Clark-Willow Lake and Deuel each have two members on the Class 11B All-State team, while Mobridge-Pollock and Webster each have one on the squad announced today by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.
Emmerson Larson and Michael Severson of Clark-Willow Lake, Deuel’s Troy Jenson and Oliver Fieber, and Mack Saxon of Mobridge-Pollock are members of the offense, while Webster’s Matthew Mount is on the defensive unit.
Larson, who was chosen as a running back, rushed for 612 yards, had 520 yards receiving and scored a dozen touchdowns this past season. He finished his career with more than 4,000 all-purpose yards.
“He is explosive with the ball in his hands,” said Cyclones coach David Severson. “Emmerson put on 20 pounds of muscle over the summer, and was a great leader in the weight room. He is the reason our program rounded the corner last year.”
Saxon was a load to bring down for opposing defenses. He rushed for 1,041 yards and 17 touchdowns, had two touchown receptions and also returned a punt for a score.
“Mack has been the centerpiece of our offense over the last two years as our running back,” said Tigers coach Donovon Flaherty. “He is a punishing runner who has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. He is the first 1,000 yard back for Mobridge-Pollock in 28 years and he now has done it in back-to-back seasons.”
Opponents quickly found out where Jenson was located as a receiver. He finished his career with 1,003 yards receiving on 63 catches.
“Troy Jenson is a precise route runner with exceptional hands. He consistently found ways to get open and make tough catches in critical moments,” said Cardinals coach Dusty Hourigan. “His understanding of defensive coverages and quick breaks truly made him a tough matchup for opposing defenses.”
Fieber, a state champion sprinter, was a threat to go the distance every time he touched the ball. He finished with 1,228 yards on 83 receptions and scored 15 touchdowns.
“Oliver Fieber is a dynamic playmaker with elite speed and great hands, capable of changing the game at any moment,” said Deuel coach Dusty Hourigan. “His ability to separate from defenders and turn short gains into explosive plays made him one of the most dangerous offensive threats.”
Severson, a 6-foot-3 270-pound offensive lineman, was a mainstay upfront for the Cyclones, who only lost two games this past season.
“Michael has anchored an offensively line that has been very effective this year,” said Clark-Willow Lake coach David Severson. “Great reach step and runs the hands well. Big, athletic and physical.”
Mount was a playmaker for the Bearcats from his linebacker spot. He had 66 tackles, including 10 for loss this past season. He finished his career with 313 total tackles, 7 sacks, and scored three defensive touchdowns.
“Matthew has been the backbone of our program for four years. He’s been the best player on the field for us since he was a freshman,” said Webster coach Tyler Wagner. “He’s a rare, generational type talent and one of the best kids that I’ve ever had the privilege to coach.”
There were seven regional players who were selected Honorable Mention. That list includes Aiden Sievers, Carson Marko, Gavin Kloos, and Nathan Fieber of Deuel, Wyatt Ziegler of Mobridge-Pollock, Keegan Tracy of Groton, and Cooper Pommer of Clark-Willow Lake.
Sievers put up big numbers at quarterback, passing for 1,624 yards and 15 touchdowns and running for 8 touchdowns this season, running his career totals to 2,511 yards passing and 22 TDs as well as 8 rushing touchdowns.
“He is a hard-working and dedicated competitor, who is a true student of the game,” said Cardinals coach Dusty Hourigan. “He consistently elevated the play of everyone around him. His decision-making, arm strength and accuracy allow him to deliver the ball with outstanding velocity and touch, making him a threat to all areas of the field.”
Marko made an impact from his linebacker position, racking up 104 tackles and 5 sacks this past season, to run his career totals to 198 tackles, 26 for loss, and 7.5 sacks.
“Carson Marko is the heart and leader of our defense. He is an instinctual, hard-nosed linebacker who sets the tone every game,” said Deuel coach Dusty Hourigan. “He has a high football IQ with the ability to diagnose plays before they develop.”
Kloos was a major weapon from his backfield position. He rushed for 1,418 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season. He finished with 2,512 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns.
