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<p>I don't know about you, but I'm still buzzing from the wild weekend of Minnesota state semifinal playoff football. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 14 games, seven classes, some of the best games of the season, and some of the biggest names in the state all came together in Downtown Minneapolis at the US Bank Stadium. I was fortunate to watch ALL 14 games representing <em>PrepRedzoneMN</em>, and am thrilled to announce the 2024 Minnesota State Semifinal All-Tournament Team is live! Last but not least: Saturday. Check out the top performers from <em>Springfield</em>, <em>Mahnomen/Waubun, Parkers Prairie, Minneota</em>,<em> Dassel-Cokato, Pequot Lakes, Albany, Stewartville, Alexandria</em>, and <em>Owatonna </em>who make up the All-Tournament Team: Friday Edition. Dig in!</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size">Game MVPs: </p>
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<p><em>Springfield </em>vs. <em>Mahnomen/Waubun</em>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582808' first='Gavin' last='Vanderwerf']</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2025. 5'11, 210 lbs. Uncommitted.</p>
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<p><em>Parkers Prairie</em> vs. <em>Minneota</em>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1145278' first='Ryan' last='Meagher']</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. RB. 5'10, 210 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><em>Dassel-Cokato</em> vs.<em> Pequot Lakes</em>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582797' first='Cole' last='Veith']</strong> (<em>Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2025. QB. 5'10, 180 lbs. Uncommitted.</p>
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<p><em>Albany </em>vs. <em>Stewartville</em>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234881' first='Parker' last='Wangen']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. WR. 6'4, 200 lbs. Committed to MSU-Mankato </p>
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<p><em>Alexandria </em>vs. <em>Owatonna</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] (Alexandria) 2025. QB. 6'7, 210 lbs. Committed to Clemson (basketball) </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Quarterback</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson']</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2025. 6'7, 210 lbs. Committed to Clemson (basketball) - Excellent showing from <strong>Thompson </strong>in what could have been his final football game. Huge arm that could stretch the field and throw a beautiful deep ball, <strong>Thompson </strong>was mobile, accurate, and tough, and he could put some beautiful touch on the rock as well. Went 24-38 for 396 yards and 5 TDs to only 1 INT. Also mobile and could extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield and making things happen. Can't say enough about the overall arm talent of this young man. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582797' first='Cole' last='Veith']</strong> (<em>Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2025. 5'10, 180 lbs. Uncommitted. - An excellent athlete and figurehead to run the veer, <strong>Veith </strong>was a natural runner and quick and precise decision maker with great command of his offense. <em>Dassel-Cokato</em> played faster than any team I've seen in 2024 and probably the fastest in the state, and that requires poise, leadership, awareness, and quick processing. <strong>Veith </strong>was a master of being game-aware and not wasting time in a hurry-up offense. Veith was also a natural runner and smooth athlete with elusiveness, speed, and vision. Also completed some clutch throws at the end of the ball game to finish the thing out. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582803' first='Mike' last='Oseland']</strong> (<em>Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 6'1, 190 lbs. Uncommitted. - One of the players I was most impressed with over the entire weekend, <strong>Oseland </strong>was a baller at the QB position who played a heckuva game in the Class AAA semifinal. With a big arm and pinpoint accuracy and ball placement, <strong>Oseland</strong> was carving up the <em>Chargers</em>' talented defensive backfield and hit some big-time challenging throws for a prep QB throughout the night. Every throw on the route tree was available to the senior QB, who hit some particularly eye-catching deep outs and hash-to-far-sideline throws on Saturday. His timing, ability to throw with either velocity or touch, and skills to fit the ball into tight windows combined for one of the best showings of any QB in the state semifinal tournament. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Blake McMullen</strong> (<em>Mahnomen/Waubun</em>) 2026. 6'4, 205 lbs. - Big-time size and a load-and-a-half to bring down as a ball carrier. Powerful, hard runner who is impressively tough and can eat contact and still produce big plays for his offense through four quarters. Also has a good arm - though the Thunderbirds don't throw much - but was smart with the football and effective in high-pressure situations. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633417' first='Parker' last='Kuehn']</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2027. 6', 160 lbs. </p>
