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605 Sports
Pierre paces Class 11AA all-state team with seven selections
Pierre's Jett Zabel (12) carries the ball against Yankton in the Class 11AA state championship game.
(Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)
Nov 20, 2023
 

By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

Pierre, which won an unprecedented seventh-straight Class 11AA state championship, landed seven players on the all-state team, which was chosen by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

Pierre’s Jett Zabel, Cade Kaiser, Matthew Brewer, Emmit Andersen, Trew Lewis, Chance Carda and Spencer Easland were selected for the Governors. 

Yankton, which finished as the Class 11AA runner-ups, were represented by Lucas Kampshoff, Shaylor Platt, Tucker Gilmore, Cayden Wavrunek, Matthew Sheldon and Josue Trujillo-Melgoaza.

 

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


QUARTERBACK: Lucas Kampshoff, Sr., Yankton (6-1, 205)

Kampshoff paced the Bucks back to the DakotaDome this season. The senior finished the season with 2,540 passing yards on 172 of 283 passing attempts, while throwing for 21 touchdowns. He added 78 rushing attempts for 350 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was an all-conference performer.  

Yankton's Lucas Kampshoff looks for a receiver in the Class 11AA state championship game. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Jett Zabel, Sr., Pierre (6-4, 215)

Zabel was a consistent and versatile performer for the state champs. He hauled in 58 catches for 995 yards and caught 18 touchdowns. He added 139 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while also seeing time at quarterback. He threw a Class 11AA state championship game record 99-yard touchdown pass to Cade Keiser this season. Zabel will play college football at North Dakota State University. Jett is a mismatch nightmare and has been a tremendous weapon for us,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “His ability to out muscle DBs and outrun LBs has been evident all year. He has a love for contact, blocks well, and enjoys looking to break tackles instead of try and outrun defenders. He is as sure-handed as they come as a receiver and an all around tough nosed kid that people would love to have on their team and hate to play against.”


TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Spencer Wientjes, Jr., Watertown (6-0, 215)

Wientjes logged 219 rushing yards and six touchdowns for the Arrows. He hauled in 16 catches for 346 yards and three more scores, while throwing for a score. The junior has 329 rushing yards and six touchdowns for his career. He’s also logged 68 career tackles and eight sacks. “Spencer is a very athletic kid,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “He is also a very good football player on both sides of the ball. Spencer is a huge key to our success on offense and defense.”


TE/FULLBACK/H-BACK: Shaylor Platt, Sr., Yankton (6-0, 200)

Platt posted 300 rushing yards on 48 carries and scored two touchdowns for the Class 11AA runner-ups. 


RUNNING BACK: Juven Hudson, Sr., Watertown (5-11, 175)

Hudson was a dynamic playmaker for the Arrows. He rushed for 1,317 yards on 196 carries and scored 17 touchdowns this season. He added a kickoff return for a score. For his career, Hudson had 3,110 rushing yards on 534 carries and scored 31 touchdowns. He returned two kickoffs for scores. He’s a multiple-time all-conference performer and has garnered interest from several regional colleges. “Juven is an outstanding football player and person,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “He always puts his team before himself. Juven is amongst the top in career rushing yards in Watertown school history. Juven is a next level football player and will be very successful at the next level.”


RUNNING BACK: Keegan DeYoung, Sr., Tea Area (5-11, 200)

DeYoung constantly produced out of the Titan backfield. He finished this season with 142 rushing yards for 1,038 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He posted 237 carries for 1,595 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns for his career. “Keegan was our offensive leader,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. “He was a season-long leader in the weight room and workouts. Even when teams loaded the box, he still got his yards.”


RUNNING BACK: Avery Ligon, Sr., Aberdeen Central (5-10, 170)

Ligon led the Golden Eagles with 1,052 rushing yards on 197 carries and scored four touchdowns. “Hard worker, great team player, explosive runner,” Aberdeen Central coach Justin Briese said. “Matured as a ball carrier throughout the season as his vision improved.”


