Prep Football: Barnesville dominates All-Prairie North Conference Team

Barnesville had nine players receiving postseason accolades when the 21 member All-Prairie North Conference Team was recently announced.

The Trojans (9-1) went 5-0 in conference games and finished with the No. 3 ranking in the final Class 2A coaches poll. Barnesville was upset by Warroad 21-20 in the Section 8AA semifinal playoff game.

Not only did Barnesville dominate with the number of players named to the all-conference squad, they also snagged four of the Prairie North Conference’s five top offensive and defensive awards.

Trojan junior running back/defensive back Austin Martz scored two accolades when he was named the North’s Defensive Back of the Year and Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Sophomore Robbie Strand was the Offensive Back of the Year, while seniors Kyle Johnson and Brad Ellefson were named the North’s Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year, respectively.

Browerville’s Ben Dreher prevented the Trojans from the clean sweep by picking up the Most Outstanding Offensive Player award. The Tigers’ senior running back/linebacker helped the Tigers to a 9-1 record and runner-up finish in the Section 6A playoffs.

Area players also named to the all-conference team were seniors Bryson Vasey and Markus Tolkkinen of United North Central; John Dinkel (Jr., RB) and Ben Frieler (Sr., FB) of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Logan Meyer of Wadena-Deer Creek.

Tolkkinen led the Warriors (3-6 overall, 1-4 conference) in rushing and was third in receiving yardage. The senior rushed 121 times for 603 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.

Vasey posted 45 tackles (33 solo, 12 assisted) with four tackles being for a loss. He also forced a fumble to finish second on the team in defensive tackles. 

Meyer, the Wolverines senior running back/linebacker rushed for 1,004 yards on 156 carries and tallied 10 touchdowns. He was second on the team with 86 tackles (62 solo, 24 assisted).

Jacob Ludovissie and Evan VanErp were honorable mentions for the Wolverines, who finished 0-9 overall, 0-5 in the conference. 

2011 All-Prairie North Conference Team
Barnesville: Robbie Strand (Sr., QB), Adam Rice (Sr. RB), Austin Martz (Jr., RB/DB), Colby Braton (Sr., FB) Kyle Johnson (Jr., OL) Stuart Brandt (Jr., RB) Mac Tschakert (Sr., TE), Brad Ellefson (Sr., OG/DL) Michael Strand (So., RB)
Osakis: Mitch Herzog (Sr., FB/LB), Garrett Scherr (Jr., OL/DL) Brian Thorstad (Jr., RB/LB) Cody Adolphson (Sr., OL/DL)
Upsala/Swanville Area: Mitch Lange (So., RB), Eric Freiler (Jr., QB) Garrett Wolf (Jr.,WR)
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle: John Dinkel (Jr., RB) Ben Frieler (Sr., FB)
United North Central: Bryson Vasey (Sr., OL/DL), Markus Tolkkinen (Sr., RB/WR/DB)
Wadena-Deer Creek: Logan Meyer (Sr., RB/LB)

Offensive Back of the Year: Robbie Strand (Barnesville)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Kyle Johnson (Barnesville)
Defensive Back of the Year: Austin Martz (Barnesville)
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Brad Ellefson (Barnsville)
Prairie Conference Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Ben Dreher (Browerville)
Prairie Conference Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Austin Martz (Barnesville)