Star Tribune all-metro football first team offense

November 22, 2017 at 4:32AM
Conner Knoepfle, Andover football, sr., 2017-18
Conner Knoepfle, Andover football, sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE (Seniors unless noted)

Quarterback

Conner Knoepfle, Andover, 6-2, 170: Dual threat who makes great decisions, delivers the ball on time and in the right place. Completed 179 of 283 passes for 2,547 yards and 27 TDs, added 623 yards rushing.

Running backs

Evan Hull, Maple Grove, junior, 6-1, 185: Relentless workhorse carried the Crimson offense. Ran for 2,174 yards, 19 touchdowns. Averaged 181.2 yards per game with a high of 397 in playoff victory over Roseville.

Solo Falaniko, Eden Prairie, 5-7, 190: Speed-power package who thrived after first contact. Had 1,529 yards, eight TDs. Maple Grove coach Matt Lombardi called him "the most underrated player we've faced."

Preston Jelen, Prior Lake, 6-0, 194: Versatile, plays with a high motor. Gave Prior Lake the element of speed on the edge. A Mr. Football finalist, he's also dangerous as a kick returner.

Receivers

Calvin Wishart, Delano, 6-2, 185: Basketball star committed to Georgia Southern, wowed in his only year playing football with 57 receptions, 1,296 yards, 14 TDs. "Best receiver I've coached in my 42 years at Delano," coach Merrill Pavlovich said.

Treyton Welch, Buffalo, junior, 6-3, 219: Athletic long-strider with exceptional ball skills, ability to make midair adjustments. Routinely makes the difficult catch common. Fifty-five receptions, 926 yards, 11 touchdowns.

Linemen

Ronald Audette, Elk River, 6-3, 310: Dominant blocking force for a rushing game that routinely puts up more than 300 yards. Very quick for his size. More than 90 pancakes. Committed to North Dakota St.

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Quinn Carroll, Edina, junior, 6-7, 290: Minnesota's top Class of 2019 prospect. Great hands, delivers an exceptional punch. Overwhelms opposing defenders. Has 29 Division I offers.

Zach Collins, Totino-Grace. 6-3, 300: Physical, with tremendous drive. Wide body who pulls well and delivers punishment at the point of attack.

Spencer Rolland, Apple Valley, 6-8, 240: Three-year starter on offense and defense. Moves well for his size. Suburban Maroon sub-district lineman of the year. Committed to Harvard.

Joe Schreiber, Eden Prairie, 6-3, 285: Tough-as-nails leader of the Eagles line. Excellent technique. Called by Mike Grant his "best center in 25 years." North Dakota State-bound.

Athlete

Byron Bynum Jr., Blaine, 6-0, 180: Playmaker who can score on any play. Exceptional acceleration and top-end speed. Compiled more than 1,400 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns.


Evan Hull, Maple Grove football, jr., 2017-18
Evan Hull, Maple Grove football, jr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Zach Collins, Totino-Grace, sr., 2017-18
Zach Collins, Totino-Grace, sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Calvin Wishart, Delano, sr., 2017-18
Calvin Wishart, Delano, sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Byron Bynum Jr., Blaine football, sr., 2017-18
Byron Bynum Jr., Blaine football, sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Solo Falaniko, Eden Prairie football, sr., 2017-18
Solo Falaniko, Eden Prairie football, sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Preston Jelen, Prior Lake receiver.
Preston Jelen, Prior Lake receiver. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ronald Audette, Elk River football, sr., 2017-18
Ronald Audette, Elk River football, sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Spencer Rolland, Apple Valley.,sr., 2017-18
Spencer Rolland, Apple Valley.,sr., 2017-18 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Maple Grove's Evan Hull (26) ran 104 yards against St. Michael-Albertville. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • renee.jones@startribune.com Class 6A quarterfinals between St. Michael-Albertville and Maple Grove on Thursday, November 9, 2017, in Brooklyn Park, Minn. ORG XMIT: MIN1711092157365777
Junior Evan Hull gained 2,174 yards rushing and scored 19 touchdowns to lead the Maple Grove offense. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Treyton Welch, Buffalo football, jr., 2017-18 ORG XMIT: MIN1711201411556627
Treyton Welch, Buffalo football, jr., 2017-18 ORG XMIT: MIN1711201411556627 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Quinn Carroll, Edina football, jr., 2017-18 ORG XMIT: MIN1711201411176623
Quinn Carroll, Edina football, jr., 2017-18 ORG XMIT: MIN1711201411176623 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Joe Schreiber, Eden Prairie football, sr., 2017-18 ORG XMIT: MIN1711201411576631
Joe Schreiber, Eden Prairie football, sr., 2017-18 ORG XMIT: MIN1711201411576631 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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