State champion Wall placed six players on this year’s Class 9AA all-state football team, which was selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association. 

Burk Blasius, Cedar Amiotte, Rylan McDonnell, Norman Livermont, Blair Blasius and Brodi Sundall were selected for the Eagles, who defeated Parkston for their first state championship since 1994. Amiotte was the Class 9AA All-American selection. 

Parkston’s Will Jodozi and Brayden Jervik were selected to the all-state team. Semifinalists Hamlin and Elkton-Lake Benton placed three and two players, respectively, on the all-state team. Hamlin’s Luke Fraser, Simon Vander Vorst and Troy Randall were all-state honorees. Elkton-Lake Benton’s Carson Griffith and Ryan Krog were selected to the honor squad. 

Here is the complete Class 9AA all-state team:

QUARTERBACK: Burk Blasius, Jr., Wall (6-0, 175)

The dual-threat quarterback piloted the Eagles with his pinpoint passing and running ability. Blasius completed 107 of 145 passes for 2,078 yards and 27 passing touchdowns. He added 316 rushing yards on 50 carries and six more touchdowns. Defensively, he posted 51 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five passes deflected and two interceptions. The junior has thrown for 3,987 passing yards and 53 touchdowns, while rushing for 998 yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense, he has 217 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles. Blasius was the Joe Robbie MVP and most outstanding back of the Class 9AA state championship game. Blasius was an honorable mention all-stater last season. 

“Burk is the real deal at quarterback,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “He can make every throw we ask him to and he can run the ball very effectively as well. He plays both ways, staring at QB and LB. He is an amazing football player, a team captain, and has been starting for us since his eighth-grade season.”

FULLBACK/H-BACK: Isaac Crownover, Sr., Bon Homme (6-1, 205)

Crownover was a threat out to score anywhere on the field for the Cavaliers. Crownover finished with 347 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while hauled in 215 receiving yards and three more scores. He recorded 793 all-purpose yards and scored nine touchdowns. For his career, Crownover logged 1,233 rushing yards, 946 receiving yards, 541 return yards and 2,720 all-purpose yards. He scored 23 total touchdowns. A four-year starter and three-year captain, Crownover was the leading tackler the past three seasons. He was an honorable mention all-stater in 2020 and was an all-state defensive back in 2021. 

“Isaac is a very good team leader both on and off the field,” Bon Homme coach Byron Pudwill said. “Crownover was a workhorse for our team. He never came off the field. He is a throwback to the old school way of football. A very unselfish player and is willing to take on any role that is presented to him. He is a tremendous blocker and makes things on our team tick.”  

RUNNING BACK: Cedar Amiotte, Sr, Wall (6-1, 190)

Amiotte was an elite playmaker for the state champs. Amiotte rushed for 1,071 yards on 107 carries and scored 23 touchdowns. He added 435 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. On defense, he logged 49 tackles, eight interceptions, eight pass deflections and four defensive touchdowns. For his career, Amiotte logged 2,648 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. He hauled in 1,195 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions, while finishing with 4,082 all-purpose yards. On defense, he posted 284 tackles and 18 interceptions. He was an all-state defensive back as a sophomore and an all-state running back as a junior. 

“Cedar Amiotte is everything you can ask for in a football player,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “He has done it all for us. He plays both ways, long snaps, returns kicks and punts, and has even played on the defensive line. His stats speak for themselves. Great player and great leader.”

RUNNING BACK: Luke Fraser, Jr., Hamlin (5-11, 187)

Fraser produced big plays out of Hamlin's backfield. This season, Fraser racked up 1,634 rushing yards on 175 carries and scored 18 touchdowns. He added 14 receptions for 368 yards and six touchdowns. Fraser has amassed 2,713 rushing yards on 338 carries and 29 touchdowns in his career, while hauling in 944 receiving yards and 13 touchdown receptions. He’s a two-time all-conference selection and was an honorable mention all-stater last season. 

“Luke is a great football player with a high football IQ,” Hamlin coach Jeff Sheehan said. “He practices everyday at a high level and loves being on the field. He has grown into a great leader and others will follow him. He has tremendous potential as a football player and he works hard to be the best he can be.” 

RUNNING BACK: Jackson Jarding, Sr., Hanson (5-10, 180)

Jarding was a dynamic playmaker for the Beavers. The speedster rushed for 846 yards on 90 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. He added two touchdown receptions. Jarding is a three-time all-conference selection and was an honorable mention all-stater last season. 

