Following is a listing of the players selected for the Tribune’s 2002 All-Area Football Team

Jason Kuipers, Albert Lea, Running Back, Senior, 5-10, 145: The Tribune’s Player of the Year accounted for roughly half of the offensive output for the Tigers, totaling 1,038 all-purpose yards. The All-Big Nine selection rushed for 736 yards on 150 carries for an average of 4.91 yards per carry, caught 15 passes for 160 yards and scored six touchdowns, and averaged 13.2 yards on 10 kick returns. Defensively, Kuipers was fourth on the team with 52 points, seven behind the leader, and his 16 solo tackles tied for first on the squad. Kuipers was also one of the best punters in the conference and the area. He hopes to play football in college, most likely at Concordia of St. Paul. “Every game, every play, whistle to whistle, his whole effort went into every play, whether it was running the ball, blocking, playing defense, punting,” said Albert Lea coach Jeff Marty. “He has a great attitude and, pound for pound, was the strongest player we had. He was a great kid to have around.”

Randy Larson, Albert Lea, Defensive End, Junior, 6-4, 205: Larson was a leader for the Tigers on the defensive front, accumulating 35 points on defense with 26 tackles, one quarterback sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. It was his consistency, according to Tigers coach Jeff Marty, that set Larson apart. “He’s the kind of kid that, once he gets his motor running during a game, he just keeps going,” said Marty. “He’s not streaky, he never takes a play off, he’s there all the time working hard on every play. He’s always pushing the guy across from him, and he wins the battle his share of the time and makes it pay off.”

Jake McClaskey, Albert Lea, Receiver/Cornerback, Senior, 6-1, 165: An honorable mention all-conference player and a two-year starter, McClaskey was the recipient of the Tigers’ Gatorade Offensive Player of the Year Award. He led the Tigers with 21 pass receptions for 326 yards, an average of 15.52 yards per catch, with four touchdowns and a two-point conversion. He returned seven kicks for 95 yards, averaging 13.57 yards. McClaskey tied for the team lead with 59 defensive points, registering 15 solo tackles and 19 assists, with two passes broken up and one interception. “Jake has a good pair of hands and an ability get open, whether it’s getting separation behind a guy or coming back on a curl,” said Tigers coach Jeff Marty. “Defensively, you won’t find him out of position. He’s very dependable out there.”

Stephen Thorn, Albert Lea, Split End/Safety, Junior, 6-2, 177: Thorn was a versatile player for the Tigers, coming up with several big plays on offense, defense and special teams. He caught 16 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, returned 30 kicks for 437 yards and totaled 49 defensive points, with 12 solo tackles, 17 assists and two interceptions. “Stephen has a great pair of hands,” said Albert Lea coach Jeff Marty. “He’s very sure-handed. He can go high above his head and bring it down or run the fade pattern and make that catch. He sees things on the field and has a nose for the ball on defense.” A co-captain for next year and the Tigers’ Most Valuable Receiver for 2002, Thorn received honorable mention on the all-conference team.

Marcus Thorstad, Albert Lea, Linebacker, Senior, 6-1, 160: Thorstad impressed his coaches with a desire to do whatever it takes to help the team, earning him all-conference honorable mention honors and the team’s Most Valuable Linebacker Award. He finished third on the team with 55 defensive points, with 14 solo tackles, 21 assists and two interceptions. He played wherever he was needed on offense. “Marcus is a phenomenal worker,” said Tigers coach Jeff Marty. “He came into the season not really knowing where he would fit in. He looked at strong safety, but we needed him at linebacker and he moved up there and did an outstanding job. When we needed help at guard, he stepped in and did the job. He was willing to do whatever it took. It’s fun to coach guys like that.”

Jason Hemmingsen, Alden-Conger, Linebacker/Halfback, Sophomore, 5-10, 170: Hemming-sen was the Most Improved Player and all-conference selection for the 0-8 Knights. He led the team with 389 yards rushing and three touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and caught three passes for 62 yards. Hemmingsen also led the defense in tackles, totaling 56 solos and 38 assists. “He’s a hard nosed ballplayer,” said Alden-Conger coach Gary Nelson. “He likes to hit. For a sophomore, he learned how to play that defensive linebacker position real well for us this year.”

Josh Wills, Alden-Conger, Wide Receiver, Senior, 6-4, 180: Wills was the Knights’ top receiver, grabbing 19 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns while garnering the team’s Most Valuable Player award and all-conference recognition. He also started at defensive back and led the Knights with four interceptions. “When the ball came in his direction, he went and got it,” said Knights coach Gary Nelson. “He also ran some reverses, played a little halfback, was even our fill-in quarterback. With as many injuries as we had, he was a very versatile player for us on offense.”