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<p><strong>Brody Larson </strong>(<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6', 195 lbs. Uncommitted. - Good size on a strong kid who could really move the ball around. Lefty gunslinger who completed some impressive throws through the Class A semifinal. Good arm, consistently accurate, was mobile, and could throw off-platform. </p>
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<p><strong>Vincent Wellik</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2026. - Accurate, good game manager, and owning good awareness, Wellik was the perfect distributor for Stewie's high-powered offense. Accuracy to all three levels of the field, quick release, consistent timing, and had the ability to drop the ball right in the bucket. Pulled off some eye-catching throws throughout the night. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Running Back</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582808' first='Gavin' last='Vanderwerf']</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2025. 5'11, 210 lbs. Uncommitted. - Thick, powerful, build with noticeable size on him, Vanderwerf was a standout on both sides of the ball in the Class A semifinal. Displaying noticeable burst, a mean truck stick, and a nose for the endzone, Vanderwerf totaled 19 carries for 112 yards and a TD, as well as 10 tackles on defense, and did a great job of of running through tackles at his upper and lower body. Powerful kid with effective lateral cuts and a good nose for the football on defense.</p>
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<p><strong>Mason Boesl</strong> (<em>Parkers Prairie</em>) 2025. 5'10, 185 lbs. - The explosive element to the <em>Panther's </em>offense, <strong>Boesl</strong> can take the edge on the sideline on a defense and was elusive in space once he got there. Versatile and was used as a WR, RB, and DB, <strong>Boesl</strong> had a nice pickup on a tough 4th and 1 and also had a good coverage rep on a wheel route later in the game. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1145278' first='Ryan' last='Meagher']</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 5'10, 210 lbs. Uncommitted. - One of the most prolific players in the entire state semifinal tourney, <strong>Meagher </strong>was nothing short of a beast on Saturday and showed why he's a returning All-State pick in the Great State of Minnesota. Impressive burst and acceleration and could get up to top speed quickly. Big, imposing, strong ball carrier with a naturally low center of gravity and possesses contact balance and consistency in running behind his pads. Patient, does a good job of following his blocks and allowing a play to develop, and demonstrates good footwork. The leg drive and extra yardage post-contact is also very impressive. <em>Minneota </em>had 329 rushing yards at the half for a reason. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Destin Fier</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2026. 5'8, 155 lbs. - Was the most versatile players of the weekend, <strong>Fier </strong>could not stop making big plays for his offense throughout the night. <strong>Fier</strong> was an asset in both the run and pass game and was an explosive, big-play weapon, especially when he got the ball in his hands. <strong>Fier </strong>was also a big-time vertical threat and deep ball weapon who could take the top off the defense with ease. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234929' first='Lucas' last='Rybinski'] </strong>(<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6', 185 lbs. Uncommitted. - Especially dangerous when given the ball out in space or out on the edge. Fast, elusive, and looking to score. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248642' first='Kobee' last='Thielen']</strong> (<em>Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2025. 6', 185 lbs. Uncommitted. - A standout two-way contributor who caught my attention on both sides of the ball, Thielen was a hard, dependable runner with burst and aggression who posted 21 carries for 85 yards and 2 TDs in the state semifinal game. Dynamic in space but could get you tough yards and run behind his pads. Also an enforcer defensively and had some strong reps in coverage, locking down WRs and competing for PBUs at the catch point. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234886' first='Caleb' last='Smock']</strong> (<em>Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2025. 5'10, 180 lbs. - The splash play weapon of the <em>Chargers</em> offense, <strong>Smock </strong>had big-play speed, burst, and quick feet, totaling 16 carries for 77 yards and 2 TDs. Fun to watch and got the people on their feet. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602765' first='Abdimalik' last='Abdi']</strong> (<em>Stewartville) </em>2026. - Explosive junior RB is having a great season with the Tigers. Tough, good burst, and picked up hard, state-semifinal worthy yardage on Saturday. </p>
