By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal

605 Sports

State champion Elk Point-Jefferson leads the Class 11B All-State selections, which were selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

The Huskies placed Devon Schmitz, Lucas Hueser, Chase Fornia, Ty Trometer, Gavin Jacobs, Benjamin Swatek, and Hunter Geary on the All-State team. 

Runner-up Winner had six selections, including Aiden Barfuss, Riley Orel, Jack Kruger, Ethan Bartels, Jack Peters, and Blake Volmer.

Semifinalists Hot Springs and McCook Central/Montrose placed four and three selections on the team, respectively. Hot Springs’ Landon Iverson, Preston Iverson, Caleb Rickenbach, and Camron Maciejewski made the team, while McCook Central/Montrose’s Jackson Grady, Jake VanHout, and Will Cleveland were selected to the team.

Here is the complete Class 11B all-state team:

QUARTERBACK: Reed Rus, Sr., Mount Vernon/Plankinton (6-3, 205)

Rus was a mainstay on the Titans football team the last several years. The four year starter led the team in yards and tackles during his senior season. Rus rushed for 1,172 yards and 21 touchdowns, while passing for 444 yards and four touchdowns. He was a first team All-State selection last season and is a two-time SESD All-Conference selection.

FULLBACK: Aiden Barfuss, Jr., Winner (6-0, 210)

Barfuss was the leading rusher for a Warriors team that finished runner-up in Class 11B this season. The two year starter and 2021 Joe Robbie Award winner rushed for 988 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 8.0 yards per carry, while also averaging 42.5 yards per kickoff return. So far in his career, Barfuss has rushed for 2,000 yards on 225 carries and 31 touchdowns, averaging 8.9 yards per carry.

H-BACK: Devon Schmitz, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-0, 170)

Schmitz was a versatile player for the Huskies during their run to a state championship. The senior rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 360 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Schmitz finished his career with 577 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, while adding 940 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

“Do it all guy,” Elk Point-Jefferson coach Jake Terry said. “Great blocker, threat to run the ball, top receiver in both his junior and senior seasons.”

RUNNING BACK: Lucas Hueser, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (5-10, 180)

Hueser was part of a backfield duo that helped lead the Huskies to their first ever state championship. The senior finished the season with 837 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding 99 receiving yards. During his career, Hueser rushed for 1,750 yards and 40 touchdowns, while adding 194 receiving yards. Defensively, the All-Big East Conference selection recorded 27 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, and one interception. He capped off his career with 104.5 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.

“Three year starter at RB and DB, (he) holds the school record for TD’s in a season and career,” Elk Point-Jefferson coach Jake Terry said. “One of the best we have had at EPJ. Splits reps 50/50 with our other back so he is doing all of this while only playing half the game on offense.”

Winner's Riley Orel carries the ball against Elk Point-Jefferson in the Class 11B state championship game. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

RUNNING BACK: Riley Orel, Sr., Winner (5-10, 180)

Orel was a key contributor for the Winner offense this season, racking up 769 rushing yards on 66 carries and 11 touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per carry. He also added two receiving touchdowns. The 2020 Joe Robbie Award winner finished the season with 1,330 all-purpose yards, while finishing his career with over 3,000 all-purpose yards. He is now a two-time All-State selection.

“(Riley) has been a great player for us and starter for the last 3 years,” Winner coach Trent Olson said.

RUNNING BACK: Landon Iverson, Sr., Hot Springs (5-6, 170)

Iverson was part of a backfield trio that led the Bison to a semifinal appearance in 2022. He finished the season with 974 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, while adding 204 receiving yards and one touchdown, as well as recording 80 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, one sack, and two interceptions on defense. Iverson finished his career with 2,217 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, while adding 387 receiving yards and one touchdown. Defensively, the All-Black Hills Conference selection finishes with 171 career tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, 10 interceptions, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.

“Landon is as durable as they come. Always played hurt but never injured,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “Made a commitment to the weightroom and built himself up to be a workhorse over the last two seasons, a perfect compliment to his brother in our offense.

Defensively Landon was dominant in the run game. Took the worry out playing against bigger bodied running backs and was nearly flawless in the open field. Used his stature to his advantage and was always in a position to make a play.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Jackson Grady, Sr., McCook Central/Montrose (6-2, 185)

Grady was one of the top receivers for the Fighting Cougars, totaling 553 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He finished his career with 1,027 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

“Great receiver on a team that had many different targets we could throw to,” McCook Central/Montrose coach Shawn Flanagan said. “Great in space and making plays out of nothing. (Jackson) was a go-to receiver when we needed a big play.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Easton Ogle, Sr., St. Thomas More (5-9, 175)

Ogle was a leading receiving target for St. Thomas More this season, with the Black Hills All-Conference selection catching 39 passes for 448 yards and three touchdown receptions. During his career, Ogle had 75 receptions for 1,394 yards and 12 touchdowns, while adding 1,671 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns.

