All-Metro football first-team defense

November 10, 2015 at 2:00AM
Jamahl Johnson, Prior Lake football
Jamahl Johnson, Prior Lake football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Players are seniors unless noted

LINEMEN

Jamahl Johnson

Prior Lake, 6-2, 305

Overwhelmed and simply discarded blockers. Produced 61 tackles (16 for loss), four sacks, two blocked punts and added seven touchdowns as a fullback. Committed to Iowa State.

Corrie King

Wayzata, 6-2, 225

Active on the edge. Weight room animal used great motor to contribute 61 tackles, including six tackles for loss, and four sacks.

Connor Novak-Goar

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Eden Prairie, 6-2, 265

Physical defensive tackle who controlled the interior line. Finished with 59 tackles (six for loss) and three sacks.

Dillon Radunz

Becker, 6-6, 270

Becker coach Dwight Lundeen, in his 46th season, lauded Radunz as the finest player he ever coached. Made 57 tackles and seven sacks despite limited action after halftime in blowouts. Headed to North Dakota State.

LINEBACKERS

Gabe Ames

Rosemount, 6-0, 212

East Metro White defensive player of the year. Arrives with a thud. Finished with 68 tackles (14 for loss), 5.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

Thomas Barber

Armstrong, 6-0, 230

Competitive fire helped Falcons to breakthrough season. Finished with 109 tackles. Penchant for open-field tackles. Also rushed for nine touchdowns. Headed to Minnesota.

Carter Coughlin

Eden Prairie, 6-4, 215

Great athletic ability led to contributions from various positions. Made 73 tackles (seven for loss) and five sacks. Committed to Minnesota.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Isaiah Hall

Apple Valley, 5-9, 165

Opposing coaches raved about his fast, physical play. Eagles coaches noted his ability to raise the level of teammates' play. Dangerous special team player; scored on a kick return and punt return.

Evan Holm

Edina, 6-0, 175

Explosive playmaker. Intercepted seven passes and returned two for scores. Added two touchdowns as a kick returner. Committed to North Dakota.

Amani Hooker

Park Center, 6-1, 180

Future Iowa defensive back posted 11 interceptions. Great in run support as well. Added almost 2,000 overall offensive yards and scored 35 total touchdowns.

Bishop McDonald

North St. Paul, 5-10, 164

Wanted by East Metro Red quarterbacks for grand larceny. Intercepted 12 passes as the Polars reached their first state tournament since 1998.

KICKER/PUNTER

Mac Brown

St. Thomas Academy, 6-3, 178

Averaged 44.1 yards per punt, including an 87-yard boomer. Also strong off the tee. Posted 12 touchbacks and went 4-for-8 on field goals, 25-for-27 on point-after attempts.

DAVID LA VAQUE


Corrie King, Wayzata
Corrie King, Wayzata (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Connor Novak-Goar, Eden Prairie
Connor Novak-Goar, Eden Prairie (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Dillon Radunz, Becker
Dillon Radunz, Becker (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Gabe Ames, Rosemount
Gabe Ames, Rosemount (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Thomas Barber, Armstrong football
Thomas Barber, Armstrong football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Carter Coughlin, Eden Prairie football
Carter Coughlin, Eden Prairie football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Isaiah Hall, Apple Valley
Isaiah Hall, Apple Valley (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Evan Holm, Edina football
Evan Holm, Edina football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Amani Hooker, Park Center football
Amani Hooker, Park Center football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Bishop McDonald, North St. Paul football
Bishop McDonald, North St. Paul football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Mac Brown, St. Thomas Academy football
Mac Brown, St. Thomas Academy football (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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