“Gavin Kloos is a game changing running back with elite speed and exceptional vision. Gavin’s patience let blocks develop before hitting the crease with power,” said Deuel coach Dusty Hourigan. “His combination of strength and acceleration makes him a constant big-play threat every time he touches the football.”
Fieber was a key reason why Deuel was able to move the ball on the ground. He blocked for a team that rushed for 1,994 yards and passed for 1,621 yards. He had 26 pancake blocks.
“Nathan Fieber made an immediate impact in his first year as a starter, anchoring our offensive front with intelligence, toughness, and consistency,” said Cardinals coach Dusty Hourigan. “A smart, instinctual blocker with excellent footwork and technique, he plays with a relentless motor and finishes every play through the whistle.”
Ziegler was a key member on the line on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. He blocked for a team that rushed for an average of 261 yards per game, and also had 27 tackles, including 8 for loss on defense.
“His value was seen more in games he did not play in,” said Tigers coach Donovon Flaherty. “After getting hurt in game 5, he sat out the next 3 games and our yards per rush as well as rushing yards per game severely fell even with having the same running back. Defensively he was our best defensive lineman who has helped drop the opponents average yards per game each of the last 2 years.”
Tracy was a key part of the Groton offense. The four-year starter had 34 receptions for 465 yards and 2 touchdowns this season, and ran for 101 yards and two more TDs. He finished his career with 1,070 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns, and 475 yards rushing and 5 TDs.
“Keegen has been a key contributor to our football program the past four years,” said Tigers coach Shaun Wanner. “Keegen has exceptional speed, good hands, and runs great routes. He drew many double teams throughout his career.”
Pommer, who only played for a couple of years on varsity, was a key receiver for the Cyclones. He had 390 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns this season, and finished with 700 career yards.
“Great hands and even better vision. Smartest football player I have ever coached,” said Cyclones coach David Severson. “He was our clutch moment guy. Came up big in numerous games for us.”
Class 11B
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Gannon Knebel, Wagner.
Tight Ends-Fullbacks-HBacks — Maxon Speed, St. Thomas More; Connor Kramer, Hot Springs; and Riley Mayer, Mount Vernon-Plankinton.
Running Backs — Beau Schmidt, Elk Point-Jefferson; Emmerson Larson, Clark-Willow Lake; and Mack Saxon, Mobridge-Pollock.
Wide Receivers — Broeden Sales, St. Thomas More; and Troy Jensen and Oliver Fieber, Deuel;
Linemen — Jace Shatswell and Keaton Hinds, Elk Point-Jefferson; Derek Fenenga, Winner; Cole Nielsen, St. Thomas More; Michael Severson, Clark-Willow Lake and Preston Top, Sioux Valley.
DEFENSE
Linemen — Owen White, Hot Springs; Hunter Fenske, Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central; Brayden Kreber, Wagner; and Camden Stahl, Mount Vernon-Plankinton.
Linebackers — Luke Schmitz, Elk Point-Jefferson; Mitchell Guthmiller, Sioux Valley; Matthew Mount, Sioux Valley; and Seth Heath, Winner.
Defensive Backs — Holden Wollmann, Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan; Brody Van Roekel, Elk Point-Jefferson; Zac Olson, Winner; and Grayden Juve, St. Thomas More.
OTHERS
Athletes — Colby Flowers, Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central and Colin Robertson, Parker.
Special Teams — Tyce Feistner, Mount Vernon-Plankinton and Malachi James, Beresford.
HONORABLE MENTION — Aiden Sievers, Carson Marko, Gavin Kloos and Nathan Fieber, Deuel; Justin Klein, Flandreau; Shea Kjeldgaard, Wagner; Wyatt Ziegler, Mobridge-Pollock; Wesley Molnar, Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central; Brody Lee, St. Thomas More; Keegan Tracy, Groton Area; and Cooper Pommer, Clark-Willow Lake.
All-American — Gannon Knebel, Wagner.
