Either way, four area schools really cleaned up when All-Upper Peninsula awards for 11-player football were voted upon by the general membership of the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association when they met for their annual fall meeting at Northern Michigan University on Monday.

Those four schools combined to have nine players named to the Dream Team — and nine named First Team.

Technically, only eight players earned Dream Team, since one player from Negaunee actually carted off TWO of these awards.

Normally, that wouldn’t seem possible as a player can only win on either offense or defense. But in an effort to come up with nominees for special teams, a player can win a second award there.

Marquette quarterback Ford Richardson looks over the Gaylord defense as offensive lineman Noah Wautier, lower right, sets up to block before taking a snap as the Sentinels approach the Gaylord goal line in the fourth quarter of their game played at William R. Hart Stadium in Marquette on Sept. 14. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

And that’s exactly what Miners senior Baron Heslip did, winning Dream Team at both defensive back and punter.

The top vote getter at D-back, Heslip was noted for making six interceptions and 14 pass breakups during the season.

Then he was a late addition — but obviously a quality one — at punter, though his stats there weren’t available.

What was available was his unanimous honor on the First Team in the West PAC Copper Division at both positions.

One of Heslip’s Negaunee teammates also earned Dream Team status — senior center Eli Cody.

Drew Bradley, center, runs to the end zone for Marquette's first touchdown in the opening quarter against Escanaba at William R. Hart Stadium in Marquette on Oct. 4. MSHS offensive lineman Talon Smith, in the background at right, blocks an Eskymos defender to the ground. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

He won a close vote with Iron Mountain’s Jake Powell for the only Dream Team spot available

Cody was noted as a two-year starter and two-year West PAC Copper Division First Team honoree. And he was named to the All-U.P. Dream Team last year on the line.

Among those earning Dream Team status from Marquette were a major award winner and two of his teammates who were also up for consideration for special awards.

Senior Talon Smith was the top Dream Team vote getter at offensive tackle, and that was later parlayed into him winning the Mitchell Snyder Lineman of the Year award and even finishing runner-up for Mr. U.P. Football.

Sentinels senior Noah Wautier tied for the most Dream Team votes at linebacker as he was noted for making 62 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Later he was a close runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.

Another Marquette senior, Drew Bradley, was second to eventual Mr. U.P. Football winner Alex Jayne of Iron Mountain for most Dream Team votes at running back.

Bradley had 1,202 yards rushing in 157 attempts — a 7.7-yard average — and eight touchdowns.

Later, he was nominated for Offensive Player of the Year.

Two more MSHS players, both seniors, also won berths on the Dream Team.

Zach Leonard made it as a defensive back, but only after the original vote and a runoff vote both produced ties between himself and Kingsford junior Jack Kriegl. At that point, UPSSA rules state both get spots on the Dream Team.

“We put Zach on the opposing team’s biggest threat, and he always rose to the occasion,” Sentinels head coach Eric Mason said in nominating him. “He is a great tackler and is always working to improve his game.”

Another voting deadlock got Marquette’s Sawyer Johnson in as Dream Team kicker. He tied Bryce Davis of IM on the first ballot, then the runoff gave Johnson the nod.

He was noted for making 33 of 35 extra-point kicks, a 94.3% success rate, along with two of three field goals, the longest being 28 yards. Reportedly the one he missed was in the 30- to 40-yard range.

“He is very dependable and has been an exceptional kicker for us the past two years,” Mason said.

The Dream Team also includes Manistique defensive tackle Bryson Wood, the only unanimous pick for the top honor squad at his position. He was noted for making 32 solo tackles and five for a loss, along with 4 1/2 QB sacks, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The nine area First Team awards were spread out among four schools.

Marquette led the way with three, the only one on defense being senior Jacob MacPhee at linebacker. He earned the most votes at his position for First Team after he made 44 tackles and two interceptions.

“Jacob is a smart, heady player who was always in position,” Mason said in his nomination. “He is long and has good speed.”

The Sentinels’ two other First Teamers also led that voting at their position.

Senior Kyler Sager earned his spot at receiver. While making just 11 receptions, an amazing eight of them were for touchdowns.

“Kyler is our deep threat,” Mason said. “He has great ball skills and ability to run after the catch and is an outstanding athlete.”

Junior Pavel McCutcheon won his berth at offensive tackle.

“Pavel is our most improved lineman, and he thinks the game well,” Mason said. “This is only his second year playing on the offensive line, so he has a huge upside.”

Two seniors from Westwood also earned First Team nods, one on offense and one on defense.

Tristan Miller landed as a receiver, after amassing just over 800 total yards — about 350 receiving, 250 rushing and even 200 as a passer. He also had seven total TDs.

A unanimous pick for the First Team at tight end in the West PAC Copper Division, he was also nominated on defense as a linebacker with stats that included team highs of three forced fumbles and 12 tackles for a loss.

“Tristan did it all for us on offense as he had to play numerous offensive positions due to injuries,” Patriots head coach Tyler Thomas said of this nomination. “He was our X-factor the entire season.”

Westwood’s Preston Argall was voted to the First Team at defensive back as he had two interceptions and seven passes defended.

And he was Second Team West PAC Copper Division at both D-back and wide receiver.

“On defense, Preston was our lockdown corner(back) for most of the year,” Thomas said. “We asked him to cover the opposing team’s best pass catcher.”

Negaunee also had a pair of First Team award winners.

Senior Dave Carlson earned his position at defensive end after making 68 tackles, six for a loss, to go with six QB sacks and eight hurries.

He’s joined by junior Ethan Gauthier at offensive tackle as both Miners were previously voted First Team in the West PAC Copper Division at their positions.

Manistique also had two First Teamers.

Junior Jayce Goudreau was the second-leading vote-getter on the First Team at running back after he gained 743 yards in 104 carries, scoring nine touchdowns. As a pass catcher, he made a dozen catches for 127 yards and another two TDs.

Teammate Gavin Ziminski got on the First Team as a defensive tackle as he made 25 1/2 tackles, including 10 1/2 for loss, and one QB sack.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 552. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.