“Jackson is an outstanding athlete that always gives 100% on the football field,” Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said. “As a running back, Jackson is very capable of breaking a long run as well as lowering his shoulder and running through a defender. Jackson has been a starter for four years for the Hanson football team.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Maddox Kihne, Sr., Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy (5-9, 160)

Kihne was the top receiver in Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy’s passing attack. He logged 63 receptions for 839 yards and caught 12 touchdowns. He added 37 carries for 305 yards and scored three more touchdowns. 

“Maddox is an incredible athlete and did a little bit of everything for us,” Phoenix coach Dustin Tschetter said. 

WIDE RECEIVER: Rylan McDonnell, Sr., Wall (6-0, 150)

McDonnell was a trusty receiver to complement Wall’s ground game. McDonnell posted 681 receiving yards on 31 receptions and scored 10 touchdowns. He added 21 tackles and two interceptions on defense. For his career, McDonnell registered 58 receptions for 1,198 yards and 19 touchdown receptions. He finished with 44 tackles and six interceptions for his career. McDonnell was a Class 9A all-state wide receiver last season and is a two-time all-conference pick. 

“He is a high level receiver with great speed, tremendous hands, and amazing route running ability,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “Rylan has big play ability and is able to score a big time touchdown at any moment whether by catching a deep pass, returning a punt, or returning a kick.”

TIGHT END: Carson Griffith, Jr., Elkton-Lake Benton (6-5, 195)

Griffith was a big target in Elkton-Lake Benton’s potent passing attack. Griffith collected 22 receptions for 395 receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions. He averaged 17.95 yards per reception. The Dakota Valley Conference selection was also instrumental in ELB’s rushing attack with his blocking ability.

“Carson was our second leading receiver this season, but was also a big part of our success in the run game,” Elkton-Lake Benton coach Ethan Pearson said. “We ran for 2,727 yards as a team and a lot of it was behind Carson. Carson was also big in the pass game when our leading receiver went down with injury. Catching a game winning Hail Mary to win the conference championship.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Kaden Hofer, Sr., Howard (5-10, 205)

Hofer paved the way for Howard’s stable of running backs. Hofer was key in the Tigers recording 4,059 yards on offense and 52 total touchdowns this season. He helped Howard post 8,891 yards on offense and 128 touchdowns the past two seasons. A two-time all-conference pick, Hofer was an all-state offensive lineman in 2021. 

“He has been the anchor of our offensive line the last two years and a big reason why we have gone 21-1 the last two seasons,” Howard coach Pat Ruml said. “He has been our best offensive lineman.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Charlie Prien, Sr., Hanson (6-1, 225)

Prien helped open running lanes for Hanson’s collection of backs. Prien was instrumental in Hanson rushing for 2,538 yards and passing for 877 yards, while scoring 348 points this season. He was an all-Cornbelt Conference selection this season. 

“This was Charlie's first year at Hanson and he immediately became a leader on our offensive line,” Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said. “Charlie is an outstanding blocker with a great ability to finish his blocks. He always played the game with great intensity and passion on both sides of the ball.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Simon Vander Vorst, Sr., Hamlin (6-0, 224)

Vander Vorst anchored the line of scrimmage for the Chargers. The left guard helped block for a team that finished with more than 4,000 yards of offense and scored 435 points this season. 

“Simon was a great leader for us on the offensive side,” Hamlin coach Jeff Sheehan said. “He did what was asked and played a big role for us. He was a guy who never took time off in practice to rest. He would help on our scout team when he was not on the team that was practicing. Great leader on this team and did a good job keeping the team spirits high.” 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Lee Reiser, Sr., Platte-Geddes (6-1, 220)

Reiser was a key cog for the Black Panthers, who relied heavily on their rushing attack the past few seasons. Reiser was a two-year starter. 

“Our best lineman this year and a big part of our championship run last year,” Platte-Geddes coach Bruce Hanson said. “Really good guard but had to move to center for us in the middle of game one as our center was injured. Very versatile player.”

ATHLETE: Tyler Hettich, Sr., Ipswich (5-9, 170)

Hettich was a threat to score from anywhere on the field. The running back racked up 734 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while hauling in 436 receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions. He finished with 1,317 total yards of offense and 22 touchdowns, while scoring on a kickoff return. Defensively, he posted 90.5 tackles, five forced fumbles, three sacks and three interceptions. For his career, Hettich finished with 1,208 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, while finishing with 436 receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions. He finished with 2,639 career yards and 36 total touchdowns. He was a three-year starter and two time all-conference pick. 

