Seven Blue Earth Area football players were honored by the South Central Conference. They include (left to right) Garrett Anderson, Nate Carr, Joe Franta, Taylor Andrews, Zach Tvedten, Daniel Eckhardt and Nick Lee.

Seven Blue Earth Area Buccaneer football players were named to the South Central Conference All-Conference lists last week.

Named to the All-Conference team were Nathan Carr, Daniel Eckhardt, Garrett Anderson, Taylor Andrews and Nick Lee. On the Honorable Mention list were Zach Tvedten and Joe Franta.

“I am happy these seven players were honored by the conference,” Head Coach Randy Kuechenmeister says. “Of course, we would have liked for a couple of others to have been on the list as well, but we are glad these players were recognized.”

Nathan Carr

Nate Carr has been the Bucs leading receiver for the past two years.

“He is a big-play player,” Coach Kuechenmeister says. “He makes things happen when the ball gets into his hands.”

Carr gained 620 yards on 27 receptions during the season, for an incredible 23 yard per catch average.

He had nine touchdowns during the year, and one point after touchdown catch. He also had two punt returns and five kickoff returns.

On defense the 6-foot-1, 285-pound senior had 18 tackles and recovered three fumbles.

Daniel Eckhardt

Daniel Eckhardt was the Bucs leading tackler, with 63 unassisted tackles and 76 assisted ones, for a total of 139.

“Daniel Eckhardt is a tough, tough kid,” Kuechenmeister says. “Not only tough, but he is also relentless – he is always after the ball carrier.”

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior played linebacker on defense and a lineman on offense.

Garrett Anderson

Garrett Anderson has been the Buccaneer quarterback for two seasons.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior completed 70 of the 170 passes he attempted, for a total of 1,147 yards. He threw for 18 touchdowns.

In addition, he rushed for 582 yards on 109 carries, a 5.3 yard average.

Anderson also used his foot for the team. He kicked 15 extra points, and punted seven times with a 33.4 yard average.

On defense, Anderson had 24 tackles and a fumble recovery.

“Garrett is also a big, tough kid,” Coach Kuechenmeister says. “He is very difficult for a defensive player to take down. And he has a cannon for an arm – he can throw the football a long, long ways.”

Taylor Andrews

“Taylor Andrews was the anchor of our D-line,” the Bucs mentor says. “He was also our shot gun snapper, and was very solid, very dependable.”

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound senior played offensive and defensive line.

“He was extremely difficult for the other team to block,” Kuechenmeister adds.

On defense, Andrews had 47 tackles, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick and four sacks.

Nick Lee

“Nick Lee is a very versatile football player,” the Bucs head coach says. “He could do a lot of things on both sides of the line. He could play a lot of positions.”The 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior caught 21 passes for 276 yards, a 13.1 yard average. He also rushed 19 times for 28 yards.

Lee scored eight touchdowns and one 2-point conversion.

On defense he accounted for 54 tackles, one interception, and one sack.

“Nick is a solid football player,” the coach says. “He just loves to play the game.”

Zach Tvedten

Named to the Honorable Mention list, Zach Tvedten, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound junior, was the Bucs leading rusher.

He gained 771 yards on 130 carries for a 5.9 yard average. He scored three touchdowns during the season.

“Zach Tvedten is a hard-nosed runner,” Coach Kuechenmeister says about his leading rusher. “He loves contact.”

On defense Tvedten had 59 tackles, recovered two fumbles and sacked the quarterback once.

Joe Franta

Also on the Honorable Mention list, Joe Franta was the second leading tackler for the Buccaneers. He had 34 solo tackles, and 50 assists, for a total of 84.

“Joe Franta is a very solid and very gritty player,” Kuechenmeister says. “Many times we had him defend the best receiver on the other team.”

Franta, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound junior, had one interception during the year.

On offense he carried the ball three times for four yards, and caught 13 passes for 108 yards, an 8.3 yard average. He scored two touchdowns.