Kris Knutson, Glenville-Emmons, Linebacker, Junior, 6-0, 185: An all-conference selection as the Wolverines finished 3-6, Knutson was also chosen his team’s Offensive Player of the Year while rushing for a team-high 365 yards and tying for the team lead with 17 pass receptions. Defensively, he registered 95 tackles with one interception and a blocked kick. “Kris’s biggest asset as a player is he attacks relentlessly,” said Wolverines coach Ryan Wangen. “He’s one of those players that goes sideline to sideline, and he’s going to hit.”

Derek Lau, Glenville-Emmons, Linebacker, Junior, 5-11, 215: The Wolverines’ most versatile player, Lau was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player and all-conference. He led the team with 115 tackles, blocking one kick. Offensively, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry. “He played everywhere this season,” said Glenville-Emmons coach Ryan Wangen. “He started as a defensive and offensive lineman but found himself playing linebacker, fullback, defensive end, tailback, offensive end. He literally played all over the field. He was real tough coming out of the backfield as a lead blocker.”

Mitch Meier, Glenville-Emmons, Center, Senior, 6-0, 215: The Tribune’s Baseball Player of the Year last spring, Meier earned all-conference honors as well as the Wolverines’ Top Offensive Lineman Award while anchoring the line at center. He also started at defensive end, where he recorded 40 tackles. “He basically directed traffic out there, a senior that helped get guys where they needed to go,” said Wolverines coach Ryan Wangen. “He was also a captain for us and he did a great job of being a positive leader. He’s an outstanding team player, very unselfish.”

Dan Helgeson, Lake Mills, Defensive Back, Senior, 6-0, 150: Helgeson was voted second team all-district as the Bulldogs finished 1-8. He had 70 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback, finishing a two-year varsity career with 169 tackles. He also played split end, catching a team-high 18 passes for around 200 yards this year. “We moved him from free safety to cornerback this year to try and make our defense better,” said Lake Mills coach Bill Byrnes. “He was a captain, and probably our most aggressive defensive back the last two years. He’s just a hard nosed kid. We could always count on him to come up and support the run on defense.”

Cody Nickson, Lake Mills, Linebacker, Senior, 5-10, 165: Nickson was a second team all-district selection, with 96 tackles in seven district games and 119 for the season. He also recovered two fumbles. Nickson was voted the Bulldogs’ Most Valuable Defensive Player and was one of two recipients of the Coaches Award. “He was definitely a team leader, a captain,” said Bulldogs coach Bill Byrnes. “He played at practice just like it was a game. His motor was going all the time. He’s not a big kid, but he had an ability to know where the ball would go. He was definitely the leader of our defense.”

Justin Hove, NRHEG, Tackle, Junior, 6-0, 180: Hove was mostly matched against much bigger opponents on the offensive and defensive line but more than held his own through desire and intelligent play as the Panthers finished 1-8. Hove had a team-high four sacks, with 46 tackles. “He’s not the biggest kid, he’s not the quickest kid, but his heart is bigger than anybody’s in the world,” said Panthers coach Adam Barner. “He was completely the leader on that line, the smartest lineman I’ve seen in a long time. If someone out there had a question about what to do, they went to him first. He’s tough and he’s hard nosed. A good student, a good person.”

Michael Hullopeter, NRHEG, End/Linebacker, Senior, 6-3, 195: Hullopeter was the Panthers’ big play guy on both sides of the ball. At tight end, he caught 18 passes for 207 yards and, defensively, he had 78 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Hullopeter was also a standout punter, averaging 35 yards on 45 attempts. “Michael was a tremendous leader for us,” said NRHEG coach Adam Barner. “Typically, when we got the ball to him he made plays, and they were usually big plays. I can’t say enough about him as a leader. He went from being a leader by example to being a lot more vocal, where he could turn a player around simply by talking to him. I really admire the way he want about doing things.”

Erik Butler, Northwood-Kensett, Guard/Defensive Tackle, Senior, 5-9, 180: A first team all-district selection the past two years at guard, Butler was a leader on the offensive and defensive front as the Vikings finished 7-2. Defensively, he totaled 54 tackles with two sacks and an interception. “Erik’s a very intelligent player and a real tough kid,” said Northwood-Kensett coach Dave Capitani. “He’s a kid we ran behind all year. Defensively, he created havoc for teams on the inside.”

Joe Fierova, Northwood-Kensett, Running Back, Senior, 5-10, 185: Fierova led the Vikings and the area with 1,308 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, with an average of 10.9 yards per carry. He also caught a team-high nine passes for 179 yards. At linebacker, he made 46 tackles and had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. “He’s probably as talented a running back as I’ve ever coached,” said Vikings coach Dave Capitani. “The last four or five games, he just amazed me. He had 240 yards on 15 carries against West Bend-Mallard, one of the better teams in the state every year. Joe was an outstanding leader for us this year.”

