Vote: Who should be SBLive's Minnesota high school football Class 2A Player of the Year?

Read through the candidates and cast your vote!

Minnesota high school football is over, and many players stood out in the 2023 Class 2A season.

SBLive has chosen 15 standout athletes who had top seasons in 2023.

Read through the candidates and cast your vote. Voting will end on December 20 at 11:59 p.m.

Editor’s Note: Our Player of the Year poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

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SBLive's Minnesota high school football 2023 All-State offense

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SBLive's Minnesota high school football 2023 All-State offense

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SBLive's Minnesota high school football 2023 All-State defense

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SBLive's Minnesota high school football 2023 All-State defense

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Minnesota high school football Class 2A Player of the Year nominees

Cooper Crandall – International Falls

Crandall was the Class 2A leading rusher in 2023 with 1,322 yards. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. He also had 21 receptions for 232 yards and three touchdown receptions.

Adam Hernandez – St. Agnes

Hernandez played on both sides of the ball for St. Agnes this season. He ran for 526 yards and eight touchdowns while recording 45 total tackles. 

Cadman Foley – St. Agnes

Foley was one of the premier players on both offensive and defensive lines in Class 2A this season. On defense, Foley had 40 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and one forced fumble.

Jack Strickfaden – Norwood Young America

Strickfaden led Class 2A in passing yards with 1,556. He threw for 21 touchdowns to five interceptions. Strickfaden also ran for 159 yards and four touchdowns. 

Elijah Claussen – Staples-Motley

Claussen was one of the top offensive lineman in Class 2A this season. At center, Claussen set the tone for Staples-Motley this season. He was also strong at defensive line this season. Claussen was part of the Minnesota high school football All-Star Game.

Ethan Stendel – Caledonia

Stendel threw for 1,482 yards at 9.3 yards per attempt. He threw 12 touchdowns and rushed for 382 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Nolan Geislinger – Eden Valley-Watkins

In the Class 2A Prep Bowl, Geislinger ran 17 times for 90 yards and one touchdown. He also threw for 111 yards and three touchdowns. In the semifinals, Geislinger ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns. 

Austin Dent — Norwood Young America

Dent was a regular in the end zone in 2023. He caught 10 touchdown passes, he had 705 receiving yards and he caught 54 passes in 2023. 

Dylan Banks – Cannon Falls

Banks scored 159 total touchdowns in 2023. He accrued 1,186 rushing yards and 158 receptions as Cannon Falls reached the Class 2A semifinals in 2023.

Mason Banse – Caledonia

Banse was everywhere for the Caledonia defense in 2023. He finished with 96 tackles in 11 games and one sack. 

Nolan Haag – Eden Valley-Watkins

Haag had three interceptions in the Class 2A Prep Bowl win over Barnesville which tied the Prep Bowl record.

Aiden Sexton – Randolph

Sexton was in the opposing backfield often for Randolph this season. He finished with 5.5 sacks in eight games for the Rockets. 

Landen Mickelson – St. Agnes

Mickelson threw for 1,512 yards at 64 percent completion percentage. He also threw for 17 touchdowns. Mickelson also ran for nine touchdowns. 

Seth Stai – Jackson County Central

Stai had a strong two-way senior season. Stai had 72 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception. On offense, Stai had 1,111 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Gannon Bolgrean – Barnesville

Bolgrean had 86 rushes for 1,056 yards in 2023. He also caught 10 passes for 200 yards, and he finished with 16 touchdowns this season. 

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