State champion Harrisburg landed nine players on the Class 11AAA all-state football team, which was selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association. 

Harrisburg, which defeated Brandon Valley 27-0 in the championship game, landed Jacob Knuth, Gavin Ross, Lincoln Carlson, Jordan Larsen, Mason Jacobson, Ayden Viox, Cade Larson, Carter Bahrenfuss and Bryce Soli on the team.

Brandon Valley’s all-staters included: Peyton Carroll, Jordan Johnson, Navarro Schunke, Kyler Briest, Christian Jepperson, Ryan Doll, Noah Thompson and Zach Brummels. 

Here is a complete list of the Class 11AAA all-state team:

OFFENSE/ATHLETE

QUARTERBACK: Jacob Knuth, Sr., Harrisburg (6-4, 205)

Knuth powered the Tigers to their first state championship since 1999 this season. The University of Minnesota commit finished with 2,333 passing yards and 25 touchdowns on 147 of 234 passing attempts. He added 463 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 88 carries.

TE/FULLBACK/H BACK: Peyton Carroll, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-4, 200)

Carroll finished with 30 catches for 452 yards and three touchdown receptions. 

“Amazing blocker, true leader, major threat in all ways that coaches love, big weapon,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. 

TE/FULLBACK/H BACK: Ryland Satter, So., O’Gorman (6-0, 180)

Satter logged 33 receptions for 518 yards and six touchdowns in just seven games. 

“Ryland’s addition to the team midseason sparked a dramatic shift in offensive production,” O’Gorman coach Jayson Poppinga said. “The team averaged 135 yards rushing and 360 passing yards when he was in the game.” 

TE/FULLBACK/H BACK: Sam Hindbjorgen, Jr., S.F. Lincoln (6-5, 225)

Hindbjorgen used his big frame to account for 20 catches for 123 yards and two touchdown receptions. He added 29 tackles and 10 sacks on defense.

“He is a dominant DE and TE,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “Sam would play the position as an attached TE, Wing, H-back and in the 3x1 formation. He was a big body in our run game and was almost like having another OL in the game that is nimble enough to get out in the passing routes and protect the passer in max protection.”

RUNNING BACK: Gavin Ross, Jr., Harrisburg (5-10, 200)

Ross provided a power rushing attack for the Tigers. He logged 1,687 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 245 carries. A Division I prospect, Ross added 237 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions on 17 catches. 

RUNNING BACK: Jordan Johnson, Sr., Brandon Valley (5-10, 190)

Johnson logged 1,179 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He finished his career with 1,555 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, while recording seven sacks on defense. 

“Rugged, rough, tough tailback who has carried the torch from Tate Johnson admirably,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. 

RUNNING BACK: Nelson Wright, Jr., S.F. Roosevelt (5-10, 185)

Wright powered the Rough Riders’ rushing attack with 1,088 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 110 carries. He added 14 catches for 239 yards and two touchdown receptions. 

“Nelson was a weapon for our run game, averaging almost 10 yards per carry,” Roosevelt coach Kim Nelson said. “He was a good blocker and receiver, as well as a kick returner. A dangerous big play guy.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Griffin Wilde, Jr., S.F. Jefferson (6-2, 175)

Wilde was Jefferson’s deep threat in its inaugural season. The junior logged 54 receptions for 912 yards and 12 touchdown receptions. He added 659 yards on 25 kickoff returns and scored three times. Defensively, he posted 19 tackles and one sack. 

“Griffin was our big play threat,” Jefferson coach Vince Benedetto said. “He was a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Explosive kickoff returner and wide receiver. Griffin is a great teammate, one of our hardest workers, high character, great student 4.0 GPA.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Josh Piper, Sr., S.F. Washington (6-1, 175)

Piper was Washington’s top target in the passing game, finishing with 54 receptions for 503 yards and four touchdown receptions. For his career, he posted 160 receptions for 2,208 receiving yards and 18 touchdown receptions. 

“Josh is an electric high school football player,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “His catch radius is crazy given his height and wingspan. He makes catches that look impossible, look easy. He has been our go-to guy through the air for three years.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Lincoln Carlson, Sr., Harrisburg

Carlson provided a deep threat for Knuth and the Tiger passing game. He logged 49 catches for 868 yards and six touchdown receptions. 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Joe Cotton, Sr., S.F. Roosevelt (6-6, 290)

A two-year starter at left tackle, Cotton helped Roosevelt record nearly 400 yards per game for the past two seasons. Cotton, who also played nose guard on defense, has committed to play football at the University of South Dakota. 

