State champ Brandon Valley landed 11 total players on this year’s Class 11AAA all-state football team, which was chosen by the South Dakota High School Football Coaches Association.

Brandon Valley, which finished with a 12-0 record, landed Austin Dowd, Levi Veskrna, Hudson Parliament, Isaac Mitzel, Mekhi Zacher, Dylan Williams, Nolan Pudwill and Chase Leary on the honor squad. Briggs Knutson, Jack Blomgren and Bryce Bangasser were honorable mention selections. 

The complete Class 11AAA all-state football team is listed below: 

QUARTERBACK: Brody Schafer, Jr., Lincoln, (5-11, 170) 

Schafer shined once again as Lincoln’s quarterback. The dual-threat signal caller powered the Patriots to a 10-2 season, and a Class 11AAA runner-up finish. Schafer, who recently received an offer from South Dakota State University, completed 163-of-268 passes for 2,776 yards and 37 touchdowns this season. He added 121 carries for 1,150 yards and 16 more scores. Schafer has passed for 4,752 yards and 62 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,965 yards and 27 more scores throughout his high school career. “Brody is the best QB in the state,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He is a great all around athlete who is a great leader on the team and in our school.”

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Eddie Whiting, Sr., Jefferson (6-6, 235)

Whiting was a big target in Jefferson’s passing attack. The future Michigan State University football player totaled 27 receptions for 310 yards and six touchdown receptions. He was also a key blocker for an offense that averaged 190 yards per game. The three-year starter totaled 61 receptions for 755 yards and 13 touchdown catches for the Cavaliers. “Eddie is the real deal,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “Battled through injuries early in the season. When he was fully healthy our offense was at its best. A lot of our run game goes through the TE position and Eddie was a huge factor in that.” 

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Austin Dowd, Jr., Brandon Valley (6-4, 230)

A major college football prospect, Dowd was a key contributor in the Lynx’s run to the Class 11AAA state championship. The all-conference performer totaled 11 catches for 198 yards and two touchdown receptions, while also being a reliable blocker in the running game. 

“Beast blocker,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. “FCS/FBS recruiting interest, NDSU offer, catches opponents' attention.”

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Weiland Benbo, Sr., Rapid City Central (5-11, 205)

Benbo was a bruising running back for the Cobblers. This season, he posted 134 carries for 756 yards and six touchdowns. He added 11 catches for 129 yards and two touchdown receptions. He’s a two-time all-conference and all-state performer. “Fantastic leader,” Rapid City Central coach Michael McCulley said. “Battering ram as a runner.” 

RUNNING BACK: Daevion Simonsen, Sr., Jefferson (5-9, 185)

Simonsen was a dynamic running back for the Cavaliers. This season, he rushed for 1,509 yards on 253 carries and scored 20 touchdowns. He added two touchdown receptions. For his career, the University of Sioux Falls commit finished with 2,634 rushing yards on 484 carries and 38 rushing touchdowns. He added four touchdown catches. A three-year starter, Simonsen set 10 school records, including most rushing touchdowns, yards in a season, most career rushing touchdowns and most career yards rushing. “Daevion is a captain for us, one of our hardest workers and strongest players in the weight room,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “He averaged 137 yards rushing per game and was a huge reason we were able to have the season that we did.” 

RUNNING BACK: Levi Veskrna, Sr., Brandon Valley (5-11, 190)

Veskrna was a productive back for the Class 11AAA state champs. Veskrna, who was named the Class 11AAA Joe Robbie MVP and Most Outstanding Back of the Class 11AAA title game, totaled 1,741 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. For his career, the University of Sioux Falls commit racked up 3,720 yards rushing and 64 rushing touchdowns. In the state championship game, Veskrna set Class 11AAA title game records for most carries (39) and rushing yards (260). “He is a complete running back of balance and strength and vision and patience and grit,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. “He is among the toughest people I have ever met.”