WIDE RECEIVER: Tucker Gilmore, Sr., Yankton (6-4, 205)

Gilmore, a team captain, hauled in 42 catches for 748 yards and caught five touchdowns this season. 


WIDE RECEIVER: Gavin Moeding, Sr., Huron (5-11, 150)

Moeding led the Tigers with 621 receiving yards on 43 catches and scored five touchdowns. He logged 67 catches for 985 receiving yards and hauled in six touchdowns the past two seasons. “Has done a fantastic job for our program being a two-year starter for us,” Huron coach Dru Strand said. “Has big-play ability.”


WIDE RECEIVER: Brayden Delahoyde, Sr., Spearfish (6-4, 225)

Delahoyde, who suffered a season-ending injury in the third game of the season, was a big target in the Spartan passing attack. He finished his career with 107 receptions for 1,976 yards and 20 touchdown catches. “Impact player and game changer,” Spearfish coach Dalton Wademan said. “Grew as a football player and as an individual. Leader on and off the field.”


OFFENSIVE LINE: Caden Beauchamp, Sr., Watertown (6-4, 220)

Beauchamp anchored Watertown’s rushing attack. The Arrows rushed for 1,660 yards and 25 touchdowns behind Beauchamp. He added 41 tackles and six sacks on defense. For his career, the all-conference performer finished with 83 tackles and 11 sacks. “Caden is one of our captains,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “He is a kid who has not missed anything for the past 3 years. He also has encouraged many other guys to be in the weight room and work hard all the time.”


OFFENSIVE LINE: Matthew Brewer, Sr., Pierre (6-2, 240)

Brewer paved Pierre’s offensive attack up front. Brewer blocked for an offensive that produced 4,655 yards and averaged 40 points per game. 

“Brewer is our inside guard and really stepped up this year,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He is the leader of our offensive line and is a physical kid who always knows where he's supposed to go and who often helps align the rest of the group. He's a great puller as well and does a great job in pass pro. An all-around complete OL.”


OFFENSIVE LINE: Zak Juelfs, Sr., Sturgis (6-3, 250)

Juelfs paced the Scoopers’ rushing attack this season. Sturgis finished with 2,124 rushing yards and 1,130 passing yards this season. The Scoopers scored 35 total touchdowns. Juelfs had 30 tackles and two sacks on defense this season. For his career, Juelfs finished with 64 tackles and three sacks. He was the 2023 Class A wrestling runner-up in the 220-pound division. 

“Zak has started for us at offensive tackle for the past three years,” Sturgis coach Chris Koletzky said. “This past season Zak missed the first contest due to completing his basic training for the National Guard. Zak is a hard worker that has consistently led by example.” 


OFFENSIVE LINE: Bryce Beitelspacher, Sr., Aberdeen Central (6-4, 260)

Beitelspacher was a dominant force for the Golden Eagles’ offensive unit. He finished with 26 pancake blocks and allowed one sack this season. For his career, he recorded 41 pancake blocks and allowed just three sacks. “Most dominant lineman on our team,” Aberdeen Central coach Justin Briese said. “Finishes blocks.”


OFFENSIVE LINE: Cayden Wavrunek, Sr., Yankton (6-3, 240)

Wavrunek paved the way for the Bucks offensive unit. Behind Wavrunek, the Bucks rushed for 1,635 yards and averaged five yards per game. He was a multiple-time all-conference player. 


OFFENSIVE LINE: Connor Degen, Sr., Mitchell (6-3, 215)

Degen helped the Kernels rush for 898 yards and pass for 1,085 yards this season. During his career, Degen paved the way for 2,183 rushing yards and 2,218 passing yards. “Connor was a two-year starter for us at left tackle,” Mitchell coach Pat Larson said. “He was the only returning starter on our offensive line this season. He was a team captain and did a great job leading five other first time starters on our offensive line.”

