Quantcast
skip navigation

All-Metro First Teams

By Star Tribune Staff Reports, 11/14/11, 9:07PM CST

Share

The Metro's best offensive and defensive players from 2011

First-Team Offense


Trey Heid

Trey Heid | Lakeville North | Senior | QB

A relative unknown last year, emerged for 2,085 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air and ran for another 500 yards. Defeated rival Lakeville South twice and guided the Panthers to the state tournament.
 
Andrew Larson | Eden Prairie | Senior | RB
While battling injuries, he continued strong play that landed him on the first team as a junior. Led the powerful Eagles with 1,150 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season. Added 122 yards and three scores in the state quarterfinals.
 
Josh Werness | Anoka | Senior | RB
Northwest Suburban Conference MVP put up 1,153 yards and scored 12 touchdowns during the regular season as a fullback. His energy was a big reason the Tornadoes reached the state tournament.
 
Sam Sura | South St. Paul | Senior | RB
Another repeat selection. Helped the Packers to an upset victory over St. Thomas Academy in the section tournament and was vital all season with 1,666 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.
 
Charlie Hayes | Lakeville North | Senior | WR
Some of the best hands around, and does his work without the use of gloves. Increased his receiving total by an astounding 654 yards from a year ago. Heid's favorite target with seven touchdown grabs.
 
Andre McDonald | Hopkins | Senior | WR
A flat-out playmaker. Led the area with 60 catches for 1,253 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 39 TD receptions are fourth most in the state for a career, while his 2,699 yards receiving is the fifth most.
 
Nick Davidson | Eden Prairie | Senior | OL
One opposing coach called him "a lock" for this spot. Has the frame (6-6, 275 pounds) and pedigree to shine in college. Dad, uncle and grandpa played for Ohio State, which is on his short list.
 
Zack Johnson | Eastview | Senior | OL
Quicker after dropping about 20 pounds from last year, but at 6-5, 310 pounds, still is a force on the line. Has all-around athletic ability; impressed coaches with a front-flip off a trampoline at a retreat.
 
Isaac Hayes | St. Thomas Academy | Senior | OL
One of the best offensive linemen to come through a proud program. Helped the Cadets average 370 yards of offense per game the past two seasons. Explosive, fast and strong. Gophers recruit.
 
Chase Roullier | Burnsville | Senior | OL
Three-year starter, plays both ways. Described as a "monster" by an opposing coach who saw him effortlessly clear holes for Blaze runners. Getting looks from several mid-major Division I programs.
 
Ben Lauer | Wayzata | Senior | OL
Great agility for a big player (6-7, 275 pounds). Injured last year but returned as a force this season to play every down. U of M recruit.
 
Paul Graupner | Benilde-St. Margaret's | Senior | K
Had 30 of 46 kickoffs go for touchbacks. Booted a career-long 72-yard punt at New Ulm on Oct. 14. 
 
– BRIAN STENSAAS

First-Team Defense


Karl Finkel

Karl Finkel | Lakeville North | Junior | DL
Added a touch of toughness and relentless spirit to the Panthers' defense. Accumulated 60 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
 
Jonathan Harden | Cretin-Derham Hall | Senior | DL
Two-time first-team pick. Used 300-pound frame, strength and quickness to regularly stop opposing offenses and often drive them back. Headed to Western Michigan.
 
Daulton Olinger | Spring Lake Park | Junior | DL
Spearheaded metro area's toughest defense to score against. Named North Suburban Conference defensive player of the year. Recorded 46 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
 
Kit Snyder | Wayzata | Senior | DL
Prototypical Trojans defender who played bigger than his size (220 pounds) and faster than the opposition. Posted 50 tackles and 11 sacks despite missing two games because of an injury.
 
Mitch Johnson | Lakeville North | Junior | LB
A swift, sure- tackling player with a competitive streak. Racked up 96 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, six fumble recoveries and an interception.
 
Drake Michaelson | Eden Prairie | Senior | LB
Reminded one opposing coach of the St. Louis Rams' James Laurinaitis. Impressive knack for tracking the ball and making plays all over the field. Made 48 tackles and picked off two passes.
 
Ryan Poppitz | Wayzata | Senior | LB
Emotional leader of the state's top defense and the Trojans' most active play-maker. Among his 89 tackles were 50 solo and 17 for a loss. Made the Trojans' pressure schemes go.
 
Matt Arends | Prior Lake | Senior | DB
Defensive standout who also played running back and receiver. Sure tackler who helped the Lakers reach the state tournament for the first time.
 