RUNNING BACK: Josiah Heinz, Sr., Harrisburg (6-0, 210)

Heinz was an explosive running back for the Tigers. He rushed for 1,155 yards on 186 carries and 14 touchdowns this season. He added 455 rushing yards on 29 catches and five touchdown receptions. For his career, Heinz totaled 3,098 yards rushing on 457 carries and 38 touchdowns. He added 673 yards receiving and eight touchdown catches. Heinz, who recently landed a scholarship offer from Division I Army, is Harrisburg’s all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. “Josiah is an incredible competitor,” Harrisburg coach Brandon White said. “He is as humble of a person as they come. What makes me most proud is how he carries himself every day. They don't make them much better than Josiah.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Jase Unzen, Jr., Jefferson (5-10, 175)

Unzen was a threat to score from anywhere on the field for the Cavaliers. This season, he totaled 71 receptions for 870 yards and 14 touchdown receptions. He added one rushing touchdown, averaged 24 yards per kickoff and 18 yards per punt return. So far in his career, Unzen has tallied 89 receptions for 1,177 yards and 18 touchdown catches. He’s returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. “Jase is our most explosive player,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “He can turn a one-yard catch into a 50-yard touchdown. He is extremely twitchy and is hard to tackle in space. He plays really hard and was our go to weapon on the perimeter.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Jhace Woods, Sr., Washington (6-2, 195)

Woods was a key target in Washington’s passing attack. A future South Dakota State University Jackrabbit, Woods hauled in 22 receptions for 458 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He added one passing touchdown. He was a two-time all-conference performer and a 2024 all-state honorable mention selection. “Jhace is absolutely electric in an athletic setting,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “He is a physical wide receiver who has all of the intangibles. Not only does he have big play capability as a receiving threat, but he does the dirty work in blocking schemes as well.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Mikey Roche, Sr., Lincoln (5-11, 180)

Roche was a reliable target in Lincoln’s high-powered offensive attack. He hauled in 62 catches for 968 yards and 13 touchdown receptions. He added 13 kickoff returns for 297 yards. For his career, the three-year starter tallied 134 catches for 1,971 yards and 24 touchdown catches. He was an all-state performer in 2024. “Mikey is a coach's dream,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He is the type of athlete that has always been the hardest worker on the team.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Louison Akossi, Sr., Lincoln (6-0, 205)

Akossi was a big-play threat for the Patriots. He totaled 36 receptions for 890 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. For his career, the future Minnesota State University, Mankato football player totaled 73 receptions for 1,561 receiving yards and 22 touchdown receptions. “He's big, fast and physical,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He is a great blocker and has been a consistent deep threat all year.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Rip Siemonsma, Sr., O’Gorman (6-0, 230)

Siemonsma was a two-way starter along O’Gorman’s line. He will play college football at Northwestern College. “Hard working Lineman with size, strength and speed to be our best screen game player,” O’Gorman coach Jayson Poppinga said. 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Noah Duran, Sr., Jefferson (6-0, 280)

Duran helped pave the way for an offense that averaged more than 435 yards per game, and that averaged more than 190 rushing yards per game. He also contributed 11 tackles and two sacks on defense. A three-year starter, Duran was also a team captain and state powerlifter.  “Once Noah was inserted into the OL, we became a much better offense and were able to run the ball more consistently and more physically than before,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “Noah is a huge reason that our team had success this season.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Easton Dekkers, Jr., Brandon Valley (6-1, 240)

Dekkers was an all-conference lineman for the state champs. “Easton is a dude,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. “He is our leader up front. He plays with great physicality and toughness. He is an OL through and through. He is not afraid to do whatever the team needs. He played two ways more and more down the stretch. We are grateful to have him back one more year.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Andrew Werner, Sr., Lincoln (5-11, 245)

Werner was a two-year starter and all-conference performer for the Patriots. Our most consistent OL,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He is the one who makes all the calls and tells the other ones where to go when they are confused.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Hudson Parliament, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-4, 320)

Parliament finished an accomplished career with the Lynx this season. A two-time all-stater and three-time all-conference performer, Parliament finished his career with more than 180 pancake blocks. He was last season’s South Dakota Gatorade player of the year. “One of the best ever in SD,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Isaac Mitzel, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-0, 275)

Mitzel was at the center of Brandon Valley’s dominant offensive line, and was a two-time all-conference performer. “The perfect center,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. “Quick, agile, tough, athletic, resilient, reliable, happy, total champ.”