Pierre's Cade Kaiser carries the ball against Yankton in the Class 11AA state championship game. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

ATHLETE: Cade Kaiser, Sr., Pierre (6-2, 190)

Kaiser made the transition from wide receiver to quarterback this season for the Governors. And he shined. Kaiser finished with 2,169 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 957 yards and eight more scores. He hauled in a 99-yard touchdown reception in the Class 11AA state championship, a state record. Cade has really stepped up this year in wanting to move to QB this year from WR knowing it gave us the best opportunity for success,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He's come in and been himself not trying to be something he's not and has been a tremendous leader for our offense. He has taken care of the ball and has had games where both his arm and legs have shined and helped us have success.”


ATHLETE: Aidan Hedderman, Sr., Sturgis (6-3, 170)

Hedderman led the Scoopers with 1,127 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,015 yards and 10 more scores. For his career, Hedderman posted 1,283 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he logged 84 tackles (40 solo) and five interceptions. He’s also a two-tie Class AA 110-meter hurdle champ. “This was AIden's first year as the starting QB for our team,” Sturgis coach Chris Koletzky said. “He was the unquestioned leader of our team this year and accounted for 65% of our offensive yardage (3,281).”


ATHLETE: Connor Singrey, Sr., Mitchell (6-3, 185)

Singrey posted 27 tackles and one interception on defense. He added 18 receptions for 146 receiving yards on defense. For his career, he posted 46 tackles and six pass breakups. “He also played WR on our offense and was on a number of special teams,” Mitchell coach Pat Larson said. “So he rarely came off the field. He was also a team captain for us this season.”


ATHLETE: Jacob Jongejeugd, Jr., Tea Area (6-5, 244)

Jongejeugd helped the Titans rush for 3,270 yards and 45 touchdowns, while the team allowed just eight sacks this season. “The physical leader of the offensive line,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. “Played guard due to injuries.”


ATHLETE: Seth Hamilton, Sr., Spearfish (6-0, 175)

Hamilton was a playmaker for the Spartans. He completed 106 of 206 passes for 1,851 yards and 21 touchdowns. He added six rushing touchdowns. On special teams, he logged 26 of 33 PAT attempts and hit a 26-yard field goal. For his career, Hamilton passed for 3,970 yards and 43 passing touchdowns. He added 343 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He was a multiple-time all-conference player. “Seth has run our offense since we as a coaching staff got here and he was a freshman,” Spearfish coach Dalton Wademan said. “Great Football IQ, manages the offense, a competitor. Makes guys right.”


DEFENSIVE LINE: Emmit Andersen, Sr., Pierre (6-1, 235)

Andersen led the Governors with 76 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two fumble recoveries. “Emmit is one of the most pound for pound strongest kids we have had in our program, and he plays like it,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He earned a position as a sophomore with an incredible motor that forced his way onto the field. He has developed so much strength and technique wise to now, being a force to be reckoned with each and every week. He can play anywhere on the DL and be disruptive.”


DEFENSIVE LINE: Carter Turek, Sr., Tea Area (6-2, 215)

Turek logged 30 tackles for the Titans this season. “Carter was one of the best leaders we have had,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. “Held himself and others accountable for their job. Made sure the underclassmen knew their value.”


DEFENSIVE LINE: Micah Hach, Jr., Watertown (6-5, 285)

Hach was a big and disruptive force for the Arrows. The junior logged 47 tackles (26 solo) and one sack this season. “Micah is our best linemen,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “He is a guy who must be accounted for at all times. He is a first year football player with a wrestling background. Micah is the type of athlete who will be a next level player. Micah has a great attitude and work ethic.”


DEFENSIVE LINE: Aiden Werlinger, Sr., Sturgis (6-1, 225)

Werlinger led the Scoopers with 63 tackles (18 solo), four sacks, six tackles for loss and one forced fumble. For his career, he posted 126 tackles, six sacks and nine tackles for loss. Werlinger was the 2023 Class A wrestling 195-pound runner up. “Aiden has been a three-year starter on the defensive line and a two-year starter on the offensive line,” Sturgis coach Chris Koletzky said. Aiden is one of the fiercest competitors you will come across. He is one of those players that plays on the edge with his emotions and effort, always leaving everything he had on the field.”


LINEBACKER: Matthew Sheldon, Jr., Yankton (6-1, 220)

Sheldon led the Bucks on defense with 106 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He was an all-conference player. 


