Border Battle Dakotas All-Star Game Selections 2023 (ND Defense)

These are my favorite types of articles, just talking defense and defensive players I like watching play. North Dakota has a special group of defenders that I could arrange into a 4-3 defense, it’s simple, but effective in the game of football, a gap responsible defense that can defend passing teams as well. This group was pretty tough to pick from with the talent rich area and each player having the attributes I like seeing in a defender. Again this team was assembled based off rankings and how I would feel about them playing defense if I were a coach. Check them out below! DL- [player_tooltip player_id="223084" first="Karter" last="Menz"], West Fargo Sheyenne: Menz is a solid offensive nightmare. He is quick off the snap, sheds blocks quickly, and drills whoever has the ball in the backfield. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GX1U0">Junior Season</a> DL- [player_tooltip player_id="277667" first="Jake" last="Swanson"], Hillsboro/Central Valley: Swanson almost completely takes away the run plays up the middle. Being quick off the snap and sitting in his gap to get his read then flowing his way to the football and making the tackle. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GWPPu">Junior Season</a> DL- [player_tooltip player_id="241344" first="Caden" last="Belgarde"], St. John: Belgarde is the DE the opposing QB gets sick of seeing in a game. He takes a quick first step to get him his perfect angle to the QB on his pass rush, he breaks down and corrals the ballcarrier and makes the TFL. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13113243/61f35d8c4debcb05d42cc6d9">Junior Season</a> DL- [player_tooltip player_id="223085" first="Tyler" last="Holdeman"], Velva: Holdeman does a good job hurrying the offense. He gets through his gap quick and forces pressure on the QB to get the ball out quicker than usual. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13193478/6170f0c4f55fb808a440c951">Junior Season</a> LB- [player_tooltip player_id="223092" first="Josh" last="Balstad"], West Fargo: Balstad just has the football sense in the middle of the field. He gets his read then gets in position to make the play in the run or pass game. He fills his gap drills the ballcarrier, driving them backwards. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GiHYy">Junior Season</a> LB- [player_tooltip player_id="242547" first="Peter" last="Dryburgh"], Hillsboro/Central Valley: Dryburgh plays well out on the perimeter, as a walk-up DE or flat defender. He holds contain well and makes tackles on the perimeter runs. He also sits in pass coverage well, and can get pressure on a pass rush. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GUgKE">Junior Season</a> LB- [player_tooltip player_id="101158" first="Cole" last="Hebl"], Hillsboro/Central Valley: Hebl did a good job plugging the gaps up the middle and keeping the opposing run game in check. He flows well to the ball and makes a sure-handed tackle. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GUdpC">Junior Season</a> DB- [player_tooltip player_id="56565" first="Ryan" last="Brynjolfson"], Bismarck Century: Brynjolfson did a great job locking his side of the field down in pass coverage. He could keep the WR and QB in his vision and stayed in position to make a good break on the ball and make a clean play. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GKbe4">Junior Season</a> DB- [player_tooltip player_id="89290" first="Hudson" last="Flom"], Grand Forks Red River: Flom played the last line of defense fundamentally sound. He flew around the field and broke down to make tackles down the field to not give up big plays. He did a good job being the deepest guy in pass coverage and making a play on the ball. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13138797/61817ca24ba81909307f8770">Junior Season</a> DB- [player_tooltip player_id="101151" first="Emanuel" last="Spiyee"], Fargo South: Spiyee does a good job sitting back and playing centerfield on defense. He reads the QB flows to where the pass will be thrown and makes the play. He also makes a sure-handed tackle to end the play before the offense can break a big play. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GLJmg">Junior Season</a> DB- [player_tooltip player_id="276803" first="Keaton" last="Schwab"], Fargo Davies: Schwab does a great job clamping a receiver and keeping him from making big plays. He changes directions well breaks on routes and passes, makes tackles, and plays clean in pass coverage. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GQhG3">Junior Season</a>