“Has great instinct on the football field,” Ipswich coach Brian Hogie said. “Great vision when running. Did a lot of different things for us this season on the offensive side of the ball. A big threat for us whenever he had the ball.”

ATHLETE: Mehki Keller, Sr., Florence/Henry (5-11, 170)

Keller was an explosive weapon for the Falcons. The wide receiver posted 538 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions, while also rushing for 389 yards and six more scores. He added a passing touchdown and a kickoff return for a score. On defense, he logged 39 solo tackles, seven interceptions, one fumble recovery, a pick-six and a fumble return for a score. For his career, Keller rushed for 941 yards and 14 touchdowns, while hauling in 1,131 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches. He scored three total touchdowns as a return specialist. Defensively, he recorded 87 solo tackles, 12 interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He’s a two-time all-conference selection and the Eastern Coteau Conference defensive MVP. 

Mehki is a very explosive player and he is fun to watch on a football field,” Florence-Henry coach Travis Schmidt said. “If you played us he was the guy that defenses had to key. When other teams were on offense they had to know where Mehki was lined up because he could make a play at any time.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Atticus Darnell, Sr., Howard (6-1, 205)

Darnell was a disruptive force along the Tigers’ defensive front. He finished with 70 tackles and five sacks this season. For his career, Darnell racked up 177 tackles, 13 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception. He’s a two-time all-conference selection and was a Class 9A all-state defensive lineman last season. 

“Atticus has been one of the best defensive ends in the state in the past two seasons,” Howard coach Pat Ruml said. “He has been a big part of our team going 21-1 in the past two seasons.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Norman Livermont, Sr., Wall (5-10, 175)

Livermont was relentless at pressuring quarterbacks and chasing down running backs for the Eagles. The defensive end finished with 63 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss for the state champs. He was an honorable mention all-stater in 2020 and was a Class 9A all-state defensive end last season. 

“Norman has a motor like no other player and plays very physical,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “He is undersized at his position, but is almost unblockable. He faces double teams on many occasions and still seems to have a good night. He is also a great special teams player and leads our kickoff and kick return.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Riley Haynes, Sr., Hanson (6-1, 190)

Haynes was a versatile defender along Hanson’s defensive front. Haynes finished with 33 total tackles and five sacks this season. For his career, he finished with 83.5 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. He’s a two-time all-conference pick.

“Riley is an outstanding athlete and football player,” Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said. “Riley is very quick off the ball. He is an excellent pass rusher as well as a defending the run from his defensive end spot. He was an athlete that was utilized at multiple spots on defense because of his skill set but was utilized mostly as a defensive lineman.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Will Jodozi, Jr., Parkston (6-2, 215)

Jodozi was a productive and versatile defensive lineman for the Trojans. He logged 57.5 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and eight quarterback hurries. He was an all-conference selection this season. 

“Will is an extremely talented student-athlete that can play defensive tackle and/or defensive end due to his understanding of the spatial awareness of the game,” Parkston coach Matt Grave said. “He's got great core strength, understands hip leverage and body positioning.” 

LINEBACKER: Brock Tuttle, Jr., Hanson (5-11, 215)

Tuttle was a physical presence on both sides of the ball for Hanson. On defense, he posted 101 total tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. The junior has posted 268 total tackles, eight sacks and four fumble recoveries so far in his career. He’s a three-time all-Cornbelt Conference selection. 

“Brock has been our leading tackler for the past three seasons,” Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said. “Brock has been a leader ever since he stepped onto the field as a freshman. He has great instincts as a LB and a great ability for finding the football. Teams always have to be aware of where he is on the field at all times.”

Parkston's Brayden Jervik carries the ball against Platte-Geddes earlier this season. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

LINEBACKER: Brayden Jervik, Jr., Parkston (5-7, 200)

Jervik anchored the middle and a physical presence along Parkston’s stout defensive front. Jervik logged 56 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks and one interception. He’s a two-time all-conference selection. 

“Brayden is a phenomenal student-athlete that can strive on both sides of the football,” Parkston coach Matt Grave said. “He has a great understanding and knowledge of the game. He's able to fill gaps and shed blocks well within the box. He is also excellent in pass coverage, but his natural ability to see and run through traffic running sideline to sideline separates him from others.”

LINEBACKER: Griffin Clubb, Sr., Howard (6-2, 205)

Clubb was a productive linebacker in the middle of Howard’s defensive unit. He posted 64 tackles and four interceptions this season. For his career, Clubb racked up 146 tackles and five interceptions. He’s a two-time all-conference pick for the Tigers. 

