FOOTBALL: Hatfield named finalist for Mr. Football

BEMIDJI - Since 2004, the Minnesota Football Coaches Association has been handing out the Mr. Football award to the top player in the state of the Minnesota.
Bemidji High School senior running back Logan Hatfield has been named one of the 10 finalists for the award. It is the first time a Lumberjack has been a finalist.
“It’s a credit to the young man and a credit to the guys who played with him,” BHS head coach Troy Hendricks said. “Especially the lineman. We had our banquet (Sunday) and we talked about how this wouldn’t be possible if not for the 10 other guys who helped make it happen.”
In 10 games this season, Hatfield rushed for 2,252 yards and 21 touchdowns. His 1,825 yards in the regular season was the most of any running back in the state.
His 2,252 yards is the fourth-most in a single-season in Minnesota State High School League history.
“Rushing for more than 2,000 yards and having those two 300-plus yard games,” Hatfield said were the highlights of his season.
His 394-yard rushing game against Alexandria on Sept. 18 ranks fifth all-time in MSHSL history and he followed it with 358 yards against Rocori the next week. The 358 yards would’ve been good for 10th all-time, but thanks to his efforts the previous week it was only good for 11th.
“Logan has done everything the coaches asked of him,” Hendricks said. “He did everything he could to prepare for the season and get ready each week.”
Last season quarterback James Hendricks was one of the 40 nominees for the award, but didn’t make the final cut to be one of the 10 finalist.
According to coach Hendricks, James Hendricks was the closest anyone had got to the award during his tenure as head coach before Hatfield.
“It’s really special (to be the first Lumberjack nominated),” Hatfield said. “There have been a lot of good players who have come through Bemidji, but all of it wouldn’t be possible without the other 10 guys around me.”
From here, the MFCA will go over season highlights, season statistics and career statistics and will announce a winner on Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Mr. Football Award Banquet.
Names of the other nine candidates have not been officially released.
Lumberjacks give out season awards
It was at the football program’s award banquet Sunday where the announcement was made about Hatfield being nominated for Mr. Football.
At the banquet, BHS awarded Hatfield as the team’s Offensive MVP and Most Dedicated Player. Senior quarterback Jalin Rose won the Most Improved Player award while senior linebacker Wyatt Yoemans won Defensive MVP and the Ray Kavanagh Award (most physical).
Senior guard Hank Bellefy won the Lineman of the Year award, senior defensive back Javon Rodgers won Special Teams Player of the Year and senior lineman Isaac Londo won the Red Wilson Coaches Award.
The Lumberjacks had eight players named to the North Central Football All-District Team including: Hatfield, Bellefy, Yoemans, junior tackle Seth Dreyer, senior linebacker Wyatt Yartz, junior guard Caleb Klinke, senior defensive back Nate Gubbels and senior center Brody Wilander.
Rose, along with Grant Kapaun, Nick Peterson, Jens Huseby, Alex Vollen and Nate Snell received All-Conference Honorable Mentions.