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PREP FOOTBALL: 2016 Marshall Independent All-Area Football First-Team Defense

Reece Winkelman (Marshall – LB)

Winkelman had a stellar all-around season for the Tigers. His 103 tackles (25 tackles for loss) were third in the area and his five sacks were second in the area. He also was tied for third in the area with five interceptions and had a forced fumble. He recorded a season-high in tackles with 14 in the state semifinals against Benilde St-Margaret’s on Nov. 17. Offensively, Winkelman led the team with 532 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a tight end (both were second in the area).

Mason Penske (Marshall – LB)

Penske was second on the Marshall Tigers with 53 tackles this season. He also recorded 2.5 sacks (tied for 17th in the area), 11 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Offensively, Penske rushed 42 times for 258 yards (6.1 yards per rush) and a touchdown. He added five catches for 55 yards.

Zac Almjeld (Marshall – LB)

The senior Almjeld was a helpful kog in the stifling Marshall defense this season. He was fourth on the team with 34 tackles, and he also had one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss. Offensively, Almjeld was second on the team with 411 rushing yards on 58 attempts and recorded four rushing touchdowns.

Mason Whitehead (MCC – LB)

One of the best linebackers in southwest Minnesota, Mason Whitehead led the area in tackles, recording 142 during the 2016 season. He added two sacks and two fumble recoveries, as well as one sack. On offense, he was part of a MCC unit up front that blocked for over 3,500 yards of total offense.

Matt McNab (MCC – DL)

A force along the defensive line, McNab anchored the unit as Murray County Central advanced to its first state tournament since 2000. The senior finished with 52 tackles (10 tackles for loss), three sacks and two fumble recoveries (tied for 3rd in the area). He was part of an offensive line that help MCC accumulate over 3,500 yards of total offense.

Tanner Differding (Minneota – DL)

Differding is a player who’s impact was greater than his stat line. He only finished with 28 tackles. On offense, his blocking led him to be named to the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Isaac Hennen (Minneota – DB)

Isaac Hennen tied for 10th in the area in interceptions, and his 67 tackles were third on the team. He added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on the season. On offense, he ran for 1,460 yards (fourth in the area) and 28 touchdowns (third in the area). He also caught 21 passes for 518 yards (third in the area) and seven touchdowns (tied for fifth in area).

Everett VanHecke (Minneota – DL)

VanHecke finished tied for 17th in the area with 71 tackles in 2016. He added two forced fumbles and a pair of blocked kicks on the season. On offense, he blocked for the area’s leader in passing yards and the fourth-leading rusher.

Seth Plotz (Lakeview – DB)

Plotz was one of the top defensive backs in the area in 2016, finishing with the second-most interceptions at 6. Plotz also recorded 36 tackles and a fumble recovery. On offense, Plotz ran for 306 yards and two scores while adding 31 receptions (sixth in the area) for 436 yards (seventh in the area) and 10 touchdowns (most in the area).

Jared Welch (Wabasso – LB)

Welch was a part of the Wabasso defense that allowed opponents to score less than 10 points a game this season. He recorded 24 tackles, including two for loss, and 1.5 sacks this season. On offense, he rushed 106 times for 677 yards (10th in the area) and 10 touchdowns (tied for seventh in the area).

Devan Liebl (Wabasso – DL)

Liebl finished his senior season second in the area with 106 tackles and 6.5 sacks, giving him over 200 career tackles and 10.5 career sacks. The Wabasso defense held opponents to about 92 yards rushing and 65 yards passing per game.

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