“We were happy to have Easton come back to be a Cavalier his senior year,” St. Thomas More coach Wayne Sullivan said. “His work ethic and enthusiasm helped our team immensely this year.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Sutton Arend, Sr., Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (6-3, 190)

Arend was a key contributor for the Seahawks offense, as the 6’3” receiver tallied 14 receptions for 296 yards and four touchdowns this season. Due to injuries, Arend was moved to the backfield where he had 84 carries for 460 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. For his career, Arend finished with 29 receptions for 396 yards and seven touchdowns. He was also an All-State defensive back selection in 2021 and two-time All-Big East Conference selection.

“Sutton is a hard worker, a great leader on and off the field,” Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan coach Jeff VanLeur said. “He is very coachable and is an Academic All-Stater.”

TIGHT END: Gavin Benck, Sr., Deuel (6-2, 190)

Benck was a key player in the Cardinals offense this season, tallying 234 receiving yards on eight catches, averaging 29.3 yards per reception. He also had 21 pancake blocks. For his career, Benck finished with 303 receiving yards on 13 receptions and one touchdown, averaging 23.3 yards per reception, while also adding 23 pancake blocks.

“Gavin has great hands and route running ability,” Deuel coach Dustin Hourigan said. (He) was someone we ran behind that we knew we could trust blocking out on the edge.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Chase Fornia, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-4, 260)

Fornia was the left tackle on a Huskies offense that scored 482 points and rushed for 2,308 yards and 46 touchdowns. Fornia even scored on a five-yard run himself. The all-conference selection was a three-year starter at left tackle on a team that scored 1,197 points and rushed for 7,604 yards and 125 touchdowns

“Chace is our best offensive lineman on the best team we have had at EPJ,” Elk Point-Jefferson coach Jake Terry said. “(He is a) leader both on and off the field.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jack Kruger, Sr., Winner (6-3, 200)

Kruger helped the Warriors to a Class 11B runner-up finish by blocking for an offense that rushed for more than 3,400 yards this season. The two-year starter and All-SESD selection paved the way for Winner to rush for 7,500 yards while starting at guard.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jake VanHout, Sr., McCook Central/Montrose (6-3, 285)

VanHout was a leading offensive lineman for the Fighting Cougars as he led the team in pancake blocks and did not give up a sack. He was also an all-conference and Honorable Mention All-State selection as a junior.

“Jake is a 3 year starter for MCM and is a road grader for an offensive lineman,” McCook Central/Montrose coach Shawn Flanagan said. “Great feet in pass pro as well.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Toby Kneen, Sr., Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central (6-4, 260)

Kneen paved the way for an offense that averaged 175 rushing yards per game and 125 passing yards per game. He was a three-year starter on the offensive and defensive line and never gave up a sack on offense.

“Toby is a 3 year starter on both sides of the ball. This year he was a captain and team leader,” Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central coach Kenny Huether said. “He was our best interior D Lineman and our best edge rusher too. He broke the sack record this year. On offense, we ran behind him 70% of the time and he didn't give up a sack all year.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Ty Trometer, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (5-10, 230)

Trometer helped pave the way for a Huskies team that won the Class 11B state championship and averaged 45.8 points per game on offense. Elk Point-Jefferson scored 482 points and rushed for 2,308 yards and 46 touchdowns this season.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Aidan Brower, Sr., Sioux Valley (6-3, 260)

A Dakota Wesleyan University recruit, Brower was a three-year starter, All-Big East Conference selection, and Academic All-State selection with a 4.0 GPA.

ATHLETE: Owen Quail, Sr., Deuel (5-11, 180)

Quail played an important role in the Cardinals offense, rushing for 824 yards and 14 touchdowns on 108 carries, averaging 4.58 yards per carry. The ECC and NEC All-Conference selection finished his career with 1,471 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, while adding 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Quail was also named the ECC Offensive Player of the Year.

“Owen was a key piece of our offense this season,” Deuel coach Dustin Hourigan said. “He is a fearless, tough and effective runner between the tackles. Many of his yards came after contact. He is a runner opposing teams had to game plan for.”

