Following the elimination of both Albia and Van Meter from the state tournament this past Saturday, Class 2A District 6 and Class 1A District 7 schools were made aware of the 2013 All-District teams, and Colfax-Mingo, Collins-Maxwell/Baxter and Prairie City-Monroe’s players, coaches and parents had plenty to be proud of.
In Class 1A District 7, Tigerhawk sophomore Jake Lietz made his way to the first team all-defense list. The linebacker regularly piled up double-digit tackle numbers, and was the most durable of C-M’s starters following an injury-plagued season. His 126 tackles led the team and placed him 13th in Class 1A.
PCM’s season ended with a first-round loss to Mediapolis in a monsoon of a game, but that early exit didn’t reflect poorly on first team all-district offensive lineman Jackson Winegar. The 5-9 240-pound senior was often regarded as one if not the smartest player on the offensive side of the ball for the Mustangs.
Coach Greg Bonnett pointed to Winegar as one of the toughest players to replace going into next season. He frequently recognized defensive fronts and was able to alert his coaches to make adjustments in order to bolster an already prolific rushing attack for the Mustangs.
PCM filled up the first team on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive lineman Brandon Charls, linebacker Blake McWilliams and defensive back Zach Uhlenhopp each earned spots.
Charls finished second on the team with 58 total tackles, six of them for losses. The senior started every game this season on the front line for a PCM defense that surrendered more than 30 points on just one occasion — against undefeated district champions Albia.
McWilliams led all Mustangs in tackles with 85, 55 of them solo and five for a loss. He also intercepted one pass on the year and returned it for 31 yards. The achievement for McWilliams is particularly impressive considering the load he was asked to carry on the other side of the ball. McWilliams was also the team’s leading rusher on the season, running 215 times for 1,157 yards. Bonnett regarded McWillians as someone with a high motor, who just keeps fighting.
It’s fair to say Uhlenhopp had a nose for the football this season. The senior tied for the Class 2A lead with seven interceptions on the year. He also had 20 tackles on the year. Uhlenhopp was one of the main kick returners with 10 returns for 256 yards. He also led the team in receptions with 14.
CMB’s Raiders boasted four first team selections, headlined by District 6 defensive co-MVP Zach Samson. The 6-1 210-pound senior led the team offensively, but was recognized for his efforts on the defensive side of the ball. Samson accounted for 29 tackles on the season, including two sacks and three tackles for losses. Samson recovered two fumbles on the year, as well.
Junior offensive lineman Patrick Girard landed on the first team squad. The largest of the first team linemen at 6-4 290 pounds, Girard was almost impossible to move along the Raider offensive line, providing the necessary protection for Rob Luther’s option offense to develop.
Junior receiver Bryce Kemp was the other Raider to find himself on the first team offense. Standing 6-5, Kemp was a difficult cover for defensive backs he went up against, who were regularly six to 10 inches shorter. He was second on the team in receptions with 28 and yards with 604. Kemp’s 11 receiving touchdowns placed him fourth in Class 2A.
Senior defensive back Austin Moorman also found his way to the first team for the Raiders. Moorman accounted for 37 tackles on the year, with four of them for losses and one sack. His two interceptions tied for the team lead, and he recovered one fumble, as well.
PCM offensive lineman Glenn Gillaspie was elected to the second team. The senior started every game for a brutal rushing attack, and his size at 6-2 240 pounds allowed for the necessary push up front to keep the chains moving.
CMB’s Cory Morris also made his way onto the second team. Morris, a 6-2 330-pound junior combined with Girard to make up one of the largest offensive line combinations in Class 2A.
Mustang running back Ronnie Marshall was also a second-team selection. Marshall, who spent most of the season being relied upon in short yardage situations, ran the football 66 times for 282 yards and accounted for 10 rushing touchdowns. The junior will be asked to shoulder more of an offensive load with McWilliams graduating.
Brady Stover was elected as a second-team receiver for the Raiders. Stover, a 6-1 170-pound sophomore, helped make up a three-man receiving corps that showcased superior height when compared to Class 2A defensive backs. Stover was third on the team with 21 receptions and 201 yards. He also caught two touchdowns on the season.
PCM’s Luke Cummings made the second team as a defensive lineman. Cummings was third on the team in tackles with 52. The senior frequently got into the opponents’ backfield, accounting for seven tackles for losses.
Cummings’ teammate Justin Beener also made the second team. The linebacker led the Mustangs in fumble recoveries with four. He was fourth on the team with 49 tackles in his final season playing for PCM.
Ricky Reeve was the final Mustang on the all-district team. He played in the Mustang secondary in his junior season, and he accounted for 35 tackles. Reeve picked off three passes on the year, including a crucial interception return for a touchdown early in the season in a close game against CMB.
Clayton Weltha was named a second-team linebacker for the Raiders. Weltha’s 85 tackles were tops among Raiders by almost 20. Weltha, a junior, started every game for CMB.
Colfax-Mingo found three of its players land on the honorable mention team. Sophomore quarterback Jared Myers was recognized for his play, despite having his season cut short due to a knee injury. Myers threw for 1,192 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
Blake Summy, a sophomore, landed on the team as well. Summy was Myers’ favorite target in the passing game, catching 29 passes for 501 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard bomb early in the season. Summy also ran the ball 12 times for 32 yards.
Jake Buehrer was the final Tigerhawk recognized. Buehrer, a sophomore linebacker for C-M, was second on the team with 61 stops, three for losses. Buhrer also assisted on two sacks.