Jakob Nachreiner, QB, Jr., Springfield

Nachreiner, in his first year as the Tigers’ varsity starting quarterback, helped lead Springfield back to the state championship game for the first time since 2005. Nachreiner passed for 3,119 yards and 40 TDs this season in 14 games and completed 68.4% of his passes. He also rushed for a touchdown and completed passes to 11 different players this season.

Cole Thompson, QB,

Sr., MVL

Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s 6-foot quarterback made several big plays in six games for the Chargers this year before an injury ended his senior season. Thompson accounted for 21 total touchdowns this year on offense and defense, leading the way with 11 touchdown runs. In addition to the 11 rushing TDs, Thompson ran for 735 yards on 86 carries (8.55 YPC) and added five 2-point conversion runs. He threw for 997 yards, nine TDs, five 2-point conversions and two interceptions on 64 completions (60.1%). He was also the Southwest District, East Subdistrict MVP and Offensive Back of the Year this season, a three-time All-District player during his career and also has plans to play college football next year.

Carter Olson, WR,

Jr., Springfield

Olson was quarterback Jakob Nachreiner’s go-to threat at receiver, finishing his junior campaign with 99 catches, 1,264 yards and 11 TDs. The All-District player also had three 2-point conversion catches and averaged 12.8 yards per catch.

Ashtin Johnson, RB,

Sr., Springfield

Johnson led the Springfield ground game on its way to the state championship game during his senior year, finishing his final year with the Tigers with more than 1,330 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on 239 carries, a 5.6 yards-per-carry average. He was an All-District player this year and last.

MaCoy Krick, Wr,

Sr., Springfield

Krick wrapped up his senior year with more than 41 catches, 852 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns, leading all Springfield receivers during their run to the state championship game in touchdown receptions and yards per catch (20.8). He also caught four 2-point conversion passes. He was also an All-District player this year.

Kyler Flunker, WR,

Jr., MVL

Flunker, equally as impressive on defense this season with eight interceptions and a Southwest District Defensive Back of the Year award in the East, was the top receiving target at Minnesota Valley Lutheran this season. He finished the year with 44 catches for 762 yards, a 17.3 yards-per-catch average. He also had seven touchdown receptions. He led the team in receptions, receiving TDs and yards. In addition to his wide receiving totals, Flunker rushed for 232 yards, two TDs and two 2-point conversions.

Cooper Freitag, QB, Jr., Cedar Mountain

While being the focal point for opposing defenses to key in on, Freitag still led the Cougars’ attack, completing 132 of 209 (63.2%) of his passes for 1,560 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed 182 times for 900 yards (4.9 ypc) and 14 TDs. Freitag also scored eight 2-point conversions for Cedar Mountain and kicked a pair of extra points, giving him 102 points scored. The junior quarterback led the team to a 7-3 record and helped the offense finish third in the 9-man, South District in yards per game with 336.6 ypg.

Ty Frederick, RB,

Jr., NUHS

Frederick played nine games for New Ulm during his junior season and led the team with 151 carries for 903 yards and 12 touchdowns. The junior running back also caught 14 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown.

Kaleb Wait, WR, Sr., St. Mary’s

Wait finished his senior year with Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s as the team’s leading receiver once again. He finished with 46 receptions for 567 yards and 11 touchdowns, bringing his career total to 106 catches, 1,377 yards and 22 TDs.

Talan Helget, TE,

So., St. Mary’s

The 6-4, 210-pound sophomore was one of the Knights’ go-to options on offense, finishing with 39 receptions for 506 yards and five touchdowns. Coach Kevin Currans said Helget drew all the attention, frequently getting double-teamed and triple-teamed in an effort to stop the physical tight end. Helget was also a force on defense, picking up 72 tackles, 11 TFL and three sacks.

Mitchell Streich, OG,

Jr., Springfield

Streich, the Tigers’ lone returning lineman on both sides of the ball this season, was called an outstanding leader that played with high energy and effort each week. Heading into the state championship game with Minneota, he didn’t allow a sack despite the Tigers throwing the ball more than 300 times. He also was a big blocker for the Tigers that players ran behind when the team needed a yard or two in a big spot.

Honorable Mention

Christian Belcher, RB/WR, Sr., Cedar Mountain

Belcher, a running back and slot receiver for the 7-3 Cougars, finished the year with 902 total yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns. He also carried the ball 59 times for 489 yards (8.3 ypc) and eight TDs. He caught 37 passes for 413 yards and four TDs and also scored six 2-point conversions to finish second on the team in total points with 84.

Garret Schmidt, RB,

Jr., GFW

Schmidt finished a strong junior campaign for the Thunderbirds by rushing for 705 yards on 112 carries, 6.5 YPC. He also led GFW in scoring on the ground with 12 rushing TDs. Schmidt also had four catches for 152 yards and two TDs.

Brannden Pendleton, WR, Jr., Cedar Mountain

Pendleton finished his junior year leading the team in catches and receiving yards despite playing just seven games due to injury. He had 42 catches for 510 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed 14 times for 55 yards and a score. Pendleton also served as the team’s punt returner, kick returner and the starting safety on defense.

Nick TenEyck, RB,

Sr., GFW

TenEyck, a three-year starter, played seven games total and six games on offense for the Thunderbirds this year due to injury but still finished with a 6.9 yards-per-carry average. He rushed for 520 yards and nine touchdowns on 75 carries and also had two catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. For his career, TenEyck finished with 1,745 yards rushing on 229 carries, 7.6 YPC.

Ethan Dake, OT,

Sr., NUHS

In his final year of football with the Eagles, Dake played eight games and was the lone senior lineman on an offense that put up more than 2,500 yards. The team also averaged 20 points per game, including averaging nearly 30 ppg during the last five regular season games.