ATHLETE: Beau Koerner, Jr., Jefferson (6-2, 195)

A two-year starter, Koerner totaled 112 career tackles, one sack, one interception and three fumble recoveries. He recorded 55 tackles during his senior season. Beau is an outstanding athlete with great football instincts,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “He can run from sideline to sideline and play the run as well as the pass. He has great natural instincts and has been a mainstay on our defense the last two seasons.”

ATHLETE: Trajan Weaver, Sr., Rapid City Central (6-0, 170)

Weaver was an efficient quarterback for the Cobblers, completing 67-of-122 passes for 846 yards and six touchdown passes. He added 323 yards rushing and two more scores. On defense, he totaled 28 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. “Dynamic athlete, competitive,” Rapid City Central coach Michael McCulley said. “Selected for the 2025 Native All-American Game.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Anthony Patron, Jr., Jefferson (6-2, 225)

Patron was a productive defensive lineman along Jefferson’s defensive front. A two-year starter and all-conference player, Patron totaled 47 tackles, 13 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and one forced fumble this season. So far in his career, Patron has 75 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. “Anthony is strong and explosive,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “He is still learning the position. He was a running back up until a few games into his sophomore year. He was a menace all season on the DL. He can run and is also very strong. He is only going to get better and better. He is also a sprinter on the track team.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Mekhi Zacher, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-1, 210)

Zacher was a disruptive force along the Lynx’s defensive line. He finished with 33 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks and five pass breakups this season. He was an all-stater in 2024 and is a two-time all-conference performer. “Athlete, problem to block, must game plan for him, mismatch, quick, powerful,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Tayvin Jungen, Sr., Roosevelt (5-10, 240)

Jungen was a disruptive force along Roosevelt’s defensive line. He finished this season with 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble. A three-year starter and two-time all-conference performer, he tallied 88 tackles, six sacks, 23 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles the past two seasons. Tayvin "Shoulders" Jungen is one of the best nose tackles I have ever coached,” Roosevelt coach Jason Stahlberg said. “He is explosive, strong, and has a motor that never stops. He never missed a single rep the past two years due to fatigue. This young man never stopped playing. His production is special considering his limited opportunities in competitive games.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Isaac Krempges, Jr., Lincoln (6-0, 205)

Krempges was a productive defensive lineman for the Patriots. An all-conference performer, Krempges totaled 61 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this season. “Isaac is a tireless defender whose switch is either on or off,” Lincoln coach Jared Fredenburg said. “He was a third leading tackler even though he plays the DE position. Isaac is our best pass rusher obtaining 11 sacks.”

LINEBACKER: Parker Scheidt, Sr., O’Gorman (6-0, 205)

Scheidt racked up 63 tackles from his linebacker position, while also playing tight end on offense. “Best LB on our team,” O’Gorman coach Jayson Poppinga said. “Also played TE and RB due to injuries.”

LINEBACKER: Cael Nofziger, Sr., Jefferson (5-9, 190)

Nofziger was an accomplished linebacker for the Cavaliers. He finished this season with 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. An all-conference performer, Nofziger posted 144 tackles, three sacks, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and 10 tackles for loss in his career. Cael is a team captain and a huge part of our defense,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “He plays our stud position which requires him to be a huge presence in defending the run as well as the pass. He would oftentimes be in man coverage vs a WR on one play and the next play he was taking on a 300-pound guard in the run game. He is a tremendous worker and a great leader for our program.”

LINEBACKER: Dylan Williams, Sr., Brandon Valley (5-11, 210)

Williams was a productive linebacker for the state champs. This season, he finished with 60 tackles, four fumble recoveries, three sacks, two interceptions and one touchdown on defense. An all-conference player, Williams totaled 135 career tackles. “Captain, energy, smart, instinctive, coachable, athletic, hitter, cover skills, range, versatility,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. 

