Prep athletes of the week: Kartes delivers his best on both sides of scrimmage

St. Michael-Albertville • football

The Knights senior isn't one to back down from a challenge.

Kartes, who plays on offense and defense, scored the final three touchdowns as the Class 6A, No. 6 Knights rallied from an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter for a 31-21 victory over No. 7 Champlin Park. He had four touchdowns for the game.

Kartes, a four-year starter, "has been really good for us for a long time, but Friday night was really his best performance in a Knights uniform," St. Michael-Albertville coach Jared Essler said.

The North Dakota State recruit rushed 16 times for 218 yards and three TDs. On defense, he had eight tackles and returned an interception 59 yards for the go-ahead score midway through the fourth quarter.

"I wouldn't say I like one more than the other [offense or defense]," Kartes said. "I'm just trying to help the team any way possible."

In the Knights' first three games, he has 478 rushing yards on 49 carries and nine TDs.

Kalkar had five goals and two assists in three victories as the Class 2A, No. 1 Trojans raised their season record to 8-0-1. "Marissa is a talented player who finishes very well," Wayzata coach Tony Peszneker said. "She is just as good at holding the ball, and setting up her teammates with perfectly placed passes."

Mounds Park Academy • cross-country

The Panthers senior won the Private School Championship at St. Catherine University with a time of 16 minutes, 25 seconds over the 5,000-meter course on a steamy 88-degree day. Earlier this season, the top-ranked runner in Class 1A won the Ron Kretsch Invitational.

North Branch • volleyball

Selbitschka is one of the reasons the Vikings have climbed to No. 6 in the Class 2A poll. The sophomore outside hitter had 84 kills, 63 digs and five blocks this past weekend as North Branch won its own invitational to climb to 10-0.

The 6-4 Gulbranson is all about consistency, putting together back-to-back games with four goals and one assist. "He is strong, fast and really skilled with the ball," Chisago Lakes coach Mark Leigh said. The senior attacker has 17 goals and four assists for the 5-1-1 Wildcats.

DeLaSalle • soccer

Atkinson led the Islanders to four victories last week. The senior had nine goals and five assists in those games, which included victories over two ranked Class 1A teams, No. 9 Waconia and No. 13 Princeton.

Andover • football

If you're going to get in a shootout, Knoepfle is a good option to have directing the offense. The Huskies quarterback accumulated 374 yards of total offense, 263 passing (three touchdowns) and 111 rushing (two scores) in a wild 62-41 victory over Chisago Lakes.

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