GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Each year KARE 11's Randy Shaver selects the post-season All-Metro Prep Football team. This is the 31st year of the team.
Congratulations to all the players on the 2017 team.
Here is the 2017 All-Metro Offensive team:
Running backs:
Evan Hull, Maple Grove, Jr.
All Metro offense is led by Maple Grove junior running back Evan Hull. The 5-11, 185 pounder has great speed and is very tough to bring down after first contact. Hull is also a workhorse, carrying the football 321 times for 2,105 yards and 19 touchdowns this fall. Almost half of those yards came during the playoffs. Maple Grove is in the State 6A semifinals.
Solofa Falaniko, Eden Prairie, Sr.
Eden Prairie mighty mite Solo Falaniko at 5-6 ,190 is a game changer for the #1 rated Eagles. Solo has great vision and he doesn't shy away from contact despite his size. The senior has 1,445 yards on 187 carries and 8 touchdowns so far this fall. Eden Prairie is in the State 6A semifinals.
Mike Stern, St. Croix Lutheran, Sr.
St Croix Lutheran senior Mike Stern is 5-10, 190, a tough runner. He has exceptional speed to go with a definite toughness. He's so hard to bring down. Stern has 1,804 yards rushing on 231 carries and 27 touchdowns. He was voted the Twin Cities Maroon offensive MVP. Stern will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Quarterbacks:
Conner Knoepfle, Andover, Sr.
The All-Metro quarterback is Andover senior Connor Knoepfle, He's 6-2, 170 pounds. Conner finished the season with 2,547 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. He's also an excellent runner, and uses his feet to keep plays alive and cause all sorts of issues. Knoepfle finished with 623 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns. He was voted the quarterback of the year in the Metro Blue district and will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Receivers:
Calvin Wishart, Delano, Sr.
All-Metro receivers are led by Delano's Calvin Wishart at 6-2 185. Despite playing for a "run-first" offense, Wishart was among the best in the state averaging 23 yards per catch. The senior finished with 57 receptions for 1,296 yards and 14 touchdowns. Head Coach Merrill Pavlovich says he's the best receiver he's had in 42 years at Delano. Wishart was voted the East Central South MVP.
Eli Solberg, Rogers, Sr.
Rogers senior Eli Solberg makes our All-Metro team at receiver. He averaged 18 yards per catch this fall. The 6-foot, 185 pound senior captain finished with 55 receptions for 1,009 yards and 10 touchdowns. Solberg was voted the North Central Blue co-receiver of the year.
Offensive Line:
Ronnie Audette, Elk River, Sr.
All Metro offensive line is massive led by Elk River senior lineman Ronnie Audette, a repeat KARE11 All-Metro performer. Audette is massive at 6-3, 310 pounds. He's a bulldozing lineman, very strong, good feet, and solid technique. He's not only big and strong, but he has a mean streak and plays hard every down. Ronnie was voted the North Central Blue District MVP. Audette is also a fabulous two-way player. He's going to NDSU on scholarship and will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Quinn Carroll, Edina, Jr.
Edina junior tackle Quinn Carroll of Edina has already received over 30 division-one offers. Carroll, at 6-7, 290, is regarded as one of the country's top junior tackles. Carroll is strong, technically sound, and has a motor that doesn't stop. He blocks to the whistle. Opposing coaches had to constantly game plan against him. He is the real deal.
Joe Schreiber, Eden Prairie, Sr.
Eden Prairie senior center Joe Schreiber is 6-3 285 and tough as nails. He's a big reason why EP has such a dominating ground game and he's fabulous in pass protection. Head Coach Mike Grant says the two-year starter is the best center ever at Eden Prairie. Running behind Schreiber, EP is averaging 216 yards rushing per game. Schreiber is headed to NDSU on scholarship and will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Bryce Benhart, Lakeville North, Jr.
Lakeville junior tackle Bryce Benhart is an absolute monster at 6-9, 295. The Division 1 recruit is a dominating blocker and one reason why the Panthers rushed for over 2,100 yards this fall. Benhart was the Metro South Co-Lineman of the Year and you can see why. He's been offered by the Gophers with more D-1 offers to come.
Spencer Rolland, Apple Valley, Sr.
Apple Valley's big man Spencer Rolland is 6-8, 240 pounds. Apple Valley averaged 275 yards rushing--many of that behind Rolland. He was voted the Suburban Maroon district lineman of the year and is headed to Harvard to play college football. Spencer is also a devastating defensive player. He had 53 tackles this season. Rolland will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Zach Collins, Totino-Grace, Sr.
Zach Collins of Totino-Grace is a repeat KARE 11 All-Metro performer. At 6-3, 300 pounds, Collins is strong, agile -- a good athlete. Coach Jeff Ferguson says Collins is an incredible leader who may be a better defensive lineman. Collins was voted the Metro North offensive lineman of the year and he was chosen to play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Athlete:
Byron Bynum Jr., Blaine, Sr.
All-Metro athlete is Byron Bynum Junior of Blaine. He switched from receiver to running back early in the season and the move paid big dividends for Blaine. He finished with 1,000 yards rushing on 195 carries and 15 touchdowns. Bynum made 33 catches, 7 for scores. He was voted Metro North offensive MVP and will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.
Kicker:
Matthew Jaeger, Armstrong
All-Metro kicker is Armstrong senior Matthew Jaeger at 6-1, 170. Jaeger has a monster leg and showed it off all season. He finished 6-for-6 in field goals with his longest from 42 yards out. He was also 26-for-28 on extra point tries and put 75 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone. Jaeger also averaged 38 yards per punt. He will play in the Minnesota football showcase.
Coach:
Ben Wolfe, St Louis Park
Coach of the Year is Ben Wolfe of St Louis Park. All Ben did was lead the Orioles to their first winning season since 1974 and first state appearance in football in 45 years. That is no small feat. St. Louis Park won five straight games to make it to the 5A quarterfinals, and finished the season 7-4. Ben is changing the culture at St. Louis Park, and winning is the result. Congratulations to Ben Wolfe, our choice for Coach of the Year.