H-M-S lands 7 on all-district football team

Seven players from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn were named to the 2023 Class A District 1 all-district football teams. Four of the players are repeat selections.

Named to the first team from H-M-S are seniors Bradley Van Beek and Ethan Wiersma, along with junior James Gellerman. Wiersma was on the first team in 2022 and Gellerman was a second-team selection the previous year.

Representing H-M-S on the second team are seniors Adam Schierholz and Ethan Huberg. Schierholz was on the first team last year while Huberg was honorable mention.

Hawks earning honorable mention in 2023 are first-time selections senior Evan Eilers and junior Slayton McCarter.

Akron-Westfield and MMCRU, which were at the bottom of the District 1 standings a year ago, were rewarded for their rise to the top. In addition to having the most players named all-district, both schools swept this year’s special individual and coaching honors.

The 2023 selections are listed by school according to district finish and grade.

FIRST TEAM

Akron-Westfield: Laytin Kock 12, Tatum Wilken 11, Jackson Marnach 12, Jack Terpstra 12, Ian Blowe 12, Carter Wilken 12, Ashton McCully 12, Trayden Goodman 12.

MMCRU: Jonah Petersen 12, Kyler Bork 12, Owen Schroeder 12, Mitchell Schnepf 12, Cody Evans 12, Dawson Pick 12, Jade Colling 11.

Gehlen Catholic: Will Harpenau 12, Kale Pearson 11, Cole McCarty 11, Nolan Nilles 12, Dylan Poeckes 11, Gabe Wiltgen 12.

Sibley-Ocheyedan: Michael Block 12, Cassidy Henrichs 12, Kayne Julius 11, Dawson Kreykes 10.

Alta-Aurelia: Gavin Sleezer 11, Angel Barajas 11, DJ Rodriguez 12, Hayden Garlow 11.

H-M-S: Bradley Van Beek 12, James Gellerman 11, Ethan Wiersma 12.

South O’Brien: Derek Paulsen 11, Justin Paulsen 12, Mitchell Enger 12.

SECOND TEAM

Akron-Westfield: Lane Hemmelrick 11, Connor Wendel 12.

MMCRU: Brayson Mulder 10, Michael Peterson 11.

Gehlen Catholic: Chance Kallsen 12, Drake Hodgson 9.

Sibley-Ocheyedan: Noah Doeden 12, Dominic Marco 10.

Alta-Aurelia: Ridge Cargin 11, Camden Reinert 10.

H-M-S: Adam Schierholz 12, Ethan Huberg 12.

South O’Brien: David Bottjen 12, Willie Conley 12.

HONORABLE MENTION

Akron-Westfield: Kasey Nielson 12, Tyler Wetrosky 12.

MMCRU: Grant Prescott 11, Noah Galles 12.

Gehlen Catholic: Landen Reuter 12, Dane Lehmann 10.

Sibley-Ocheyedan: Dalton Wingate 12, Gavin Stanton 10.

Alta-Aurelia: Zarek Napierala 11, Brayden Westphal 11.

H-M-S: Evan Eilers 12, Slayton McCarter 11.

South O’Brien: Justice Frerk 12, Josh Gnade 12.

SPECIAL HONORS

Offensive MVP: Jonah Petersen, MMCRU.

Defensive MVP: Gavin Sleezer, Alta-Aurelia.

Punter: Owen Schroeder, MMCRU.

Kicker: Jack Schoenfelder, Akron-Westfield.

Lineman: Kasey Nielson, Akron-Westfield.