“Joe is one of the best offensive linemen we have had at Roosevelt,” Roosevelt coach Kim Nelson said. “His combination of agility and size is unmatched and he will be a very good college player. He has become much more physical and was a leader on our team and in the offseason.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Navarro Schunke, So., Brandon Valley (6-5, 290)

Schunke, a budding Division I football prospect, helped the Lynx post more than 3,800 yards of offense. He started at offensive tackle for Brandon Valley’s state championship team in 2020. 

“Notre Dame has taken notice and sent him initial interest,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. “He’s a bear of a man with elite feet—and the happiest, team-first attitude ever.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Aiden Brink, Sr., S.F. Washington (6-5, 270)

Brink was the center for an offensive that produced more than 3,300 yards this season. The Warriors also averaged more than 330 yards per game. He’s a four-year starter that helped the Warriors record more than 13,200 yards. 

“Aiden plays with a physical style that offensive line coaches absolutely love,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “He challenges himself each and every play to do his job and commands everyone else on the offensive line to do so also. Aiden has been the captain of the offensive line the past three seasons and has been an integral part of what we do for the past four seasons.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Larsen, Sr., Harrisburg

Larsen powered the Tigers’ offensive attack up front, creating running lanes for Ross and passing alleys for Knuth. 

“Jordan is a beast,” Harrisburg coach Brandon White said. “He is a big physical football player. He is going to have a great career at USD.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Mason Jacobson, Sr., Harrisburg

Jacobson and Larsen was another big boy for the Tigers up front, joining with Larsen to form a solid foundation on the offensive line. 

“Mason is one awesome young man,” Harrisburg coach Brandon White said. “He is big and athletic. He continued to get better and better each year. Sky's the limit at Mankato.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Elliott Renville, Jr., S.F. Lincoln (6-4, 265)

Renville started as a sophomore and junior for the Patriots. 

“Elliott was our most valuable O-lineman,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He played both guard and tackle depending on injuries. He is a dominant finisher and agile enough to make any pull. He was the person who we ran behind when we needed a yard.”

ATHLETE: Taylen Ashley, Jr., S.F. Jefferson (6-0, 175)

Ashley powered the Cavaliers in their inaugural season, throwing for 1,850 yards and 15 touchdowns on 120 of 220 pass attempts. He rushed for 416 yards and seven touchdowns on 121 carries. 

“A playmaker often created something out of nothing for us,” Jefferson coach Vince Benedetto said. “Great student, athlete and person.”

ATHLETE: Bennett Dannenbring, Jr., O’Gorman (6-1, 175)

Dannenbring slinged it around to the tune of 2,475 passing yards and 22 touchdowns on 170 of 266 pass attempts. He added 540 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 117 carries. “Bennett's stats are even more impressive for the last half of the season,” O’Gorman coach Jayson Poppinga said. “It took a little while for him to settle into the offense but once he did he was very efficient.”

ATHLETE: Gabe Frerichs, Sr., S.F. Washington (6-2, 210)

Frerichs logged 77 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack and one interception this season. For his career, he had 187 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception. 

“Gabe was a three-year starter for us at linebacker,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “He is an 'old school' linebacker. He has been a force in the middle for us and was the leader of our defense.”

ATHLETE: Kyler Briest, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-0, 170)

Briest racked up 60 tackles this season for the Lynx. He finished his career with 111 tackles and two interceptions. 

“Mental controller, difference maker, huge play preventer, tough tackler, fearless,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. 

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

DEFENSIVE LINE: David Alpers III, Sr., O’Gorman (6-4, 210)

Alpers was a force on O’Gorman’s defensive front. He finished with 51 tackles (39 solo), 23 tackles for loss, forced five fumbles and recovered two of them. For his career, he had 102 tackles and 39 tackles for loss. 

“Alpers is the best defensive end to play at O'Gorman since Kueter,” Jayson Poppinga said. “He is long, athletic, and a great motor.” 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Jackson Geerts, Sr., S.F. Lincoln (6-3, 225)

Geerts posted 47 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks for the Patriots. In his career, he finished with 90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and one interception. 

“He is unblockable one on one and is always within a step of the QB on any given pass,”  Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “With eight sacks on the year, he is a great pass rusher and with almost 50 tackles. He plays the run as tough as anyone also.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Christian Jepperson, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-5, 210)

Jepperson finished with 45 tackles, eight sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. 

“Disruptor, impact-maker, coachable stud,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Abraham Myers, Jr., S.F. Washington (6-4, 218)

Myers, a promising Division I prospect, impacted the game at the line of scrimmage. He posted 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The junior has 61 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles the past two seasons. 

