D’Mario Davenport of Andover made the first team in the athlete category, on the strength of 33 touchdowns scored on runs, receptions and one kick return.
FIRST TEAM
Tanner Zolnosky, senior, East Ridge East Ridge struggled during the regular season, but Zolnosky,
College:Running backs
Maxwell Woods, senior, Chanhassen The most electric player in the state is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Has a stunning change of direction and reaches top speed nearly instantly. A 5-10, 180-pounder, he makes defenders look silly with a quick sidestep, then an explosion of speed that leaves them in his wake. Dangerous as a kick returner and does double duty as a lock-down cornerback. Has rushed for 1,628 yards and 18 TDs.
College: North Dakota State
Charles Langama, junior, Maple Grove Power, speed and slipperiness in a total package. Burst onto the scene in his first varsity season. At 5-9, 190 pounds, he brushes off arm tackles with ease and leaves defenders grabbing air with his jump cuts and a devastating stiff-arm. Rarely caught from behind in the open field. A sure-handed receiver, he's dangerous in space. Accumulated 1,425 yards rushing and 26 total TDs in seven games before a leg injury ended his season.
College:Savion Hart, senior, St. Thomas Academy Sturdy and smooth at 5-11, 195, he never goes down on first contact. First-rate vision and elite-level agility allow him to see holes and slash into them before the defense reacts. Runs away from defenders with his 4.46-second 40-yard dash speed, and has the strength to be a bell-cow back. Has rushed for 2,416 yards, more than 100 in all 12 games and topped 200 six times, including 37 TDs.
College:Cameron Begalle, junior, Andover Rangy and athletic, with exceptional hands and the ability to track the ball in the air and adjust to make the catch. A 6-1, 180-pounder, he has a basketball background and shows extraordinary leaping ability (38-inch vertical) that lets him high-point passes and win 50-50 balls. Top pass catcher on the most prolific offense in the state. Leads the metro in receptions, 74, and yards, 1,252. Has 12 TDs.
College:KhiJohnn Cummings-Coleman, senior, Coon Rapids Terrific all-around athlete who makes things happen when he touches the ball. Has the best ball skills in the metro and thrives on making tough catches. At 6-0, 165 pounds, he's elusive in the open field and routinely turns short passes into big gains. Caught 27 passes for 668 yards and 10 TDs despite routinely facing double- and triple-teams. Also excelled as a running back (31 carries, 207 yards, two TDs), defensive back (five interceptions) and kick returner.
College: Iowa State
Will Sather, senior, Eden Prairie Considered the best pure center in the state. He's 6-1 and 275 pounds, and his background as a state champion wrestler (Class 3A heavyweight, 2022) helps his understanding of leverage and use of hands in offensive line play. Quick-footed and intelligent, he was the leader of Eden Prairie's offensive line.
College: Princeton (football and wrestling)
Wyatt Bell, senior, Rogers He's a 6-4, 300-pounderwith a quick first step who controls defensive linemen at the point of attack. Keeps a wide base and is rarely overpowered. Finishes his blocks, resulting in 89 pancake blocks this season. Played part-time on the defensive line with seven tackles for loss and a sack.
College: North Dakota
Hayden Broich, senior, Eden Prairie Paired with Sather to form the best interior offensive line tandem in the state. He's fast and athletic at
College:Anton Kadlec, senior, Hutchinson He's the leader of Hutchinson's powerful offensive front. A high-motor player who punishes opponents, often putting defenders on their backs. He's 6-3 and 305 pounds, relishes the physical part of the game and enjoys creating running lanes by crushing smaller defenders. Wide, low base allows for exceptional leverage.
College:Emerson Mandell, senior, Irondale At 6-5 and 295 pounds, he hasthe prototypical build and skill set for top collegiate tackles. Tall and long-armed, nimble enough to control rushers and protect a quarterback. With his size, he engulfs defenders and moves them with ease. Exceptional straight-ahead blocker but agile enough to be effective laterally. Has 14 Division I, Power 5 offers.
College:D'Mario Davenport, senior, Andover Do-it-all threat ignited the Huskies offense all season. A 5-8, 160-pound senior, heexcels at sidestepping tacklers. One opposing coach called him a "dynamic player nobody can tackle." Rushed for 1,111 yards and 23 TDs, caught 39 passes for 702 yards and nine TDs and added a 33rd score on a kickoff return.
College:SECOND TEAM
Riley Grossman, junior, Lakeville North Peyton Podany, junior, Anoka
Running backs
Khalil Brown, senior, Minneapolis North Maverick Harper, senior, Centennial Leyton Patzer, senior, Forest Lake John Warpinski, senior, Edina Sawyer Wilkie, senior, Lakeville North Connor Cade, junior, Lakeville South
Haden Katzenberger, senior, Monticello Tanner Schmidt, senior, Stillwater
Tait Anderberg, senior, Lakeville North Max Anderson, senior, St. Thomas Academy Joe Duerr, senior, St. Michael-Albertville Aiden Horel, senior, Prior Lake Azrie Yeager, senior, Minneapolis North
Ray James, senior, DeLaSalle, HB/LB
How they were selected
The Star Tribune's All-Metro teams and Metro Player of the Year were chosen based on nominations from metro-area coaches, conversations with coaches and staff observations.
