Jake Richardson, SMB DE, senior: Richardson recorded three sacks as the dominant SMB defense shut down Minneapolis South in a 42-6 win. The Wolfpack defense has allowed just 32 points in five games and Richardson has nine sacks on the season. 

Alex Johnson, East Ridge LB, senior: Johnson came up with 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in a 35-20 win over Cretin-Derham Hall. He leads the Raptors with 36 tackles and five sacks this season. 

Diwan Smith, Bloomington Kennedy LB, senior: A week after passing for over 400 yards, Richfield QB Thomas Fallon had just 74 passing yards and threw three interceptions in a 34-6 loss to Bloomington Kennedy. Senior Diwan Smith led the Eagles defense with three sacks and nine tackles. 

Riley Means, Fillmore Central LB, junior: Means led all players with 18 tackles, including two for loss, in a 35-13 week 5 win over Southland. Means also rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. 

Evan Dahl, Mound Westonka DB, sophomore: Dahl had four tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble as the Mound Westonka defense posted a shutout for the fourth time in five games this season. The White Hawks beat Breck 47-0 and have only allowed seven points all year. 

Jackson Baird, Providence Academy DB, junior (winner): Baird recorded 13 solo tackles and 15 total in a 14-13 loss to New Life Academy. The junior also defended a pass and forced a fumble; he leads the Lions with four forced fumbles on the season. 

Bobby Striggow, Orono LB, sophomore: Striggow stuffed the stat sheet in 56-14 week 5 rout of Chanhassen. The sophomore had 12 tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. He leads the Orono defense with 44 tackles through five games. 

Jack Kortuem, Madelia DE, senior: Kortuem finished with 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks as Madelia shut out Nicollet 46-0. He leads the Blackhawks with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. 

Dylan Graves, Upsala/Swanville LB, junior: Graves recorded 20 tackles (12 solo) to help guide Upsala/Swanville to a 51-21 victory over Royalton. The 20 tackles in week 5 upped his season total to 68. 

Josh Kirk, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton DB, senior: Kirk picked off two passes, made four tackles, and forced a fumble as TMB shut out Dawson-Boyd 17-0. He has four interceptions on the season for the undefeated Panthers. 

Week 1: Charlie Gamer, Breck LB, senior

Week 2: Jamahl Johnson, Prior Lake DT, senior 

Week 3: Miles Olowu, Breck DL, senior

Week 4: Drew Rozanski, Rockford LB, sophomore