Four Tommie football recruits play in state prep all-star game

July 25, 2007

Four incoming Tommie football freshmen played for the Metro Team in the Minnesota State Football All-Star Game on June 30 at St. Cloud State University. The Outstate defeated the Metro 27-14.

The players are OL Matt Manion (Totino-Grace High), RB Ben Wartman (Prior Lake High), DB Matt Griswold (Totino-Grace High), and TE-LB-PK Danny Kane (Hopkins).

Griswold (first team), Manion (second team) and Kane (honorable mention) all made the Associated Press Minnesota prep all-state team. Griswold and Manion helped Totino compile a 14-0 record and claim the Class 4A state championship.

Earlier this summer Wartman was named the Twin Cities Metro-area Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Star-Tribune. He also played baseball and basketball for the Lakers. Wartman rushed for seven TDs and 697 yards in nine games last fall. 

The foursome is among approximately 125 players expected to report to camp August 12 to start preparation for the Tommies' Sept. 1 opener at Central (Iowa) College. The Tommies, 6-4 last season, have an unusual schedule with back-to-back Iowa trips (Central and Loras) to open the season. They start conference play Sept. 15 vs. Gustavus at O'Shaughnessy Stadium -- one of just four home games.