“Abraham is an absolute force on the edge for us defensively,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “He disrupts nearly every play in some shape or form, even if he isn't part of the tackle. He's speed and quickness are attributes that aren't normally seen on the defensive line and he can close on ball carriers as quickly as anyone. Abraham is a terrific leader of our defensive line.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Ayden Viox, Sr., Harrisburg

Viox anchored Harrisburg’s defensive line with 68 tackles, 12 sacks and one forced fumble. 

LINEBACKER: Matt Goehring, Sr., S.F. Roosevelt (6-1, 200)

Goehring posted 71 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception for a touchdown for the Rough Riders. 

“Best athlete on our team,” Roosevelt coach Kim Nelson said. “Fast, aggressive, smart.”

LINEBACKER: Kobe Lage, Sr., S.F. Lincoln (6-2, 215)

Lage was a productive linebacker for the Patriots. He posted 78 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. For his career, he finished with 119 tackles, 10 “Kobe was our team leader,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He was the No. 1 vote getter for captain and our defensive signal caller.”

LINEBACKER: Gabe Gutierrez, Jr., S.F. Lincoln (6-3, 215)

Gutierrez and Lage teamed up to form a solid linebacker crew. Gutierrez finished with 78 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. He added 351 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 61 carries. For his career, the junior has 130 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. 

“Gabe was probably our MVP this year,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He was our leading tackler as well as second on the team in touchdowns scored. He is the vocal leader on the team and was voted a captain as a junior.”

LINEBACKER: Ryan Doll, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-0, 200)

Doll produced in the middle of Brandon Valley’s defense. He logged 50 tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown on defense. For his career, he had 130 tackles and 12 sacks. 

“Absolute stud. Flies around. Great blitzer. Elite leader. Student of the game. He's a big reason we allow just 70 yards rushing per game,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. 

LINEBACKER: Cade Larson, Sr., Harrisburg

Larson logged 118 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles for the state champs. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Carter Bahrenfuss, Sr., Harrisburg

Bahrenfuss posted 39 tackles and five interceptions for the Tigers. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Matthew Agyeman, Sr., S.F. Washington (5-10, 185)

Agyeman posted 71 tackles, nine pass breakups, three tackles for loss and one interception from his strong safety position. A three-year starter, he finished with 176 tackles, 12 pass breakups and four interceptions.

“Matthew is an absolute force for us on defense,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “He is tremendous in both the passing game and running game. He ran the alley extremely well and was feared by wide receivers through the air. He is a punishing tackler and has a knack for breaking up connections through the air.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Noah Thompson, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-1, 180)

Thompson produced 32 tackles, eight pass breakups, one sack and one interception in Brandon Valley’s defensive backfield. He added three rushing touchdowns. For his career, he had 65 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and 14 pass breakups. 

“SDSU player, elite talent and speed, has become a major hitter/tackler,” Brandon Valley coach Matt Christensen said. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Emmanuel Struck, Sr., O’Gorman (6-3, 180)

Struck logged 38 tackles (20 solo stops) and two interceptions. The all-Metro performer finished with 65 tackles and four interceptions in his career. 

“Manny broke his hand midway through the season,” O’Gorman coach Jayson Poppinga said. “He would have been a potential all-state WR candidate. He played with a club for five games as a safety.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: London Kolb, Jr., S.F. Jefferson (6-0, 170)

Kolb logged 114 tackles (63 solo stops), three tackles for loss and one interception this season. He added 24 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns on offense. The junior has 96 tackles (56 solo) through his career. 

“Most reliable tackler on our defense,” Jefferson coach Vince Benedetto said. “Plays with aggression and a chip on his shoulder. Valuable wide receiver and special teams player for us as well.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Zach Brummels, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-4, 200)

Brummels converted 6 of 8 field goal attempts, including three over 40 yards. 

SPECIAL TEAMS: Bryce Soli, Sr., Harrisburg

Soli nailed 60 of 63 PAT attempts and 5 of 6 field goal attempts. He averaged 38 yards per punt and had 34 touchbacks on kickoffs. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Max Thomson, Sr., S.F. Washington; Uriah Glynn, Sr., Rapid City Stevens; Andrew Walter, Sr., Harrisburg; Ben Goldy, Sr., RC Stevens; Asmerom Mahammad, Sr., S.F. Roosevelt; Owen Warren, Sr., Brandon Valley; Brandon Inman, Sr., Rapid City Stevens; Lane Ferguson, Sr., S.F. Roosevelt; Carter Petersen, Sr., O’Gorman; Dylan Howard, Sr., S.F. Roosevelt