Blue Jays' Monson, Anderson named all-state

Ty Monson tossed his way into Jamestown High School football lore last Sept. 18, manufacturing three second-half touchdown passes in a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Bismarck Legacy.

The senior quarterback for the Blue Jays arguably secured all-state football status that afternoon at the University of Jamestown's Taylor Stadium, tossing for 233 yards and rushing for 55 more. Monson and fellow JHS senior teammate Matt Anderson were both voted to the Class AAA all-state second team in 2020, as voted on by the state's coaches and announced Wednesday evening.

"It was just methodical," described JHS football coach Bill Nelson of the Blue Jays' 21-20 victory over the Sabers. "I don't wanna say there wasn't any worry, we just weren't clicking."

Trailing 20-0 with 6 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Monson connected with junior receiver Preston Kroeber for TD receptions of 32 and 26 yards, and also hooked up with senior Jacob Hilgemann for a 61-yard scoring strike, commanding the Jays into the lead with 22 seconds remaining in the game.

"Kids made plays," Nelson said. "It's always more than one player, but he led the brigade there ... Ty's barely touching the cusp of how good of a quarterback he could be."

Monson was arguably Class AAA's comeback player of the year as well, emerging as Jamestown's starting quarterback after recovering from a tibial plateau fracture to his right leg last season while playing linebacker and backing up former all-state signal-caller Tommy Falk. Monson helped lead the Jays to a 4-3 record and a Class AAA playoff berth, completing 86 of 138 pass attempts for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Monson also rushed 81 times for 185 yards and six scores. A hip injury suffered on Oct. 15 while hosting Bismarck forced Monson to the sideline for Jamestown's final regular-season game against Mandan, before the Jays were ultimately forced to forfeit a Class AAA state quarterfinal playoff game at West Fargo Sheyenne due to COVID-19.

"He was never too high, he was never too low. His instincts and his feel for the game are pretty special," Nelson said. "You saw this when he was young playing linebacker. Ty's got this calmness to him that when Ty went, we went."

Anderson, a starter at both left tackle and defensive end, epitomized hard work and self-discipline for the Blue Jays.

Having recently announced his commitment to play football at Dickinson State University, the 6-foot-4 Anderson worked his way up the scale from 235 pounds as a junior to 270 pounds by the end of his senior season, proving that proper weight gain has its benefits.

"It's amazing when you become more explosive and strong; more powerful," Nelson said. "That's what's supposed to happen."

Anderson anchored the Blue Jay offense to more than 2,000 total yards (2,066) in six games while tallying 32 total tackles -- seven for lost yardage -- and a sack. In his career, Anderson recorded 54 total tackles, 27 solo tackles and a pair of sacks.

"Matt's earned everything he's got," Nelson said. "It's gonna be fun to watch him continue to grow and continue to work because Matt's a worker."

Anderson should at some point line up at defensive end in Dickinson State's 3-4 scheme. The Blue Hawks finished on top of the North Star Athletic Association standings this fall at a perfect 9-0 and are 43-12 over the last five seasons under head coach Pete Stanton.

"There's going to be a little bit of a learning curve, but I wouldn't be surprised if he weighs 285 next fall when he walks on campus," Nelson said.

Monson, who will play basketball with Anderson this winter for the Blue Jays and baseball this spring, has yet to announce a college commitment. Monson and Anderson are two of 51 total players voted all-state in Class AAA football and two of 26 second-team honorees.

"It's a special honor for those guys and very well-deserving," Nelson said. "But with both those guys, it's the same thing. They're going to roll their sleeves up and they're gonna go to work."

N.D. Class AAA

All-state

First team offense

Quarterback -- sr. Cooper Mattern, Fargo Shanley.

Running backs -- jr. Isaiah Huus, Bismarck High, sr. Barika Kpeenu, West Fargo Sheyenne, sr. Cade Garcia, Bismarck Century.

Wide receivers -- sr. Tyler Thilmony, Mandan, sr. Nick Kupfer, Bismarck Legacy, jr. Carson Hegerle, WestFargo.

Tight end -- sr. Jack Steckler, Bismarck High.