ATHLETE: Preston Iverson, Sr., Hot Springs (5-6, 160)

Iverson was a key playmaker on the Bison offense, leading the team from his quarterback position to a semifinal appearance. The senior passed for 680 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 1,059 yards and 17 touchdowns. Iverson finished his career with 680 passing yards and nine touchdowns, 1,133 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, and 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In addition to being named to the Black Hills Conference All-Conference team, Iverson was named the Hot Springs Most Valuable Offensive player.

“Preston broke his collarbone week four of his sophomore year and broke the other one week four of his junior year. So much of our offense revolved around him and his absence was felt immediately,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “He worked through the disappointment of basically missing two seasons and was motivated to leave it all on the field his senior year.

What you see out of Preston this season is the product of hard work and the realization of how quickly this game could be taken away. He took the adverse situations and made them his motivation to be great.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Aguer Van Sickle, Sr., Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (6-4, 220)

Van Sickle was an anchor on the Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan defensive line, tallying 63 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He finished his career with 128 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, and five fumble recoveries.

“Aguer has been a two year starter for us. He works hard and is very quick off the ball,” Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan coach Jeff VanLeur said. “He has been Big East all-conference. Aguer is very deserving of All-State.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Ethan Bartels, Sr., Winner (6-3, 200)

Bartels anchored a physical defensive line for the runner-up Warriors. An All-SESD selection, Bartels tallied 9.5 tackles and four tackles-for-loss this season, while recording 23 tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss, and five sacks in his career. He was also a three-year starter on offense.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Gavin Jacobs, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-1, 195)

Jacobs was a staple on the defensive line for the state champion Huskies. The senior recorded 28 tackles, five sacks, and eight tackles-for-loss this season, while tallying 68 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 14 tackles-for-loss, and one forced fumble in his career.

“Great defensive end against both the run and the pass,” Elk Point-Jefferson coach Jake Terry said. “He is our one guy that does not come off the field. All Conference player.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Caleb Rickenbach, Jr., Hot Springs (6-1, 200)

Rickenbach led the Hot Springs defensive front, recording 69 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble. For his career, Rickenbach logged 169 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, 19 sacks, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries, including three returned for touchdowns. He is a two-time All-Black Hills Conference selection and Hot Springs Most Valuable D-Lineman. Rickenbach also broke the record for sacks in a season (11) as a sophomore.

“We have waited a long time to have a 3-tech the caliber of Caleb,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “He made the transition from Linebacker to Defensive Line as a Sophomore. He has been dominant in that role for the last three seasons. Caleb is a high motor kid, very disciplined in our defensive scheme and seems to always be in position to make a play.”

LINEBACKER: Benjamin Swatek, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (5-11, 185)

Swatek was a force on both sides of the ball for the Huskies. The senior recorded 47.5 tackles, one sack, six tackles-for-loss, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions on defense, while rushing for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns and adding 118 yards receiving and three touchdowns on offense. For his career, Swatek tallied 150 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles, one forced fumble, two forced recovery, and three interceptions on defense, while rushing for 1,717 yards and 28 touchdowns, and 139 receiving yards and three touchdowns on offense. He was a three-year starter on defense.

Elk Point-Jefferson coach Jake Terry said Swatek was, “Our best player, both on and off the field.”

LINEBACKER: Jack Peters, Sr., Winner (5-10, 160)

Peters led the Winner linebacking corps the last two seasons, including being the leading tackler in 2021. The senior finished the season with 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. He capped off his career with 110 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and 11 pass break-ups.

LINEBACKER: Camron Maciejewski, Jr., Hot Springs (6-1, 190)

Maciejewski was a key player on the Hot Springs defense, logging 117 tackles, two sacks, 14 tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. The two-time Hot Springs Defensive MVP and All-Black Hills Conference selection has totaled 237 tackles, seven sacks, 29 tackles-for-loss, one interception, seven forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries so far in his career.

“Camron is one of those players that coaches dream about having. He is so good at everything he does. Started as a Freshman and immediately contributed on both sides of the ball,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “Opponents need to know where #1 is at all times and hope they can run away from him or get at least two hats on him. He has an advanced football IQ for his age and seems to always be in position to make a play. He does not settle for mediocre and expects full effort all the time. Camron is a huge piece to our success and will continue to be our leader into his senior season.”

LINEBACKER: Matt Larson, Sr., St. Thomas More (6-0, 192)

Larson was a key player for the Cavaliers, recording 65 tackles, one sack, three tackles-for-loss, five pass break-ups, and two interceptions this season. He is a three-time Black Hills All-Conference selection, and a returning All-State selection at linebacker from last season. Larson finished his career with 2,793 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns on offense, while also adding 192 tackles, six interceptions, 10 tackles-for-loss, 11 pass break-ups, and one interception return for a touchdown.