Kyle Hanson, Northwood-Kensett, Tight End/Linebacker, Senior, 6-3, 190: A three-year starter and first team all-district tight end, Hanson was a big-play guy on both sides of the ball, leading the team with 10 pass receptions including three two-point conversions and a touchdown. On defense, he had 86 tackles with four sacks and two forced fumbles. “Offensively, he was a tremendous blocker for us,” said Vikings coach Dave Capitani. “I’ve never had as consistent a blocker at the tight end position as Kyle. He’s a very coachable, tough kid.”

Nick Hovey, Northwood-Kensett, Center/Linebacker, Junior, 5-9, 175: Hovey earned second team all-district honors at center, though Vikings coach Dave Capitani felt he was probably more valuable on defense, where he led the team with 131 tackles. “I think he should have been first team all-district at linebacker,” said Capitani. “He led us in tackles most every game of the season. He’s a kid that’s just all over the field. Center is obviously a real key position for us, and he stepped in and handled it very well.”

Lee Nelson, Northwood-Kensett, Quarterback/Def. Back, Junior, 6-3, 175: Another key two-way starter for the Vikings, Nelson was voted first team all-district at defensive back, where he had 38 tackles and a safety. “He did a great job there for us,” said coach Dave Capitani. At quarterback, he completed 26 of 56 yards for a district-high 451 yards, with one touchdown and one intercpetion. He also ran for five touchdowns and three two-point conversions. “He made a lot of good decisions for us,” said Capitani. “He didn’t put the ball up for grabs. He’s a real hard working kid, a real intelligent quarterback and football player.”

Nathan Peterson, Northwood-Kensett, Tackle/Defensive End, Senior, 5-10, 180: Peterson was a standout on both offense and defense for the Vikings, earning first team all-district honors at defensive end. He had 78 tackles, several for losses, and recovered one fumble. “Offensively, he was a tremendous blocker for us,” said Northwood-Kensett coach Dave Capitani. “He got down field on kids. We ran to his side the majority of the time. Defensively, he did a tremendous job, showed good instincts and was a smart player. He’s a real hard hosed, coachable kid.”

Trevor Haugh, United South Central, Senior, 5-9, 189, Running back/Linebacker: A two-time All-Gopher/Valley Conference selection, Haugh was one of the most versatile players in the area for the 9-1 Rebels. He totaled 1,078 all-purpose yards this past season, rushing for 562 yards and four touchdowns, with 49 yards receiving, 275 on punt returns and 228 on kickoff returns. He was the team’s No. 3 tackler after leading the Rebels as a junior. He holds school records for punt return yards in a season and career. “Trevor is very strong physically, he has speed and poweras a runner,” said USC coach Brent Schimek. “He’s small for a linebacker, but people just didn’t run his way out in the flat because they knew he could cover it. He’s an excellent kick returner and punt returner.”

Matt Linder, United South Central, Senior, 5-10, 215, Guard/Defensive tackle: Linder was an all-conference player and the leader up front for the Rebels, who won the conference championship while amassing 2,139 yards rushing and 953 passing yards. He had nine quarterback sacks in two varsity seasons, ranking him third on the school’s all-time list in that category. “He was an anchor on our offensive line and defensive line,” said Rebels coach Brent Schimek. “When you’re a power football team like we are, you need someone pulling out in front to protect everybody, and he did that for us. He’s a heavyweight wrestler and a tough, strong kid; he benches 300 pounds.”

John Niebuhr, United South Central, Senior, 5-9, 160, Running back: A standout wrestler, Niebuhr made a big impact on the gridiron this fall as the Rebels’ leading rusher. He gained 808 yards and scored nine touchdowns, with 899 all-purpose yards. He was the team’s second leading tackler this year. Niebuhr finished with 987 career rushing yards, third on the Rebels’ all-time list. “He could have had a lot more yards, but we pulled him a lot at the end of games,” said USC coach Brent Schimek. “He can run inside or out. He’s not the fastest player, but he really has desire. At outside linebacker, he’s not the biggest, but because of his wrestling skills he’s very quick and flexible, able to get himself in and out of a lot of things.”

Ryan Treptow, United South Central, Senior, 6-1, 200, Defensive end: Treptow was another two-way starter for the Rebels, doubling at defensive and left tackle, but it was on defense where he was a standout with a knack for making big plays. He finished with a single-season school record seven sacks, along with a school-record four fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. “He’s a pretty tough kid. He played most of the year with a knee injury,” said USC coach Brent Schimek. “He played left and right defensive end, moving him around as needed. He has good range and good hands, evidenced by the four fumble recoveries. He’s always around the ball.”

Ben Wetzell, United South Central, Senior, 6-2, 190, Quarterback: A second-year starter, all-conference pick and Player of the Year finalist, Wetzell has attracted considerable attention from Division II colleges for his performance the past two seasons.