Calumet’s Dryden Nelson (36) rushes while being pursued by Marquette’s Ty Lotterman (10) and Kameron Karp (23) on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Calumet, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Three deserving players were named to the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association’s 11-player All-U.P. Dream Team this week.

Another was named to the 8-player Dream Team.

Calumet’s Dryden Nelson, Chet Hyrkas and Houghton’s Xander Zapolnik were named to the Dream Team. Nelson was selected as a Dream Team running back. Zapolnik was chosen as a defensive end and Hyrkas was chosen as a linebacker.

Lake Linden-Hubbell senior linebacker Isaac Codere was named to the 8-player Dream Team.

Nelson was also an All-West PAC Copper Division running back. He had 118 carries for 853 yards and six touchdowns. He rushed for an average of 122 yards per game. He also caught four passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Hyrkas was a Copper Kings defensive stalwart this season, wreaking havoc at the line of scrimmage all year long. Chosen as the West PAC Copper Division co-Defensive Player of the Year, Hyrkas had 68 tackles with seven for a loss and caused two fumbles and a recovered one.

Zapolnik starred for the Gremlins at defensive end and had 23 tackles and six sacks despite Houghton being able to play just three games because of schedule disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Calumet played the most of any local school with seven games.

Other local players were named to the All-U.P. First Team and Honorable mention.

Houghton’s Jack Borree and Nathan Erva were listed on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, respectively. Borree was named a First Team offensive tackle and Erva was selected as a defensive back. Calumet’s Lenny Bjorn was named a First Team defensive tackle.

L’Anse’s Alex Kissel and Steele Jondreau were given honorable mention. Calumet’s Paul Sturos and Houghton’s Ted Halonen also received honorable mention.

Marquette’s Kameron Karp was named 11-player Offensive Player of the Year. Karp’s teammate Desmond Mullen was named Defensive Player of the Year. Marquette was also named Team of the Year and Redmen head coach Eric Mason was named Large School co-Coach of the Year with Sault Ste. Marie head coach Scott Menard.

Iron Mountain head coach Robin Marttila and Gwinn head coach Ben Olsen were named Small School co-Coach of the Year. Iron Mountain was named Small School Team of the Year.

8-player awards

Some Lake Linden-Hubbell players were among the All-U.P. 8-player selections.

Codere’s teammates Caleb Klein was named a First Team running back and William Lyons was selected a First Team defensive end.

Brandon LaVigne and Ben Tampas received Honorable Mention.

The Dream Team was composed of six North Central players, including Fabian Chartier, Luke Gorzinski, Ian Gorzinski, Carter Eichmeier, Daniel Dani and Alex Naser. The Dream Team also consisted of three Pickford players including Eric Huyck, Micah Bailey and Dominic Bonnee.

Luke Gorzinski was named the 8-player Offensive Player of the Year. Cedarville’s Grant Fountain was named Defensive Player of the Year. North Central was named Team of the Year and Jets’ head coach Leo Gorzinski was named Coach of the Year.

All-U.P. Selections

Special Awards

11-Player


Offensive Player of the Year: Kam Karp, Marquette
Defensive Player of the Year: Desmond Mullen, Marquette
Mitchell Snyder Lineman of the Year: Nathan Lundin, West Iron County, 6-3, 315, Sr.
Large School Team of the Year: Marquette
Small School Team of the Year: Iron Mountain
Large School Coach of the Year: Eric Mason, Marquette and Scott Menard, Sault Ste. Marie

Small School Coach of the Year: Robin Marttila, Iron Mountain and Ben Olsen, Gwinn

8-Player


Offensive Player of the Year: Luke Gorzinski, North Central Defensive Player of the Year: Grant Fountain, Cedarville

Team of the Year: North Central
Coach of the Year: Leo Gorzinski, North Central

11-Player

Dream Team

Offense

C: Carter Berger, Menominee, 6-3, 250, Sr.

T: Nathan Lundin, West Iron County, 6-3, 315, Sr.

T: Lucas Tappy, Kingsford, 6-0, 290, Jr.

G: Preson Toutant, Negaunee, 6-0, 260, Sr.

G: Brett Schlenvogt, Escanaba

QB: Austin Ridl, Marquette, Jr.

RB: Caleb Evosevich-Hynes, Iron Mountain, 5-10, 190, Sr.

