Imperials land four all-staters

The Jamestown Sun

Region 1 nine-man champion Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter placed four athletes on this year’s North Dakota all-state football team, as selected by the state coaches’ association.

Senior running back Evan Gross and senior end Damon Weigel were named to the first-team all-state offensive team for their performances on the gridiron this fall. Gross ended the season with 1,988 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 230 carriers for the Imperials, while Weigel hauled in 28 catches for 694 yards and 11 TDs.

After racking up close to 100 tackles and three sacks, Napoleon senior linebacker Cole Laber was selected to the all-state first-team defense, and the Imperials’ senior quarterback Brady Fettig was named to the all-state second-team offense.

Fettig guided the team under center this season tossing for 1,140 yards and 18 touchdowns. Fettig also rushed the ball for 350 yards and five scores.

Oakes’ Jason Hagen and Trey Peterson were also awarded all-state honors. Hagen was selected to the first-team defense after recording 74 tackles (42 unassisted) and five interceptions that went back for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

Hagen also had an incredible junior year out of the offensive backfield for the Tornadoes. Hagen rushed for 2,077 yards and 39 touchdowns on 231 carries, while also catching 14 passes for 250 yards and three scores.

Overall, Hagen amassed an average of 27.6 points scored per game with 302 total points scored. The standout returned a punt for touchdown, kicked home 24 PATs and scored 10 conversion points.

Peterson received second-team offensive honors for his eight catches, which garnered 190 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-2 senior also recorded 98 tackles (61 unassisted), a sack and a fumble recovery as a linebacker on defense.

Ellendale senior running back Nate Arnold was named to the second-team all-state defense. Arnold racked up 118 tackles (53 unassisted) and one interception.

As a running back, Arnold ran 252 times for 2,498 yards and 28 touchdowns.

North Dakota Nine-man All-state Football Team

First team offense

Quarterback: Tyler Lalim, Williams County; Running backs: Andrew Grothmann, Hillsboro; Zach Grothmann, Hillsboro; Josh Davis, St. John; Evan Gross, Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter; Grant Singer, Central McLean; Receivers: Damon Weigel, Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter; Levi Solem, Williams County; Linemen: Bill Breen, Hillsboro; Bobby Finch, St. John; Reed Hefta, Central McLean.

First team defense

Linemen: Lance Slater, St. John; Jake Daigle, Northern Cass; Nick Kautzman, Mott-Regent; Linebackers: Jake McLean, Hillsboro; Tyler Bryant, St. John; Cole Laber, Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter; Jadon Messer, Richardton-Taylor-Hebron; Dylan Messer, Richardton-Taylor-Hebron; Defensive backs: Mike Wilkinson, Lakota; Jason Hagen, Oakes.

Second team offense

Selections made without positions designated

Mike Smith, North Border; Tyler Luehring, Dakota Prairie; Tanner Komrosky, North Star; Zack Kennedy, North Star; Jason Hoots, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood; Jacob Erbes, Richland; Ian Keller, Towner-Granville-Upham; Trey Peterson, Oakes; Brady Fettig, Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter; Quin Ellison, Divide County; Michael White, Lewis & Clark-Our Redeemers.

Second team defense

Selections made without positions designated

Garret Reineke, Thompson; Tyler Lafferty, North Border; Mitch Laducer, St. John; James Ihry, Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page; Bryce Woodbury, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood; Scott Remington, Richardton-Taylor-Hebron; Kasey Naumann, Richardton-Taylor-Hebron; Nate Arnold, Ellendale; Matt Perdue, Williams County; Jared Vejtasa, Williams County; Sam Hultberg, Central McLean.

Sun sports writer Michael Savaloja can be reached at (701) 952-8461 or by e-mail at mikes@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, imperials, nine, man, football