8-Man Div 1 Players to Watch

There are few things more exciting that eight-man football, and there is no shortage of stars among the final four teams in Div. 1. Here are some players to watch this Friday: [player_tooltip player_id="123016" first="Braxton" last="Lafferty"], 6-foot-1, 180 pound running back, 2023, Little River: There are few players more versatile than the triple-threat Lafferty. Stat champion Little River graduated some studs last year, but Lafferty has stepped up to fill the void. He’s covered 1,169 yards rushing and is one of the team’s top receivers. He’s a threat to throw from the running back spot as well. Lafferty is a multi-sport star who will make a lot of headlines the next couple of years. <strong>Rylan Konen</strong>, 6-foot-1 quarterback, 2023, Little River: Lafferty isn’t the only threat for the Redskins. They don’t throw it a lot, but he’s a threat through the air. He’s a tough and dangerous runner when he tucks it, notching 18 touchdowns and 828 yards on the ground. Like Lafferty, Konen is a multi-sport standout. <strong>Garrett Maltbie</strong>, 6-foot, 170 pound quarterback, 2023, Canton-Galva: The 10-1 Eagles have the opportunity to defeat the defending state champs Friday. Maltbie has been the team leader through the air and on the ground. He completes better than 61% of his throws, with 27 TDs against just two picks. When he tucks it, Maltbie has racked up 635 yards and another 19 scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35585" first="Tyson" last="Struber"]</strong>, 6-foot-2, 200 pound receiver/defensive back, 2022, Canton-Galva: Perhaps the best player in the small school ranks, Struber is headed to Kansas State after his career at Canton-Galva is complete. But he’s got a state title in his sights. Struber followed up 810 yards receiving as a junior with 1,209 this year. He’s a huge receiver for the small-school level and is just too athletic for most of the competition. <strong>Torren Haynes</strong>, 5-foot-11, 145 pound quarterback, 2022, Meade: The Buffaloes are quarterbacked by the efficient Haynes. He completes 63% of his throws. But he’s a threat to run it, with 1,185 yards and 19 touchdowns this year. <strong>Korben Clausen</strong>, 6-foot, 180 pound running back, 2022, Meade: The Buffaloes’ one-two punch relies on Clausen to pound it out on the ground. He amassed 1,547 yards and 27 touchdowns this year. <strong>Aiden Amrein</strong>, 6-foot-2, 180 pound quarterback, 2024, Hill City: A rising star at the small-school level, Amrein is turning in a great sophomore season. He is a playmaker as a passer and runner for the Ringnecks. He completes 65% of his throws, with 29 touchdowns. He’s als Hill City’s top threat as a runner, gaining 1,423 yards and 22 touchdowns.