New Underwood fullback Garrett Whipple, and long snapper Wyatt Derr, were named to the state Class 9B all-state football team, released by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

Whipple, a 170-pound senior, gained 1,008 yards  and scored eight touchdowns for the Tigers. His coach, Clint Nelson, said he is the one player “you want to build your team around.”

Derr is a “team leader,” Nelson said, and Derr was an honorable mention pick last year.

The Tigers’ Alex Anderson was an honorable mention selection, along with Jones County’s Kyle Venard.

Hitchcock-Tulare, which won the 9B state championship, dominated the all-state team. The Patriots put six players on the team.

Those honored on offense are Ryan Huizenga, the Patriots’ quarterback, along with running back Connor Skaare, wide receiver Jordy Peterson and center Wade Oechsle. The defensive all-state players are end Austin Bushong and linebacker Jordan Cole.

Dell Rapids St. Mary’s put four players on the all-state team. The offensive member is Andy Price at guard, while the defensive players are Andrew Fiegen at end, Colby Bunkers at linebacker and Joe Erickson at defensive back.

Other members of the all-state team on offense are Sanborn Central running back Lukas Van Laecken, Viborg wide receiver Kevin Danielsen, Faulkton tight end Kody Aesoph and Faulkton guard Jake Meyer.

Players selected on defense are Wolsey-Wessington’s Dan Jensen and Faulkton’s Jason Schulz at tackle, Gettysburg’s Erik Hansen and Viborg’s Cory Jacobsen at linebacker and Warner’s Will Rozell at defensive back.

The all-state specialty players are Bison kicker Justin Kolb, Warner punter Aaron Kendal and Gayville-Volin’s Parker Erickson as the special team player.

Ryan Huizenga is described by his coach, Kenny Huether “as a gifted athlete.”

As a quarterback, Huether said Huizenga “is the ultimate dual-threat.”

The 170-pound senior completed 15 passes for touchdowns and rushed himself for 22 more.

Running back Connor Skaare gained 2,069 yards rushing, good for 15 touchdowns. He also scored six two-point conversions on the ground and three on passes.

The other running back, Lukas Van Laecken of Sanborn Central, gained 1,979 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. He averaged 219.8 yards per game.

This is the third year he has been named to the all-state team.