Statistics used for the All-Area teams were collected at the end of the regular season in order to mitigate the influence of team success on this individual accolade, though exceptional individual performances in the postseason were taken into account when relevant.

The Vikings claimed their fourth consecutive state championship this season on the back of their defense and run game. Kellen Bradley led the Vikings’ rushing attack with 16 touchdowns and 774 yards on the ground, while offensive lineman Kyson Arndt joined him on the first team as one of the area’s premier linemen on both sides of the ball. The Vikings also had Randy Sorenson earn first-team honors for his performance as a linebacker, making the sophomore standout the only non-senior to make the first team.

The Vikings were also represented by Hunter Carstensen and Brock Fier on the second team, as well as Tristen Sussner and Easton Johnston on the third.

Marshall’s strong offensive line was also a key part of its success, with center Eli Weedman earning first-team honors, Angel Chavarria being named to the second team and Aidan Erickson and Braedyn VanMeveren each being named honorable mentions.

Colby Kesteloot, MCC, OL/DL, senior

Andrew Stelter took advantage of the Tigers’ successful offensive line with 462 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns, as well as coming up with a pair of sacks and four tackles for loss on the defensive end.

JR Vierstraete capped off another dominant season on the defensive line with first-team honors after logging 12 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Fellow defensive players Tyson Louwagie, Cannon Craigmile and Shep Jensen were also named to the team, with Louwagie earning a third-team nod and the latter two as honorable mentions. Quarterback Levi Maeyaert was named to the third team.

Murray County Central’s option offense punished opposing defenses all season long. District Offensive Lineman of the Year Colby Kesteloot and Quintin Lewis both earned a first-team nod, with running back Carson Lewis and quarterback Teague Meyer making the second team. Luke Iverson was also a third-team selection on the line while defensive backs Jordan Sturges and Brayden Gilb were selected as honorable mentions.

Jordan Therkilsen capped off his high school career at Red Rock Central with another season of eye-popping numbers, leading the area with 1,924 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns during the regular season, as well as three interceptions and a scoop-and-score touchdown on the defensive side of the ball.

Lakeview’s Jacksn Staab and Canby’s Cash Antony rounded out the first team after being named the district’s Offensive Lineman and Wide Receiver of the Year, respectively.

JR Vierstraete, Marshall, DL/TE, senior

Griffin Zick, the area’s interception leader with six on the season, was a second-team selection along with teammate David Schuh, who rushed for 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns for Tracy-Milroy-Balaton.

Drew Swanson finished as the area’s leading receiver with 659 yards and five touchdowns for Westbrook-Walnut Grove, earning a second-team selection while teammate Ian Knakmuhs was an honorable mention.

Garrett Schafer rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Lakeview boys football team to earn a second-team nod, alongside Lakeview defensive back and wide receiver Braylon Breyfogle.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton running back Colten Thomsen was selected to the second team while Brayden Chandler earned third-team honors.

The Independent will announce its Player of the Year and Coach of the Year for football season on Dec. 11.

Eli Weedman, Marshall, OL, senior

BY THE NUMBERS

First team

Players listed alphabetically; regular-season totals only

Cash Antony, Canby, WR/CB, senior

33 rec., 576 yds, 6 TD; 43 tackles, INT; District Wide Receiver of the Year

Carter Therkilsen, RRC, RB/LB, senior

Kyson Arndt, Minneota, DL/OL, senior

31 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks, FF; All-District offensive lineman

Kellen Bradley, Minneota, RB/LB, senior

84 att., 774 yds 16 TD; 8 catches, 113 yds, 2 TD; 49 tackles, 2 INT, 4 TFL; District MVP

Colby Kesteloot, MCC, OL/DL, senior

Randy Sorensen (30), Minneota, LB, sophomore

District Offensive Lineman of the Year; 2 sacks

Quintin Lewis, MCC, OL/DL, senior

All-District offensive lineman; 3 sacks

Randy Sorensen, Minneota, LB/RB, sophomore

70 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks; 9 att., 134 yds

Jackson Staab, Lakeview, OL, senior

District Offensive Lineman of the Year

Andrew Stelter, Marshall, RB/LB, senior

85 att., 462 yds, 13 TD; 12 rec., 197 yds, 3 TD; 37 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 TFL, FF; District MVP

Carter Therkilsen, RRC, RB/LB, senior

177 att., 1,924 yds, 24 TD; 6 rec., 58 yds, TD; 48 tackles, 3 INT, FR, def. TD; District RB of the Year

JR Vierstraete, Marshall, DE/TE, senior

39 tackles, 12 TFL, Sack, INT, 2 FF, 2 FR; 4 rec, 82 yds, 2 TD

Eli Weedman, Marshall, C/LB, senior

All-District offensive lineman; 6 tackles, INT

Second team

Braylon Breyfogle, Lakeview, WR/CB, Sr.

