MARQUETTE — For the second time in three years, Calumet Copper Kings linebacker Alan Bjorn was rewarded for his strong senior season by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association with an All-U.P. Dream Team selection. He was not the only Copper Kings’ player rewarded for his strong play. Offensive lineman Travis Hyrkas and running back Cam Anderson were named All-U.P. First Team.

Kingsford’s Elizin Rouse was named Mr. Football. He was also honored as Offensive Player of the Year. Defensive Player of the Year went to his teammate, Noah Johnson. Marquette’s Dasan Smith was named Mitchell Snyder Lineman of the Year.

Bjorn, who was named to the 2021 Dream Team as a linebacker, was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the WestPAC this season with 120 tackles, or an average of 13 per game. He also had six tackles for loss, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and one interception this season.

Bjorn became the leading tackler in Calumet High School history with 326 career tackles.

“Alan is a Dream Team linebacker,” said Calumet coach Josh Frantti, “and with the new WestPAC and the coaches voting for him as Co-Defensive Player of the Year, that speaks volumes to how he is seen in the U.P. as a football player.

“He is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, (which) is voted on by the coaches, and one of Calumet’s best linebackers in our history.”

Hyrkas was named to the All-WestPAC First Team as an offensive guard. He was also named to the 2022 All-U.P. First Team as a guard.

“Travis helped anchor the right side of our offensive line,” Frantti said. “When he and Alan went down, our line completely changed without his presence.”

Hyrkas has also been honored by the WestPAC previously by being named to the First Team in 2022.

Anderson was Calumet’s top offensive threat throughout the season. He racked up 1193 all-purpose yards in 2023 for an average of six yards per carry. He also had 12 touchdowns.

Despite being a smaller player in terms of height, Anderson earned All-WestPAC Second Team honors this season.

Also honored were Houghton defensive back Wyatt Jenkins, who earned special mention. Hancock kicker Luke Mikkola was given special mention as well.

Large School of the Year was Kingsford. Iron Mountain was named Small School of the Year.

Iron Mountain’s Robin Marttila was named Coach of the Year.

Dream Team

The 2023 All-UP Dream Team offense is as follows: quarterback, Nate Young, Gladstone; center, Eli Cody, Negaunee; guard, Connor Owens, Iron Mountain; guard, Lucas Sischo, Bark River-Harris; tackle, Dasan Smith, Marquette; tackle, Aaron Hughes, Gladstone; running back Elizin Rouse,Kingsford; running back, Luke Wolfe, Iron Mountain; running back, Kai Lacar, Negaunee; wide receiver, Matthew Colavecchi, Iron Mountain; and wide receiver, Wyatt Demers, Manistique.

The Dream Team defense includes: tackle, Mitch Paltzer, Negaunee; tackle, Jacob Perryman-Seymour, Gladstone; tackle, Carlos Perez, Ishpeming; end, Callen Campbell, Sault Ste. Marie; end, Noah Johnson, Kingsford, linebacker, Alan Bjorn, Calumet; linebacker Noah Gagne, Escanaba; linebacker, Kaydin Lujan, Sault Ste. Marie; back , Eli Berthaume, Gladstone; back, Austin Solis, Gladstone, and back, Trevor Theuerkauf, Menominee.

The Dream Team special teams includes: kicker, Sawyer Johnson, Marquette; punter, Elliot Vitito, and return specialist, Kai Lacar, Negaunee.

First Team

The First Team offense includes: center, Tyler Smith, Menominee; guard, Travis Hyrkas, Calumet, guard; Josh Racine, Gladstone; tackle, Fulton Stroud, Iron Mountain; tackle, Garrett Veale, Kingsford; running back, Landan Bardowski, Menominee; Ben Johnson, Escanaba; running back, Cam Anderson, Calumet; wide receiver, Kaden Gibbs, Gladstone; and wide receiver, Kyler Sager, Marquette.

The First Team defense includes: Grayson Palmer, Kingsford, tackle, Michael Bouche, Manistique; tackle, Christopher Steele, Ishpeming; end, Vinny Howes, Gladstone; Alec Haferkorn, Iron Mountain; linebacker, Hunter Smith, Ishpeming; linebacker Ben Shiverski, Bark River-Harris; line backer,Chase Cloutier, Escanaba; back, Gavin Trevillian, Kingsford; back, Parker Graphos, Manistique and back, Caden Luoma, Ishpeming.

The First Team special team’s unit includes: kicker, Luke Inghram, Gladstone; punter, Bon LaChance, Escanaba and return specialist, Matthew Colavecchi, Iron Mountain.

Special Mention

Those players earning a special mention (receiving two or more votes) included: Jayce Patron, Westwood; Cameron Gauthier, Menominee; Talon Smith Marquette; Lucas Thoune, Menominee; Carsyn Hinkson, Manistique; Bradon Walstrom, Iron Mountain; Tucker Welch, Marquette; Evan Gauthier, Negaunee; Hayden Hares, Ishpeming; Torin Davis, Menominee; Alex Rittenhouse, Kingsford; Wyatt Jenkins, Houghton; Ford Richardson, Marquette: Iyan Teneyck, Sault Ste. Marie; Gladstone; Aaron McLeod, Sault Ste. Marie; Luke Mikkola, Hancock; Landan Bardowski, Menominee and Casey Alworden, Gladstone.

Honorable Mention

Those players receiving honorable mention were: Ben Salzwedel, Westwood; Nolan Bink, Escanaba; Gage Gendron, Kingsford; Eli Beal, Menominee; Ian Engstrom,Negaunee; Wyatt Lakenen, Marquette; Jacob MacPhee, Marquette; Ben Rubick, WR, Ishpeming; Alex Stalboerger, Escanaba; Evan Arbic, Sault Ste. Marie; Cole Cooper, Menominee; Reid Frustaglio, Westwood; Eddie Anderson, Westwood; Tramon Gauthier, Ishpeming, Weston Yesney, Negaunee; Ethan Corp, Ishpeming; Connor Gauthier, Ishpeming and James Thomson, Negaunee.