ND Basketball Players: Standouts in Football

<h5><a href="https://www.prephoops.com/2021/09/basketball-stars-standing-out-in-football-sd/">This story is written by Prep Hoops Dakotas Scout Michael Herrick and also appeared on Prep Hoops Dakotas on September 16.</a></h5> <hr /> Football season is in full bore and every day seems more and more like fall is here. This is the perfect time to look at dual-sport athletes that are getting it done so far this fall on the gridiron. Oh yeah, do not forget that they are going to have a big basketball season as well! <h2>Basketball & Football Standouts</h2> Aaron Grubb (2022) |6-3 F| Mandan FB Position |TE/DL| Expect him to average a double-double in the WDA this winter. Grubb is a grinder, hustler, and a gamer. He is a blue-collar worker on the court that gets the job done. Every basketball coach loves a player like Grubb. In football, Aaron is a fierce player that looks like he can play at the next level. As a TE, he has 5 receptions for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the defensive side, Grubb has 11 tackles. If you appreciate hard-nosed and unselfish players then you will want to watch this Brave play. [player_tooltip player_id="149454" first="Blake" last="Schafer"] (2022) |6-1 SG| Wahpeton FB Position |QB/DB| He is a hard-working and creative guard for the Huskies in basketball. I am expecting him to have a nice senior season in hoops. In football, Blake is crushing it as a quarterback. When throwing the ball Schafer is 68-105 for 943 yards with 13 TD’s! He has also rushed for 86 yards. That puts Blake at 1029 total yards! It is easy for me to predict that Schafer will be an All-State QB. Caden Kappes (2023) |6-1 G| Wahpeton Football Position |WR/DB| He played varsity minutes last season and will step into a lead guard position for the Huskies this year. Kaden has been phenomenal so far this football season on O and D. Kappes has 18 receptions for 271 yards and 7 touchdowns! He is also standing out on defense with a team-leading 19 tackles and 1.5 TFL’s. So far Kappes is a clear-cut All-State player on the gridiron. [player_tooltip player_id="56453" first="Carson" last="Hegerle"] (2022) |6-3 SG| West Fargo FB Position |WR/DB| Last year Carson was a State Champion and an All-State player in hoops. Hegerle is an elite athlete and a high-octane scoring machine. In football, Hegerle has multiple D1 offers and interests from all across the nation. In 2 EDC games, Carson has 9 receptions for 203 yards and 1 touchdown. There is no question that Carson is one of the best players in North Dakota for basketball and football. Cruz Hernandez (2023) |5-11 G| Hankinson Football Position |RB/LB| He played well last year in his sophomore season in hoops. Cruz took a step up this summer with ECI and showed that he can be an elite defender. He is a very quick player that can shoot it effectively. Hernandez will be one of the best guards in Region-1 this winter. He definitely sticks out when on the football field. Cruz is quick and fast with the pads on. On the offensive side, Cruz has good hands and he is elusive when carrying the ball. Hernandez is a sure-fire All-Region player in football. Drew Hofstad (2024) |6-0 SG| Devils Lake FB Position |WR/DB| He had a very productive and impressive spring/summer with ECI in AAU hoops. Drew is a quick athlete and a huge 3-point shooting threat. Look for him to have a big season in the EDC as one of the top young guards. Hofstad is also producing this fall with the pads on. In three games Drew has 7 receptions for 134 yards and 3 impressive touchdowns. He is also a standout on the defensive side. Drew is a great d-back with 3 interceptions and 5 pass breakups. Talk about a 2-way player! <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/foster-2-crop-909x597-1627096220.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1244397" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/foster-2-crop-909x597-1627096220-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Erik Foster (2023) |6-5 F| Rugby Football position |QB/WR/FS| He had a nice spring and summer with ND Attack. Foster showed that he can compete at a high level. He will be one of the best players in Region-6 this winter. In football, Erik has played both QB and WR on offense. In weeks 2 & 4 Foster threw for over 300 yards combined and a few TD’s. As a WR he has had 2 catches for 60 yards. You do not see many 6’5" free-safeties in high school football! He has shined in the secondary with 3 interceptions and 1 pick-6. Foster is well on his way to a great junior year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1283816" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/jaceflasher-crop-750x493-1631767547-300x197.png" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="152488" first="Jace" last="Friesz"] (2022) |6-3 F| Flasher FB Position |QB/LB/S| He was All-State selection last year in both sports! Jace is a competitor at everything he does. He will do whatever it takes to succeed. Look for Friesz to have a big senior year and to continue to rack up the awards and accolades. James Hagen (2022) |5-10 G| West Fargo Sheyenne FB Position |WR/CB| He is a very quick and selfless basketball player. James will be a primary ballhandler for the Mustangs in the winter. In football, Hagen is an athletic corner that has 3 passes broken up on the year. On offense, he often lines up in the slot. Last week against Shanley, Hagen had a momentous touchdown that help lead Sheyenne to victory. Jaxen Johnson (2022) |6-5 PF| North Border FB Position |QB/DE/LB| In basketball Johnson is the big man for the talented Eagles. He is the rim protector, rebounder, and anchor down low. Jaxen will be an All-Region type player that can score around the basket and from the