Aiden Moriarty, Jr.,

LB/DE/DT, Springfield

Opposing offenses always had to keep track of where Moriarty lined up in the formation as he recorded 98 tackles this season, along with five TFLs, half a sack, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Moriarty’s high IQ and athleticism helped him play anywhere on the field as he continued to improve throughout the season.

Stan Heiling, So.,

LB, Cedar Mountain

Heiling led the Cougars in tackles with 99, 73 of them solo, while adding six tackles for a loss and four sacks. The sophomore linebacker also had one interception, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles, helping the Cougars to a 5-5 finish to the season.

Tyson Horkey, Jr.,

DE, Springfield

The stats don’t show the full impact that Horkey had on the Tigers defense, as the All-District player applied constant pressure on opposing offenses. Horkey recorded 36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown.

Camden Berg, Jr.,

LB, Cathedral

Berg led the team in tackles this season with 122 from his linebacker position and added two sacks and an interception. Berg’s offseason work was evident and he made a big impact in his first season on varsity.

Talan Osborne, Sr.,

LB, Nicollet

Osborne made plays all over the field for Nicollet, totaling 126 tackles to lead the Raiders, along with half a sack and a fumble recovery. A tenacious defender, Osborne also led the team in rushing yards with 777 and had eight total touchdowns on offense. For his career, Osborne finishes with 312 tackles, a sack, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

Caleb Hunter, Sr.,

LB, MVL

An All-District player for the Chargers, racked up 92 tackles, two sacks and 13 tackles for loss this season. Hunter’s physicality and ability to cover ground was invaluable for the team, as was his perseverance, with his first to seasons shortened by injury. For his career, Hunter finishes with 260 tackles, nine sacks two interceptions and 21 tackles for loss.

Nick Tauer, Jr.,

LB, SEU

Tauer was essential for the SEU defense this season, recording 100 tackles, 65 of which were solo. Tauer added 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked punt in his junior campaign.

Luke Bastian, Sr.,

DE, GFW

Bastian was a key component in GFW’s defense, racking up 72 tackles and three sacks with 17 TFLs. Bastian also had three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries for the section runner-up Firebirds.

Evan Blekestad, Jr.,

LB, Cathedral

After missing most of his sophomore season with an injury, Blekestad broke out with 115 tackles and an interception this season, helping to lead the Greyhounds to a 5-5 record.

Jake Erickson Sr.,

LB, RRC

Erickson had a team-best 91 tackles and four TFLs this season, helping the Falcons win the Section 2A Championship and return to state for the first time since the 2022.

Zeke Olson, Sr.,

DE, Wabasso

Olson, a four-year starter for the Rabbits, had 65 tackles this season, 29 solos, and four sacks. The senior defensive end also recorded seven tackles for loss, forced a fumble and a blocked a punt. For his career at Wabasso, Olson finished with 99 tackles and six sacks.

HONORABLE MENTION

Jonah Skarupa, Jr., DE/LB, RRC (89 tckls, 4 sacks,

7 TFLs)

AJ Kramer, Sr., DL, Nicollet (50 tckls, 5 sacks)

Matthew Lee, Sr., LB, GFW (58 tckls, 11 TFLs, 2 ints)

George Gag, S, Jr., New Ulm (58 tckls, 3 TFLs)

Isaiah Friese, DL, Jr., New Ulm (41 tckls, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks)

Eli Trevino, So., DE, Springfield (55 tckls, 11 TFLs,

3 sacks)