Andy Moritko | Totino-Grace | Senior | DB
Quarterbacked the Eagles defense. Always in good position and was an excellent tackler. Showed great dexterity for his size (6-5, 210). Effective receiver near the goal line.
 
Shaquille Theus | Coon Rapids | Senior | DB
Physical player who made sure opponents felt all 112 of his tackles, including 20 against Centennial. High character. Played last five games despite a torn meniscus.
 
Charles Webb | Minnetonka | Senior | DB
Best player in a talented Skippers secondary. Played a physical style (43 solo tackles, 41 assists) but agile enough to cover (five pass breakups). Difference-maker.
 
Emeche Wells | Roseville | Senior | Athlete
Never left the field. Caught 34 balls for 560 yards and five TDs but might have been a better defensive back. One coach said, "Nobody threw his way in the conference."
 
– DAVID LAVAQUE

Second Team

POS. NAME SCHOOL YEAR COMMENTS
QB Mitch Leidner Lakeville South Senior U of M recruit passed for 1,853 yards, 20 TDs.
RB Antonio Ford Wayzata Senior Physical inside runner with great burst.
RB Wesley Tucker St. Croix Lutheran Senior Led the Crusaders to a No. 1-ranking in Class 3A.
RB Allen VanDien Norwood Young America Senior Metro's leading rusher with more than 2,100 yards.
WR Kyle Hughes Minneapolis Washburn Senior Will play at D-I Eastern Michigan.
WR Malcom Moore Minnetonka Junior Physically gifted, instinctive ball skills.
WR Matt Heller Lakeville South Senior Leidner's favorite target with 52 receptions.
OL Kevin Carroll Edina Senior Great finisher who never takes a play off.
OL Chandler WRight Wayzata Junior Dominating run blocker.
OL Zach Ziemer Lakeville North Junior Great feet, punishing run-blocker.
OL Kyle Griffin Anoka Senior Best lineman for metro's top rushing team.
OL Dave Simmet Hill-Murray Senior Impressive agility for being 6-9, 300 pounds.
DL Zach Glocke Centennial Senior Tough leader of Cougars' D-line.
DL Ted Sunder Bloomington Kennedy Senior 14 sacks, 10 tackles for loss.
DL Matt Wildes Mounds View Senior Led defense that gave up fewer than 10 points per game.
DL Austin Derouin Rogers Senior Excels at rushing off the edge; 7 sacks.
LB Clay LeVasseur Rogers Senior Hard-nosed and always around the ball.
LB Nicholas McBeain Shakopee Senior Tackling machine missed 3 1/2 games because of a knee injury.
LB Beau Bates Minnetonka Senior 96 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks.
DB Tavaughn Blair Hopkins Senior Excellent cover man and vs. run.
DB Dayo Ogundepo East Ridge Senior Terrific athlete excelled in third year of organized football.
DB Tony Hill Champlin Park Senior A nose for the ball; shoulder injury hampered season.
DB Paddy Clancy St. Thomas Academy Senior Four interceptions; also great kick returner.
K Wyatt Schmidt St. Thomas Academy Junior Avg. 41.9 yards per punt, made 40 of 41 XPs.
- Michael Roane Holy Family Senior Does everything: QB, K, P, CB.

Third Team

POS. NAME SCHOOL
QB Nick Martin Wayzata
QB Cody Mathisen Delano
QB Austin Lommen Breck
RB Lexis Jones Bloomington Kennedy
RB Jake Engnell St. Francis
RB Kendrik Brewster Cretin-Derham Hall
WR Joel Oxton Lakeville North
WR Ryan Marotz St. Paul Highland Park
WR Kasey Robinson Breck
OL Daniel Urquhart Eden Prairie
OL Bennen Bierman Forest Lake
OL Connor Longhenry Glencoe-Silver Lake
OL Connor Randall Eagan
OL Lucas Wiborg DeLaSalle
DL Tyler Hartmann Andover
DL Billy Mork St. Thomas Academy
DL Jason Williams Minneapolis Washburn
DL Tyson Reinke Eden Prairie
DL DeQuan Mosley Spring Lake Park
LB Tim McClanahan Cretin-Derham Hall
LB Maxx Williams Waconia
LB Tory Dalbec Edina
LB Cam Maslonka Woodbury
DB Michael Callanan Burnsville
DB Darion Fletcher Simley
DB Stephen Schneider Blaine
DB DeAndre Singleton Minnetonka
DB KeAndre Singleton Minnetonka
- Nate Ricci Stillwater
- D.J. Hebert Osseo

Related Stories