State finalists Hot Springs and Elk Point-Jefferson headline this year’s Class 11B all-state football team, which was selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

Hot Springs, which won its first title in the playoff era, was represented by Camron Maciejewski, Colin Iverson, Caleb Rickenbach, Colin Iverson and Braden Peterson. Garrett Merkley, Carson Timmins, Evan Fornia, Hudson Kempf and Jake Gale were all-state selections for the Huskies. 

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

QUARTERBACK: Boden Schiller, Sr., Sioux Valley (6-0, 190)

Schiller paced the Cossacks’ offensive attack. He rushed for 955 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, while passing for 577 yards and eight more scores. He was an all-stater in 2022 and is a two-time all-conference performer. “Outstanding player on both sides of the ball,” Sioux Valley coach Dan Hughes said. “Very elusive and explosive athlete who twice has earned Sioux Valley's Outstanding Lifter of the Year.”

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Hudsyn Ruesink, Sr., Sioux Valley (6-3, 215)

Ruesink bulldozed defenders and was a key blocker for the Cossacks ground game. He helped Sioux Valley rush for 3,321 yards and hauled in 144 receiving yards/4 touchdowns. He was an all-conference player. “A very talented player who blocked DE's & LB's week in and week out,” Sioux Valley coach Dan Hughes said. “Outstanding hands and big body which led to him being SV's leading receiver.”

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Colby Carruthers, Sr., Tri-Valley (6-1, 180)

Carruthers posted 351 rushing yards on 75 carries and scored two touchdowns. On defense, he added 118 tackles (78 solo), three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. He logged 290 total tackles (168 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in his career. He was a two-time all-conference member. “Colby Carruthers is a tough football player,” Tri-Valley coach Dan Snethen said. “He has been the anchor of our defense for the last two seasons and has been a very productive player for the Mustangs.”

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Aiden Barfuss, Sr., Winner (6-0, 200)

Barfuss packed a punch for the Warriors. Barfuss logged 1,154 rushing yards on 129 carries and scored 18 touchdowns for the Warriors. He finished with 3,456 career rushing yards. Barfuss will play college baseball at Dakota State. 

RUNNING BACK: Camron Maciejewski, Sr., Hot Springs (6-2, 210)

Maciejewski rumbled his way to big games for the state champs. He finished the season with 1,588 rushing yards on 135 carries and scored 25 touchdowns, while scoring three touchdown receptions. For his career, Maciejewski rushed for 2,794 yards on 321 carries and scored 40 rushing touchdowns. Maciejewski, who was the Class 11B Joe Robbie MVP, will play college football at Augustana University. “Camron Maciejewski is a once in a career football player,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “He does everything right — leadership, football ability, offseason training, attitude, grades. There is nothing negative I can say about him. His stats speak for themselves. He is such a huge part of our success. It is a bold statement, but Camron Maciejewski is the best football player to ever put on a Hot Springs jersey and I am grateful that I have been able to coach him.”

RUNNING BACK: Donovan Rose, Jr., Sioux Valley (5-9, 170)

An elusive and speedy back, Rose racked up 953 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He averaged 10.2 yards per carry and added a receiving touchdown. An all-conference performer, Rose is being recruited by Missouri Valley Football Conference programs, said coach Dan Hughes. “Extremely agile, fast, and a hard to bring down running back,” Hughe said. “A once-in-a-career talent who is at the same time one of our hardest workers.”

RUNNING BACK: Jhett Breen, Sr., Wagner (5-10, 180)

Breen logged 1,008 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns for Wagner this season. He added three receiving touchdowns and one punt return for a score. “Coach's dream to have and is an excellent leader,” Wagner coach Jason Knebel said. “It will be hard to find another Jhett Breen.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Ryder Michalek, Jr., Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central (6-3, 180)

Michalek racked up 816 yards receiving on 49 catches and hauled in six touchdown receptions. For his career, he has 1,595 yards receiving on 100 catches and 14 touchdowns. “Ryder is one of the most dedicated kids I have ever coached,” WWSSC coach Kenny Huether said. “He has a tremendous work ethic both in and out of season and shows up every day with a great attitude. His overall commitment makes those players around him better.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Garrett Merkley, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-0, 175)

Merkley was a key weapon for Elk Point-Jefferson. He hauled in 315 receiving yards on 23 receptions and caught three touchdowns. He added 477 rushing yards on 40 carries and scored eight touchdowns. On defense, he posted 17 tackles and three interceptions. For his career, Merkley posted 620 yards receiving and five touchdowns. He rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he logged 38.5 tackles, seven interceptions and five kickoff returns for scores in his career. He was a two-time all-conference player. “He is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball,” EPJ coach Jake Terry said. 

