NDHSAA State Championships: 9-Man and 11A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FARGO, ND--</strong> We kickoff Friday's NDHSAA State Championships with our 9-man and 11A state championship preview. The 11AA and 11AAA State Championship preview will follow tomorrow morning, but we logged nearly 1200 words on the top prospects, the sleepers (there is a lot), and what we know about each of the four teams that will go to battle in the FargoDome on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>11A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Quick Hitters:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting off in 11A, we have two powerhouses that are no strangers to the FargoDome in 11A. The Kindred Vikings are back with another Division I commit and more incoming and even more outstanding athletes that flying under the radar that should be impactful on Friday morning. As for the Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison Aggies, they too have multiple weapons that are or will be playing at the next-level especially at the quarterback position. The Aggies won 11A in 2022, and the Vikings won 11A in 2023. They also faced eachother in Week 1, in which Kindred gave Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison their only loss of the season in a close one, 13-6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Kindred (12-0) vs. Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison (10-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kickoff at 9:10 AM Friday, November 15th</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kindred Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321180' first='Jake' last='Starcevic'], ATH, Kindred 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Army Commit, #1 Athlete in North Dakota. 34 total touchdowns (20 rush, 14 pass)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kylan Swanson, RB/DB, Kindred 2025</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uncommitted, ranked 2025 prospect by Prep Redzone Dakotas. 1110 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1027992' first='Brooks' last='Bakko'], WR, Kindred 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highly-ranked 2027 football target, Division I offer for basketball already. The Vikings top WR logged 33 receptions, 743 receiving yards (23 yds per catch) and 11 touchdowns</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1027991' first='Luke' last='Starcevic'], DL, Kindred 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only North Dakota 2027 prospect with P4 offers at this time. 54 total tackles (25 for a loss) 11 sacks as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='356874' first='Hunter' last='Bindas'], ATH, Kindred 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uncommitted 2025 ranked athlete by Prep Redzone Dakotas, under the radar in my eyes. <strong>Offense:</strong> 16 receptions, 307 receiving yards (19 per catch) 7 touchdowns <strong>Defense:</strong> 54 total tackles (14.5 for a loss) 2.5 sacks, two interceptions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Players to Know from the Vikings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422613' first='Gabe' last='Whipple'], QB, Kindred 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising 2027 QB prospect. 596 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tannon Johnson, LB, Kindred 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vikings tackle leader in 2024 with 60 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210459' first='Benjamin' last='Schepp'], QB, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison</strong> <strong>2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of top rated 2025 QBs in the class and still uncommitted with no offers yet. 2201 passing yards, 38 total touchdowns (31 pass, 7 rush), just two interceptions with a 74% completion percentage. Back to back years of being a standout at the UND Flagship Camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725780' first='Hank' last='Bodine'], ATH, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2025 from the Aggies that is super under the radar. One of our top athletes in the 2025 class. <strong>Offense: </strong>Leading rusher of the Aggies with 731 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns (13 rush, 2 receiving) <strong>Defense</strong>: Also the top tackle for the Aggies with 81 (7 for a loss) 1.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725781' first='Reggie' last='Bruner'], WR/LB, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnesota State-Moorhead commit, one of our top rated WRs in the state, standout at the UND Flagship Camp last summer. Top wide receiver for the Aggies, 34 receptions, 664 receiving yards (20 yards per catch) Second leading tackler and top tackle for the loss (16.5) leader for the Aggies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Players to Know from the Vikings:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725782' first='Treyson' last='Iglehart'], ATH, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uncommitted and under the radar 2025 athlete. 34 receptions, 563 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Braydn Bossert, RB, Velva-Drake-Anamoose-Garrison 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uncommitted 2025 athlete with nine touchdowns on the season and is a ranked prospect by Prep Redzone Dakotas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"24px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:24px"><strong>9-Man</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was in attendance the last time the Loboes from LaMoure/Litchville-Marion won the 9-man state championship back in 2021 and even back then, they were a well-oiled machine with their rushing attack except, I think this might an even deeper rushing attack with their 2026 workhorse running back that I am a big fan of for the next-level. They also have the biggest hidden gem in the 2025 class at linebacker who is another name I will tell you about below. As for the New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock Rockets, they resort their firepower offensively with a more pass heavy attack so the imbalance of these two should be a great one in the FargoDome on Friday. The Rockets have some studs that we know about including our WR1 in the 2026 class but man, do they have some sleepers I cannot wait to watch live on Friday early afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>LaMoure/Litchville-Marion (11-0) vs. New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock (11-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Kickoff 20 minutes after 11A Championship Game on Friday, November 15th</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LaMoure/Litchville-Marion Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1320074' first='Mason' last='Warcken'], QB, LaMoure/Litchville-Marion 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 quarterback on the rise. 1284 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, only two interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226996' first='Gunner' last='Thielges'], RB, LaMoure/Litchville-Marion 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of our top 2026 running backs in North Dakota and multiple time prospect camp standout. Gunner logged 2956 rushing yards, on 45 total touchdowns (40 rush, 5 receiving/all purp). Graded in our eyes as a great FCS fit for one of the Dakotas schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185260' first='Owen' last='Lesko'], LB/TE, LaMoure/Litchville-Marion 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest 2025 sleepers in our eyes in the Dakotas. Another multiple time prospect camp standout. Leads the Loboes in tackles (96) and sacks (10). Also the Loboes top receiver in yards per catch (24) and tied for the top number in touchdowns (6), 313 receiving yards so far in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Players to Know for the Loboes:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cael Hebl, LB, LaMoure/Litchville-Marion 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another hidden gem 2025 athlete for the Loboes at 6'3 185 pounds. Led the Loboes in interceptions (4) and second on the team in touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brayan Karlgaard, TE, LaMoure/Litchville-Marion 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Loboes receiving target in yards (321) and tied [player_tooltip player_id='1185260' first='Owen' last='Lesko'] for most receiving touchdowns with 6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Easton Simon, QB, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the hidden gems in North Dakota's 2026 class with no tape available yet. Easton had 2664 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns and only 2 interceptions with a 76% completion percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226854' first='Easton' last='Benz'], WR, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our WR1 in North Dakota's 2026 class rankings. Easton logged 14 touchdowns during the 2024 season as the 6'3 180 pounder should be an ideal fit at the FCS level in the upcoming years for the Dakotas schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Carter Engebretson, RB, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another somewhat of a mystery on tape for these Rockets on Friday via Hudl. The Rockets leading rusher had nearly 1000 rushing yards (956) and 24 total touchdowns (22 rush, 2 receiving) averaging almost a first down on every carry. Carter is also the Rockets second leading tackler (59) and 19 tackles for a loss/sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kage Wolford, ATH, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet again, another 2025 Rockets athlete that is hard to find tape on, but his two-way athleticism is seen from his season stats.<strong> Offense:</strong> Top receiver for the Rockets, 33 receptions, 770 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns (15 receiving, 3 rush/all purp). <strong>Defense: </strong>Top tackler for the Rockets (60) and logged a whooping 30 tackles for a loss/sacks during the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->