Gavin Vanderwerf, Sr.,

RB, Springfield

Vanderwerf was the engine for the Springfield offense this year, putting up 1,562 yards on 223 carries, 7 ypc, in 13 games. Vanderwerf added 11 touchdowns on the ground and caught four receptions for another 20 yards. Vanderwerf was also Springfield’s leading tackler with 122, 16 for loss, and three sacks.

Parker Kuehn, So.,

QB, Springfield

A first-year starter for the pass-heavy Tigers, Kuehn improved every game, totaling 2,411 yards passing with 32 touchdowns and adding 211 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Kuehn helped lead Springfield to two comeback victories in the state tournament, taking the Tigers to their third consecutive title game appearance.

Josh Bentler, Sr.,

RB, Cathedral

Playing only eight games on offense this season due to an ankle injury, Bentler still rushed for 1,015 yards on 128 rushes, an impressive 7.9 yards per carry. Bentler had 12 touchdowns on the ground as well as six catches for 86 yards and another score on his way to an All-District selection. For his Career, Bentler finished with 1,732 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground with 120 yards and a score receiving.

Henry Oscarson, Jr.,

QB, Nicollet

In his first year captaining the Nicollet offense, Oscarson thrived, passing for 2,167 yards and 24 touchdowns while also running for 353 yards and seven touchdowns. Oscarson helped lead Nicollet to a 4-5 record.

Blake Steffl, Sr.,

WR, Cedar Mountain

Steffl put together a strong season in his final year at Cedar Mountain, hauling in a school-record 67 catches for 805 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran the ball 61 times for 247 yards and three more TDs, and returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown as well. For his career, Steffl finished with 135 catches (third in school history) for 1,596 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 19 total touchdowns. Steffl was also a force on defense, leading the team with 109 total tackles and two interceptions.

Isaac Fredin, Jr.,

WR, Springfield

Fredin led the Tigers in receptions this season with 60, taking them for 568 yards and 10 touchdowns, also first on the team. Fredin was able to get the game-winning touchdown against Goodhue in the first round of the state tournament, extending Springfield’s season.

Jake Finstad, Sr.,

QB, Cathedral

A two-time All-District player, Finstad put Cathedral on his back at times, especially in the section playoffs. Finstad passed for 815 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions and ran for 511 more yards and eight touchdowns, with 10 total 2-point conversions. Finstad finishes his career with 1,168 yards passing and 14 touchdowns with 129 carries for 649 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Kaden Peterson, Sr.,

QB, MVL

In his final season with the Chargers, Peterson led the team as a dual-threat quarterback, racking up 1,120 total yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns. Peterson finishes in the top-five in several team records for his quarterback career and was named as an All-District Honorable Mention.

Talan Helget, Sr.,

WR/TE, SEU

Teams always have to be aware of where Helget lines up, as the senior receiver had a tendency to make big plays when his team needed him most. An all-district player this season, Helget totaled 28 receptions for 592 yards and six touchdowns while adding 70 yards rushing with a touchdown.

Carson Schiller, Jr., QB, Cedar Mountain

A pure passer for the Cougars, Schiller had a 61.9% completion percentage with 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns, helping the Cougars to a Section 2 Nine-Man semifinals appearance. For his career, Schiller has 3,138 passing yards, already fifth in school history, with 31 touchdown passes.

Zach Hubbard, Jr., WR, New Ulm

A do-it-all player for the Eagles, Hubbard even filled in at quarterback for the Eagles late in the season due to injury. Hubbard amassed 470 yards and four touchdowns through the air, 227 yards and six TDs on the ground and added 109 yards passing. Hubbard was nominated as an All-District player this season.

Honorable Mention

Owen Swenson, Jr., RB, GFW (753 yards rushing, eight TDs)

Colton Rengstorf, Jr., WR, Nicollet (60 receptions, 681 yards, six TDs)

Grady Korkmeier, Jr., RT, Springfield

Jacob Meidl, Sr., RG, Springfield

Hunter Lewandowski, Sr., OL, New Ulm

EDITOR’S NOTE: The All-Journal Football Defensive Team and Player of the Year will be announced in this Friday’s edition of The Journal.