LINEBACKER: Trey Lewis, Sr., Pierre (6-0, 185)

The versatile Lewis logged 75 carries for 573 yards and seven rushing touchdowns this season. He posted 53 tackles, interception and four touchdowns on special teams returns. For his career, he finished with 121 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and three interceptions. “Trey is one of the most versatile players we have ever had,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He has played safety, inside LB, outside LB, end, in addition to playing RB/FB, and returning kicks and punts. Not only has he done so much, he's done it well, excelling in every area. He is one of the best all around football players we have ever had in our program.”


LINEBACKER: Chance Carda, Sr., Pierre (6-0, 180)

Cards posted 89 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks for the Governors. For his career, he logged 172 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles. “Chance is a wrecking ball,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He is a kid we could ask to run through a brick wall and he'd definitely try and give it his best. He never complains even when he's banged up at times and just puts his head down and works. He's probably the most physical player on our defense and is a kid who will dramatically miss the contact of football when his career ends.”


LINEBACKER: Austin Johnson, Sr., Watertown (6-1, 205)

Johnson led the Arrows with 61 tackles (28 solo) and logged two sacks on defense. He finished his career with 136 tackles (67 solo), 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. 


DEFENSIVE BACK: Spencer Easland, Sr., Pierre (6-2, 175)

Easland led the Governors with 22 tackles, four interceptions and six pass breakups on defense. For his career, he logged 27 tackles, five interceptions and five pass breakups. “Easland is what every coach hopes for in a DB,” Pierre coach Steve Steele said. “He's tall, athletic, and has great ball skills. He understands coverages and has done an awesome job aligning our secondary this year transitioning from CB to safety. He has done a great job this year getting more involved in the run game as the safety and has not shied away from contact or the box.”


DEFENSIVE BACK: CJ Gainey, Sr., Huron (6-0, 160)

Gainey led the Tigers with 74 tackles (49 solo), six tackles for loss, four pass deflections and three interceptions. He finished with 111 total tackles (75 solo), eight tackles for loss, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries the past two seasons. “CJ was a guy that was able to lock down the passing game and come up and fill in the run game,” Huron coach Dru Strand said. “He has really developed into a great player.”


DEFENSIVE BACK: Ethan Vis, Sr., Tea Area (6-1, 165)

Vis finished with 19 tackles and two interceptions for the Titans. He added 115 rushing yards and a touchdown on defense. He returned four kickoffs for touchdowns and 641 return yards. “Ethan may not have the gaudy numbers because teams did not throw his way,” Tea Area coach Scott Frey said. 


DEFENSIVE BACK: Jeremiah Schulte, Jr., Watertown (5-11, 165)

Schulte led the Arrows with 57 tackles (28 solo) and a forced fumble this season. Jeremiah is a very good football player,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “He has a great nose for the football. He does a good job in run and pass defense. Jeremiah understands our defense and puts himself and others in good situations to make plays.”


SPECIAL TEAMS: Josue Trujillo-Melgoaza, Sr., Yankton (5-8, 175)

Trujillo-Melgoaza converted on 47 of 50 PATs, 9 of 10 field goal attempts and hit a 40-yard field goal. He posted five touchbacks. 


SPECIAL TEAMS: Owen Spartz, Sr., Watertown (5-10, 160)

Spartz finished with 39 tackles (21 solo) and intercepted four passes on defense. He averaged 24 yards per kickoff return. For his career, he had a 27-yard kickoff return average. He posted 64 tackles (44 solo) during his career. “Owen has been a starter for three years,” Watertown coach John Hodorff said. “He has been our best special teams player as a returner and cover player for three years.” 


HONORABLE MENTION: Brock Moser, and George Stalley Pierre; Jason Fisher, Douglas; Cashton Caudell, Huron; Caden Langenfeld, Spearfish; Gavin Sundstrom and Kolter Robbins, Spearfish; Carson Ness and Tyson Prouty, Yankton; Cordell Rychlik, Aberdeen Central; and Bergan Tetzlaff, Brookings.