New Rockford-Sheyenne won the 9-man football state championship, but the Rockets aren't the most-represented squad on the all-state team.
That distinction belongs to North Star and Divide County, both of which placed three players on the first team. The Maroons, who lost to NR-S in the state championship, beat North Star in double overtime in the playoff quarterfinals.
Divide County seniors Lance Knudson (quarterback) and Ethan Feil (offensive line) made the first-team offense, while Maroons junior linebacker Isaac Jacobs was named to the first-team defense.
Article Photos
Adam Lawson/MDN
North Star senior quarterback Jacob Hagler runs past a Divide County defender during a 9-man playoff quarterfinal Oct. 27 in Crosby. Hagler was one of six players from that game selected to the all-state first team.
North Star's prolific passing combination of seniors Jacob Hagler and Daniel Grande also made the first team. Hagler passed for more than 2,200 yards this season and threw for 37 touchdowns. His go-to wideout Grande caught 57 passes for 1,007 yards.
North Star senior defensive lineman Steven Hunt was also named to the first team.
Two NR-S players - senior linebacker Josh Edmonson and junior defensive back Ethan Haley - were named to the first-team defense but also made significant contributions on offense.
Haley's second-half quarterbacking heroics during the state playoffs helped lead the Rockets to the championship, and Edmonson rushed for a team-high 179 yards in the title game.
TGU quarterback/defensive back Eli Luna was the only sophomore to make the first team.
Although Luna was a force on offense - he threw for 16 touchdowns and rushed for 11 more - he was named all-state for his play as a defensive back, where he picked off five passes.
Titans junior offensive lineman Luke Bacon also earned an all-state nod.
Central McLean seniors Nathan Rauhauser (defensive line) and Dylan Ruff (running back) were first-team selections.
To see a list of the complete all-state selections - including second-team picks - refer to page D2.
- Daily News Staff