Design by Sam Thiel Minneota's Isaac Hennen was named the 2017 Marshall Independent Football Player of Year.

MINNEOTA – There wasn’t anything that Isaac Hennen didn’t accomplish during his four years on the gridiron for the Minneota Vikings. The senior running back was part of three state championship teams and was part of a senior class that had more state titles (3) than losses (1).

“Some of my favorite memories from the last four years would have to be playing in the 2015 and 2017 state championship games,” Hennen said. “They both were special for very different reasons. 2015 was very cool because I got to play with my older brother, Garrett.”

This past season Hennen rushed for 1,844 yards and 27 touchdowns. On top of that Hennen reeled in 52 receptions for 870 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Hennen saved his best performance for his last game as a Viking. In the state championship game against the Wabasso Rabbits, the only team that defeated the Vikings during Hennen’s four years Hennen rushed for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Hennen’s strong performance helped the Vikings defeat the Rabbits, 28-13 for the program’s third state title in four years.

Hennen said that the team’s loss to Wabasso during his junior season served as motivation for the entire team.

“After losing to Wabasso my junior year we were all crushed,” Hennen said. “We thought that the team had a good chance to win three straight state titles. I told the guys after that game that we needed to take the bitter taste of losing early and use it as motivation to work hard for the next year. Thankfully we did use that loss as a motivator and we were able to get another title this year.”

Hennen was recognized for his strong play when he was named a finalist for Mr. Football. Hennen also was a member of the South team in the annual Minnesota Football Showcase all-star game. Hennen has also been named the 2017 Marshall Independent Player of the Year.

“Being named Marshall Independent Player of the Year is such a huge honor,” Hennen said. “It truly shows how great my coaches and teammates are. Without those guys, there is no way that I’d be here.”

Hennen instantly fell in love with the game of football at a young age. Growing up in Minneota he got a first hand look at the tradition that surrounded the Minneota program.

“Growing up in Minneota has been a huge blessing for me,” Hennen said. “Growing up I watched so much Minneota football and It was an honor to have been apart of the program with such a great tradition the last four years.”

In a program steeped with tradition Hennen leaves as one of the most decorated players to ever wear a Vikings jersey. A quick scan through Minneota’s all-time offensive leaders one will find that Hennen was a force to be reckoned with.

Hennen finished his career as the program’s all-time leading scorer. He finished his illustrious career with 89 touchdowns.

He owns the top two scoring seasons in program history. In 2016 he scored 35 touchdowns. This past season he beat his own record with 37 touchdowns.

Hennen finishes second in program history with 4,024 rushing yards. This past season Hennen rushed for 1,844 yards. That season total is fourth best mark in a single season in program history.

On the receiving side of things Hennen finishes sixth in program history with 1,602 receiving yards. His 91 career receptions is 12th best in program history.

Hennen started his quest for all these marks from a young age when he’d play backyard football.

“I have been playing football for as long as I can remember,” Hennen said. “Whether it was in the backyard or at recess with my friends. It has always been one of my favorite things to do. The thing that I like most about football is the brotherhood that you form with your teammates. I know that I will be friends with these guys for the rest of my life.”

Those teammates and friends will be the thing Hennen misses the most about being a Minneota Viking when he graduates this spring.

“The thing that I’ll miss the most about playing football for Minneota is definitely going to be my teammates and coaches,” Hennen said. “They make every season fun and successful.”