Champions reap rewards of successful football season
H-M-S players, coaches recognized on all-district teams
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SENTINEL-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Head coach Jay Eilers addresses his team following a win over Gehlen Catholic.
Winning the Class A District 1 title has resulted in several postseason honors for football players and coaches from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn.
Twelve H-M-S players were named to the 2021 all-district team. Landing on the first team were seniors Mason Brinkman, Nick Bronstad, Connor Dodd and Jesse Garcia, and juniors Lance Berends, Kooper Ebel, Keevyn Jacobsma and Travis Kamradt.
Those named to the second team were junior Ryan Borden and freshman James Gellerman, and seniors Wyatt Borden and Jordan Ortega were honorable mention.
Berends, Dodd, Ebel, Garcia and Kamradt are repeat all-district selections.
The undefeated champions also dominated the special all-district honors. For the second consecutive season, Ebel was tabbed as the district offensive MVP and Berends was named the all-district lineman. Kamradt was recognized as this year's defensive MVP.
Members of the Hawk coaching staff also garnered all-district recognition. Jay Eilers is the head coach of the year and Steve Waechter was named assistant defensive coach.
This year's all-district selections are listed by school and grade.
FIRST TEAM
H-M-S: Kooper Ebel, 11; Connor Dodd, 12; Travis Kamradt, 11; Lance Berends, 11; Nick Bronstad, 12; Jesse Garcia, 12; Keevyn Jacobsma, 11; Mason Brinkman, 12.
South O'Brien: Parker Struve, 12; Pete Bottjen, 12; Carter Wohlert, 12; Hudson Oolman, 11; Jacob Van Lith, 11; Keaton Sampson, 11.
Gehlen Catholic: Keaten Bonderson, 11; Ryan Livermore, 12; Connor Kraft, 11; Mitchell Augustine, 12; Aiden Spangler, 11; Elias Sitzmann, 12.
Alta-Aurelia: Preston McCoy, 12; Carson Reinert, 11; Roman Napierala, 10; Gavin Sleezer, 9; Zach Erpelding, 12.
Akron-Westfield: Cade Walkingstick, 12; Lane Kenny, 11; Sam Phillips, 12; Ian Blowe, 10; Cael Moffatt, 12.
Hinton: Carson Pierce, 11; Garrett Divis, 11; Dylan Hartman, 11.
MMCRU: Brenin Stodden, 12; Preston Astidias, 12.
SECOND TEAM
H-M-S: Ryan Borden, 11; James Gellerman, 9.
South O'Brien: Tsion Davis, 12; Boston Riedemann, 11.
Gehlen Catholic: Evan Steeg, 11; Yahir Vanegas, 12.
Alta-Aurelia: Conner Wienhold, 11; Cale Brechwald, 10.
Akron-Westfield: Haden McMahon, 12; Tyson Fairbanks, 12.
Hinton: Beau DeRocher, 11; Glenn Carlson, 11.
MMCRU: Bryce Tentinger, 11; Eban Hicks, 12.
HONORABLE MENTION
H-M-S: Wyatt Borden, 12; Jordan Ortega, 12.
South O'Brien: Kaedon Louscher, 12; Dain Moermond, 11.
Gehlen Catholic: Will Harpenau, 10; Ryan Augustine, 11.
Alta-Aurelia: Kaden Stites, 11; Lane Kraemer, 12.
Akron-Westfield: Carson James, 12; Michael Varns, 11.
Hinton: Bode Binneboese, 10; Garrett Lindley, 10.
MMCRU: Josh Wetter, 11; Mitch Schnepf, 10.
SPECIAL HONORS
Offensive MVP: Kooper Ebel, H-M-S.
Defensive MVP: Travis Kamradt, H-M-S.
Punter: Brennan Stodden, MMCRU.
Kicker: Luis Mendoza, Alta-Aurelia.
Lineman: Lance Berends, H-M-S.
Head Coach: Jay Eilers, H-M-S.
Assistant Offensive Coach: Kent Johnson, Akron-Westfield.
Assistant Defensive Coach: Steve Waechter, H-M-S.
• Hawks recognized for excellence in the classroom
Nineteen football players from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn were recognized as academic all-district performers. Players and cheerleaders recognized are from the seven schools in Class A District 1.
H-M-S players who are academic all-district include seniors Wyatt Borden, Mason Brinkman, Nick Bronstad, Keith DeBoer, Connor Dodd, Jesse Garcia, Jordan Ortega and Brenton Thomas; and juniors Lance Berends, Ryan Borden, Ethan Diehm, Kooper Ebel, Landen Elwood, Travis Kamradt, Lucas Kroese, Tanner Tesch, Tyson Tessum, Trenton Vollink and Jordan Waddell.
