North Dakota 11-Man POY: The Nominees

NORTH DAKOTA-- We move over to North Dakota to list our first-ever North Dakota Player of the Year award here at Prep Redzone Dakotas. On this nominees list, you will see a handful of favorites, diamonds in the rough, and players that might not be as highly talked about in North Dakota as they probably should be. We have it broken down as The Nominees, and who are some 2022 kids on our watchlist to win next year’s award in 11-man in North Dakota. A DECISION WILL BE MADE Check our Twitter account (@PrepRedzoneDAK for our top 3 at 8 PM on Sunday. Andrew Leingang, OL/DL, Bismarck Century (2021) Leingang is the most dominant offensive linemen the Midwest has to offer out of powerhouse Bismarck Century. You won’t see quicker feet at the offensive linemen position than Leingang. It’s no wonder the rushing attack of the Patriots was so rock solid this season, as Leingang is one that isn’t going to block dudes; he’s going to manhandle every defender in his tracks. It should be no surprise to anyone that Leingang is a very heavy favorite to win this award as he certainly didn’t settle down, playing a massive key in the Patriot’s second straight state championship in 2020. Kansas State commit. [embed]https://twitter.com/AndrewLeingang/status/1330670263831302146[/embed] [player_tooltip player_id="56308" first="Cooper" last="Mattern"], QB, Fargo Shanley (2021) if I redid my QB rankings for the city of Fargo, [player_tooltip player_id="56308" first="Cooper" last="Mattern"] would check my box as the #1 QB1 coming out of the area. Mattern was the only quarterback in North Dakota to throw for over 2000 yards this season, and it’s easy to see why, as Mattern is a quick hitter when the ball comes out of his hand. Mattern had 29 total touchdowns this season and, in my opinion, is so under-recruited it’s not even funny. Mattern is also quite mobile when he leaves the pocket and throws a great football even on the run. His legs also got him double-digit touchdowns this season (10); Mattern will see a substantial bump in our December rankings and, in my opinion, is higher in the running for this award than our readers might think. Still undecided about his college football plans. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUrPL">Sr. Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56235" first="Jaxon" last="Duttenhefer"], OL/DL, Mandan (2021) The NDSU commit Duttenhefer was another bull on the line coming from the Mandan Braves. Jaxon had nearly 50 tackles, which is a substantial amount for a defensive lineman. To describe Duttenhefer in one word, my choice of word would be: bully, because when you watch his tape, you see the Division I physicality that the Bison are getting over in Fargo. If I lived in the Bismarck Area, I would watch the battle between Duttenhefer and Leingang for a very long time as Duttenhefer seems to be the biggest threat in North Dakota against Andrew Leingang. Having not one but two prominent next level linemen on this list have to excite the Hog Mollys across the Dakotas. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8186309/5dd34feb6655af0c2455eb59">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56246" first="Emmet" last="Kenney"], K, Fargo Shanley (2021) When you have probably the longest kicking leg in the Midwest and possibly the nation, and you break state records (58 yards) and have two kicks in one game over 50 yards in the high school ranks, you put Stanford commit [player_tooltip player_id="56246" first="Emmet" last="Kenney"] on your North Dakota list for MVP. I love watching Kenney kick on his long kicks; how much room that kick still has to be made from even longer. Kenney kicks in some of the country’s toughest elements, so going to a less windy and more mild climate should make college coaches more and more from the West Coast football programs search thru the Midwest to find their guy that will make any kick from anywhere just like Kenney does. [embed]https://twitter.com/emmetkenney/status/1317582261554995200[/embed] <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/9462761/5fad73e906616307402777df">Senior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56234" first="Barika" last="Kpeenu"], RB, Fargo Sheyenne (2021) After back to back seasons of 1000 rushing yards, Kpeenu set another high bar in the 2020 season. Kpeenu has a swift burst, but it gets even faster when he’s running in between defenders and knows he can break out of the pile. Also, an electric return man for the Mustangs could some early time for the Bison in a similar role. He has some of the best twitches with his feet I have seen in the Dakotas at the running back position. Another great thing about Kpeenu is he is not one that bursts to the outside as a speedy back; Kpeenu runs very well between the tackles, making a viable option for an 11-Man Player of the Year. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfccD">Senior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56256" first="Simon" last="Romfo"], QB, Langdon Area (2021) Romfo is a proven winner, a perfect 37-0 (not a typo) in his three years starting for the Cardinals. If you want a kid who had over 50 touchdowns this year total, is looking for a long-strong arm, and has some pep in step with his feet, look no further to [player_tooltip player_id="56256" first="Simon" last="Romfo"] of Langdon Area. What you see out of Romfo’s live arm is a fireball coming out of his throw, but on-point accuracy as well from any of the multiple levels of his throw. Romfo’s recruiting has taken nothing but off this season, starting his October with multiple NAIA and Divison III offers, but then as of late improving his college-level stock with plenty of local Northern Sun programs offering Romfo a football scholarship as of late. If this kid doesn’t have Division I FCS opportunities by January 1st, I would be shocked. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EeT7N">Senior Film</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56271" first="Cade" last="Garcia"], RB, Bismarck Century (2021) Since August, I have been saying it, and I will keep saying it, America is fast asleep when it comes to recruiting this kid, and I am still trying to figure out why. I see many similar traits in Garcia as I see in [player_tooltip player_id="56279" first="Corbin" last="Sohler"]; both very consistent runners, have great ball control and get what they need done for their team. Another addition to Garcia’s game I have found is how is his play at linebacker. The few hits I have seen were physical, and with a little more muscle could a tough college-level linebacker if running back doesn’t work out. Holds just one NAIA offer after two back to back 1000 yard seasons and 17 touchdowns this season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9224110/Cade-Garcia">Senior Film</a> 2022 WATCHLIST [player_tooltip player_id="56453" first="Carson" last="Hegerle"], WR/DB, West Fargo (2022) I have watched a great amount of Hegerle’s film upon launching this site to know what a special two-way player is for West Fargo. He also happens to be one of South Dakota State’s early targets for the Class of 2022. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfnVb">Junior Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="56512" first="Isaiah" last="Huus"], RB, Bismarck (2022) Huus is another player that will make a significant bump when our December rankings come out. How can you not?! Huus ran for nearly 1000 yards in just 5 games of action this season! <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EPcSJ">Junior Season</a>