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<p><strong>Zach Birr </strong>(<em>Albany</em>) 2025. 5'9, 185 lbs. Uncommitted. - Tough, North-South runner who did great work running between the tackles and had good pad level and balance. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Wide Receiver</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120567' first='Nolan' last='Ginskey']</strong> (<em>Owatonna</em>) 2025. 6', 175 lbs. Uncommitted. - One of the best unsigned 2025s in the state, the Minnesota Mr. Football finalist, MN Vikings All-Stater, and MN All-Star was a game-breaker and hair-raising athlete on the <em>Owatonna Huskies</em>. Elite speed and twitch. Could separate against even the most talented <em>Alexandria </em>DBs, showed big-time burst off the snap and out of his breaks, and was sudden and twitchy after the catch, with the speed to take the edge on a defense. Also showed up well as a DB and had some great PBUs throughout the night. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945334' first='Mason' last='Gorghuber'] </strong>(<em>Alexandria</em>) 2025. 6', 200 lbs. Uncommitted. - One of the biggest senior stock risers in Minnesota, <strong>Gorghuber </strong>continued his dream-like senior season with an excellent showing in the state 5A semifinals. Posted 12 catches for 235 yards and 4 TDs in the game. Vertical threat with game-breaking speed and explosiveness and could take the top off the defense with ease. Reliable at getting open, could easily separate at the top of the route, and was a contested catch machine. Made it look easy out there and was putting on a track meet in the passing game. Someone offer this kid some scholarship money! </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234881' first='Parker' last='Wangen']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. 6'4, 200 lbs. Committed to MSU-Mankato. - Frankly, unreal performance from the <em>Stewie </em>all-time TD leader and Mankato State commit. Long, fast, and dangerous after the catch, <strong>Wangen </strong>is a huge pass-catching target with great hands and ball skills, as well as route running, who could reel in catches and create separation all over the field. His contact balance and long legs helped him slip, step, and easily glide through tackle attempts like he was playing against toddlers. His body control, both in the open field and when playing the ball in the air, was eye-popping, and his 50/50 ball skills were unmatched on the gridiron. <strong>Wangen </strong>posted 9 catches for 152 yards and 2 TDs (17 YPC), and his two punt returns, which set <em>Stewartville </em>up in plus field position in a very contested AAA semi were two of the biggest plays of the entire ball game. Watching <strong>Wangen </strong>in the open field and the ball in hand was quite the experience. Lot of Shane Zylstra in his game. Mankato got a STUD! </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370572' first='Ethan' last='Meyer']</strong> (<em>Albany</em>) 2025. 6'2, 185 lbs. Uncommitted. - Another All-Everything standout from <em>Albany</em>, <strong>Meyer </strong>was all over the field and was a dynamic weapon as a WR and RB. Explosive and very fast, <strong>Meyer </strong>was a game-changer and game-breaker, with length, quick feet, and burst, showing off a great ability to stack DBs after he separates and was a consistent vertical threat all four quarters. Strong route runner who could easily beat man coverage and find pickets in zone coverage. Also possessed soft hands. With the ball in hand, <strong>Meyer </strong>showed off vision, patience, and a playmaking mentality. Someone is going to get a stud. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Tanner Stetch</strong> (<em>Mahnomen/Waubun</em>) 2026. 6', 180 lbs. - A small schooler I was excited to see going into the weekend of action, <strong>Stech </strong>was versatile and used in a ton of different ways by the <em>Thunderbirds </em>on Saturday, including as a kicker. Splash play athlete who created some big gains through the air and on the ground. Also was a good tackler and was a heckuva blocker on the perimeter. Showed up all over the field throughout the game. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666356' first='Isaac' last='Fredin'] </strong>(<em>Springfield</em>) 2026. 5'10, 160 lbs. - Came alive in the second half with big plays for his <em>Tigers</em>. Scored a TD and picked off a pass in his team's biggest game under the brightest lights. </p>
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<p><strong>Brayden Sturm</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2025. 6', 170 lbs. Uncommitted. - Consistently got open and was in the right position for his quarterback and his offense and was a big play wideout averaging over 8 yards a catch in the Class A semifinal. Good contested catch ability and scored a 2pt conversion for the <em>Tigers </em>in the semi.</p>
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<p><strong>Kadyn Anderson</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2026. 5'11, 150 lbs. - Did a good job of getting open and producing clutch catches for his offense. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582831' first='Aaron' last='Clark']</strong> <em>(Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 6'2, 195 lbs. Uncommitted. - A favorite target of the Patriots big-time gunslinger <strong>Oseland</strong>, <strong>Clark </strong>had great size and knew how to use it, showing a big catch radius, good hands, and a knack for getting open. <strong>Clark</strong> could separate at the top of the route, sit down in zone coverage, and reel in contested catches through contact. Also was a thunderous hitter who had one of the hardest hits of the weekend - smashing a DC ball carrier THROUGH a blocker, putting both on their butts. Someone needs to get this kid on a college roster. </p>
