Tribune announces First Team All-Area Football
Published 10:38 pm Friday, November 17, 2017
Area football players recognized
First Team
Perry Peterson
NRHEG, senior, running back
Peterson lead the six-team coverage area with 1,438 yards rushing in 223 attempts, more than the second-place rusher by nearly double. He led the area with 18 touchdowns on the ground. Peterson was also a force on defense, recording over 30 tackles and having the fourth-highest total on the team at his linebacker position. He was a big factor that led to the Panthers making it to the quarterfinal round of the Section 2AA tournament.
Dalton Bradley
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, senior, linebacker
Bradley led the area in total tackles with 137 and also racked up three defensive touchdowns for the Knights. He was described by his head coach as the “heart and soul” of the defense that gave up just 108 total points throughout its 10-game season. He was a playmaker in big-time situations and was a huge key in the Knights having their turnaround season, finishing with an 8-2 record.
Cole Wentzel
Albert Lea, junior, quarterback/running back
Wentzel was not only a big factor in the running game of the Tigers this season, but was also an offensive leader for a portion of the season after stepping in at quarterback for an injured Alex Goodmanson. Wentzel picked up 455 yards rushing on the year, while throwing for 320 yards. He also contributed to the defense with 70 tackles, six of which were behind the line of scrimmage, and snagged two interceptions.
AJ Branstad
Northwood-Kensett, senior, offensive/defensive line
Branstad was a senior leader for the Vikings all season. His play showed that on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. He was selected as the defensive player of the year in Northwood-Kensett’s district and was named to his second consecutive All-District team. Branstad compiled 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles throughout the season.
Alex Albert
Lake Mills, senior, running back
Albert was a dual threat out of the backfield for the Bulldogs. He racked up 576 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, but also added 203 yards and two touchdowns receiving on top of that. Not only was he a threat on offense, but he was a scorer on special teams as well, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. In total Albert gained 1,193 yards and scored 12 touchdowns for the Bulldogs in 2017.
Jake Stevermer
United South Central, junior, offensive line/linebacker
Stevermer was a force on the Rebels offensive line who allowed the backfield to rush for nearly 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns this year. He was also a beast at his linebacker position, racking up the area’s second-highest tackle total with 132. Stevermer also recorded four sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Luke Morrison
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, junior, fullback/linebacker
The second of the Knights to make the All-Area team, Morrison was a strong piece on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He rushed for 722 yards and eight touchdowns, all while boasting a 5.97-yard-per-rush average. Defensively, Morrison notched 55 tackles during the season and 1.5 sacks as part of the stout Knights defense.
Kolbie Eriksmoen
Albert Lea, junior, linebacker
Eriksmoen was third in total tackles in the area with 81. He also managed to grab five tackles for loss and one sack throughout his junior year with the Tigers. Albert Lea showed flashes throughout the season that its defense could hold its own against some tough opponents. Eriksmoen has a bright future if he can build off what he started this season.
Garrett Thompson
Northwood-Kensett, senior, tight end/defensive line
Thompson, the second of the Vikings to make the list, led the area in touchdown receptions with three while also leading the Vikings with 175 receiving yards. He also recorded 49 tackles along with 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, and was named First Team All-District for his play.
Zach Niebuhr
United South Central, sophomore, running back/linebacker
The only sophomore to make the All-Area First Team, Niebuhr showed he can play at a young age. He was second in the area in total rushing yards with 728 and added seven touchdowns on the ground, as well. Niebuhr also contributed on the defensive side of the ball, racking up 76 tackles, ranking fifth in the area and scoring a defensive touchdown after an interception.
Gavin Steele
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, senior, tight end/defensive line
Steele was another cog in the system for the overpowering Knights defense. He recorded 38 tackles and three sacks throughout the season. Head coach Chad Mattson said teams avoided his side of the field all season, which made it much easier to focus their defensive schemes. Offensively, Steele had 11 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He also hauled in two two-point conversion attempts.
Roel Perales
United South Central, junior, running back/defensive back
Perales rushed for 644 yards on 106 carries and 10 touchdowns for the Rebels. He also had 12 receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown. Head coach Brandon Neseth described Perales as one of the most explosive players in the district and the fastest player he has ever coached.
Second Team
Gavin Varner
Northwood-Kensett, junior, offensive/defensive line
Varner led the Vikings in tackles with 69 and finished tied with teammate AJ Branstad for most sacks in the area with six. Branstad also recorded one interception.
Hayden Johnston
Albert Lea, sophomore, linebacker
Johnston tallied 49 tackles for the Tigers, nine of which were behind the line of scrimmage. He also notched five sacks and four forced fumbles on the season.
Levi Thisius
United South Central, senior, offensive line/linebacker
Credited as being the leader of the team, Thisius recorded 106 tackles, one sack and forced two fumbles for the Rebels.
Colton Moretz
Northwood-Kensett, senior, running back/linebacker
Moretz led the Vikings in rushing with 633 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, he added 58 tackles.
Isaac Burgett
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, freshman, running back
Burgett totaled 616 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on just 87 carries.
Anthony Rasmussen
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, senior, offensive line
Rasmussen was part of the dominant offensive line from the Knights. Mattson credits the line as being vital to the success the team had this season.
Tommy Kaktis
Lake Mills, junior, receiver
Kaktis led the area in receiving yards with 374 yards on 22 catches.
Dawson Dahlum
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, sophomore, running back/return specialist
Dahlum totaled 553 yards and six touchdowns on 93 attempts. He also averaged 12.2 yards per punt return and 19.9 yards per kick return.
Gabe Irons
Lake Mills, senior, defensive line/kicker
Defensively, Irons recorded 45 tackles including four for a loss. In his high school career, he was also 53/60 on point after tries and was a perfect 5/5 on field goal attempts.
Tyler Jacobson
NRHEG, junior, fullback/middle linebacker
Jacobson was the defensive leader for the Panthers, according to head coach Dan Stork. He led the team in tackles with 63.
Honorable Mention
Trevor Kuethe
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, senior, defensive line
Justin Nemek
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, sophomore, offensive line
Austin Attig
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, junior, offensive line
Kaleb Bendickson
Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, senior, quarterback/safety
Cole Bergo
Lake Mills, senior, linebacker
Maverick Schmitt
Lake Mills, junior, linebacker
Logan Prescott
Lake Mills, sophomore, punter
AJ Kloos
United South Central, sophomore, receiver/defensive back
Quintin Arndt
NRHEG, junior, offensive/defensive line
Sam Kliment
Northwood-Kensett, junior, running back/defensive back