The Associated Press

Mike Galliger was a running machine for the West Central Trojans in 2007 - and his 36 touchdowns were the most in the state at any level.

With his prolific, hard-nosed running, he not only led the Trojans to their seventh Class 11A football title in eight years and 11th overall. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior also helped his team land five representatives on the Class 11A all-state football squad, as selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association. Joining Galliger on the team from West Central are offensive tackle John Rehfeldt, guard Mike Kadinger, defensive back Cody Lowe and punter Trevor Pierce.

Dell Rapids, the team the Trojans beat in the quarterfinals, also placed five members on the all-state team, while runner-up St. Thomas More had four honorees.

Galliger, the heart and soul of the Trojans, was one of the few West Central players who played both ways - and he was a team leader on both sides of the ball. He was selected all-state as a running back, based on his 1,410 yards rushing and 6.8 yards per carry.

"Mike was a large part of our 3,780 yards on offense, because when everyone is keying on him, it opens up opportunities for our other backs," Trojans coach Kent Mueller said. "Mike does very well with his fakes and being a leader for all of our athletes. He leads by example and is very unselfish."

Cody Lowe was a leader in the secondary for the Trojans. He tallied 40 tackles and two interceptions and helped the Trojans hold opponents to 73 yards rushing and eight points per game.

"Cody played both corner and safety," Mueller said. "He is very versatile and would often lock up with the other team's best receiver."

Rehfeldt (tackle) and Kadinger (guard) anchored an offensive line that opened massive holes to allow runners to gain over 3,700 yards.

Dell Rapids placed five players on the all-star squad, headed by fullback Marcus Murphy, who rushed 97 times for 670 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Center Lance Siemonsma anchored the offensive line.

On defense for the Quarriers, tackle Levi Brown had 42 tackles and three sacks, while end Preston Munk had 45 tackles.

The Quarriers' James Ernesti was named the special teams player for his success on kickoff and punt returns.

The four players from St. Thomas More include quarterback senior Nathan Jacobson, who led the Cavaliers into the title game undefeated.

He passed for 1,365 yards and 25 touchdowns and a pair of extra-point conversions. He also ran for 621 yards and six TDs. Jacobson, who went 42-4 as a starter, holds the all-time state record with 101 touchdown passes.

"He's a once-in-a-lifetime athlete," said More head coach Wayne Sullivan.

Other Cavaliers on the squad are defensive end Joe Kennedy (83 tackles and 9.5 sacks); running back Alex Hollibaugh (1,341 rushing yards and 22 TDs); and kicker Landon White (53-for-59 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals).

Vermillion placed three defensive players on the squad - tackle Heath Hubert (44 tackles), linebacker Luke Heine (91 tackles, 12 for loss) and defensive back Jerrod Freidel (43 tackles, two interceptions).

Representing Harrisburg are wide receiver Tim Voegeli (34 catches for 675 yards and five TDs) and linebacker Preston Harris (129 tackles, 13 for loss). Harris is the only junior named to the all-state squad.

Colton Buus and Austin Smit each earned positions on the all-state team on opposing sides of the ball from Lennox.

Buus, an offensive tackle, was chosen for his blocking and pass protection, while Smit had 86 tackles and an interception at middle linebacker.

Winner was represented by Seth Daughters at tight end and Jeff Weidner at offensive guard.

Daughters caught 16 passes for 332 yards (four TDs) and ran eight times for 257 yards (32 yards per carry) and four TDs, all of which came on reverses.

Weidner helped open holes for backs to run for 2,904 yards and score 30 points per game as the Warriors made it to the Class 11A semifinals, where they lost to St. Thomas More.

Others earning all-state spots were Trent Nelson, Sisseton defensive back (65 tackles, two fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks); Jeff Fish, Milbank wide receiver (48 catches for 897 yards, nine TDs); Gunner Krogman, Todd County linebacker (91 tackles, two interceptions, two safeties), and Clint Kindred, Hot Springs defensive back (87 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles).

Honorable mention selections in Class 11A were Dustin Lotzer, Sisseton; Colen Kling, linebacker-fullback, Belle Fourche; Jess Cooper, linebacker-tailback, Belle Fourche; Cory Lesnar, Milbank; Brice Hornbeck, defensive back-wide receiver, Little Wound; Josh Krier, West Central; Kyle Blake, lineman, Belle Fourche; Dylan Wheeler, Harrisburg; Alex Hill, Harrisburg; Evan Fleury, Chamberlain; Brady Clark, West Central; Shea Koch, running back-linebacker, Custer; Alex Kling, quarterback-defensive back, Belle Fourche; Chris Wenk, West Central and Mike Neiss, Todd County.