DICKINSON, N.D. - Co-champion Black Hills State landed 11 players on the Dakota Athletic Conference football all-conference first team, which was released this week, while South Dakota School of Mines' Lukas Munsell was named the Most Valuable Senior.
The Yellow Jackets had five athletes on offense, four on defense, one on special teams and one at-large.
Tight end Matt Minter and offensive lineman Matt Frankenfield were the two seniors on the offensive squad. Sophomores Ryan Fagerstrom (wide receiver), Josh Breske (offensive lineman) and freshman Tanner Ehrlich (running back) also made it.
Defensively, seniors Rodney Wasche (defensive lineman) and Tanner Tetrault (defensive back), junior Tyler Tetrault (linebacker) and sophomore Wacey Coleman (defensive lineman) earned honors.
Defensive back Tony Dill, a junior, was an at-large pick, while punter Kraig Tafoya, a freshman, made the first team on special teams.
BHSU also had three second-team selections. Sophomores Josh Smith (running back) and Jason Boeding (offensive lineman) were second team offense, while sophomore Forest Sainsbury (linebacker) made the second team.
The Yellow Jackets, who finished the regular season 7-3, including 6-1 in the DAC, tied for first with Jamestown College (9-1, 6-1 DAC) and Minot State (6-4, 6-1). BHSU handed Jamestown its lone loss this season. The Jackets have a first-round NAIA playoff game on Saturday at Carroll College (Mont.).
In addition to being named Most Valuable Senior, Munsell was also a first team at-large selection. The running back played in every game over a four-year span for the Hardrockers. In that time, he racked up 3,422 all-purpose yards - 993 rushing, 1,175 receiving, 966 kick returns and 288 punt returns.
Munsell, who was a second team all-conference selection and an NAIA Scholar Athlete last season, finished his career with eight touchdowns, including four this season (three rushing and one receiving).
Junior defensive back Tyrell Anderson made the first team defensive squad for Mines. He led the DAC with 123 tackles in 10 games.
Defensive back Tom Lunzman was a second team selection on defense. He had a solid freshman season, finishing fourth in the league with five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Ed Waliczek (freshman, tight end), Colton Clark (senior, defensive line) and Dustin Meneley (special teams) made the honorable mention list for Mines, which finished the season 3-7, including 1-6 in the DAC.
