Region 3 produced the Class A football state champion this season.

It also produced the most first-team all-state selections.

State champion Velva boasts four of the region's nine first-team picks on the 2009 honor squad, which also includes seven first-teamers from Region 4.

"It speaks of the strength of our region," Velva coach Larry Sandy said. "We had some good teams and a lot of talented players this year, and the same can be said about the other region in the western half of the state (Region 4). We had a good year on this side."

The 12-0 Aggies put quarterback Jon Mack, running back Michael Wiest, defensive lineman Collin Kittelson and linebacker Codee Lee on the first team.

Mack, a 155-pound junior, completed 90 of 169 passes for 1,270 yards and 15 touchdowns. He went 12-for-16 for 106 yards in Velva' 20-0 win over Langdon-Munich in the state title game.

"I think Jon was the key for us offensively," Sandy said. "Without his ability to throw the ball as consistently as he did, it would have made it very difficult for us. We were a well-balanced offense, and not a one-dimensional one."

Wiest, a 175-pound senior, led the Aggies in rushing with 892 yards on 132 carries. He ran for 186 markers and two scores in the title game. Wiest totaled around 500 yards in the postseason.

"Michael was our best all-around player," Sandy said. "We spread the carries around this year, but we rode on his back in the playoffs."

Kittelson and Lee, who weighed in at 180 and 195 pounds, respectively, spearheaded a defense that shut out six opponents and allowed only 71 points all season.

"Collin was outstanding week in and week out on the strong side, and Codee gave us the tough, physical presence that we needed at middle linebacker," Sandy said. "We were very solid defensively all year long, and Collin and Codee led the way."

Harvey, another Region 3 team, has two first-team picks - running back Casey Weinmann and offensive lineman Tyler Fandrich.

Weinmann, a three-year starter and a first-team all-state defensive back last season, led the Hornets with 1,306 yards rushing on 218 carries. He also caught nine passes for 163 yards, and scored 21 total TDs.

The 198-pound senior became the Hornets' feature back after playing at the fullback position during Harvey's back-to-back state championship campaigns of 2007 and 2008.

"Casey spent his sophomore and junior years doing the major blocking for an all-state running back (Kordel Wolfe). He made the switch to tailback this year and did an outstanding job," Harvey coach Brad Sandy said. "He was so solid on both sides of the ball. He's an old-fashioned player - tough, physical, and he loves to hit. I'd have to say he's one of the top three kids I've coached."

Fandrich, a 235-pound senior guard and a two-year starter, helped clear the way for Weinmann.

"Tyler played on the strong side, and we ran to that side about 80 percent of the time," Sandy said. "He's a kid who worked very hard in the offseason to make himself better."

Other selections from Region 3 are receiver Chase Enget of Stanley-Powers Lake, linebacker Jared Vejtasa of Williams County, and defensive back Dallas Oen of Des Lacs-Burlington.

Region 4 champion Watford City placed quarterback Trey Jacobson, offensive lineman Ben Haugeberg, and defensive lineman Derek Thompson on the first team.

Jacobson, a junior, accounted for 1,484 total yards and 25 TDs in his first year as a starter. He completed 60 of 110 passes for 1,107 yards and 18 TDs, and ran for 377 markers and seven scores.

Jacobson took over for 2009 graduate Kevin Sanford, a two-time Class AA all-state selection.

"Trey had some big shoes to fill, and he did a tremendous job," Watford City coach Fred Fridley said. "He's a complete quarterback. He's a smart, athletic kid who can beat you with his arm and his legs. He's only a junior. We're excited to have him for another year."

Haugeberg, a 210-pound senior, anchored the Wolves' offensive line.

"Ben was by far our best lineman," Fridley said. "He was a little undersized for his position, but he played at a high level because of his work ethic and his determination. He brought everybody else's game up. We're going to miss his intensity and his leadership. To me, he's going to be the hardest player to replace."

Thompson, a 200-pound senior nose tackle, recorded 68 tackles, seven sacks and seven forced fumbles.

"I believe Derek is the best I've coached at that position," Fridley said. "He's quick, strong and caused all kinds of problems for offenses. Teams had a very difficult time running inside because of him. He came right at you on every play. He never let up."

Hazen's three first-teamers - running back Baylee Carr, linebacker Garret Engebretson, and defensive back Brent Sorensen - were Class AA all-staters last season.