WIDE RECEIVER: Ray Travnicek, Sr., Parker (5-11, 155)

Travnicek hauled in 39 catches for 665 yards and six touchdowns. He added 115 rushing yards and another score. “This kid was unbelievable for us this year,” Parker coach Scott Hybertson said. “His numbers weren’t unbelievable, but if you played us you knew where he was on the field at all times. Incredibly athletic and hard to tackle.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Noah Best, Sr., Winner (6-2, 260)

Best paved the way for Winner to rush for 3,310 yards. He was a two-year starter and all-conference selection. 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Spencer Calhoon, Sr., Winner (6-9, 315)

Calhoon mauled defenders and helped Winner rush for 3,310 yards. He was a two-year starter and an all-conference member. 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Robert Begalka, Sr., Deuel (6-1, 240)

Begalka helped the Cardinals rush for 2,115 yards and logged 35 pancake blocks. The three-year starter helped Deuel rush for 5,700 yards and logged 80 pancake blocks during his career. “Robert Begalka has elite strength,” Deuel coach Dustin Hourigan said. “Add to that his high football IQ you have a very effective o-lineman. He made a lot of our adjustment calls this year up front which helped contribute to our success running the ball.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Hudson Kempf, Jr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-1, 250)

Kempf was EPJ’s left tackle and helped the team rush for 2,135 yards and 3,552 yards of total offense. He’s helped EPJ rush for 4,890 yds, record 7,789 yards of total offense and have scored 938 points with him as a starter.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Logan Ringgenberg, Sr., Groton Area (6-2, 245)

Ringgenberg was a three-year starter for the Tigers. “Logan has been one of the most athletic lineman I've coached in a long time,” Groton Area coach Shaun Wanner said. “He has great speed for his size and was our best pulling guard/tackle for the past three years.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Levi Wieman, Sr., Parker (6-0, 235)

Wieman anchored Parker’s line play and helped the Pheasants log 2,627 yards of total offense. On defense, he posted 254 tackles, 40 tackles and 11 sacks during his career. “Levi has been a huge part, if not the biggest part, of any success we have had since we have been in 11 man football,” Parker coach Scott Hybertson said. “He has started on both sides of the ball for all four years of his high school career. He was consistently leading our team on the defensive side of the ball, the offensive line, and offseason workouts and camps.”

ATHLETE: Drake Gustafson, Sr., Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan (6-3, 205)

Gustafson was all over the field for the Seahawks. As a quarterback, he passed for 595 yards and four touchdowns. He added 445 rushing yards and 11 more scores. He added two interceptions and 50 tackles on defense, while he handled the kicking duties. He’s an all-conference player. “Drake is a very coachable young man that was our leader on and off the field,” BEE coach Jeff VanLeur said. “He is looking to play football in the future at Dordt.”

ATHLETE: Josh Schaunaman, Sr., Aberdeen Roncalli (6-0, 205)

Schaunaman logged 71 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and one interception on defense. A two-time all-conference player, Schaunaman posted 201 career tackles. “Josh has been a mainstay on our defense for the past three years,” Roncalli coach Billy Young said. “He got his first start late in his freshman year and started every game since. He led us in tackles two of the past three years, all seasons in which we went to the quarterfinals.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Caleb Rickenbach, Sr., Hot Springs (6-1, 220)

Rickenbach anchored the defensive front for the Bison. He finished with 66 tackles (22 solo), 13 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. In his career, he posted 235 tackles (77 solo), 32 sacks and five fumble recoveries. He was the Outstanding Lineman in the Class 11B state championship game and was a four-year starter. “Has been the cornerstone of our defensive line for the last three years,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “He has strength that is not normal for a high school kid and a motor that never stops.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Evan Fornia, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-6, 225)

Fornia logged 39.5 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks for the Huskies. For his career, he posted 55 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He was a two-time all-conference player and played multiple positions across the defensive front. 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Shawn Hammerbeck, Jr., Winner (6-7, 245)

Hammerbeck was a dominant force along the lines for Winner. He led the team in tackles and sacks this season. Hammerbeck, who has drawn interest from multiple Division I college football programs, is a two-year starter. He’s also an outstanding basketball player and track and field standout.  

DEFENSIVE LINE: Isaac Nehlich, Sr., Tri-Valley (6-0, 230)

Nehlich anchored Tri-Valley’s defensive front, recording 74 tackles (41 solo), 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. For his career, he posted 205 tackles (110 solo), 30 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. He’s also a state wrestling placer and state track and field qualifier. “Isaac Nehlich was an outstanding player to coach,” Tri-Valley coach Dan Snethen said. “This season, Isaac was a two-way starter who rarely left the field. For his career, he was a three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Mustangs. Isaac led the team in each of the last two seasons in QB sacks and tackles for loss.”

LINEBACKER: Jake Gale, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (5-8, 160)

Gale was a key performer for the Huskies. He logged 30.5 tackles, four tackles for loss and one interception on defense. He added 683 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on offense. For his career, he posted 90.5 tackles, three sacks, 13 tackles for loss and three interceptions. He was a three-year starter on defense. “One of the best OLB's I've had the privilege to coach,” EPJ coach Jake Terry said. “Smart player, gets everyone in the right spot every play. Watches more film than the rest of the team combined.”

