OLB,

Sr., Springfield

In Boyle’s final year with the Tigers, he finished the year with 69 total tackles, 27 solos, and five tackles for a loss. He also had an interception in the state semifinals against Deer River.

Hayden Zarn, LB,

Jr., St. Mary’s

Zarn was called the team’s defensive leader by head coach Kevin Currans as Zarn finished his junior campaign with 75 tackles. He also had five tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Mason Myers, S,

Sr., Sleepy Eye

Myers wrapped up his senior year at safety with the Indians by picking up 27 total tackles and two interceptions. He also had two tackles for a loss and a defensive touchdown. He finished his career with 80 total tackles and four interceptions.

Alex Johnson, DT,

Jr., GFW

Johnson was a consistent run stuffer for the Thunderbirds during his junior year, finishing with 22 solo tackles and six tackle assists. He also had three sacks and eight tackles for a loss.

Lane Guggisberg, CB, Jr., Cedar Mountain

Guggisberg finished his junior campaign with 26 solo tackles and 13 tackle assists. He also broke up 16 passes and tied the team for most interceptions this year with four. When he wasn’t disrupting offenses, he was contributing on offense with 300 receiving yards and four TDs.