Offensive line -- sr. Andrew Leingang, Bismarck Century, sr. Caleb Dockter, Bismarck High, jr. Conor Hedges, Bismarck High, sr. Joren Palmer, Fargo Davies, sr. Adam Clute, West Fargo Sheyenne.

First team defense

Defensive line -- jr. Lucas Schweigert, Bismarck Century, sr. Jaxon Duttenhefer, Mandan, sr. KC Ortiz, West Fargo, sr. Abe Hestdalen, West Fargo Sheyenne.

Linebackers -- sr. Maguire Martin, Bismarck Century, sr. Brandt Kringlie, Bismarck High, jr. Troy Berg, Dickinson, sr. Truman Werremeyer, Fargo Davies.

Defensive backs -- sr. Brock Johnsen, Bismarck Century, sr. Enock Sibomana, Fargo South, sr. Carter Birrenkott, West Fargo, sr. Colten Alme, Fargo Davies.

Second team

No positions designated

Jamestown -- sr. Ty Monson, sr. Matt Anderson; Bismarck Century -- jr. Jacob Bosley, sr. Thomas Jeske, sr. Noah Schaffner; Bismarck High -- sr. Gunner Swanson; Bismarck Legacy -- sr. Clay Feland, sr. Carter Smith, sr. Keagen Woodbury; Fargo Davies -- jr. Denver Piechowski, sr. Reid Hartness; Fargo North -- sr. Jacob Brosius; Fargo Shanley -- sr. Emmet Kenney, sr. John Gores; Fargo South -- sr. Bakarr Fullah; Grand Forks Central -- jr. Sam Strandell; Grand Forks Red River -- sr. Sam Sather; Mandan -- jr. Aaron Grubb, sr. James Barnhardt, sr. Treys Tietz; Minot -- sr. Chase Burke; West Fargo -- sr. Housten Visto; West Fargo Sheyenne -- sr. Kole Menz, sr. Dylan Hemerick, sr. Alex Goodiron; Williston -- sr. J.J. Williams

Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year

Andrew Leingang, Bismarck Century

Coach of the Year

Ron Wingenbach, Bismarck Century

N.D. Class AA

All-state

First team offense

Quarterbacks -- sr. Jackson Uhler, Bismarck St. Mary’s, jr. Blake Schafer, Wahpeton

Running backs -- sr. Cullen Curl, Bismarck St. Mary’s, sr. Max Fehr, Valley City

Wide receivers -- soph. Caden Kappes, Wahpeton, jr. Brit Senftner, Bismarck St. Mary’s, sr. Logan Prochnow, Central Cass

Offensive line -- sr. Zach Haas, Bismarck St. Mary’s, sr. Jacob Klaudt, Beulah, sr. Carson McGough, Valley City, sr. Landon Hanson, Valley City, sr. Aaron Ripplinger, Beulah

First team defense

Defensive line -- sr. Ethan McKenney, Kindred, jr. Barrett Willison, Hillsboro-Central Valley, jr. Jack Weikum, Bismarck St. Mary’s, sr. Chase Russell, Bismarck St. Mary’s

Linebackers -- jr. Trapper Skalsky, Beulah, sr. Reece Barnhardt, Bismarck St. Mary’s, sr. Kaden Pastian, Hillsboro-Central Valley, jr. Isaac Williams, Central Cass, sr. Austin Richter, Hazen

Defensive backs -- jr. Parker Gallagher, Hillsboro-Central Valley, sr. Adam Roden, Central Cass, sr. Nate Battest, Beulah, sr. Thomas Jackson, Bismarck St. Mary’s

Second team

No position designated

Devils Lake -- soph. Colton Schneider, sr. James Tice; Wahpeton -- sr. Dez Munezero; Bismarck St. Mary’s -- jr. Isaac Felchle; Watford City -- soph. Jason Hogue; Hazen -- jr. Dawson Bruner; Kindred -- jr. Max McQuillan, sr. Max Vikander; Central Cass -- jr. Owen Wiersma; Beulah -- sr. Dawson Zuroff, sr. Carson Weigum, jr. Tayton Vondra.

Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year

Cullen Curl, Bismarck St. Mary’s

Coach of the Year

Dan Smekar, Bismarck St. Mary’s