North Dakota State Championships: Top Trench Monsters

[player_tooltip player_id='1185195' first='Ethan' last='Fornshell'], OL/DL, Kindred 2025 <a href="https://x.com/EthanFornshell">Twitter</a>   An under the radar trench monster in this group is 5'10 245 pounder [player_tooltip player_id='1185195' first='Ethan' last='Fornshell'] of the Kindred Vikings. He showed off a great amount of balance all day long with watching his footwork persistently. He also showed off a sound base with his pad level with his hands in this game which similar to his footwork, showed off the balance I liked out of the offensive line position. No recent tape from the 2024 season, however he certainly passed my eye test to be a prospect you should see on Saturdays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1222778' first='Miles' last='Stroh'], OL/LB, Kindred 2026   He might have been one of the smaller offensive linemen I watched last Friday, but I liked what I saw out of Kindred 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1222778' first='Miles' last='Stroh']. This young man you could gauge his athleticism in the trenches as he is another one from the Vikings that I was impressed with his hands as far as his pad level goes. He also showed off much more strength than you would expect and what I thought was how quick this young man's trigger was to get his hands on someone which I felt grew more strength watching multiple reps out of Miles. He may not be an offensive linemen at the next-level but his athleticism was surely intriguing.   Carter Engebretson, DL/RB, New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock 2026 <a href="https://x.com/CarterEnge34042">Twitter</a>   There is a reason you see Carter's name twice in our reports from the Dakota Bowl, as this young man was a significant impact for the Rockets defensively. The 6'1 230 pounder impressed me all game long with his athleticism and you could feel the presence he played with his defensive line play, as on the handful of reps I watched on Carter, he showed off more mobility out of the inside box to go make show off his physical tackling ability within open space. He was also one of the Rockets sack leaders which it was surely easy to see why he was named the Game MVP from the 9-man state final in Fargo. Carter is kind of a mystery as far as recruiting goes, but I surely could see him at the next level with position flexibility on the defensive line or possibly as a sizable linebacker as a prospect you know plays with a downhill presence on both ends of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1027991' first='Luke' last='Starcevic'], DL/OL, Kindred 2027 <a href="https://x.com/lukestarcevic8">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Luke-Star-crop-1536x1009-1732554805-crop-640x421-1732554844.jpeg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1566499" style="width:326px;height:auto" /></figure>   We were able to watch our #1 prospect in North Dakota's 2027 class in last Friday's 11A State Championship game in Fargo, and he did not disappoint in the live eval and the tape. The 6'5 240 pounder moves extremely well on both sides of the trenches and it's easy to see why he already has Power 4 offers incoming. Luke was the most pure finisher we saw not just in this game but probably out of all the four games we watched last Friday at the Fargo Dome as his agile first step and excellent pad-level drives off the snap with excelelnt instincts. The parity too that Luke has on both sides of the trenchs is also fun to watch in person as their is a lot of balance. He is going to be a household name in this 2027 class in the Dakotas, no doubt about it that crazily still has two more years of HS football to get under his belt.   Brody Weisenberger, OL/DL, New Rockford-Sheyenne 2025 <a href="https://x.com/brody_weis2006">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_1359_d3df0a-rotated-crop-481x316-1732554891.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1566501" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></figure>   Brody was on our list of standouts from the Jamestown Jimmies camp this summer so I knew pre-game that he was a name to watch and he continued his growth since summer, by being easily one of the top linemen on both sides of the trenches in the 9-man state final. The 6'2 265 pounder was very disruptive especially in the defensive trenches as not only being the Rockets sack leader in the 9-man championship but watching the constant disruption getting off blocks and really slowing down the Loboes sound rushing attack they had all year showed the poise of Brody's skillsets. He has always had the physicality in his hands on both sides of the trenches, but man from his junior tape to his senior year this kid's growth curve has swiftly developed. What is even better for you college coaches out there? Brody is still an uncommitted 2025 prospect with light D2 interest.   Cole Summerville, OL, West Fargo Horace 2025 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681453/673a3700183b6b4b7755fc89">Tape</a>   A 6'5 270 pounder that is unfortunately new to my radar that popped out in the FargoDome is 2025 offensive linemen Cole Summerville. He impressed me with his precise angle-blocking on numerous reps I got to watch the Hawks offensive line in depth and he made those angle blocks look like clockwork setting up the run for the Hawks offense. He also had great footwork for all that size from those same reps I watched. The tape doesn't lie either from what I saw, as the consistency for Cole getting the second level with his stout pad-level pops out quickly. I have yet this afternoon been able to find social media for this young man, but man he sure seems like a hidden gem out of Fargo that I am kicking myself that last Friday was the first time he has caught my eyes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1185199' first='Jacob' last='Foss'], OL/DL, Grand Forks Red River 2025 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17681453/673a3700183b6b4b7755fc89">Twitte</a><a href="https://x.com/Jacobfoss05">r</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/IMG_0991-1-rotated-crop-481x316-1732554953.