The toughest part about selecting a preseason Dream Team was not who to choose but who to leave out. At quarterback, Roseville’s Jacques Perra and East Ridge super sophomore Seth Green would have been easily defendable choices. Leaving running backs such as DeLaSalle’s Chris Williams, Chanhassen’s Nathan Johnson, Holy Family’s Chazz Johnson and Chisago Lakes’ Josh Park off was equally difficult. Tight end might have been the toughest position of all to pare. It could be the deepest in the metro with such standouts as Eden Prairie’s Zach Hovey, Wayzata’s Brandon Lingen, Champlin Park’s Matt Juneau and Lakeville South’s Tyler Lattery. Here, then, is the 2013 Star Tribune All-Metro Dream Team. Let the debate begin.

Jim Paulsen

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Connor Wilkie, Andover, 6-5, 210

• Strong-armed lefty with a prototypical pocket-passer body.

Running backs

William Rains, Eastview,

5-11, 225, jr.

• A bruiser with surprising speed who never goes down on first contact.

Jeff Jones, Minneapolis Washburn, 5-10, 190

• Top college prospect in the state gave a “soft” verbal to Minnesota.

Offensive line

J.C. Hassenauer, East Ridge, 6-3, 280

• Natural center, committed to defending national champion Alabama.

Frank Ragnow, Chanhassen, 6-5, 288

• Mauler who dominates opposing linemen; has numerous D-I offers.

Rob Olson, Eden Prairie, 6-5, 265

• Natural athlete with a big-time frame.

Jack Vasko, Stillwater,

6-4, 290

• Mobile and agile, with long arms. Switching to center this season.

Christian Triplett, Delano, 6-4, 290

• Brother of former Gopher and Viking Nate, has brute strength and a nasty streak.

Tight End

George Behr, East Ridge,

6-5, 220

• Good edge blocker, soft hands, Rutgers-bound.

Wide receivers

James Lawson, DeLaSalle, 6-5, 182

• Smooth and athletic, great body control and a nose for the ball.

Zach Wiese, Hastings,

5-10, 170

• Wes Welker type led the Suburban East Conference in receptions in 2012.

Athlete

Ricardo Johnson, Cretin-Derham Hall, 5-10, 170

• Natural playmaker will handle quarterback duties.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Preston Woods,

South St. Paul, 6-3, 290

• Incredibly strong, state’s best two-gap lineman.

Greg Menard,

Lakeville North, 6-2, 230

• Explosive and relentless. Coach Brian Vossen calls him “unblockable.”

Jashon Cornell, Cretin-

Derham Hall, 6-3, 238, jr.

• Considered the top junior OLB prospect in the nation. Already 22 D-I offers.

Drew Greely, Wayzata,

6-3, 230

• Disciplined and consistent, never takes a play off. Air Force, North Dakota have offered.

Linebackers

Ejodamen Ejiya, Spring Lake Park, 6-2, 190

• Fluid and quick, delivers a blow. Also a top running back.

Blake Weber, Prior Lake,

6-2, 215

• Sideline-to-sideline guy key to Lakers’ defense.

Josh Corcoran, Lakeville South, 6-3, 238, jr.

• Plugs holes against the run and covers receivers with equal aplomb.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Adam Hoffman, Holy Angels, 6-0, 175

• Quick with good ball instincts. Headed to

Princeton.

Harry Momoh, Hopkins,

5-10, 190, jr.

• Energetic with exceptional closing speed in run support.

Tim Gordon, Cretin-Derham Hall, 5-10, 170

• Sticks with receivers (4.53-second 40-yard dash), adjusts easily to a ball in the air.

Carlton Djam, Totino-Grace, 5-10, 195

• Safety who plays like a linebacker against the run.

Kicker

Patrick LeCorre, Edina, 6-0, 200, jr.

• Strong, accurate leg with field goal range to 50-plus yards.

Note: All players are seniors unless noted