Success on the gridiron and the track

In the final installment of our attempt to highlight some of the best multi-sport football players in the state, we finish up focusing on athletes who excel on the football field and the track. Football players were well represented on the medal stand during last week's state track and field competition. Here is a group of ten athletes from the Class of 2020 who excelled in not only the fall, but also the spring. <strong>Matthias Algarin Pierz</strong> <strong>Class A 5th in 100m, 9th in the 200m, 1st in triple jump, 2nd in long jump</strong> One of the most decorated athletes at this year's state competition, Algarin took home four medals – including a victory in the triple jump. He just missed double gold by under two inches – taking second in the long jump. Algarin has Division I colleges looking at him for track and football – including a recent football offer from Nebraska. He sees time on both sides of the ball for the Pioneers' football team at defensive back and wide receiver. <strong>Bryce Sievers Jordan</strong> [caption id="attachment_7765" align="alignright" width="194"] Photo from swnewsmedia.com[/caption] <strong>Class A 1st in 4X100m, 1st 4X200m, 3rd in triple jump</strong> Along with the three individual/relay medals, Sievers helped his team take home the Class A team title and helped set a Class A state record in the 4X100. On the football field, he is a true dual-threat quarterback. He led an offense that scored over 40 points in six of its eight regular-season games. He also helped the Hubmen to their second straight state tournament appearance. Through the air, Sievers threw for almost 3,000 yards with 31 touchdowns. On the ground, he totaled 600 yards and added another seven rushing touchdowns. <strong>Demetrius Marshall Minneapolis Southwest</strong> <strong>Class AA 12th in long jump</strong> Marshall is one of the top returning running backs in the state with interest from four FCS schools. A dynamic running back – he also showed his explosiveness in the long jump. He also qualified for State as a part of the 4X200 relay team. <strong>Jonathan Mann Rosemount</strong> <strong>Class AA 2nd in 110m hurdles</strong> Mann has been a Minnesota Gophers' football commit for some time now. The wide receiver can line up wide, in the slot and in addition to catching the ball, can pick up yards on the ground. He actually had more rushing yards than receiving yards his senior year.. On the track, he missed a 110m hurdles' championship by just .3 of a second – good enough for second place. <strong>Jon Sikel Mankato West</strong> <strong>Class AA 4th in long jump, 2nd in 4X200 relay</strong> Sikel's relay team set a school record, and he set the school record in the long jump as well. A captain on both the track and football teams, Sikel picked up his first football offer from Bemidji State last month. A two-way player, he lines up all over the field on offense, mainly at one of the wide receiver spots. On the defensive side of the ball, he is in the defensive backfield, usually on an outside receiver. <strong>Brandon Langdok STMA</strong> <b>Class AA 10t</b><b>h in 400m</b> Langdok has had football interest from DII and some DI schools. He has an offer from both St. Cloud State and the University of Mary. A threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball, Langdok has the speed to get deep and the quickness to pick up yards underneath. <strong>Connor Raines Shakopee</strong> <strong>Class AA 5th in 200m, 9th in long jump</strong> A double medalist in track and field and a returning member on these stories. The three-sport athlete also made his mark on the state champion Sabers' wrestling team. Raines can cover ground at the safety position but is most effective closing in on a running back or lining up near the line of scrimmage. <strong>Mason Miller Ada-Borup</strong> <strong>Class A 4th in discus, 8th in shot put</strong> A double medalist at the state meet, Miller has already committed to North Dakota State in football. He will go into Bison camp as an offensive tackle. This winter, this three-sport athlete helped his basketball team to the state tournament – earning a spot on the Class A All-Tournament team. <strong>Tucker Peterson Pillager</strong> <strong>Class A 8th in 100m, 8th in 200m</strong> A double medalist on the track, Peterson is also a two-way player on the football team. While he does play linebacker, offense is where he is most dangerous. At wing back, he has excellent cutting ability, can shake off tacklers, but when he gets in the open field, defenders better have an angle on him as he does not get caught often. Mostly a running threat, Peterson can make plays in the passing game too. <strong>Seth Thompson Holy Family</strong> <strong>Class A 9th in Discus</strong> Thompson has picked up football offers from multiple DII schools as well as some FCS schools. Playing center, he has a good combination of power at the point of attack and quickness and agility to get to the next level and engage with quicker linebackers in the open field. While offense is his calling card, he is also effective on the defensive line – he even blocked a field goal attempt.