LINEBACKER: Bradley Esser, Sr., Harrisburg (6-3, 220)

An athletic and rangy linebacker, Esser was a disruptive linebacker for the Tigers. He posted 68 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three forced fumbles this season. For his career, Esser tallied 156 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and three sacks. He was a two-time all-stater and two-time all-conference player. He will play college football at Division I Washington State University. “Bradley is a specimen,” Harrisburg coach Brandon White said. “He is a big athletic LB. He had a great high school career but we feel he is going to blow up at the next level. Bradley has been a big leader for us not only because of what he does on the field but how he carries himself on and off the field.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Brody Jacobson, Sr., Jefferson (5-10, 185)

Jacobson was a key defensive back in Jefferson’s secondary. He finished this season with 74 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions and one touchdown on defense. He added 19 yards per punt return. A two-year starter and all-conference performer, Jacobson totaled 148 tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions in his career. An all-state baseball player, Jacobson will play college baseball at Northern State University. “Brody is a coach's dream,” Jefferson coach Eric Struck said. “He plays and practices at 100 mph. He is solid in pass coverage and he is also a fantastic player in the run game from his safety position. He is smart, tough and physical. He is one of our best leaders in the program.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Tyler Pankonin, Sr., Washington (6-0, 175)

Pankonin was a reliable safety for the Warriors. He finished this season with 56 solo tackles, 41 assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, five pass deflections and three interceptions. A three-year starter, Pankonin is also a state placewinner in the 300-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash. “Tyler has been the leader in our defensive secondary for multiple years,” Washington coach Ryan Evans said. “Tyler's physicality on the football field was well known over the past seasons. His ability to run the alley provided great support in the run game and he led us in the coverage game as well.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Nolan Pudwill, Sr., Brandon Valley (6-0, 180)

Pudwill was a dependable defensive back in the Lynx’s secondary. He finished the season with 34 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. An Northern State University football commit, Pudwill was a two-time all-stater and two-time all-conference player. “Sudden, burst, crazy tough, all over the field, awesome returner, terrific tackler, one of our best ever,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Isaac Myer, Jr., O’Gorman (6-0, 180)

Myer was a versatile defensive back for the Knights. He finished the season with 39 tackles, two interceptions and two blocked field goals. He also returned kickoff and punts, while posting 935 all-purpose yards. “Most versatile player we had on the team this year,” O’Gorman coach Jayson Poppinga said. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Chase Leary, Sr. Brandon Valley (6-1, 190)

Leary was a reliable defensive back for the state champs. He finished the season with 50 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. A three-year starter and all-conference player, Leary totaled nine interceptions in his career. He will play college football at Augustana University. “Ballhawk, beast, frame, speed, aggression, talent, instincts, size, ability, athleticism, versatility, difference maker,” Brandon Valley coach Matthew Christensen said. 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Brayden Jackson, Sr., Rapid City Central (6-2, 190)

Jackson was a versatile defender for the Cobblers. He totaled 28 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and two blocked kicks this season. For his career, he totaled 101 tackles, six pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and one interception. “Definition of team guy,” Rapid City Central coach Michael McCulley said. “Played 3 different D positions, charismatic glue guy, works nights after practice to help family, numerous track records/titles.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Kian Upton, Sr., Harrisburg (6-2, 190)

Upton was a reliable kicker and punter for the Tigers. He finished 42-of-43 on PAT kicks, and 1-of-2 on field goals. He recorded 10 punts inside the 20-yard line. For his career, he finished 46-of-47 on PAT kicks, and 3-of-4 on the field goals. He had 16 punts inside the 20-yard line for his career. He was also an all-conference player. “Kian is an awesome young man with a huge leg,” Harrisburg coach Brandon White said. “His ability to flip the field position was critical for us the last two years. He has been ranked as a four-star punter. Some one is going to get a steal at the next level.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Onzei Weaver, Sr., Rapid City Central (6-0, 185)

Weaver was an electric returner for the Cobblers’ special teams unit. He finished the season with a 33-yard average on kickoff returns, and returned one for a touchdown. He added 21 catches for 393 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He’s also a state placer in the 100-yard dash. “Electric with the football, lockdown corner,” Rapid City Central coach Michael McCulley said. 

HONORABLE MENTION

Briggs Knutson, Jack Blomgren and Bryce Bangasser, Brandon Valley; Grady Wolbrink, Harrisburg; Brayden Jackson, Sam Uhing and Hayes Petersen, SF Washington; and Easton Graff and Troy Catches, RC Central.