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Achterkirch, Kittelson play in All-Star game

Owatonna senior Grant Achterkirch and Blooming Prairie senior Drew Kittelson both represented Steele County at the 2021 Minnesota High School All-Star Football game last Saturday.
The two athletes were selected for participation in the event in early November and both accepted the opportunity.
“It was awesome. Just to represent the town and my team. It’s an honor,” said Kittelson.
Both Achterkirch and Kittelson were chosen to join the South team, which eventually went on to win the all-star game by a score of 12-7.
Achterkirch was listed as an outside linebacker and appeared at both outside linebacker and middle linebacker during the game, as well as on kickoff, kick return and the punt team.
“We ran a completely new defense from what we did at Owatonna so during the practices there was a lot of mental stuff, but it was quick to pick up on and a lot of fun,” said Actherkirch.
Kittelson was officially listed as a wide receiver for the game instead of his usual quarterback role and saw snaps out wide in the new position that he figures to slot into when he goes to play college football next fall.
However, playing receiver didn’t stop the South coaching staff from attempting to get him to throw the football.
A backward pass to Kittelson on the sideline in the first half resulted in Kittelson catching the ball and throwing it again downfield.
Kittelson’s pass was intercepted, but the South defense managed to force a turnover to keep the North team off the scoreboard.
The South offense did all of its damage in the first half by scoring 12 points early, but struggled to score on North’s defense.
Kittelson split drives with a group of three other wide receivers and came in on alternating drives.
Achterkirch and the defense allowed only one touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Similar to Kittelson, Achterkirch was on and off the field on many drives, splitting time with the linebacker crew.
Achterkirch made his presence known on the field much as he did at Owatonna by stuffing gaps and being a force in the run game.
The end of the Minnesota High School All-Star football game marked the last time Steele County community members will see Achterkirch and Kittelson dawn their high school helmets as the two seniors now await college athletics next fall.

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