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Brandon Mueller recently graduated from the halls of Chisago Lakes High School, but his name still resonates loudly. He represented the school and the football program at the annual summer all-star football game last week.

Mueller, who was a star running back for the Wildcats last year, suited up as a late addition for the Metro All-Star team in the 35th annual Minnesota High School All-Star Game at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud. Following a north verses south format for the first six years, the all-star series has shifted to a metro versus out-state format for the last 29 years.

Mueller, a five-foot, eight-inch, 185 pound bundle of power and energy chugged for 831 yards last year, scoring nine touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, Mueller grabbed 11 receptions for 219 yards and five more touchdowns.

His legs weren't just for churning out big touchdown runs, though, as he booted the team's extra points and field goals. He ended the year with 35 extra points and three field goals. Coupled with his 14 touchdowns, Mueller accounted for 134 Wildcat points -- or more than a quarter of their 416 points.

The gaudy stat line propelled Mueller to the All-Star Metro team June 13.

"Brandon was a big part of our success. He has a real passion for high school football," head coach Bill Weiss said. "He was fun to coach, and he had a lot of fun playing."

Mueller is the ninth representative from the area, and fourth from Chisago Lakes High School. The other five were from the old Chisago City High School. He marks the third participant in the all-star contest under Weiss's watch. Adam Gemeunden played in last year's game, and Aaron James played in the 2003 game.

Mueller's week-long ordeal was capped by the game, but for six days before contest, Mueller and his metro teammates bonded with practices, activities, and feasting at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Even in a short week of practice together, football is a team sport, and Mueller wouldn't be where he is without the help of his former Wildcat teammates back home. "The award is not only a reflection on Brandon, but the whole team. His offensive line was great, and his backfield mate Jon Lien was amazing," Weiss said. "All the kids' hard work they've put in paid off."

In the All-Star game Saturday, June 28, Mueller and his metro counterparts broke a two-year losing streak against the out-state team, besting them 22-17.

The metro team, however, fell behind 17-7 early, resorting to a pass-first mentality that limited Mueller's effectiveness. The metro squad had 252 passing yards to only 84 rushing yards, in contrast to the out-state teams 261 rushing yards and 98 passing yards.

Mueller's hard-nosed running style enabled him to come through for the Wildcats in the critical part of the season last year: sections.

In big wins over St. Paul Harding and St. Paul Johnson, and the season-ending loss to eventual state champion Mahtomedi, Mueller averaged 103 yards and two touchdowns per game. So, it was no surprise that he was picked to represent Chisago Lakes against some of the other top pigskin talent that Minnesota has to offer.

"It's tough to crack all-star teams in football, especially at the running back position," Weiss noted. "It's a pretty cool thing."

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