Carr, a 170-pound senior, rushed for 1,460 yards and 18 TDs on only 106 carries for the Bison, the Region 4 runners-up. It was his second straight 1,000-yard season.

"Baylee was our big-play man last season and this season," Hazen coach Rick Philion said. "With his speed and elusiveness, he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball."

Engebretson led Hazen in tackles with 109. The 195-pound middle linebacker was a second-team Class AA all-state defensive lineman last season.

"Garret brought a definite physical presence to the game," Philion said. "He made plays sideline to sideline and was the hardest hitter on the team. And he was a great leader for us. He knew how to fire everybody up. He brought out the best in those around him."

Sorensen, a Class AA all-state quarterback in 2008, topped the Bison with six interceptions.

"Brent was always as good on defense as he was on offense," Philion said. "He had a nose for the ball, and because of his speed, there weren't a lot of receivers that could get by him."

Jarad Wolf of New Salem-Glen Ullin is a first-teamer for the second year in a row, this time at tight end. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior, an all-state selection at linebacker in 2008, led the Holsteins in receiving, but was best-known for his blocking.

"We like to run the ball here and we've had success doing that. Jarad is a big reason why we were successful the past few years," New Salem-GU coach Steve Kleinjan said. "In addition to his blocking, Jarad was our go-to guy in the passing game, and he also did a nice job running the ball when we put him in the backfield. He's a very good athlete with a strong work ethic."

Region 1 champion Linton-HMB has two players on the first team - junior offensive lineman Levi Roemmich, and senior middle linebacker Jake Bauman.

Linton-HMB coach Dan Imdieke said the 250-pound Roemmich was a dominant player at the tackle position.

"Levi's a big boy and he's strong. He's the one we liked to run behind when we needed a tough yard," Imdieke said. "He's a junior and he has two years under his belt. It'll be good to have his experience and leadership back next year."

Bauman led the Lions in defensive points.

"Jake was the centerpiece of a pretty good defense," Imdieke said. "He did everything you expect a middle linebacker to do, and we're sure going to miss him. We're also going to miss his enthusiasm and love for the game. He was fun to coach."

Other first-team picks include Class A senior athlete of the year Travis Beck of state runner-up Langdon-Munich. Beck made it as a linebacker.

First-team offense

Quarterbacks: Jon Mack, Velva. Trey Jacobson, Watford City.

Running backs: Baylee Carr, Hazen. Jon Dinius, Langdon-Munich. Casey Weinmann, Harvey. Michael Wiest, Velva. Jason Hagen, Oakes.

Receiver: Chase Enget, Stanley-Powers Lake.

Tight end: Jarad Wolf, New Salem-Glen Ullin.

Offensive line: Tyler Fandrich, Harvey. Levi Roemmich, Linton-HMB. Ben Haugeberg, Watford City. Justin Anderson, Langdon-Munich. Nic Pfeifer, North Prairie.

First-team defense

Defensive line: Cody Kasprick, Oakes. Collin Kittelson, Velva. Carl Nelson, North Prairie. Derek Thompson, Watford City.

Linebackers: Jake Bauman, Linton-HMB. Travis Beck, Langdon-Munich. Garret Engebretson, Hazen. Jared Vejtasa, Williams County. Codee Lee, Velva.

Defensive backs: Dallas Oen, Des Lacs-Burlington. Brent Sorensen, Hazen.

Second-team offense

Jared Schoch, Heart River. Michael White, Lewis & Clark-Minot Our Redeemer's. Brady Lund, Watford City. Ryan Miller, Hazen. Kendall Krodell, Des Lacs-Burlington. Joel Deckert, L & C-MOR. Cody Freuh, Harvey. Trent Roemmich, Linton-HMB. Josh Hansana, Milnor-North Sargent. Ryan Martinson, Milnor-North Sargent. Brandon Chrest, Cavalier. Eric Kuntz, Rugby. Michael Bonn, North Prairie.

Second-team defense

Nate Seeger, New Salem-GU. Bryon McLaughlin, Hazen. Nick Liebel, Watford City. M.J. Stumpf, Harvey. Levi Anderson, Velva. Matt Perdue, Williams County. Wade Aberle, LaMoure-Litchville-Montpelier. Ethan Plemel, Oakes. A.J. Von Bank, Maple Valley-Enderlin. Alex Feil, Langdon-Munich. Blake Nelson, North Prairie. Jared Mack, Cavalier. Ty Haynes, Larimore.