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KARE 11 All-Metro Defensive Team 2017

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.

RELATED: KARE 11 All-Metro Offensive Team 2017

Here is the 2017 All-Metro Defensive team:

Linebackers:

Antonio Montero, Eden Prairie, Sr.

Antonio Montero, Eden Prairie

All-Metro linebackers are led by Eden Prairie's Antonio Montero. Eagles coach Mike Grant says Montero has great instincts with excellent hands. The 6-foot, 215 pound senior has 89 tackles, 9 for losses with two interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. But he's more than a defensive star. On offense, Montero has scored 19 rushing touchdowns as EP's short yardage back. He'll play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Ty Barron, Minnetonka, Sr.

Ty Barron, Minnetonka

Minnetonka inside linebacker Ty Barron is the MVP of a very good Skipper defense. He's 6-foot, 220 pounds, a smart, run-stuffing linebacker, who packs a punch. The three-year starter has 101 tackles, 4 for losses in leading Minnetonka to a berth in the State 6A semifinals. Barron will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Onte Burns, Cooper, Sr.

Onte Burns, Cooper HS

Cooper High's Onte Burns was voted the Suburban Gold district MVP. He's headed to Montana State on scholarship and you can see why. Burns at 6-foot, 195, finished with 136 total tackles, including 10 for losses. He also made 6 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Burns was a late add to the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Joshua Aune, Highland Park, Sr.,

Joshua Aune, Highland Park

Future Gopher Josh Aune of Highland Park was voted the Twin City Maroon defensive MVP. Aune is 6-1 205 pounds. He finished with 116 tackles, 10 for losses including 7 sacks. He also made 1 interception. Josh was a four-year starter for Highland Park. Aune will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Kellan McKeag, Apple Valley, Sr.

Kellan McKeag, Apple Valley

Apple Valley's versatile Kellen McKeag was a three year starter for the Eagles. The senior leads the Eagles with 86 tackles, 6 for Losses and two interceptions. He was voted the Suburban Maroon defensive player of the year. He was a player opposing offenses had to game plan around. But McKeag also was a force on offense this fall. He scored 17 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,000 yards in leading Apple Valley to the State 5A semifinals.

Nolan Schmitz, STMA, Sr.

Nolan Schmitz, STMA

St Michael-Albertville linebacker Nolan Schmitz was voted the Metro North defensive MVP. The 5-11, 205 pound senior was a sure tackler with great instincts. Nolan finished with 103 tackles, 9 for losses including two sacks. The Knights finished 9-2 in their first season of 6A football, thanks in part to Nolan.

Defensive Line:

David Alston, Woodbury, Sr.

David Alston, Woodbury

Our All-Metro defensive line is led by Woodbury's David Alston at 6-5 230 pounds. Alston played both defensive end and stand-up linebacker to take advantage of his athletic skill. The senior is headed to Nebraska on scholarship. David was voted the Metro East defensive MVP. Alston finished the season with 39 tackles, 13 for losses including 6.5 sacks and 4 interceptions. He will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase game.

Zach Whaley, Prior Lake, Sr.

Zach Whaley, Prior Lake

Prior Lake's Zach Whaley at 6-4 290, was a beast in the middle of the Lakers defense. He finished with 5 sacks, 73 tackles and six tackles for losses. What he did best was plug up the middle for Prior Lake taking up more than one opponent's blockers. He was a force that few could stop. Prior Lake finished 7-4.

Micah Roane, Chaska, Sr.

Micah Roane, Chaska

Chaska's Micah Roane is a two-way player at 6-4 240, but he shined on defense. He's big, strong and athletic and led the Hawks to the state's top 5A rating with an 8-0 record. Roane finished with 56 tackles, 12 for losses and two sacks. He is a preferred Gopher walk-on, he'll play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Luke Kubesh, Totino-Grace, Jr.

Luke Kubesh, Totino-Grace

Luke Kubesh is just a junior, but a big impact player for Totino-Grace. He's just 5-11 but weighs 275 which makes him tough to block because of his leverage. Kubesh is a run stuffer, making 54 tackles, 15 for losses. Opposing coaches talked about his ability to stuff the line allowing Eagle linebackers to make plays. He's one to watch next year.

Defensive Backs:

Max Sandin, Roseville, Sr.

Max Sandin, Roseville

All-Metro defensive backs are led by Roseville senior safety Max Sandin. He finished with 94 total tackles, and 4 interceptions. His coach, Chris Simdorn says Sandin was consistently one of the best players on the field.The 6-foot, 180 pounder will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Tayler Johnson, Mpls North, Sr.

Tayler Johnson, Mpls North

Minneapolis North star Tayler Johnson was voted the Twin Cities Red Defensive player of the Year. The senior finished with an impressive 9 picks on the season. Johnson has great speed. He finished the season with 50 tackles. He was also an outstanding receiver with 6 touchdowns on offense. Johnson will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Nate Soto, Fridley, Sr.

Nate Soto, Fridley

Fridley's Nate Soto, at 6-3 180, is an amazing all-around football player but we put him on defense. He rarely left the field with 5 interceptions on defense. He was also a special teams star. He added three kickoff returns for touchdowns and averaged an amazing 38 yards per return. On offense, Soto was a star with 15 touchdown catches, averaging 22 yards per reception. He will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Evan Dahl, Mound-Westonka, Sr.

Evan Dahl, Mound-Westonka

Mound-Westonka senior Evan Dahl did it all for the White Hawks this fall. The 6-foot, 170 pound ball hawk finished with 5 picks on the season along with 36 tackles and 4 pass deflections. Dahl rarely left the field. He caught 52 passes for almost 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns and returned 2 kickoffs for touchdowns. Dahl will play in the Minnesota Football Showcase.

Kyler Kluge, Eden Prairie, Sr.

Kyler Kluge, Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie safety Kyler Kluge was a big part of a smothering Eden Prairie defense. Kluge is 6-1 185. A true ball hawk with great instincts and outstanding hands. The senior has four interceptions this fall from his safety position, plus 35 tackles. Eden Prairie is undefeated and in state 6A semifinals.

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