GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Each year, KARE 11's Randy Shaver selects the post-season All-Metro Prep Football team. Here are the players on the 2019 All-Metro Defensive team:
LINEBACKERS
Kaden Johnson, SMB
Our All-Metro defense is led by SMB star linebacker Kaden Johnson considered the state's top division-one college football recruit.
Johnson was nearly impossible to block this season. Johnson is 6-4, 220 with a motor that never quits.
He's being recruited division-one Power-5 conferences. Kaden has 47 tackles, 14 for losses with four sacks. SMB is undefeated and in the state 4A semifinals.
Loshiaka Roques, Wayzata
Wayzata senior linebacker Loshiaka Roques is 6-4 220 and committed to NDSU.
Roques has 67 tackles, 18 for losses with 10 sacks. Coach Lambert Brown says Roques is a dominate edge rusher who can play the run and pass with his combination of strength and speed.
Cole Smutny, Woodbury
Cole Smutny of Woodbury was voted the Metro East defensive player of the year.
Smutny finished with 17 tackles for losses. He was a game changer, at 5-11 200 pounds. Smutny finished with 112 tackles, 2 sacks and a force fumble.
Obi Evuleocha, Champlin Park
Champlin Park senior Obi Evuleocha at 6-foot 225 is a big reason the Rebels are in the 6A semifinals.
Rebels head coach Nick Keenan says “Obi is a game changer. He has the speed, athleticism and awareness to dominate his position.”
Evuleocha has 98 tackles, four-for-losses in leading the Rebels defense.
Marcus Holasek, Chaska
Chaska's middle linebacker Marcus Holasek is old-school tough at 6-3 240.
Holasek has made 82 tackles on the season. Coach Bryan Dahl describes Holasek as a thumper, he calls Marcus the toughest kid he's ever coached.
Holasek is a three year starter. Chaska is in the State 5A semifinals
DEFENSIVE LINE
Joe Demro, Wayzata
Our All-Metro defensive line is led by Wayzata's imposing lineman Joe Demro at 6-3 250 pounds.
Every coach who faced Wayzata, came away praising Demro. At times this fall, Demro was a one-man wrecking crew, absolutely ruining the opponents offensive game plan.
So far this season, Demro has 75 tackles, 24 for losses including 13 sacks.
Randy Keumogne, Tartan
Tartan high's Randy Keumogne led the Titans to an undefeated regular season.
He's 6-4 225 with outstanding strength and speed. Keumogne finished with 63 tackles, 18 for losses including 3 sacks. He was the Suburban Grey defensive lineman of the year.
Keumogne will play football for South Dakota State next year.
Landon Carter, Lakeville North
Lakeville North's Landon Carter led a very good Panther defense this fall.
Carter is quick and strong at 6-2 225.
He was a disruptive force all season against very good 6A offensive lines.
Landon has 65 tackles,16 for losses including 11 sacks heading into the 6A semifinals.
Quientrail Jamison-Travis, Minneapolis North
Minneapolis North defensive end Quientrail Jamison-Travis, at 6-3 275, was amazing this fall
Jamison-Travis’s calling card is making big-time plays, and to date, Quientrail has 19 sacks and 21 tackles for losses.
The senior is also a very good offensive lineman. North is in the 2A state semifinals.
Pierce Oppong, Bloomington Jefferson
Jefferson's Pierce Oppong is 6-3 235 and has verbally committed to Northern Illinois.
He led the state in tackles for losses during the regular season with 20.
Oppong finished with an amazing 105 tackles in 9 games, including six sacks for a team that finished just 2-and-7.
He was relentless to the football.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jake Ratzlaff, Rosemount
Our All-Metro defensive backfield is led by Rosemount junior Jake Ratzlaff, at 6-2 210.
Ratzlaff was a big-time hitter from his strong safety position. Many opposing coaches said he was the best defensive player they faced all season.
Ratzlaff is already getting division-one offers.
He finished with 126 tackles, 12 for losses.
Kaleb Blaha, Fridley
Fridley's Kaleb Blaha is an incredible two-way star for the Tigers.
On defense, he finished with 25 tackles with six passes defended.
He's just a great all-around athlete accounting for over 2300 yards of total offense and 41 touchdowns as Fridley's quarterback.
The Tigers made it to the state 4A quarterfinals.
Anthony Ukofia, Wayzata
Wayzata's strong safety Anthony Ukofia is a big time hitter at 6-1 185.
He brought the hammer if and when an offensive ball carrier got into Wayzata's second level. Ukofia has 60 tackles, including four for losses and three interceptions.
Stephen Betts, St. Thomas Academy
St Thomas Academy safety Stephen Betts leads an incredibly tough Cadet defense.
Despite breaking his hand in week-three, Betts did not slow down, leading the Cadets with 87 tackles and four interceptions.
St. Thomas Academy recorded six defensive shutouts, one of which was against two-time defending 5A champ Owatonna in the state 5A quarterfinals.
Betts is a big reason why.