Hot Springs' Colin Iverson looks for a receiver in the state championship game in Vermillion. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

LINEBACKER: Colin Iverson, Sr., Hot Springs (5-7, 170)

Iverson bowled his way to a productive senior season. He finished with 62 tackles (24 solo), seven tackles for loss and six interceptions on defense. For his career, he posted 147 tackles (45 solo), four sacks, 16 tackles for loss and six interceptions. He also played quarterback for the state champs. “Colin is a two-year starter for us at LB,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “Makes great reads and understands leverage. Played in the shadow of his older brothers for a couple years but took full advantage of his opportunities. Great leadership skills and such a fun kid to be around.”

LINEBACKER: Drake Lindberg, Sr., Rapid City Christian (6-0, 195)

Lindberg logged 127 tackles (73 solo), 13 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for Rapid City Christian, which made an semifinal run this season. “Hard-working kid,” Rapid City Christian coach Matt McIntosh said. “Puts long hours in on his ranch, comes to practice and practices hard every week and then goes home to do more chores.”

LINEBACKER: Sam Kooima, Sr., Lead-Deadwood (6-0, 190)

Kooima posted 77 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and two sacks for Lead-Deadwood this season. He added 1,006 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. For his career, he finished with 2,229 rushing  yards and 28 touchdowns. On defense, he posted 224 total tackles and four sacks during his career. He was a three-time all-conference player. “Sam is a three-year starter for Lead-Deadwood football and has been the heart and soul of the team,” Lead-Deadwood coach Kyle Kooima said. “Sam has been asked to do it all playing QB, RB, LB, DB returning kicks and punts, kicking off, long snapping, and punting.” 

DEFENSIVE BACK: Trey Maaland, Sr., Deuel (6-1, 180)

Maaland posted 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, six interceptions and had a pick-six. For his career, he logged 68 tackles, 10 interceptions and 12 passes defended. “Trey Maaland plays the safety position well for a team that allowed only 406 rushing yds and 913 passing yds in 10 games,” Deuel coach Dustin Hourigan said. “His anticipation of the ball in the air and his speed have made him effective in defending the pass.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Eli McFarland, Sr., Tri-Valley (5-11, 175)

McFarland was a productive defensive back for the Mustangs. He racked up 44 tackles (30 solo) and had a fumble recovery. On offense, he passed for 308 yards and rushed for 494 yards/7 TDs. For his career, he logged 121 tackles (76 solo), two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He added 842 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for 741 yards/15 touchdowns. He’s a three-time all-conference player. “Eli is one of the most reliable, coachable young men I’ve ever worked with,” Tri-Valley coach Dan Snethen said. “He is a physical, hard-nosed football player. He is a fierce competitor with the ball in his hands on offense and a clutch open-field tackler as a safety.:

DEFENSIVE BACK: Blake Larson, Sr., Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central (5-10, 155)

Larson logged 47 tackles and two interceptions on defense this season. For his career, he posted 94 tackles, 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He is a two-time all-conference player. “Blake is a very intelligent football player, almost like a coach on the field,” WWSSC coach Kenny Huether said. “His diversity allowed us to use him in multiple positions both offensively and defensively. Combine his intelligence with his athleticism and it makes him a very good football player.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Aiden Fisher, Jr., Aberdeen Roncalli (5-10, 155)

Fisher finished the season with 60 tackles and four interceptions. He added 429 rushing yards, 250 receiving yards and 415 passing yards/3 TDs. “Aiden helped to salvage our season when we lost our starting QB for the season early in the Game 5,” Roncalli coach Billy Young said. “With no meaningful QB experience he moved over from WR and started the final four games of the season going 3-1, including a road playoff win.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Braden Peterson, Sr., Hot Springs (5-9, 170)

Peterson added some blazing speed to Bison. He averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return and scored a touchdown, while he averaged 20.4 yards per punt return and scored three more scores. He was an all-conference performer for the state champs. He was named the Class 11B state championship’s Outstanding Back. “Braden's speed is something we have never had at Hot Springs,” Hot Springs coach Ben Kramer said. “We plugged him in at RB last summer and he picked it up quick.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Carson Timmins, Sr., Elk Point-Jefferson (6-0, 170)

Timmins converted 43 of 46 PATs and 3 of 6 field goal attempts, while logging 13 touchbacks. For his career, he converted 178 of 193 PATs and 7 of 16 field goal attempts. “Began kicking midway through freshman year,” EPJ coach Jake Terry said. “Has gone to camps to improve himself. Reliable resource to know we are going to get an extra point every time he goes out.”

HONORABLE MENTION: Holden Havlik, Woonsocket-Wessington Springs-Sanborn Central; Colby Koida, Miller/Highmore-Harrold; Wesley Schlabach and Braylon Marshall, RC Christian; Connor Hanson, Lead-Deadwood; Brent Bearman, Webster Area; Jason Zeeb,Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan; Braxton Knudson, Wagner; and Reese Smith, Tri-Valley.