“Griffin is a big hitter and had a huge career both offensively and defensively in his two years here in Howard,” Howard coach Pat Ruml said. “He was a big part of our team going 21-1 the last two years and winning the state title in 2021.”

LINEBACKER: Blair Blasius, Sr., Wall (6-0, 175)

Blasius capped a productive career for the Eagles this season. Blasius posted 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on defense. He added 246 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions. For his career, Blasius finished with 234 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. On special teams, Blasius finished his career with nine made field goals, including a 40-yarder in the state championship game. He’s making his fourth straight all-state team, earning honorable mention status in 2019 and was an all-state kicker the past two seasons. Blasius is a five-year starter and a multiple-time all-conference selection.  

“Blair is a huge piece for our team,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “He can make things tough on an offense with his leg through touchbacks and great punts. He is an outstanding linebacker for us and overall a great kid. He is an academic all-state and should be kicking somewhere next year at the next level.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Brodi Sundall, Jr., Wall (6-0, 170)

Sundall was a lockdown defender in Wall’s secondary. Sundall posted 42 tackles, 12 pass deflections, 2.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. The junior has 116 tackles, 22 pass deflections, six interceptions, five fumble recoveries and five tackles for loss so far in his career. 

“Brodi is one of the most coachable kids you will find,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “He has a tremendous work ethic and puts countless hours into the weight room and offseason. Brodi plays at DB/Safety and is one of our guys we put on the opposing teams' better receivers every game. He is good in both man and zone coverages and has great open field tackling.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Riley Rothschadl, Sr., Bon Homme (6-1, 190)

Rothschadl was a versatile weapon for the Cavaliers. He rushed for 1,081 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, while passing for 981 yards and 12 more touchdowns. A four-year starter, Rothschadl finished with 3,246 passing yards and 1,365 yards, while finishing with 2,523 all-purpose yards. He recorded 61 touchdowns and 830 return yards. Rothschadl was a three-time all-conference selection and an honorable mention all-stater as a sophomore. He will play college baseball at Augustana University. 

“Riley was a very dynamic football player that started for us the last four years,” Bon Homme coach Byron Pudwill said. “He was capable of breaking a game wide open from any spot on the field. Rothschadl was very intuitive and has a very high football IQ.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Ryan Krog, Sr., Elkton-Lake Benton (6-2, 195)

Krog was a dual-threat weapon for the Elks. The quarterback passed for 1,70 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,458 yards and 20 touchdowns. For his career, he threw for 4,699 yards and 61 touchdowns, while rushing for 2,360 yards and 28 touchdowns. Krog was a multiple-time Dakota Valley Conference selection and was this year’s MVP of the conference. He was an honorable mention all-stater as a sophomore. 

“Ryan played a massive part in our offense this season and the last couple of seasons,” ELB coach Ethan Pearson said. “Our offense ran through Ryan. He rushed for over 100 yards nine of the 11 games that we played.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: R.J. Perry, Sr., Great Plains Lutheran (6-0, 275)

Perry converted 8 of 11 on extra points and had three touchbacks on kickoffs. For his career, he finished 18 of 25 on extra points. He was a two-time all-Eastern Coteau Conference selection. 

“He does it all,” GPL coach Aaron Schleusener said. “He would have played QB if I let him.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Troy Randall, Sr., Hamlin (6-0, 163)

Randall finished 38 of 46 on extra points and posted eight touchbacks on his kickoffs this season. For his career, he finished 54 of 66 on extra point attempts and 1 of 1 on field goals. He posted 10 touchbacks in his career. 

“Troy did a very good job of kicking for us,” Hamlin coach Jeff Sheehan said. “He was consistent and was very reliable. It is nice to have an option to add a point after touchdowns. Troy was a good kicker and did what we asked. His ability to kick the ball deep helped make the other team have to drive the ball with where they started on offense. He was a good option for our team.” 

HONORABLE MENTION: Ian Beyers, Sr., Ipswich; Mason Heath, Sr., Wall; BoDell Davidson, Sr., Britton-Hecla; Joey Foxley, Jr., Platte-Geddes; Tanner Stein, Soph., Elkton-Lake Benton; Evan Stormo, Soph., Hamlin; Porter Neugebauer, Sr., Parkston, Jameson Nebel, Jr., Hamlin; Taiden Hoyer, Jr., Howard