A trio of Warner Monarchs earned Class 9A All-State football honors as announced by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association today.
Jesiah Baum, Noah Bakeberg, and Alec Mikkelsen are on the honor unit as are Kyle Hettich of Ipswich, and Leonard Wernke and Kamden Keszler of Castlewood.
Baum was a threat to score every time he got his hands on the ball. He rushed for 972 yards and 22 touchdowns, had 5 touchdown receptions, and also returned kicks for TDs. He finished his career with 2,587 yards rushing, 1,462 yards receiving and 59 career TDs.
“Jesiah is the true meaning of a game breaker,” said Monarchs coach Derek Hoellein. “He can take it the distance from anywhere on the field. He is a leader on and off the field.
”Few people were more explosive than Hettich, who rushed for 1,194 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season from his running back spot. He caught 9 touchdown passes and two kicks for scores. He finished with 2,178 career rushing yards and 31 TDs, 20 touchdown receptions, 5 kick returns for scores, 6 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries.
“Hard working athlete who put a lot of time in for our program over the last 4 years,” said Ipswich coach Brian Hogie. “Always exciting when he had the ball in his hands. Had a chance to go the distance whenever he touched it.”
At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, Wernke provided a big target from his tight end position. He had 13 catches for 416 yards and 8 touchdowns this past season. He also ran 10 times for 174 yards and another TD.
“High upside player that has been a great leader for us this season,” said Castlewood coach Nick Ernst, “first year as a major contributor for the team.”
Bakeberg was a cornerstone of the Warner defensive line. He had 57 tackles and 4 sacks for a defense that allowed only 11.4 points per game.
“Noah is a tone setter for us on the defensive side of the ball,” said Monarchs coach Derek Hoellein. “He is an anchor in the middle of our defense. He was third on our team in tackles from the nose guard position. Very good against the run.”
Keszler was a force for the Warriors on both sides of the football. In addition to his quarterbacking duties, Keszler racked up 79 tackles from his middle linebacker position on defense, including 20 for loss, had 1.5 sacks, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass.
Keszler was a leader in the weight room. He also started on the state championship basketball team for Castlewood last season.
Mikkelsen helped Warner win the field position battle as well providing field goals and PATs for the Monarchs. The junior made 35 of 40 PTs, 2 field goals, averaged 49.7 yards per kick, and 32.3 yards per punt. He already has made 127 PATs and 3 field goals.
“Alec is a weapon as a special teams player,” said Warner coach Derek Hoellein. “He has been very consistent as a punter/kicker for the last 3 years. He has put in a lot of time and effort into becoming the kicker/punter he is today.”
Geditz did a little bit of everything for the Tigers. He rushed for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns, had 3 touchdown receptions, blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher, and finished with 2,013 yards rushing and 49 TDs, 551 yards receiving and 7 scores, and also had 282.5 tackles, 9 sacks, 4 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 2 defensive TDs.
“Casey had great season for our team this year,” said Ipswich coach Brian Hogie. “He has been a constant on both sides of the ball for us for the last 3 years. He was an athlete that I could move around all over the field on offense. Played FB/TE/H-Back/RB/WR each game.”
Richmond finished a decorated a career with the Warbirds this past season. He rushed 58 times for 319 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and also had 23 receptions for 314 yards and 4 TDs, despite only playing four games at wide receiver.
Richmond led Wolsey-Wessington into the Class 9A state title game a year ago. He was an all-state quarterback last season and an all-state defensive back the year before that.
Class 9A
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks — Alec Austin, Centerville.
Fullback-HBack — Kolt Becker, Howard.
Running Backs — Jace Mohr, Wall; Kyle Hettich, Ipswich; and Jesiah Baum, Warner.
Wide Receivers — Dawson Handock, Wall and Broc Bauer, Timber Lake.
Tight End — Leonard Wernke, Castlewood.
Linemen — Kyler Kjerstad and Riley Kerner, Wall; Cole Finn, Philip; and Evan Haak, Alcester-Hudson.
DEFENSE
Linemen — Garret Feldhaus, Howard; Ryan Bielmaier, Wall; Noah Bakeberg, Warner; and Jacob Cole, Alcester-Hudson.
Linebackers — Younger Amiotte, Wall; Nolan Mentele, Howard; Kamden Keszler, Castlewood; and Lincoln Wickstrom, Harding County-Bison.
Defensive Backs — Tyce Gropper, Philip; Jye Bailey, Platte-Geddes; and Teelan Kjerstad, Wall.
OTHERS
Athletes — Tanner Volmer, Wall; and Tommy Walth, Alcester-Hudson.
Special Teams — Alec Mikkelsen, Warner; and Kenyon Kuipers, Platte-Geddes.
HONORABLE MENTION — Conway Collins, Lyman; Regan Schwartz and Owyn Ebbers, Estelline-Hendricks; Casey Geditz, Ipswich; Caleb Richmond, Wolsey-Wessington; Trevor Schulz, Wall; Darin Dykstra, Alcester-Hudson; Ty Rolland, Platte-Geddes; Mason Bickel, Timer Lake; Eli Peterson, Lemmon-McIntosh; and Cruz Birkland, Dupree.
All-American — Jace Mohr, Wall.
