By Rich Winter

605 Sports

VERMILLION — For the last four years Hunter Cramer has been the face of Warner football. 

 On Thursday as the Monarchs held off Deubrook Area 76-54 to win the 9A football title Cramer was able to share the spotlight with his classmates who haven’t gotten the same notoriety as the Monarch’s quarterback. . 

 “It feels good that my classmates were able to come up and do what they want,” Cramer said. “They’ve always been on the sidelines and now they actually get to play. We got to win as a team for the seniors, it feels good and its a great way to end the season.”

 Cramer will inevitably steal the headlines after rushing for 211 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 188 yards passing and a passing touchdown. The senior and four-year starter for the Monarchs won the best back award and was also named the Joe Robbie most outstanding player.”

 Coach Kerwin Hoellein said his senior quarterback, running back and defensive back was simply amazing. 

 “He’s been amazing all year and I’m so happy for him,” Hoellein said. 

 Despite the brilliant stat line Cramer could be seen limping noticeably throughout the game.

 “In the NFL they talk about not wanting to play 18 games,” Hoellein said. “After awhile the injures start piling up. Tonight is game 12 and Hunter looks like he’s played in all 12 games”

 While Cramer was doing damage, his Warner teammates were stepping up all over ther field. Jesiah Baum rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns and Charlie Dulaney had 89 rushing yards with four touchdowns. Five different receivers caught passes led by Baum and Brodey Sauerwein who combined for ten catches, 138 yards and a touchdown. 

 In a high scoring contest the Monarchs seemingly had every call in the playbook at their disposal with Cramer calling the shots.

 “It’s kinda funny we don’t really have a playbook,” Hoellein said. “I was proud of my son Derek who does a great job with our offense and calling plays. He’s constantly adding stuff and the plays we run don’t hardly fit on the playsheet that my wife makes every week.’’

 Hoellein gets a tad emotional while talking about his senior leader whose impact on the Warner football program is considerably greater than the stats and the records he’s put up. 

 “When you are in a small town and you utilize the weight room like we do, you need someone to start that and that’s how it all works,” Hoellein said. “Hunter is the one that will go in there  and take a couple kids with him. Pretty soon a couple turns into a bunch. If you ask Hunter about his accomplishments he’s going to deflect that and he’s going to tell you about the offensive line and that’s just the kind of kid he is.”

 Listed as a running back and a defensive back in the program, and having been Warner’s starting quarterback for the last four years, Cramer said he’s just a football player. 

 “I’m just there I guess,” Cramer saId. “Whatever they ask me to do and whatever they need me to do I can do it.