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1566506" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure>   Jacob was on my standout list from the Minot State Big Man Camp this summer, and man has this young man had himself a great senior season, as a 1st Team All-Stater. You could see why the HS coaches in 11AA gave him the nod too in the 11AA state championship game. He surely has grown since summer with growing more twitch in his first step off the snap. The 6'0 250 pound was a pulling-guard with a downhill presence with his finesse and strength persistently finishing his blocks with his defender on the turf of the FargoDome and has a forceful punch with great pad-levels that I witnessed. The defensive tape and reps I watched also stood out for Jacob as yet again, the hands that got Jacob off blocks showed off excellent growth from summer as another 2025 prospect in the trenches that still doesn't have an offer.   [player_tooltip player_id='669323' first='JB' last='Walters'], OL/DL, Grand Forks Red River 2025 <a href="https://x.com/JBWalters6">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/IMG_8409-rotated-crop-481x316-1732555015.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1566507" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   You can bet surely we had our eyes quickly on South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='669323' first='JB' last='Walters'] as one of our top offensive linemen in the 2025 class in the Dakotas. I watched JB the most in pass protection and came away impressed in what I saw out of the reps I saw as his footwork, overall balance, and persistency give the Roughriders passing attack ample time to operate and still, showed off the nasty punch that I have been a huge fan of since I got my first live eval I got a couple years ago. His finishing strength and constant blocking to the whistle persistence surely will be an impact offensive linemen for the Jackrabbits in the coming years along with his very high character that will highly impact the OL room in Brookings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1184870' first='Xander' last='Mowery'], OL/DL, West Fargo Sheyenne 2025 <a href="https://x.com/XMowery54133">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/IMG_1432-rotated-crop-481x316-1732555068.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1566508" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure>   The bread and butter of the Mustangs defensive trenches was surely lead by uncommitted 2025 DL/OL [player_tooltip player_id='1184870' first='Xander' last='Mowery']. The 6'3 255 pounder has grown his twitch since watching him last summer at camps as I could gauge by another live eval that there was more agile movement for Xander showing why he had some a well-versed impact getting the backfield or within the 1-3 yards. Xander also showed off the finesse I want out a defensive end as he consistently used his motor to his advantage to get out of the inside box and go make a tackle around the edges. Xander has seen his recruiting pick up a bit in the NSIC since last Friday, but I still feel this kid is under the radar as a great D2 target with great character to add to a locker room.   [player_tooltip player_id='669334' first='Gus' last='Werremeyer'], OL/DL, Fargo Davies 2026 <a href="https://x.com/GWerremeye87985">Twitter</a>   The one offensive linemen prospect that intrigued me most from Fargo Davies in the 11AAA state final was 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='669334' first='Gus' last='Werremeyer']. If you want a 6'2 260 pounder that has no ounce of quit on every rep with his blocks, Gus could be a great next-level fit for your scholarship program. Gus also impressed me with his persistent pad-level during the 11AAA game and was relatively constantly getting into the second level with his run blocking. He surely is one that is a stockriser from our live-eval at the FargoDome last Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1407835' first='Brennen' last='Gable'], DL, West Fargo Sheyenne 2026 <a href="https://x.com/BrennenGable">Twitter</a>   We got a recent tape eval on West Fargo Sheyenne defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1407835' first='Brennen' last='Gable'], but man what we saw with our live eval peaked even higher on our grading scale in my eyes. The 6'0 220 pounder was smooth with his hands getting off his blocks and the overall physicality on all fronts that Brennen plays with was fun to watch with the skillsets he put out there. He logged a handful of key tackles for the Mustangs defensive and one of two sacks for the West Fargo Sheyenne defensive trenches. It's always excellent when the live grade goes higher than the tape grade, as Brennen is a 2026 prospect I hope to see at our upcoming Dakotas Showcase and one that could make an upcoming splash on the camp trail this summer.   More Trench Monsters from Fargo:   [player_tooltip player_id='720270' first='Kade' last='Pietrzak'], DL/OL, West Fargo Sheyenne 2025 <a href="https://x.com/KadePietrzak">Twitter</a>   Unfortunately due to an early injury, we weren't able to get our full eval on #1 overall North Dakota prospect in 2025 in [player_tooltip player_id='720270' first='Kade' last='Pietrzak'] of West Fargo Sheyenne, however we did get some quick notes on what we saw from him early. I find it somewhat crazy that Kade did not make 1st Team All-State for defensive line, as his outstanding shedding ability with his hands was very impactful in the first half for the Mustangs defense in the reps I watched and watching him at camp last summer he caught plenty of eyes from college coaches, myself and other scouts in the building for his wirey hands and finesse. He did rightfully take the nod for North Dakota Player of the Year in 11AAA as the Nebraska commit is one of two in the Dakotas ([player_tooltip player_id='800405' first='Shawn' last='Hammerbeck'] of Winner) in this 2025 class that will take their talents to Lincoln next year as the pipeline of Dakotas athletes in the trenches continues to grow for the Cornhuskers making that three in two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422647' first='Toby' last='Retterath'], DL/OL, West Fargo Horace 2026 <a href="https://x.com/TobyRetterath">Twitter</a>   Toby logged one of the only big man interceptions we caught during the day, off a tipped ball and showed off his mobility taking the rock 50+ yards to set up the Hawks in great field position. The 6'0 215 pounder showed off great instincts to find the ball in the air and extend the play for much longer than most people in the crowd probably would have expected.

Ethan Fornshell Ethan Fornshell 5'11" | 250 lbs | DL Kindred | 2025 State ND , OL/DL, Kindred 2025 Twitter