FARGO - The 2013 North Dakota prep football season ended with Fargo South celebrating a Class 3A state championship.
The Bruins defeated Bismarck 42-34 in the title game, avenging a loss earlier in the regular season.
South opened the year 3-1 prior to its Week 5 meeting with Bismarck, which the Demons won 55-49.
“The first game against Bismarck was a true measuring stick,” Fargo South head coach Troy Mattern said. “It made our kids understand what level of play would be needed to beat Bismarck. The kids just had to perform to their ability and we were able to catch some breaks in the championship game. It was a special night.”
Junior Ty Brooks caught a 59-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Zach Kellen in the fourth quarter to put South up
35-34. Brooks put the game away minutes later when he returned a fumble for a touchdown.
South posted a 5-1 record in the Eastern Dakota Conference, sharing the title with Fargo Davies.
Junior running back James Johannesson rushed for 2,671 yards and 29 touchdowns. Johannesson, junior offensive lineman Kyle Trefethren and senior offensive lineman Joe Mehrer were named to the all-state first-team offensive team.
Brooks, senior defensive lineman Drew Fahrman and senior defensive back Dallas Raftevold were named to the all-state
first- team defensive team.
OUTLOOK
South enters this fall primed for another deep run in the state playoffs and the defending champions have plenty of offensive weapons returning.
Johannesson, a University of Minnesota commit, and Brooks, a North Dakota State commit, each return to an offense that averaged 39.4 points per game last fall.
“We are more athletic than we were last year,” Mattern said. “We’ll be able to stretch the field in many different ways with many different players.”
Johannesson averaged 222.6 yards per game in the Bruins backfield last fall and also caught eight passes for 121 yards. Brooks led the Bruins with 462 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
“We have to get those two the ball at different spots on the field so defenses have to account for them not only in the backfield, but all over,” Mattern said. “We have built our scheme around them and we want them to get the ball whether it’s in the running game or the receiving game.”
At quarterback, the Bruins tap senior Jake Solem, who started at outside linebacker for the Bruins last fall in addition to being the junior varsity quarterback.
“We have a next man up philosophy on this team,” Mattern said. “He has waited his turn and he is ready to go.”
Several defensive starters from a year ago were lost to graduation. Mattern said the team’s ability to play several kids on the defensive unit last fall should produce an effective group.
“We are excited about our defensive line,” Mattern said. “We return junior nose guard Tyson Lytle, who is a strong, physical kid that should be a great anchor for us on defense.”
Special teams will also be a strength for the Bruins as senior kicker Josh Weiler returns. Weiler was 7-for-10 in field goals attempts and 56-for-59 in extra point attempts.
“To have a Division I type kicker back is always great,” Mattern said. “It makes your special teams that much better. Even though he is a full-time soccer player he is a big part of what we do as a team.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
James Johannesson, Sr., RB
Ty Brooks, Sr., RB/DB
Connor Ryan, Sr., LB
Kyle Trefethren, Sr., OL
Hunter Hanson, Sr., OL/DL
Jake Solem, Sr., QB
Alex Dubord, Sr., TE
Josh Weiler, Sr., K
Tyson Lytle, Jr., DL