“Matt was the type of player that every team needed to know where he was on both offense and defense,” St. Thomas More coach Wayne Sullivan said. “He seemed to still always be around the ball. He will be playing on Saturdays. He is one of the best football players that I have had the privilege to coach in my 32 years.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Blake Volmer, Sr., Winner (6-3, 185)

Volmer was a leader on both sides of the ball for the Winner Warriors. The two-year starter and All-SESD selection totaled 13 tackles, five pass break-ups, and five interceptions this season.

“A great communicator on the back end,” Winner coach Trent Olson said. “Keeps all our guys on the same page.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Will Cleveland, Sr., McCook Central/Montrose (5-10, 165)

Cleveland was an influential player for the Fighting Cougars in their run to the semifinals. An Honorable Mention All-State selection a year ago and three-year starter, Cleveland recorded 63 tackles, four interceptions, and four tackles-for-loss this season.

“Will Cleveland was all over for us on defense making plays at the line of scrimmage, in the run game, or playing middle safety and guarding against the pass,” McCook Central/Montrose coach Shawn Flanagan said. “Has a tremendous knack for the ball and makes plays for the team on offense, defense and special teams.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Hunter Geary, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (5-8, 150)

Geary was an effective player on both sides of the ball for the state champion Huskies. The senior logged 39 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions, including two interceptions for touchdowns. Offensively, Geary had 109 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while adding 98 yards receiving and one touchdown. For his career, the all-conference defensive back totaled 101.5 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six interceptions, including two interceptions for touchdowns.

“(Hunter) plays our strong safety and does an outstanding job both tackling in the open field as well as in pass coverage,” Elk Point-Jefferson coach Jake Terry said. “Small, but hits like a ton of bricks. Fearless.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Ethan Hoffman, Sr., Flandreau (6-0, 175)

Hoffman was a big-time tackler for the Fliers, registering 98 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, and 13 passes defended this season. For his career, Hoffman totaled 198 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, six interceptions, 22 passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

“Ethan got a lot of tackles from the Safety spot. He closed quick and has great instincts,” Flandreau coach Josh Edlund said. “When we needed something done we would have Ethan Hoffman take care of it. He is in the top 10 all time for tackles in the history of Flandreau Football. He had 11 tackles for a loss from the safety spot and almost 100 total tackles this year. He is a fantastic defensive player and led our team in total tackles and passes defended. He is also one of our team captains.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Jackson Isakson, Sr., Aberdeen Roncalli (6-3, 200)

Isakson was a multi-faceted athlete for Aberdeen Roncalli, but came in clutch as a kicker for the Cavaliers. The senior was 22-of-25 on point-after-attempts and 6-of-9 on field goals, with a long of 48 yards. 24 of his 32 kickoffs were touchbacks. He kicked 18 career field goals, and has started as the kicker since the 8th grade. Isakson was an Honorable Mention All-State selection in 2020, an All-State selection in 2021, and a three-time All-NEC selection. The South Dakota State University commit is ranked by Kohls/ESPN as the 69th best kicker in the country.

“Jackson capped off his high school career with another outstanding season,” Aberdeen Roncalli coach Billy Young said. “His ability has been an invaluable asset to us, not just this year, but over the past 5 years. He will be continuing his football career at SDSU.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Boden Schiller, Jr., Sioux Valley (6-1, 190)

Schiller was an all-around player for the Cossacks, with the All-Big East Conference selection recording 230 receiving yards and one touchdown on offense, as well as being a threat on special teams.

“Best all around player,” Sioux Valley coach Dan Hughes said. “Runs, blocks, catches… teams need to know where he is at on each play.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Boston Katzer, Soph., McCook Central/Montrose; Jackson Remmers, Jr., McCook Central/Montrose; Kade Grocott, Jr., McCook Central/Montrose; Maddox May, Sr., Aberdeen Roncalli; Dan Laufman, Sr., Mount Vernon/Plankinton; Ronnie Begalka, Sr., Deuel; Elijah Hoyt, Sr., Rapid City Christian; Austin Hoiten, Sr., McCook Central/Montrose; Camden Jost, Sr., Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central; Trey Huber, Sr., Clark/Willow Lake; Tate Hoffman, Sr., Miller/Highmore-Harrold; Kolby Peters, Sr., Flandreau