Lais, Gordon are All-Americans

Two Minnesota West Community and Technical football players, Tommy Lais and Kendrick Gordon, have been named to the first team of the NJCAA Division III All-American football squad.

Lais is a freshman and Worthington High School graduate. A tight end, he caught 36 passes last fall for 420 yards and four touchdowns. Gordon, a sophomore linebacker from Nashville, Tenn., had 82 tackles including 38 unassisted, with one sack, six interceptions and one fumble recovery.

This year marks the first that Minnesota West has had a first-team All-American since 2005.

Of Lais, said head coach Jeff Linder, "He's a smart, smart player. Even as a freshman, he plays like a sophomore. And I don't say that a lot about my players."

Gordon was technically a third-year player in his second year of eligibility in 2021, and his maturity, as well as his excellence, was plainly evident. "He was a leader on the field. Very physical. Also was quick to cover,"

said Linder. "He was quick enog h to cover receivers down the field, and that was very beneficial to us."