RB: Nash Hillier, Negaunee, 5-9, 165, Sr.

RB: Dryden Nelson, Calumet, 5-9, 165, Jr.

WR/E: Kameron Karp, Marquette, Sr.

WR/E: Zach Person, Kingsford, 6-5, 220, Jr.

Defense

DT: Caleb Burklund, Iron Mountain, 5-10, 210, Sr.

DT: Tye Parker, Marquette, Sr.

DT: Kahler Geyer, Escanaba

DE: Parker Cain, Negaunee, 6-3, 240, Sr.

DE: Xander Zapolnik, Houghton, 6-2, 245, Sr.

LB: Chet Hyrkas, Calumet, 6-1, 185, Sr.

LB: Daylan Lujan, Sault Ste. Marie, 6-0, 221, Sr.

LB: Garrett Mann, Westwood, 6-0, 195, Sr.

Defensive back: Desmond Mullen, Marquette, Jr.

DB: Ty Lotterman, Marquette, Sr.

DB: Tyler Racicot, Bark River-Harris, 6-2, 170, Sr.

Special Teams

K: Diego Przeslakowski, Kingsford, 5-10, 165, Jr.

P: Nathan Thomson, West Iron County, 6-2, 180, Sr.

RS: Desmond Mullen, Marquette, Jr.

First Team

Offense

C: Harrison Hogenmiller, West Iron County, 6-1, 245, Sr.

T: Jack Borree, Houghton, 6-3, 285, Sr.

T: Dominique Ortega, Bark River-Harris, 6-0, 300, Jr.

G: Elliott Johnson, Kingsford, 6-0, 200, Sr.

G: Peter Noblet, Gladstone, 6-0, 225, Sr.

QB: Jakob Davie, Sault Ste. Marie, 5-8, 165, Jr.

RB: Kris Pearce, Sault Ste. Marie, 6-0, 200, Sr.

RB: Aidan Bellisle, Menominee, 6-0, 170, Jr.

RB: Brady Wright, Marquette, 6-0, 190, Sr.

WR/E: Bryant Maki, Escanaba, 6-3, 185, Sr.

WR/E: Cam Ballard, Gladstone, 6-0, 180, Sr.

Defense

DT: Lenny Bjorn, Calumet, 6-0, 220, Sr.

DT: Reid Hill, Gwinn, 6-1, 245, Sr.

DT: Cooper Conway, Menominee, 6-4, 255, Jr.

DE: Riley Lamb, Escanaba, Sr.

DE: Jon Carrion, Iron Mountain, 6-0, 175, Sr.

LB: Ryan Polley, Gladstone, 5-8, 150, Sr.

LB: Carter Kreski, Kingsford, 5-10, 200, Sr.

LB: Bryce Pietrantonio, Iron Mountain, 6-2, 205, Sr.

DB: Tyler Lawson, Escanaba, 5-8, 155, Sr.

DB: Nathan Evra, Houghton, 5-8, 165, Sr.

DB: John Robinson, Sault Ste. Marie, 5-10, 170, Jr.

Special Teams

K: Cooper Conway, Menominee, 6-4, 255, Jr.

P: Connor Johnson, Marquette, 5-9, 150, Sr.

RS: Kaeden Calcari, Menominee, 5-10, 170, Jr.

Honorable Mention

John Burke, Sault Ste. Marie, 6-3, 265, Soph.; Jaakob Fyle, Gogebic, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Cameron Ghringhelli, Gwinn; Chris Ricker, Marquette, Jr.; Riggens Stenberg, Bark River-Harris; Alex Kissel, L’Anse, 6-2, 160, Sr.; Joe Romero-Haire, Menominee, 5-10, Sr.; Paul Sturos, Calumet, 5-10, 160, Jr.; Trevor Lippens, Bark River-Harris, 6-0, 195, Jr.; Lucas Nelson, Negaunee, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Hunter Potier, Gladstone, 6-2, 225, Jr.; Callen Campbell, Sault Ste. Marie, 6-3, 220, Fr.; Steele Jondreau, L’Anse, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Dylon Lippens, Bark River-Harris, 6-0, 270, Sr.; Dean Loukus, Calumet, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Eli Luokkala, Negaunee, 6-5, 220, Sr.; Collin Arnt, Escanaba; Nolan LaVarnway, Kingsford, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Jon Spegel, Menominee, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Chase Carlson, Norway, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Ted Halonen, Houghton, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Gage Larson, West Iron County, 5-6, 185, Sr.; Carl Peterson, Gwinn; Ryan Randall, Escanaba; Trevor Shepeck, Menominee; Carter Zawacki, Bark River-Harris, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Ben Rumpf, Kingsford, Sr.; Joey Dumais, Iron Mountain, 6-2, 160, Sr.