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<p><strong>Bryar Nordby</strong> <em>(Pequot Lakes)</em> 2025. 5'10, 180 lbs. Uncommitted. - One of the more versatile players of Saturday and the entire weekend, Nordby was a two-way baller with contact balance who could run through weaker tackle attempts and carry defenders for extra yardage. Nordby is a powerful runner, strong hitter from the defensive backfield, and could separate as a wide receiver and route runner. </p>
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<p><strong>Elliott Burnett</strong> (<em>Albany</em>) 2025. 6'2, 170 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Tight End/Fullback</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537794' first='Lars' last='Salmen']</strong> <em>(Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2025. 6'3, 300 lbs. Fullback. Uncommitted. - Yes you read that right, Saturday featured a 6'3, 300 lb. fullback in <em>Dassel</em>-<em>Cokato's </em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537794' first='Lars' last='Salmen']</strong>. The overwhelmingly large & mobile senior made quite the impression, not only due to the hulking size and neck roll. <strong>Salmen </strong>posted six carries for 46 yards (7.7 YPC) and looked like a refrigerator running the rock, commanding two or three tacklers to stop his momentum and get him down thanks to his burst, pad level, and balance. <strong>Salmen</strong> was also a monster lead blocker who opened up TD carries for his fellow RBs and could eliminate any blocking assignment asked of him Not only was he powerful, <strong>Salmen</strong> was controlled in space, and he was great in pass pro to sweeten the pot. Don't see big guys being able to move like this very, and from a fan of the fullbacks, watching <strong>Salmen </strong>could not have been a better treat to round out the weekend of action. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1288305' first='Aiden' last='Moriarty']</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2027. 6'3, 240 lbs. - One of Minnesota's premier 2027s, Moriarty was as advertised, proving himself to be a dynamic athlete at 6'3 240 playing off-ball linebacker and tight end. Good body control when playing the ball in the air, didn't mind going over the middle or into traffic to reel in receptions and had a TD carry out of the backfield as well. Strong tackler in space for his size on the defensive side of the ball as well.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Easton Bevins</strong> (<em>Mahnomen/Waubun</em>) 2025. 5'8, 190 lbs. Fullback. Uncommitted. - Tough kid who liked to stick his nose in the action. Physical, balanced, and looked great with his nice head of lettuce sticking out the back of his helmet. </p>
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<p><strong>Harrison Kennen</strong> (<em>Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 6'5, 210 lbs. Uncommitted. - Great size and a frame that could blow up at the college level. Caught a clutch TD pass up the seam for a TD early in the ball game. Also a solid blocker with noticeable length. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204068' first='Caleb' last='Bancroft']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. Tight End. 6'7, 225 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth. - Big frame, imposing size, tons of length, and knew how to use it. Showed up on both sides of the ball and showed some burst and YAC ability on a TE screen up the middle of the field. Also threw out some impressive pancake blocks in the run game throughout the night. Also made a beautiful read and a near INT on a little shovel pass by the <em>Albany </em>offense. Nice two-way presence from the UMD commit. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Offensive Line</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204375' first='Jacob' last='Lane']</strong> (<em>Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 6'5, 290 lbs. Uncommitted. - Great size, played both ways and looked good conditioning-wise, and was quite the mauler in the run game. Good combination of size and foot speed. Dominant at the contact point and heavy-handed. Didn't need to be an elite football mind to see that this kid could play. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582879' first='Nick' last='Baker']</strong> (<em>Mahnomen/Waubun</em>) 2025. 6'4, 295 lbs. Uncommitted. - Great size, tons of varsity experience, and impressed me with how fast he flies out of stance and gets onto opponents' chest plates. Also coordinated and fluid in space and is very effective at the second level of the field.</p>
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<p><strong>Parker Bradley </strong>(<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 5'9, 195 lbs. Uncommitted.- Consistently was relied upon to provide the key blocks in the various counters and misdirection running plays. Excellent COD ability as a puller and opened up more than his fair share of TDs throughout the day. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489428' first='Evan' last='Zabel']</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2026. 6'4, 265 lbs.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204366' first='Ridge' last='Hatz']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. 6'2, 260 lbs. Uncommitted. - DII offeree was a good athlete at 6'2, 260 lbs. <strong>Hatz </strong>was overall mobile, did a good job of sealing and setting the edge, and had a good pass set and quick feet. Strong at the point of attack as well. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602672' first='Kyson' last='Arndt']</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2026. 6'5, 225 lbs. </p>
