Five Edina High football players were recently named to the All-Classic Lake football team by the conference's head coaches.

And five more Hornets made all-conference honorable mention.

Edina's all-conference picks began with senior wide receiver Stephen Asp, who has led his team in receptions each of the last two seasons.

Asp caught passes for 670 yards and 9 touchdowns this season.

"Stephen had two nice years for us," said Edina head coach Reed Boltmann. "He is looking to play either college football or college basketball."

Senior center Chase Nelson is an NCAA Division I prospect and his selection to the all-conference team goes along with his recruiting status. He is the biggest player ever to play for Edina at 6 feet, 9 inches and 340 pounds.

"Chase is still growing into his body," said Boltmann. "We have been in contact with Kansas and Virginia, and the Gophers are keeping tabs on him. Chase was able to neutralize the two best defensive linemen in the Classic Lake, Beau Allen of Minnetonka and Toby Okuyemi of Wayzata."

While Nelson is gaining accolades from college coaches, tackle Jack Trautz was voted the Hornets' Best Offensive Lineman by his teammates.

"Jack was a hockey goalie, and then he outgrew the pads and decided to try football," said Boltmann. "He came out halfway through the 2008 season and played in some JV games. In the off-season, he dedicated himself in the weight room and put a lot of time into football.

"He has been talking with some of the MIAC schools [local small colleges], and he might be able to play Division II."

Rutger Heffelfinger, Edina's leader in defensive points, is one of a handful of juniors who made first-team all-conference.

The middle linebacker was second in the conference in tackles.

"Rutger had an outstanding year," said Boltmann. "He shows the same effort and attitude in practice that he shows in games. This season, he was our most consistent defensive player."

Edina's fifth all-conference selection, kicker Matt Gee, came close to achieving perfection this year.

"He made all of his extra-point tries and all but one field goal try," said Boltmann. "The kicking job was open this year, and Matt came over from soccer to try out for it. He didn't have any expectations ... he just wanted to have some fun. Hats off to him."

Edina's all-conference honorable mention selections are freshman defensive back Marley Allison, senior defensive lineman David Gschneider, senior offensive lineman Jack MacLennan, senior running back Colin Moynihan and sophomore safety Nick Rallis.

In addition to the all-conference awards, Edina's coaching staff presented 11 team awards at the recent Hornet football banquet.

Award winners are as follows.

Defensive MVP:Heffelfinger.

Offensive MVP:Asp.

Best Offensive Lineman:Trautz.

Best Defensive Lineman:Gschneider.

Best Offensive Back:Moynihan.

Best Defensive Back:Rallis.

Rookie of the Year:Allison.

Best Special Teams Player:Alex Nelson.

Best Scout Team Player-Offense:Nathan Ostlie.

Best Scout Team Player-Defense:Pat Bodnia.

Oil Can Award:Alex Donnay.

Armstrong:Senior linebacker Chris Larson, senior wide receiver Joe Lewis and senior wide receiver Morgan Hampel. Honorable mention: Prince Kanu, Erik Ruhland, Tyler Picken, Tyler Peniata and Enrico Barrozo.

Edina:Asp, Heffelfinger, Nelson, Trautz and Gee. Honorable mention: Allison, Gschneider, MacLennan, Moynihan and Rallis.

Hopkins:Sophomore defensive back Tavaughn Blair, junior wide receiver Ben Christopher, senior linebacker Gavin Grady, junior quarterback Billy Gregg, senior linebacker Logan Hanson, junior running back Dami Mafe and senior offensive tackle David Powell. Honorable mention: Gideon Kendrick, Jonny Mydra, A.J. Page, Leon Perry and Brody Thomas.

Minnetonka:Senior defensive nose guard Beau Allen, senior punter-running back Anthony Boyce, junior offensive guard Josh Colville, senior linebacker Jimmy Gildea, senior offensive tackle Jack Houlton, senior defensive tackle Jake Luetgers, senior free safety Zach Siemens and senior defensive tackle Alex Zapka. Honorable mention: James Farrow, Larry Rice, Calvin Samborski, Charles Webb and Parker Weinstock.

Wayzata:Senior defensive back Daryl Brown, junior quarterback Sasha Doran, senior running back Chris Kroeten, senior defensive end Toby Okuyemi, senior linebacker Grant Olson, senior linebacker A.J. Tarpley and senior wide receiver A.J. Troup. Honorable mention: Aaron Berg, David Boegel, Jack Egan, Adam Gooley and Scott Siegel.

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