Sully Buttes and Faulkton each placed three players on the Class 9B All-State football team announced by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association today.
Wes Wittler, Gavin Colson, and Kadyn Westergren made the honor unit from Sully Buttes, while Tristen Baloun, Kamryn Rhodes, and Spencer Melius made the team from Faulkton.
Jared Weisbeck of Herreid-Selby Area is also an all-state member.
Wittler finished off a stellar career as quarterback for the Chargers. He passed for 1,873 yards and 26 touchdowns, and ran for 729 yards and 10 TDs this past season. He finished his career with 4,708 yards passing and 60 touchdowns, 1,682 yards rushing and 29 TDs.
“Wes is a mentally tough and strong-willed person. Being part of a State Championship team in 2024, he returned his senior year with 6 new starters on offense and an all new offensive line that included 2 freshmen,” said Sully Buttes coach Tom Moore. “His leadership and drive helped motivate our offensive personnel to higher levels than anticipated.”
Baloun was a physical presence out of the backfield for the Trojans. He rushed for 697 yards and 8 touchdowns. He finished his career with 1,982 yards and 32 touchdowns.
“Tristen was one of our go-to backs the last two years when we needed yards,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He was a good blocker out of the “I” and could go and get the tough yards. He was a one of our leaders on and off the field.”
Colson played a key role in the Sully Buttes offense. The wide receiver had 55 catches for 565 yards and 7 touchdowns this past season. He finished his career with 1,303 yards receiving and 15 TDs.
“Gavin is a very smooth and consistent receiver. He is a very smart player and puts himself in good positions with alignment and his routes,” said Chargers coach Tom Moore. “Gavin is very sure handed and is able to stretch defenses with his ability.”
Westergren brought opposing ball carriers to a stop from his defensive line position. He had 43 tackles, 13 for loss, 3 sacks and recovered a fumble. He finished his career with 128 tackles, 23 for loss, 7 sacks, and recovered two fumbles.
“Kadyn is a physical football player that plays with high effort and determination all the time,” said Sully Buttes coach Tom Moore. “He has tremendous get off and uses his hands very well. He does a great job of getting off blocks and finds the football.”
Rhodes was always around the ball on defense as a linebacker. He racked up 83 tackles, 7 for loss, had 2 interceptions, recovered 2 fumbles, and scored a TD and a safety. He ran his totals for 109 career tackles, including 8 for loss.
“Kamryn did a good job at linebacker this year. He played ILB in our 3-4 scheme,” said Trojans coach Shayne Geditz. “He did a good job of finding the ball. He is a good tackler. He worked hard to become a very good LB.”
Weisbeck used his football IQ and instincts to be a solid linebacker for the Wolverines. He collected 74 tackles, 12 for loss, had 4 interceptions and forced a fumble.
“Jared is a little undersized for a linebacker,” said Herreid-Selby Area coach Josh Sayler, “but his instincts and willingness to learn/adapt/study film for each game puts him at a top tier level LB.”
Melius made plays on both sides of the ball for the Trojans. A quarterback on offense, Melius made his presence known as a defensive back with 80 tackles, 5 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He finished with 168 career tackles, 12 interceptions and 9 tackles for loss, despite missing a year due to injury.
“Spencer did a great job on the backend of our defense,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He played the pass and run equally well. He is a good tackler. He was a captain for our team and a very good leader.”
Kaden Russell of Herreid-Selby Area was selected as Honorable Mention.
Only a sophomore, Russell was an impact player for the Wolverines. He had 68 tackles, 11 for loss, picked off a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble this past season.
“He gives 100% and is one of the most coachable kids I.ve ever been around,” said HSA coach Josh Sayler. “I understand he is young, but I know every team in 9B would love to have a ‘lead by example’ player like Kaden in their program.”
Class 9B
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Wes Wittler, Sully Buttes.
Fullback-HBack — Tristen Baloun, Faulkton Area.
Running Backs — Lincoln LeBrun; Dell Rapids St. Mary, Waylon Bolle, Corsica-Stickney; and Hayden Pearson, Colman-Egan.
Wide Receivers — Gavin Colson, Sully Buttes and Abbott Moeller, Sioux Falls Lutheran.
Tight End — Al’Shamon Gunter, Avon.
Linemen — Alex Lindeman and Gavin Pica, Dell Rapids St. Mary; Tom Loehr, Colman-Egan; and Randall Powers, Avon.
DEFENSE
Linemen — Kadyn Westergren, Sully Buttes; Adam Kleinsasser, Canistota; Carlo Pica, Dell Rapids St. Mary; and Quentin De Vries, Corsica-Stickney.
Linebackers — Kole Hermann, Kadoka Area; Kamrynn Rhodes, Faulkton Area; Jared Weisbeck, Herreid-Selby Area; and Ben Curd, Iroquois-Lake Preston.
Defensive Backs — Spencer Melius, Faulkton Area; and Trimmier Hanson and Jaxon Baumberger, Dell Rapids St. Mary.
OTHERS
Athletes — Karson Eisenbaun, Kadoka Area; Tyler Martin, Faith; and Logan Bauer, Dell Rapids St. Mary.
Special Teams — Payson Acheson, Canistota.
HONORABLE MENTION — Rowen Becker, Sioux Falls Lutheran; Lucas Peskey, Iroquois-Lake Preston; Prayden Acheson and Easton Miller, Canistota; Ryhder Behnke, Colman-Egan; Brennon Bickett, Oldham-Ramona-Rutland; Max Vanden Hoek, Corsica-Stickney; Kaden Russell, Herreid-Selby Area; and Trenton Soukup, Avon.
All-American — Trimmier Hanson, Dell Rapids St. Mary.