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<p><strong>Noah Gorecki</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6'1, 180 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><strong>Kyler Lozinski</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6'1, 180 lbs. Uncommitted.</p>
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<p><strong>Jackson Aho</strong> (<em>Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2027. 5'9, 235 lbs. </p>
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<p><strong>Jack Haar</strong> (<em>Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 5'11, 220 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><strong>Jackson Mergen </strong>(<em>Albany</em>) 2026. 6'2, 255 lbs. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Defensive Line</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Cooper Brinkman</strong> (<em>Albany</em>) 2025. 6'3, 190 lbs. Uncommitted. - Minnesota All-Star <strong>Brinkman</strong> lived up to the hype and was all around the gridiron in the Class AAA semifinal on Saturday. Speed, instincts, and excellent at tackling in space. Did a great job of getting off blocks and when he puts his pads on you, it's game over. He could get in the backfield in a hurry and was very productive in his last game of high school football. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489428' first='Evan' last='Zabel']</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2026. 6'4, 265 lbs. - What a talent and what a showing from <strong>Zabel</strong>! A relentless, eye-catching DL presence, Zabel consistently created penetration and disruption behind the LOS from his DL spot. Huge build, had a great first step, and had some impressive speed as a pass rusher. Productive in both run and pass defense, and was a strong tackler in space and 1v1 situations. Also a road-grader of a offensive lineman who was great in pass protection. What a stock rising season and performance form the junior. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582489' first='Eli' last='Gruenes']</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6'3, 225 lbs. Uncommitted. - Passed the eye test with flying colors and was prolific off the edge in the Class A semifinal. Could bend at the top of the arc, was consistently disruptive and possessed big-time pass rush capability, forced incompletions and created sacks in big moments for his defense. Raw, but athletic and bendy. </p>
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<p><strong>Lincoln Dube </strong>(<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. Uncommitted. - <strong>Dube </strong>was flying around on Saturday. Played with a lot of speed, including in his get-off, closing speed, and ability to pursue out to the edge. Also was a dominant tackler who made sure to negate extra yardage after contact. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204068' first='Caleb' last='Bancroft']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. Tight End. 6'7, 225 lbs. Committed to Minnesota-Duluth.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602672' first='Kyson' last='Arndt']</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2026. 6'5, 225 lbs.</p>
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<p><strong>Kyler Lozinski</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6'1, 180 lbs. Uncommitted. - Strong kid who did good work on both sides of the ball as a OL/DL. Got a clutch sack, was a strong kid who could move mass and get people out of his way. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234882' first='Graysen' last='Schneider']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. 6'2, 255 lbs. Committed to Montana State. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='743262' first='Jack' last='Morrissette'] </strong>(<em>Alexandria</em>) 2026. 6'5, 240 lbs. - Massive DL presence who commanded double teams all night long and still did a good job of finding work. Used a good long arm and was strong as a bull at the point of attack. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Linebacker</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Kamrin Hulke</strong> (<em>Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 5'11, 200 lbs. Uncommitted. - <strong>Hulke</strong> was strong, strong, and stronger. He had a big sack to capture some momentum for the <em>Patriots</em>, forced a fumble on a devasting pop to knock the ball loose on one of <em>DC's </em>best players, and had some powerful carries as a RB to sweeten the pot. You couldn't miss him on Saturday. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1288305' first='Aiden' last='Moriarty']</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2027. 6'3, 240 lbs.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257237' first='Trevor' last='Rounds']</strong> (<em>Parkers Prairie)</em> 2026. 6'2, 220 lbs. - Great size and continued to pop up and catch the eye in person and live. Great hustle, good defensive range, and did a good job of shedding blocks and making tackles in the box and out on the edge.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Easton Bevins</strong> (<em>Mahnomen/Waubun</em>) 2025. 5'8, 190 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1582808' first='Gavin' last='Vanderwerf']</strong> (<em>Springfield</em>) 2025. 5'11, 210 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><strong>Adam DeViaeminck</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2026. 5'9, 150 lbs. </p>