8-Player

Dream Team

Offense

Line: Eric Huyck, Pickford, 6-2, 250, Sr.

Line: Fabian Chartier, North Central, 6-0, 225, Sr.

QB: Luke Gorzinski, North Central, 5-8, 170, Soph.

RB: Micah Bailey, Pickford, 6-2, 215, SR.

RB: Chad Trepczyk, Munising, 5-11, 205, Sr.

WR/E: Ian Gorzinski, North Central, 5-10, 165, Sr.

WR/E: Max Lenaker, Rapid River, 6-1, 185, Sr.

Athlete: Bryce Lundquist, Rapid River, 6-0, 210, Sr.

Defense

Line: Carter Eichmeier, North Central, 6-0, 200, Sr.

Line: Ivan Oswald, Newberry, 5-10, 185, Sr.

End: Michael Fairchild, Cedarville, 6-3, 235, Sr.

End: Tommy Showers, Forest Park, 6-1, 220, Sr.

LB: Grant Fountain, Cedarville, 5-10, 205, Sr.

LB: Isaac Codere, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 5-9, 175, Sr.

DB: Mason Harris, Brimley, 5-11, 185, Sr.

DB: Dominic Bonnee, Pickford, 5-10, 160, Sr.

Special Teams

K: Daniel Dani, North Central, 5-6, 160, Sr.

P: Coleton Labadie, Newberry, 5-8, 160, Jr.

RS: Alex Naser, North Central, 5-7, 170, Jr.

First Team

Offense

Line: Nick Nance, Engadine, 6-5, 325, Sr.

Line: Josh Newell, Cedarville, 5-11, 220, Sr.

QB: E.J. Suggitt, Rudyard, 6-0, 225, Jr.

RB: Alex Naser, North Central, 5-7, 170, Jr.

RB: Caleb Klein, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 6-0, 180, Sr.

WR/E: Ethan Lakosky, Munising, 6-2, 222, Sr.

WR/E; Louie Mayer, Rudyard, 5-8, 180, Sr.

Athlete: Kyle Frusti, Superior Central, 6-0, 177, Sr.

Defense

Line: Gabe Scarlassara, Forest Park, 6-1, 185, Sr.

Line: Wyatt Raab, North Central, 5-8, 180, Jr.

End: William Lyons, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 6-1, 190, Sr.

End: Parker Dausey, Rapid River, 6-4, 260, Sr.

LB: Griffin Flath, Rapid River, 6-1, 190, Sr.

LB: Jacob Mattson, Munising, 5-7, 173, Soph.

Back: Logan Depew, Newberry, 6-1, 145, Sr.

Back: Bailey Hilts, Cedarville, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Special Teams

K: Tommy Showers, Forest Park, 6-1, 220, Sr

P: Kyle Frusti, Superior Central, 6-0, 177, Sr.

RS: Louie Mayer, Rudyard, 5-8, 180, Sr.

Honorable Mention

Jaden Borseth, Ontonagon, Jr.; Michael Flanagan, Carney-Nadeau, 6-0, Sr.; Damyn Smith, Rapid River, 6-2, 260, Jr.; Ben Tampas, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Braydon Kakuk, Carney-Nadeau, 5-10, 160, Soph.; Eric Edwards, Newberry, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Parker Maki, Superior Central, 5-10, 150, Sr.; Davin Groleau, Stephenson, 5-9, 155, Soph.; Riley Cass, Stephenson, 6-0, 215; Canan Elson, Stephenson, 5-7, 155, Jr.; James Maki, Superior Central, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Brandon LaVigne, Lake Linden-Hubbell, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Ben Lenaker, Rapid River, 6-0, 155, Sr.; Jimmy Colden, Stephenson, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Joseph Socia, Pickford, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Brennan Donaldson, North Dickinson, Sr.; Tucker Mattson, North Dickinson, Sr.; Caleb Kohlmann, Cedarville, 5-11, 155, Sr.