URGENT UPDATE: The North Dakota High School Coaches Association has just announced the highly anticipated North Dakota 9-man all-state football team, spotlighting 12 talented players from the region. Released on Monday, this announcement highlights the exceptional performance of local athletes during the recent football season.
In a remarkable display of talent, both North Border and Hatton-Northwood secured three selections each on the all-state team. Among these standouts, Marial Deng from Four Winds earned the distinction of being the area’s only representative on the all-state first team offense. The first team defense selections included Brody Berg from North Border and Johnnie Mears from North Prairie.
The all-state second team features additional stellar athletes: Westin Enger, Aiden Johnson, and Tyler Evans from Hatton-Northwood; Gavin Symington and Kaden Moore from North Border; Brody Rainsberry of Nelson County; Ryan Pelletier of Cavalier; Francis Bellile of Four Winds; and Lane Zupan of St. John.
The selection comes after an impressive season for North Border, which concluded with a record of 7-3. Senior linebacker Brody Berg, standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, showcased his skills with 1,103 rushing yards at an average of 8.8 yards per carry, alongside 62 tackles on defense and five sacks. A three-time all-region player, Berg leaves a significant mark with his career total of 282 tackles.
Meanwhile, junior Kaden Moore made headlines with 1,099 rushing yards and 1,030 passing yards, contributing 18 rushing touchdowns and 11 passing touchdowns while also securing three interceptions on defense. Gavin Symington, a seasoned player, added to the hype with 25 solo tackles and five sacks this season.
Hatton-Northwood concluded its season with a 6-4 record. Star player Aiden Johnson excelled with 39 receptions for 732 yards and 15 touchdown receptions. Defensively, he posted 26 solo tackles, with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Additionally, Westin Enger demonstrated versatility with 444 rushing yards and 1,664 passing yards, while Tyler Evans made an impact with 21 pancake blocks on the offensive line.
Four Winds also wrapped up the season with a 6-4 record, highlighting the skills of Marial Deng. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Deng caught 63 passes for 430 yards and rushed for 206 yards, achieving an impressive 8 receiving touchdowns along with two interceptions on defense. His brother, Deng Deng, currently plays for the University of North Dakota.
Other notable selections include Ryan Pelletier, who had 25 receptions for 650 yards and five interceptions defensively, and Brody Rainsberry, who ran for 1,423 yards with an astonishing average of 178 yards per game. Lane Zupan also made his mark with 1,164 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns for St. John.
As the dust settles on the season, the spotlight on these exceptional athletes shines brightly. With their achievements now recognized, fans and supporters eagerly await their future endeavors on and off the field. The excitement surrounding the all-state team selection is palpable, and these athletes are poised to inspire the next generation of football stars in North Dakota.
