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2019 SD High School Football Player of the Year Contenders

Each year we declare the MidcoSN player of the year in each class of football. Although we still have a few weeks of games for most contenders, I thought we’d present a snapshot of some of the top candidates in each class to this point.

11AAA

There are several contenders at this point. Statistically speaking, Tate Johnson of Brandon Valley has the most impressive numbers. However, there are a lot of cases to be made for top player in the state’s biggest class. Tate Johnson leads in rushing yards, Brady Dannenbring has the best completion percentage, Colton Hartford has thrown for the most yards, the Kuslers have been all over on defense, Thomas Scholten has yet to throw an interception, Tommy Thompson is the best dual threat QB, and Tate Wishard leads in rushing TDs.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Brady Dannenbring, Sioux Falls Roosevelt QB 135-205, 1839 yds, 15 TD, 5 INT
Colton Hartford, Rapid City Stevens QB 153-245, 2126 yds, 20 TD, 10 INT
Tate Johnson, Brandon Valley RB 204 rush, 1287 yds, 14 TD; 14 rec, 206 yds, 2 TD
Aaron Kusler, Sioux Falls Roosevelt LB 66 tkls, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 sfty, 1 INT, 13 rush, 31 yds, 5 TD
Adam Kusler, Sioux Falls Roosevelt LB 86 tkls, 7 TFL, 1 INT
Thomas Scholten, Brandon Valley QB 81-130, 1185 yds, 17 TD, 0 INT
Tommy Thompson, SF Lincoln QB 128-190, 1490 yds, 14 TD, 6 INT, 62 rush, 230 yds, 6 TD
Tate Wishard, O’Gorman RB 135 rush, 857 yds, 20 TD

 

11AA

In 11AA, it’s been all about the Governors. No one has been able to stop the high-powered offense and the surprisingly stout defense.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Carter Eidem, Brookings RB 105 rush, 627 yds, 10 TD
Gunnar Gehring, Pierre DL 9 sacks, 12 TFL, 52 tackles
Cade McNeil, Huron QB 84-142, 1142 yds, 13 TD
Parker Phillips, Mitchell  RB 165 rush, 957 yds, 11 TD
Maguire Raske, Pierre RB 88 rush, 806 yds, 12 TD; 21 rec, 353 yds, 3 TD
Garrett Stout, Pierre QB 103-156, 1661 yds, 25 TD; 82 rush, 1104 yds, 15 TD; 3 return TD

 

11A

A varied show of skillsets are in this group. We have passers, catchers, runners, defenders, kickers and of course Kayden Verley who does all those things.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Carter Bergheim, Madison WR 33 rec, 571 yds, 7 TD
Logan Ellingson, Dell Rapids WR 28 rec, 489 yds, 4 TD; 7 rush, 84 yds, TD
Coby Maeshen, Dell Rapids RB 71 tkls, TFL, 3 INT; 472 scrimmage yards, 9 TD
Caleb Metcalf, Lennox                        WR 25 rec, 495 yds, 5 TD
Colby Nowowiejski, Bell Fourche QB 76-162, 1527 yds, 18 TD
P.J. Parmalee, Tea Area LB 62 tkls, 10.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, FR for TD
Tyler Tappe, Madison QB 152-248, 1672 yds, 13 TD
Kayden Verley, Canton ATH 22-42, 318 yds, 4 TD, 936 yds rushing, 15 TD, 3 rec, 32 yds, FG, 30-30 PAT, 40.3 Y/Punt, 3 KR TD, 19 tkls, 2 TFL, 4 INT

 

11B

Some of the best players in the state are in this class. The playoffs will help determine who is the most valuable in Class 11B.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Jesse Hastings, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton  RB 143 rush, 1298 yds, 23 TD; Rec TD, KR TD
Brady Hawkins, BEE QB/S 22-43, 641 yds, 9 TD; 61 rush, 708 yds, 12 TD; 2 DEF INT (TD), 75 tkls, FF
Braden Holland, Webster QB 32-61, 481 yds, 7 TD, 69 rush, 429 yds, 10 TD 
Nash Hutmacher, Chamberlain            DL/OL 58 tkls, 1 sack, 4 TFL, 3 FR
Ryder Kirsch, St. Thomas More QB 92-139, 1762 yds, 28 TD, 2 INT   13 rush, 145 yds, 3 TD
Trevor Peters, Winner RB/LB 89 rush, 810 yds, 17 TD  27 tkls, 2 TFL, 4 PBU, 3 INT(1 TD), FF, 3 FR

 

9AA

To be the best in 9-man football you have to do a lot of things well. These guys are great representatives of that versatility.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Matt Amdahl, Dakota Hills RB/LB 170 rush, 1117 yds, 14 TD; Rec TD, KR TD, 98 tkls, 3 FF, FR, 2 TFL, 2 INT
Boots Crownover, Bon Homme QB/DL 63-138, 905 yds, 9 TD     123 rush, 743 yds, 6 TD  71 tkls, 6 sacks
Carter Hoffman, Deuel RB/DB 73 rush, 933 yds, 10 TD  13 rec, 361 yds, 5 TD; 3 DEF INT (TD), PR TD, KR TD
Chase Mason, Viborg-Hurley                        QB/LB 1505 yds, 25 TD; 643 yds rushing, 10 TD
Cody Thompson, Lemmon-McIntosh QB/DB 84-164, 1575 yds, 26 TD, 7 INT; 51 rush, 256 yds, 6 TD

 

9A

All season people have been raving over the talent in Class 9A. Here is the cream of the crop.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Stanley Haskins, Britton-Hecla RB/LB 97 rush, 791 yds, 8 TD
Grant Johnson, Sully Buttes WR/LB 17 TD, over 800 scrimmage yards
Jett Lamb, Sully Buttes OL/DL  
Tyce Ortman, Canistota/Freeman                       RB/DB 67 rush, 920 yds, 10 TD; 10 rec, 71 yds, TD; 3 INT (TD)
Nick Wittler, Sully Buttes QB/DB 60%, 1332 yds, 20 TD, 2 INT, 1340 yds, 20 TD rushing; PR TD
Trevor Zuehlke, Britton-Hecla QB/DB 72 rush, 413 yds, 6 TD; 30-50, 596 yds

 

9B

The state’s smallest class features some really big talent.

Player, SchoolPositionStats
Sam Adams, Harding County RB/LB 107 rush, 1044 yds, 22 TD; 15 rec, 234 yds, 2 TD; 71 tkls, 11 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 DEF INT, 3 FR, 5 FF
Eli Bowen, Colman-Egan RB/LB 93 rush, 1051 yds; 48 tkls, sack, FR, INT 
Camden Hett, Harding County QB/DB 68-94, 1214 yds, 14 TD, 2 INT, 48 rush, 844 yds, 12 TD, 4 DEF INT
Connor Libis, DR St. Mary                      QB/DB 41-69, 781 yds, 12 TD; 78 rush, 445 yds, 12 TD
Eli Longville, DR St. Mary RB/LB 54 rush, 444 yds, 12 TD; 25 rec, 360 yds, 7 TD
Nate Tolley, Colman-Egan QB/DB 21-37, 419 yds   78 rush, 641 yds
Skylar Zomer, Wolsey-Wessington QB/DB 65-104, 1174 yds, 12 TD, 1 INT; 98 rush, 708 yds, 17 TD


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