1st team

Caleb Gaudian, Albert Lea, senior, OG/DT

The Tribune’s Player of the Year, Gaudian was a force on the offensive and defensive line this season. Named Big Nine All-Conference as a left guard, Gaudian also recorded 70 tackles and six sacks for the Tigers.

Ethan Abben, Albert Lea, sophomore, RB

In his first year on varsity, Abben rushed for 808 yards and eight touchdowns on 142 carries. An elusive runner, Abben gained an average of 90 rushing yards per contest and was named Big Nine All-Conference.

Aaron Klatt, Albert Lea, senior, WR

As the Tigers’ top receiver, Klatt caught 17 passes this season for 326 yards and a touchdown. The Big Nine All-Conference performer also threw for a touchdown on a trick play and notched 47 tackles and a sack.

Geoff Ramaker, NRHEG, junior, RB/OLB

The Panthers’ most versatile athlete, Ramaker was one of the area’s top all around players this season. The junior gained 784 yards and scored seven touchdowns on 166 carries while notching 104 tackles.

Dustin Esplan, NRHEG, junior, WR/OLB

Esplan led all area players with 131 1/2 tackles this season, 3 1/2 sacks,  an interception and a fumble recovery. The Panther also racked up 234 all purpose yards as a wide receiver and kick returner.

Sam Lundberg, NRHEG, junior, QB

Sam Lundberg was the area’s top passer this season, throwing for 1,402 yards on 114-of-217 passing with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The junior also rushed for 69 yards and five touchdowns.

Spencer Capitani, Northwood-Kensett, senior, QB

The Vikings’ explosive quarterback led all area players with 1,402 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries. He threw for another 314 yards and was named first team All-State and three-time All-District.

Alex Grunhovd, Lake Mills, senior, WR/LB

Grunhovd had 16 receptions for 361 yards and four touchdowns this season and led his district in return yards. On defense, Grunhovd had 45 tackles and two interceptions and was named first team All-District.

Royce Byrnes, Lake Mills, senior, QB/P

Named his district’s Punter of the Year, Byrnes was also one of the area’s top quarterbacks. He was 44-of-103 passing for 846 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception.

Perry Kirsch, Glenville-Emmons, junior, WR

Kirsch put up the best receiving numbers in the area while leading the Wolverines to their first section championship game in school history. He had 29 receptions for 634 yards and six touchdowns.

Andrew Lau, Glenville-Emmons, senior, TE/LB

At tight end, Lau was the Wolverines’ top blocker while hauling in 18 reception for 278 yards and three touchdowns. At linebacker, he led the team with 94 tackles, six for loss, and grabbed three interceptions.

Hayden Olson, Northwood-Kensett, senior, DL

The Vikings’ Hayden Olson was a first team All-District lineman this season, totalling 53 tackles this season and being one of the most consistent players on the offensive line.

2nd team

Alex Nielsen, Albert Lea, senior, OT

Nielsen teamed with Caleb Gaudian to form the left side of the Tigers’ offensive line. The left tackle was named Big Nine All-Conference honorable mention and also contributed 21 tackles on defense.

Dillon Stolt, Albert Lea, senior, RB

Stolt was the Tigers’ powerful counterpart to Ethan Abben and totaled 369 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 69 carries. Stolt was a Big Nine All-Conference honorable mention running back.

Jake Jensen, Albert Lea, senior, LB/FB

Albert Lea’s Jake Jensen was second on the team in tackles this season with 73 and had three sacks and a fumble recovery. He was named Big Nine All-Conference honorable mention.

Seth Petranek, NRHEG, junior, OL

A superior blocker for the Panthers, Seth Patranek also made noise on defense, notching 71 tackles and five sacks for NRHEG this season en route to a  6-4 finish and postseason win.

Nik Werner, Northwood-Kensett, junior, LB

Werner averaged 5.6 yards per carry this season, gaining 528 yards on 94 carries with four touchdowns. The All-District linebacker also recorded 62 tackles and had one interception and a fumble recovery.

Jacob McGrane, Northwood-Kensett, senior, TE

As a first team All-District tight end, McGrane was a key blocker for the Vikings’ running game. He also led the Vikings in tackles with 85, including one for a loss, and averaged 8 1/2 tackles per game.

Bryan Hengesteg, Lake Mills, junior, LB

Junior linebacker Bryan Hengesteg led the Bulldogs this season with 94 tackles, two for a loss, while grabbing an interception. He was also named to the second team All-District.

Jed Johnson, Lake Mills, senior, OL

Senior Jed Johnson was the leader of the Bulldogs offensive line this season, clearing the path for the team’s running game while being named to the first team All-District.

Zach Williamson, Glenville-Emmons, senior, QB

Wolverines quarterback Zach Williamson led his team deep into the postseason this year and finished with more than 1,100 yards passing for the second straight season while scoring 14 total touchdowns.

Kyle Bauman, USC, junior, WR/P

United South Central’s 6-foot 7-inch wide receiver, Kyle Bauman had 18 receptions this season for 354 yards and a touchdown. Bauman also averaged 30 1/2 yards per punt and had a long of 55.

Michael Reyerson, Alden-Conger, senior, QB

Michael Reyerson was the heart of the Knights offense this season, leading the team in passing and rushing. Reyerson passed for 334 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 507 yards and three touchdowns.

Jake Fawcett, Alden-Conger, junior, RB

Alden-Conger’s Jake Fawcett was one of the area’s top defenders this season grabbing 103 tackles and a sack through 10 games for the Knights. The junior also led the area in tackles for loss with 12.

Honorable Mention

Kyle Kriewall, Albert Lea, senior, QB

Bryce DeBoer, Albert Lea, junior, OT

David Lassahn, NRHEG, junior, WR

Carter Tollefson, NRHEG, junior, OL

Landon Hall, Glenville-Emmons, senior, RB

Tom Kirsch, Glenville-Emmons, junior, C

Bryan Sime, Northwood-Kensett, senior, OL/DL

Shayne Olson, Northwood-Kensett, junior, OL/DL

Tyler Rice, Lake Mills, senior, RB

Michael Bernal, Alden-Conger, senior, RB

Chris Melby, United South Central, junior, RB

Tyson Morton, United South Central, senior, RB.