Jimmies’ Downs earns A.I.I. defensive honor

Jamestown College senior cornerback A.J. Downs has been named the co-defensive MVP of the four-team Association of Independent Institutions.

Downs was also one of 12 Jimmies named either first-team all-A.I.I. or honorable mention.

Downs had 60 tackles and seven pass breakups.

Joining Downs on the first team for the Jimmies were running back Lance Johansen, defensive lineman Andrew Hammond, linebacker Reid Haagenson, punter Craig Anderson, offensive lineman Mike Findlay and safety C.J. Costello.

Downs shared the defensive MVP award with Valley City State’s Aaron Freije. Vikings coach Dennis McCulloch was named coach of the year. Valley City State quarterback Tommy Zinke was named Most Valuable Senior.

Dakota State quarterback Brandon Large was named offensive MVP.

All-Association of Independent Institutions football team

First team

Dakota State (2-8): Stacey Berg, Sr., WR; Craig Hertz, Sr., LB; Blake Schlagel, Sr., DE; Ronnie Jorgenson, Jr. DL; Joey Wuolle, Fr., OL.

Jamestown College (4-6): A.J. Downs, Sr., CB; Lance Johansen, Sr., RB; Andrew Hammond, Sr., DL; Craig Anderson, Sr., P; Mike Findlay, Jr., OL; Reid Haagenson, Sr., LB; C.J. Costello, Sr., S.

Mayville State (5-6): Jacob Grosz, Soph., LB; Rashad Flanders, Soph., DB; Brandon Zahn, Sr., OL; Jason Holmes, Fr., DB; Dylan Midstokke, Jr., DB; Dominique Bradley, Jr., RB.

Valley City State (7-3): Aaron Freije, Sr., DL; Garrett Jackson, Sr., DL; Jake Thurston, Jr., DB; Thomas Cortez, Soph., K; Ken Eliacin, Sr., TE; Derek Elliott, Jr., RB; George Trujillo, Soph., OL; Tommy Zinke, Sr., QB.

Honorable mention

Dakota State: Bobby Tisch, Fr., TE; Eric Liles, Sr., LB; Carl Curtis, Sr., WR; Josh Licht, Jr., DE; Zac Woods, Soph., OL.

Jamestown College: J.T. Petsch, Jr., S; Kenny Allen, Sr., LB; Sean Emry, Soph., OL; Derrick Dohmann, Jr., TE; Matt Mithaugen, Jr., RB.

Mayville State: Travis Ahlgren, Soph., LB; Josh Jeffries, Jr., DB; Aaron Popple, Jr., OL; Taylor Kunkel, Jr., WR; Dantrel Horne, Fr., WR.

Valley City State: Alex Hooey, Sr., LB; Troy Still, Sr., DB; Tom Grossell, Sr., OL; Jordan Owen, Sr., OL; Jake Miller, Soph., TE.

MVP Offense: Brandon Large, Dakota State, Sr., QB.

MVP Defense: A.J. Downs, Jamestown College, Sr., DB; Aaron Freije, Valley City State, Sr., DL.

Most Valuable Senior: Tommy Zinke, Valley City State, Sr., QB.

Coach of the Year: Dennis McCulloch, Valley City State.

— Sun Staff

Tags: sports, jimmies, football