Nov. 18—NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. — Connor Knatterud received a pretty fun text a couple of days ago.
“I found out I was named to the All-State team by one of my mom’s friends,” Knatterud said. “She actually texted me congratulations on being named to All-state before I even knew about it.”
Knatterud was one of five athletes out of New Rockford-Sheyenne-Maddock who were named to the 2023 9-man Football All-State Team. Other area athletes named to the team were Gunner Thielges and Owen Lesko of LaMoure/Litchville-Marion and Gentry Richter of Linton/HMB.
“I think we had five players named to all-state because we were a unique team,” Knatterud said. “Every team is going to have one or maybe two studs but we had multiple different studs for different positions. If you had a game plan to stop someone we would hit you with someone else.”
Knatterud got to play his entire senior season — a privilege he didn’t get as a junior.
In 2022 Knatterud only played until Sept. 23 when an unfortunate hit to the head sidelined him with a severe concussion for the rest of the season. Still, he managed 563 rushing yards for an average of 93.83 yards per game. He was responsible for scoring nine touchdowns.
The senior did more than that this year — while also matching up against some of the best players in the state.
Knatterud had the privilege of playing against many of the other 9-man All-State honorees including Nate Tarstad, a first-team offensive lineman out of North Prairie.
Tarstad was named the 2023 9-man Senior Athlete of the Year.
“He was tough to play against because of how much heart he had and how big he was,” Knatterud said of Tarstad. “You could try to game plan around him but he would always ruin your plans.”
The Rockets defeated Tarstad and the Cougars 36-34 on Sept. 8. Overall, the Rockets ended the season at 10-1.
“One last…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/area-kids-clean-9-man-174600146.html
Author : The Jamestown Sun, N.D.
Publish date : 2023-11-18 17:46:00
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