A somewhat undersized but instinctual linebacker with a nose for the ball.

An offensive lineman who would rather get knocked down than score touchdowns.

A tight end/linebacker who excelled at quarterback while filling in for two games but couldn’t wait to get back into the trenches.

A defensive lineman built like a cornerback who patterns his roughneck style after a much larger and more heralded, but no more driven, teammate.

These are just a few of the “Dirt Dogs” in Minnesota, the underappreciated high school football players who may not catch the eye of collegiate recruiters but take a back seat to no one in terms of desire. They play not for personal gain but simply to help their teams win.

Star Tribune reporter Jim Paulsen heard from several Minnesota high school coaches who identified these prized players on their teams, the ones who live for the dirt, sweat and grime so intrinsic to football. If a little blood shows up in their jerseys, it just perfects the image.

They have a job to do and, by golly, it will get done

“Every game, I’ve got blood on my hand and sweat in my cuts. I’m always dirty,” Forest Lake defensive end Nate Schleif said. “I’ve never played a game where I’m not injured in some way.”

Schleif, about 5-11 and 200 pounds, plays next to defensive tackle and star recruit Howie Johnson, a 6-3, 260-pound force of nature who will trade his Forest Lake maroon and gold next year for a similar color scheme at the University of Minnesota.

Schleif knows Johnson is the burly brute on the Rangers defense, setting the tone for their rock-’em, sock-’em style. While he may not have the physical size and abilities of Johnson, Schleif figures the best way to contribute is to do what he does: Get a job done, no matter the task and without going for style points.

“It’s an honor to play with someone who’s going to play at the college level,” Schleif said. “He just pushes us all to be better.”

Two seasons ago, Adrian/Ellsworth senior Garrett Penning was tapped to play quarterback when the starter went down. He played two games, managing to throw for two touchdowns and run for two more.

But when the starter returned, Penning, a 6-0, 200-pound linebacker/tight end, was happy to return to more familiar environs.

“I was fine moving back,” he said. “When I was playing QB, they moved me to play safety to not get hit so much. But I like hitting. I like coming off the field knowing I put in the work.”

Penning is no stranger to heavy labor. A typical day for Penning at his family’s cattle farm just outside Wilmont starts with chores around 6 a.m., getting the cattle fed using a payloader to bring out large amounts of feed and walking the pens looking for ailing cattle.

“He’s a farm boy who understands the benefit from hard work,” said Adrian/Ellsworth coach Randy Schettler. “Raising cattle and doing field work consumes a lot of his time. His family provides him the opportunity to be dedicated, despite a ton of things for him to do on the farm.”

Penning is never late for practice despite his farm responsibilities and living 15 miles from school.

“I try to be a leader in every way I can. I want to be a role model. I play every play 100 percent,” he said.

Pain happens. It’s a product of a job well done.

If you’re looking for stardom, headlines or awards, you probably don’t qualify.

Dirt Dogs know their roles, and they buy in willingly, often with gusto.

Lakeville North senior offensive lineman Brock Randall was a big kid growing up. As such, he never harbored any delusions of glory on the football field. He found his calling as a lineman and never wanted to be anything more.

“I feel like I was born to be a lineman,” Randall said. “I was never the fastest. But I just want to go out and be physical and hit.”

Touchdown “cellys,” or celebrations, may not come his way. He gets his gratification in other ways.

“My satisfaction is when we win. Or when I make a great block for a running back,” he said.

To Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen — and coaches across the state — players like Randall hold a special place.

“[Offensive] linemen in general are a unique and special type of human. They are the only position in sports whose sole purpose is to do for others,” Vossen said. “Practice sucks for them more than any other position, and they continue to show up. They’re a constant reminder that football is a team game. Brock is an old-school-minded kid. He doesn’t care about all the extra flash that kids concern themselves with.”

Randall put it simply: “It’s an honor to be called a Dirt Dog.”

Eagan senior Marshall Bierly is a 6-1, 250-pound two-year starter in the middle of the offensive line who personifies grit.

“Sometimes I sweat so much that when I come off the field I look like I took a shower,” he said, laughing. “I look at some of the skill players after they take their helmets off, and their hair still looks cool. I wonder how they do that?”

Underneath that sheen of perspiration, Bierly thinks about the game more than he plays it.

“He is the guy who does everything behind the scenes that never gets the spotlight,” Eagan coach Nick Johnson said. “In the evenings, you’ll find him at seventh-grade football practice, teaching the next generation of offensive linemen how to block. It’s like talking to a 30-year-old man sometimes.”

Last season, Bierly developed a foot stress fracture, which forced him to spend a week in a walking boot. Bierly missed only one practice and not a single game.

“I don’t need the attention or the glory or the words of affirmation,” Bierly said. ”I hobbled around a lot, but my goal is always to do the things that make the team better."

This season, Bierly’s teammates voted him team captain.

Maple Grove linebacker Beaux Thyen played a key role in the Crimson’s march to the Class 6A title in 2024. The defense was loaded with strong, strapping athletes, but none played with more heart and grit than the 5-9, 180-pound senior. He was among the team leaders in tackles with 87 along with four interceptions.

Thyen said he battles unflattering perceptions about his size but won’t let them deter him from enjoying football.

“I can only grow so much and add so much weight, but there are other things I can do,” Thyen said. “I have the speed, and nobody has a more competitive mental edge than I do. I may not be as big as some of the others, but I can still be your dude.”

Ten more who deserve ‘Dirt Dog’ status

Sawyer Jezierski, Edina, DL, 6-4, 275, senior. “Quite simply, a football player’s football player.” — Edina defensive line coach Thom Propson.

Dawson Leinfelder, Westonka, OL/DL, 6-0, 220, senior. A three-year starter, team captain and 2024 all-district selection.

Phil Pisarchuk, Westonka, OL/DL, 6-7, 295, senior. Two-year starter who played in a recent scrimmage despite suffering a burst eardrum.

Jacob Kwateh, St. Michael-Albertville, ILB, 5-6, 180, junior. “Tough, resilient, energetic and never has a bad day. A lightning rod for positivity.” — St. Michael-Albertville head coach Jared Essler.

Andrew Olson, Stillwater, nose tackle, 6-3, 270, junior. “Somehow actually gets dirty despite practicing and playing on turf.” — Stillwater head coach Beau LaBore.

Josh O’Shea, Centennial, OL/DL, 6-2, 220, senior. “Captain, plays through pain, not afraid of anyone.” — Centennial head coach Mike Diggins.

Tyler Cook, Centennial, OL/DL, 6-0, 190, senior. “A wrestler that likes to brawl, has a mean streak, likes to work hard and sweat.” — Diggins.

Carter Mayer, Lakeville South, ILB, 5-11, 205, senior. “Will never accept the spotlight, but he’s a great kid and a great coach on the field.” — Lakeville South head coach Ben Burk.

Fynn Coenen, Chanhassen, OL/NG, (height and weight unavailable), senior. “He is one tough sucker.” — Chanhassen head coach Cullen Nelson.

Dayven Clairmont, Two Rivers, OL/DL, 6-3, 325, senior. “Off the field, he is polite and unassuming. On the field, he is as physical and intimidating as can be.” — Two Rivers co-head coach Bruce Carpenter.