33 att., 356 yds, 6 TD; 18 rec., 208 yds, 3 TD; 4 INT, 31 tackles, 2 FR, 2 Def. TD

Hunter Carstensen, Minneota, OT/DE, Sr.

23 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, FF; All-District offensive lineman

Brock Fier, Minneota, TE/RB/LB, Sr.

18 Rec., 462 yds, 5 TD, 9 att., 79 yds, 2 TD, 34 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks, FF

Teague Meyer, MCC, QB/DB, Sr.

8-13, 179, 3 TD; 56 att., 282 yds, 7 TD; District QB of the Year

Kameron Sather, DB, RB/LB, Sr.

73 att., 538 yds, 9 TD; district LB of the Year

Garret Schafer, Lakeview, RB/LB, Sr.

107 att., 1,066 yds, 15 TD; 5 rec., 117 yds, TD; 49 tackles, 2 TFL

David Schuh, TMB, RB/LB, Sr.

139 att. 1084 yds, 11 TD; 3 rec., 27 yds; 28 tackles, 4 TFL, sack, FF

Jonah Skarupa, RRC, LB/TE, Jr.

70 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks, FF; 5 rec., 40 yds, TD

Drew Swanson, WWG, WR/CB, Sr.

54 rec., 659 yds, 5 TD; 33 tackles

Colten Thomsen, RTR, RB/LB, Sr.

663 yds, 7 TD; 5 rec., 94 yds, TD; 31 tackles, 5 sacks

Griffin Zick, TMB, WR/DB, Sr.

22 rec., 473 yds, 6 TD; 15 att., 75 yds; 6 INT, 27 tackles, 2 TFL, Def. TD

Third team

Brayden Chandler, RTR, WR/LB, Jr.

38 rec., 476 yds, 6 TD; 44 tackles, 4 sacks

Angel Chavarria, Marshall, OL, Sr.

All-District offensive lineman

Luke Iverson, MCC, OL/DL, Sr.

3.5 sacks, 2 punts blocked, 2 FR; All-District offensive lineman

Easton Johnston, Minneota, DB/RB, Sr.

19 att., 193 yds, 7 TD; 5 rec., 73 yds, 3 TD, 27 tackles, 1 TFL,

2 INT, Def. TD

Carson Lewis, MCC, RB/LB, Jr.

116 att., 767 yds, 8 TD; District RB of the Year

Gunner Liebl, DB, QB/DB, Sr.

77-140, 1,029 yds, 8 TD, 3 INT; 82 att., 543 yds, 5 TD

Nolan Leopold, Wabasso, WR/DB, Jr.

38 rec., 528 yds, 5 TD; 4 INT, 3 PBU, 21 tackles

Tyson Louwagie, Marshall, LB/RB, Sr.

42 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 TFL, INT, 2 FR

Levi Maeyaert, Marshall, QB/DB, Sr.

54-90, 994 yds, 11 TD, 2 INT; 32 att., 135 yds, 3 TD; 16 tackles, INT, TFL

Abe Stavnes, RRC, QB/LB, Sr.

49-84, 720 yds, 11 TD 0 INT; 92 att., 804 yds, 9 TD; 53 tackles, sack, INT

Tristen Sussner, Minneota, QB, Jr.

68-103, 1140 yards, 17 TD, 5 INT; 16 att., 65 yds, TD

Honorable mentions

Cannon Craigmile, Marshall, LB, Jr; Aidan Erickson, Marshall, OL/LB, Sr; Jake Erickson, RRC, LB/TE, Sr.; Brayden Gilb, MCC, RB/DB, Jr.; Cody Helmke, Lakeview, OL/DL, Sr.; Shep Jensen, Marshall, RB/DB, Sr.; Mason Kampsen, Wabasso, OL/LB, Sr.; Drew Kemp, Wabasso, QB/DB, So.; Ian Knakmuhs, WWG, OL/DL, Jr; Dalton Orvis, Minneota, OL/DL, Sr; Joe Rohlik, Wabasso, RB/LB, Jr; Sy Sanders, TMB, OL/DL, Sr.; Cody Stoll, Canby, QB, Sr.; Jordan Sturges, MCC, RB/DB, Sr.; Jordan Therkilsen, RRC, WR/S, Jr.; Braedyn VanMeveren, OL/DT, So.

Quintin Lewis, MCC, OL/DL, senior

Kyson Arndt, OL/DL, senior

Andrew Stelter, Marshall, RB/LB, senior

Kellen Bradley, RB/LB, senior