First Team

Ashton Toll, MLB, Sr., Springfield

The South District, West Subdistrict, South Division MVP, Toll was a four-year starter for the Tigers, leading the defense from his middle linebacker position. A student of the game, Toll was responsible for lining up his teammates, understanding the opponent’s tendencies, and knowing the schemes the team was running for every position. Toll finished the season with 138 tackles, six tackles for loss, an interception, and three passes deflected. For his career, Toll totaled 514 tackles, four interceptions and three sacks.

Austin Uecker, CB, Sr., SEU

Uecker was a big part of an SEU defense that quickly became the identity of the team. Uecker had 34 tackles, six interceptions, a fumble recovery and two defensive interceptions on his way to a Defensive Back of the Year award. Uecker also contributed on special teams, returning a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown.

Joe Gillis, LB,

Jr., Cathedral

An All-District player, Gillis had 125 tackles, two interceptions, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, one fumble recovered and one sack as he was the leader of the Greyhound defense.

Ashton Buboltz, DE, Sr., GFW

Ashton Buboltz was a three-year starter for the Thunderbirds, and while he missed two games with an ankle sprain, he still managed 82 total tackles, 34 solos, and six sacks on the season. He also had and eight tackles for a loss GFW head coach Patrick Hentges said Buboltz was one of the hardest working players on the team while also being active in the community.

Dante Otto, LB, Sr., Cedar Mountain

A solid tackler with a nose for the ball, Otto presented a problem for every offense that Cedar Mountain faced. Called the team’s best defender by the coaching staff, Otto was praised for his motor, block shedding and ability to make plays in the backfield. Otto finished the season with 109 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Boston Brand, LB,

Sr., Wabasso

Wabasso head coach Cody Kittelson said Brand played every game with a physical presence and rarely came out of a game. Brand finished the season with 118 total tackles — 98 of them solo — and was named as an All-District player.

Kyler Flunker, DB,

Sr., MVL

Flunker had an strong two-way season again for the Chargers this past fall before injury set in. While Flunker’s 42 tackles, one sack and one interception don’t jump off the page, head coach Jim Buboltz said teams refused to pass Flunker’s way as he was named as the district’s Best Defensive Back the second year in a row, along with a second All-District selection. Flunker looks to continue his football career next year in the college ranks.

Cody Schultz, LB/DL/S, Jr,. SEU

Schultz was a Swiss Army knife for an SEU defense that allowed only 13.6 points per game to opposing offenses. Schultz played ILB, OLB, DE, S, and DT depending on the matchup, showing off his defensive versatility. Schultz led the team in tackles with 86, including seven for loss.

Sam Rummel, EDGE, Sr., Springfield

Rummel played all over the field for the Tigers, whether it was outside linebacker, inside linebacker, defensive end, or nose tackle. Springfield head coach Adam Meyer said that Rummel was the player they used to fix a problem on the defense. Rummel finished with 70 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles. For his career, Rummel finished with 241 tackles, 13.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Cohen Carpenter, LB, Sr., New Ulm

The heart of a New Ulm defense that allowed 23 points per game, 12.6 ppg in wins, Carpenter was a team captain, also playing the offensive tackle. Carpenter had an interception for an Eagles defense forced 19 turnovers on the season while Carpenter lead the team in tackles with 89.

Sam Pidde, FS,

Sr., Springfield

A four-year player on the defense, Pidde was a ballhawk. This season, he had seven interceptions to go with six passes deflected, three forced fumbles, 77 tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. Springfield head coach Adam Meyer said that Pidde was a highlight-play type of player, also contributing as a punt and kick returner. For his career, Pidde had 224 tackles, six forced fumbles and 20 interceptions.

Honorable Mention

Nick Slater, LB/DL, Jr., Nicollet

Slater led the Nicollet defense in tackles (111) and fumbles forced (5). He also added 1 1/2 sacks and four pass deflections, mainly playing middle linebacker for the Raiders.

Gavin Vanderwerf, ILB, Jr., Springfield

Vanderwerf stepped into his role at linebacker this season and played up to Springfield’s high standard, getting 63 tackles with three sacks, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, three pass deflections and an interception. Springfield head coach Adam Meyer said Vanderwerf plays well at the line of scrimmage while also being valuable in pass coverage.

Colton Benson, DE, Sr., New Ulm

An All-District Player, Benson made the transition to defensive end this season and produced three sacks while being a disruptor on every play. He had 38 tackles this year.

Ethan Lieb, P/K,

Sr., New Ulm

Lieb was as consistent as you can ask for a kicker/punter, hitting 20 of 22 PATs while pinning 10 punts inside the 20, with two right at the 1-yard line. Lieb also had 15 touchbacks while kicking off and one onside kick. Lieb was an All-District player and was named Co-Special Teams Player of the Year for the South Central District, Red Subdistrict.

Jake Finstad, DB,

Jr., Cathedral

Finstad was an All-District player for the Greyhounds, totaling 51 tackles and four pass breakups. Finstad also forced one fumble and recovered two others, while averaging 16.5 yards on punt returns.