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<p><strong>Bryson Berg</strong> (<em>Pequot Lakes</em>) 2025. 5'7, 175 lbs. Uncommitted. - All around the football all four quarters. Posted lots of tackles and was a high-energy presence who sticks kids at the contact point and prevents extra yardage post-contact. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Defensive Back</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118371' first='Dane' last='Olson']</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2025. 5'9, 165 lbs. Uncommitted. - Locked against some talented <em>Owatonna</em> wideouts, <strong>Olson </strong>more than showed up, competing on a ton of different routes throughout the night and recording an interception for good measure. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='641141' first='Evan' last='Kludt']</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2025. 6'3, 190 lbs. Committed to South Dakota. -A hard hitter and enforcing presence from the defensive backfield, Kludt was a missile after the ball in both run and pass defense. With sudden and eye-popping closing speed, Kludt posted two interceptions and was a ballhawk and instinctive, rangy, physical presence from the safety position. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='743279' first='Mac' last='Heydt']</strong> (<em>Alexandria</em>) 2025. 5'11, 185 lbs. Uncommitted. - A sticky cornerback who did a great job of staying in-phase and hip-to-hip on WRs throughout their route, Heydt breaks quickly and suddenly, is a physical tackler and cover corner, and blocked a PAT thanks to his speed off the edge. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234930' first='Lincoln' last='Jerzak'] </strong>(<em>Minneota</em>) 2025. 6'1, 145 lbs. - Big play defensive back and consistent presence as a wide receiver for Class A <em>Minneota</em>. Posted an INT and had some good reps of route running where he got open and created separation at big moments. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Ben Wagner</strong> (<em>Parkers Prairie</em>) 2025. 6'3, 180 lbs. Uncommitted. - Great size with noticeable length and an intriguing frame for the next level. Strong open field tackler who could stonewall ball carriers in 1v1 settings and saw plenty of work against the <em>Minneota</em> rushing attack on Saturday. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666356' first='Isaac' last='Fredin'] </strong>(<em>Springfield</em>) 2026. 5'10, 160 lbs.</p>
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<p><strong>Kellen Bradley</strong> (<em>Minneota</em>) 2026. 5'10, 170 lbs. - Posted a pick-six for the <em>Vikings</em>. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248642' first='Kobee' last='Thielen']</strong> (<em>Dassel-Cokato</em>) 2025. 6', 185 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><strong>Bryar Nordby</strong> <em>(Pequot Lakes)</em> 2025. 5'10, 180 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1583309' first='Blake' last='Davison']</strong> (<em>Owatonna</em>) 2025. 6', 180 lbs. Uncommitted. - Recorded a pick-six on a great read and undercut on a route and had tons of tackles throughout the night. </p>
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<p><strong>Darian Stransky </strong>(<em>Owatonna</em>) 2025. 6'2, 185 lbs. Uncommitted. </p>
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<p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Specialists</em></p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-c9efdf88-7206-4a6d-aa99-417b36b5562c">First Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Ian Myhre </strong>(<em>Minneota</em>) 2027. 5'11, 140 lbs. Kicker. - Booted a 34-yard FG! </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234881' first='Parker' last='Wangen']</strong> (<em>Stewartville</em>) 2025. 6'4, 200 lbs. Punt Returner and Kicker. Committed to MSU-Mankato.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size" id="block-2b29836b-764a-4baf-8226-2fb317a9f96e">Second Team:</p>
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<p><strong>Destin Fier </strong>(<em>Minneota</em>) 2026. 5'8, 155 lbs. Returner. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204067' first='Daniel' last='Jackson'] </strong>(<em>Alexandria</em>) 2025. 5'10, 170 lbs. Kicker. Committed to the Minnesota Gophers. </p>
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<p>--</p>
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I don't know about you, but I'm still buzzing from the wild weekend of Minnesota state semifinal playoff football. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 14 games, seven classes, some of the best games of the season, and some of the biggest names in the state all came together in Downtown Minneapolis at the US Bank Stadium. I was fortunate to watch ALL 14 games representing PrepRedzoneMN, and am thrilled to announce the 2024 Minnesota State Semifinal All-Tournament Team is live! Last but not least: Saturday. Check out the top performers from Springfield, Mahnomen/Waubun, Parkers Prairie, Minneota, Dassel-Cokato, Pequot Lakes, Albany, Stewartville, Alexandria, and Owatonna who make up the All-Tournament Team: Friday Edition. Dig in!
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