Grand Forks Herald 12 to watch in North Dakota high school football
Aug. 18—GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks Herald selected the 12 players to watch in our coverage area ahead of the 2022 high school football season.
The players are listed in alphabetical order.
The standout track and field athlete has picked up football buzz in the last year with Division I interest including a scholarship offer from UND.
A year ago, Arason caught 22 passes for 166 yards at tight end. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior is also disruptive off the edge as a defensive end.
The 5-foot-11 senior, who was expected to be the Knights' quarterback a year ago, was injured in Week 1 and missed most of the 2021 season.
He's back for his senior season and will be Central's leader regardless of where he's utilized as the Knights aim to rebuild under first-year coach Jake Schauer.
The 5-9 senior was named to the all-state second team as he finished with 89 carries for 930 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 12 grabs for 143 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he had 40 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles and one interception.
The 5-foot-11 senior ran for 950 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He also had a punt return touchdown and passing touchdown. Carlson will be joining Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg in a first-year co-op with Finley-Sharon.
Carter, a 5-10 senior, had 27 catches for 521 yards and 14 touchdowns. The all-state first team pick had 19.3 yards per catch. Carter also ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns, while picking off three passes defensively.
The 6-foot-1 junior wide receiver was a second-team all-state pick in the 11A ranks. He had 31 grabs for 651 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, Hofstad, who's also a strong basketball player, had three interceptions.
The 5-foot-11 senior was a major contributor as a wide receiver and cornerback, landing on the all-state second team. He had 734 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns while also picking off two passes defensively.
The 6-foot-2 senior was a first-team pick on the defensive line for the second year in a row. Romfo had 25 solo tackles, 43 assisted tackles, 7.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss.
The 6-2, 190-pound sophomore made an impact all over the field in 2021. The all-state second team choice had 48 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns. In the passing game, he had 44 catches for 657 yards and eight touchdowns. On defense, he had 71 tackles including 11.0 for loss and two picks.
Steele, a 6-1 senior, led Cavalier defensively with 170 tackles and added 8.0 tackles for loss. On offense, the all-state second-team choice carried 132 times for 596 yards and six touchdowns.
Swanson had 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an impressive 12.5 tackles for loss. The all-state second team nose guard will be asked to play both sides of the ball in 2022 as the Burros look to replace 22 seniors from a state championship runner-up team last season.
The 5-foot-10 senior was a first-team all-state selection at running back. He had 179 carries for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as 53 catches for 634 yards and six scores.
