MN 9-Man Studs of 2025 (Defense):

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing our recap of the top players from MN's 9-Man League this season, we flip over to the defensive side of the ball, where these players have had the difficult task of trying to stop offenses with the benefit of shorter fields and more opportunities of getting into the open field, and yet these players have had really incredible impacts for their defensive units. We unveil 8 defenders from MN's 9-Man league who have been studs over this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carson Roe ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Leroy Ostrander","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6902d94fa8ace"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carson Roe had a massive presence for the Cardinals' defense this season, proving to be a singular force for a unit that had up-and-down results in 2025. Roe finished with 121 total tackles, 17 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, leading the 9-Man league in each of the three former categories. Roe was all over the field for the Cardinals, consistently winning with speed and relentless effort in pursuit, making him a one-man wrecking crew for the Cardinals' defense. Roe leaves Leroy Ostrander after putting up one of the most productive seasons in school history stopping the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alex Davis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Littlefork-Big Falls","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6902d94fa8be3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex Davis has brought himself up to be a solid presence leading the way for Littlefork-Big Falls' defense. As a junior, he finished with 79 tackles, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. A steady enforcer, Davis showed quick growth with his reads and was able to consistently find himself behind the line of scrimmage to stop the play for a loss. Davis has continued to play well through the postseason, and he will look to push the Vikings toward a state championship run to round out this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tayton Schmidt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"225","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Border West","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6902d94fa8cdd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tayton Schmidt has been a talented edge-rusher who's frame and length has made him difficult for blockers to contain. Schmidt finished his senior season with 49 tackles, 9 TFLs, 5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. His size showcases potential, and he uses his reach well to gain leverage on blockers and grab the ball-carrier to bring him down. Schmidt plays well in 1-on-1 matchups, showcasing solid lower-body strength, agility, and tenacity with contact. Schmidt is more regarded for his talents playing basketball, and he may end up gaining some offers to play on the court at the collegiate level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662074"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6902d94fa8d60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dulitz accounted 26 touchdowns under Center for Alden-Conger this season, and he's also shined as a key asset for the Knights' defense. Dulitz finished with 70 tackles, 12 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. A solid contain defender who has strength and longer reach this season, Dulitz is able to digress where the play is going much like making a QB progression, and he plays with the same level of toughness and tenacity that he does at QB. Dulitz's should bulk up a bit this offseason to further boost his athleticism, but he has the potential to rock the 9-man league in 2026 on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brock Martig","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Border West","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690383db98ba8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brock Martig has made steady progress this season as a figurehead for Border West's defense in the box. Martig finished with 44 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, and 1 defensive TD this season. His size certainly suggests a better fit as a hybrid-Safety type of defender, and that was demonstrated as he showcased solid coverage skills, including with his pick-six against Win-E-Mac. Martig also shows fluidity in setting the edge, using his quick burst and agility to get around defenders and either bring down the RB behind the line or force the RB to change direction. Martig will look to continue guiding Border West's defense as they make a push for a state championship this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1289836"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690383db98c0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While [player_tooltip player_id='1289836' first='KD' last='Reiland'] is listed as a DL prospect, Reiland made a successful transition this season moving up as an inside LB for Kingsland's defense. Reiland finished with 55 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 3 sacks this season. Reiland has been much better suited as a LB with his size, speed, and ability to consistently find where the ball is going and get in the right spot to make the stop. Reiland has excellent range, showing good hip flexibility and quick change of direction, which makes it difficult for RBs to cut around him. Reiland will continue to grow in his new role for the Knights and will be one of the top upperclassmen defenders in the 9-Man league heading into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1666400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690383db98c50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1666400' first='Kaiden' last='Farris'] was also included in our offensive standouts list, and it was impossible to ignore how good he was as a lockdown CB. Farris finished with 46 tackles, 7 passes defended, 4 INTs, 1 forced fumble, and 2 blocked kick returns for TDs. Farris showed very good man-coverage skills, winning his 1-on-1's as a CB like he naturally does as a WR, and he was able to come away with some impressive picks high pointing 50-50 balls like a receiver, and he continued to prove on defense why he's so dangerous with the ball in his hands, as he was able to return two blocked kicks for touchdowns, both against Leroy-Ostrander. Farris is one of the most complete football players in the 9-Man league, and his presence will be very much anticipated in this conference heading into 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jax Sullivan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Littlefork-Big Falls","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690383db98ce2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jax Sullivan, who was included among our 9-man offensive standouts this season has also had a huge presence for the Vikings' secondary. Sullivan finished with 43 tackles, 12 passes defended, 2 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 INTs. Sullivan's speed and awareness on offense translates well as a defender, keeping his eyes on the QB and showing good tracking ability to find the ball and take it away, proving dangerous as a turnover expert that can change the momentum of the game and set up an opportunity for him to then make a play on offense. His two-way talents will be vital toward helping the Vikings as they take on Cook County on Friday night in the section championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->