perimeter. In football, Jaxen is one of the top defenders for NB. On offense, he is the man calling the signals. The Eagles have won every game by 40 or more points so far, which means Johnson is doing a great job! This kid knows how to win and the Eagles will do it a ton this school year. Karter Menz (2023) |6-5 F| West Fargo Sheyenne FB Position |WR/DE| This big athlete can dunk with ease on the court. He is also an energetic rebounder. Menz has helped the Mustangs get to a perfect 3-0 so far in the football season. On defense Karter is leading the Mustangs with 19.5 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 TFL’s. Look for Menz to be an All-State player on the gridiron and to be a big piece of the puzzle for the Mustangs in the hoops season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1284640" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/kylerm-crop-1125x739-1631829956-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Kyler Moore (2022) |6-1 SG| North Border FB Position |WR/DE/LB| He will be the elder statesman in the Eagle backcourt. Moore is a team leader, a versatile contributor, and a playmaker on both ends of the court. Kyler and North Border will have their sights set on a Region Championship this spring. Moore has had a stellar year so far in football. He has been the best defensive player that reacts with a smart football sense. Kyler is the leading tackler for the Eagles and he has caught a handful of touchdowns on offense. Look for North Border to pick up many wins in both football and basketball this year. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/masonklabo-crop-1024x673-1622051046.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1202274" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/masonklabo-crop-1024x673-1622051046-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Mason Klabo (2025) |6-1 G| Fargo Davies FB Position |QB/DB| He was a standout last season in the EDC as an 8th grader and he will be a top-tier player this season as a freshman. Klabo is a rare talent and he showed that this summer with Team Tyus in AAU. In football, Mason is getting reps at the QB spot for the Eagles. Klabo is 10-15 passing for 132 yards and 1 touchdown. He does not look like a 9th grader out on the field. Klabo has a very bright future in hoops and football. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1284069" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/pp-crop-3024x1986-1631811779-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="56493" first="Paine" last="Parks"] (2023) |6-3 G| Grand Forks Red River FB Position |WR/LB| When it comes to size and strength Parks is as good as they come. On the court he is a gifted scorer with a great pull-up game and finishing ability. On defense, Parks is leading the Rough Riders with 16 tackles, 6 TFL, and 2 sacks. Paine has gained interest from college football programs at the D2 and D1 levels. I’m predicting Parks to be an All-State football player and to have a marvelous basketball season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/67RaymondBrown1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1077288" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/67RaymondBrown1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Raymond Brown (2023) |5-10 G| Fargo Davies FB Position |WR/DB| He is a very quick player on the hardwood. This translates over very easily to the football field. Ray is a playmaker in both sports. As a wideout, Brown has big-play ability and he can take it to the house at any given moment. He has 7 receptions for 129 yards. On defense, Ray uses his athleticism to blanket receivers. He has 1 interception so far on the year. Brown has the potential to be a college athlete in either sport. If you get a chance to watch him in hoops or football you not be disappointed. [player_tooltip player_id="56518" first="Sam" last="Strandell"] (2022) |6-3 SG| Grand Forks Central FB Position |WR/DB| He is a lefty that plays aggressive and hard all the time. Look for Sam to have a productive senior season on the hardwood. On the football field, he has been rising to the occasion and making splashy plays. Offensively, Sam has 8 catches for 136 yards. On defense Strandell has been BIG TIME. He has a ridiculous 9 pass break-ups. Keep your eyes on the Knight from Grand Forks. He is putting up All-State numbers. TJ Cosley (2023) North Border Football Position |RB/DB| In hoops TJ will be one of the best backcourt players in Region-2. He is a smooth and skilled baller. Cosley will run the show for the Eagles who will come into the season ranked in the Top-10 Preseason Polls. TJ has been beyond dynamic this football season and has scored around 4 TD’s a game. Cosley is darn near untouchable when he gets the ball in the open field. On defense, he is a physical and gritty player that has multiple interceptions. This Eagle is setting himself up for a huge junior season in football and basketball. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1283809" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Treyb-crop-675x444-1631766748-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Trey Brandt (2002) |6-1 PG| Beulah FB Position |QB/S| He is great at everything including basketball, football, baseball, and golf. In basketball, Trey will most likely be a MR. Basketball finalist. Over the summer Brandt committed to Minot State for Basketball. In football, Trey has the Miners at 4-0 (1 forfeit) and they are the #1 ranked team in 11B. On defense, Brandt has 2 interceptions. When throwing the ball Trey has 445 yards, 24-46 with 5 TD’s. He also has 88 rushing yards with 2 TD’s. Look out for Brandt and the Miners, they have a State Championship in their crosshairs. Ballers in both basketball and football