By Jacob Wuertz and Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

State champion Gregory was well represented on this year’s Class 9A all-state football team, which was selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association. 

Gregory’s Rylan Peck, Trey Murray, Owen Hanson, Gunnar Stephens, Eli Fogel and Kade Stukel were all selected for the Gorillas, who claimed the state championship over Warner. 

Warner’s Hunter Cramer, Isaac Hoeft, Devin Woosley and Ashton Schuchhardt were selected to the all-state team. 

Semifinalists Harding County/Bison and Lyman landed three and two players, respectively, on the all-state squad. Harding County/Bison’s Gage Gilbert, Rylee Veal and Grey Gilbert were all-staters. Lyman’s Teagan Gourneau and Cooper Long were selected to the all-state team. 

Here is the complete Class 9A all-state team:

QUARTERBACK: Rylan Peck, Jr., Gregory (6-0, 165)

Peck was instrumental in the Gorillas winning its first state championship since 2017. The junior dual-threat quarterback passed for 1,226 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for 986 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Joe Robbie MVP also earned Missouri Valley Football All-Conference Team honors for the second consecutive year.

“Rylan has an enormous amount of athletic ability,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. “He has the speed to run the ball and the arm strength to throw. He is a very dangerous threat anytime he has the ball in his hands.”

FULLBACK/H-BACK: Trey Murray, Jr., Gregory (5-9, 175)

Murray was an influential part of an offense that helped Gregory win its first state championship since 2017. The junior rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 131 receiving yards and two touchdowns, in addition to being a lead blocker for an offense that rushed for 2,863 yards and 45 rushing touchdowns. Murray also received Missouri Valley Football All-Conference Team honors for the second consecutive year. 

“Great lead blocker, hard runner, (and) great hands as a receiver,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. “He knows the big picture of what we are trying to do on offense and makes the O-line calls for pass pro. Solid and dependable H-back.”

RUNNING BACK: Hunter Cramer, Jr., Warner (6-1, 180)

Cramer was a mainstay offensively and defensively in the Monarchs run to a Class 9A runner-up finish. The Lake Region Conference Offensive MVP rushed for 1,361 yards and 28 touchdowns, while passing for 328 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively he had 63 tackles and two interceptions. Thus far in his career, Cramer has rushed for 2,170 yards and 50 touchdowns, while passing for 2,431 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is a three year starter, a three-time Lake Region All-Conference selection, and team MVP.

“Hunter is one of the best players I have ever coached,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “He makes big plays time and time again. He makes other players around him better and is overall just an outstanding team player.”

RUNNING BACK: Owen Hanson, Sr., Gregory (5-7, 145)

Hanson was a key playmaker for the Gorillas in their state championship run. Hanson rushed for 687 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 296 yards receiving and three touchdowns. The two-time Missouri Valley Football All-Conference selection finished his career with 1,260 rushing yards, 1,025 receiving yards, and 2,605 all-purpose yards. 

“Even though Owen is not huge, he is easily pound for pound one of the toughest runners in 9A,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. “His ability to hit the gaps, follow his blockers and keep his legs moving makes him a serious running threat. He runs great routes and has amazing hands. He has a knack for getting open at important times in the game and is a big playmaker for us.”

RUNNING BACK: Rylee Veal, So., Harding County/Bison (6-0, 200)

Veal was a key component in the Ranchers path to a semifinal appearance this season. The sophomore led the team with 1,585 rushing yards on 185 carries and 21 rushing touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He also added 164 receiving yards and one touchdown reception. The first team all-conference selection has totaled 1,808 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his career thus far.

“In my 15 years of coaching, I’ve never nominated a sophomore but this kid is different,” Harding County/Bison coach Jay Wammen said. “In our three playoff games he rushed for 629 yards. He rushed for 249 yards in the semi-finals vs Warner, 207 1st round vs. Chester and 180 rushing yards vs. Philip. Rylee is a back that gets stronger as the game goes on and he has excellent vision to go along with his big frame and cut back abilities.”

WIDE RECEIVER: Cooper Long, Sr., Lyman (6-2, 165)

Long was a key player in the Raiders run to a semifinal appearance this season. The senior receiver finished with 50 receptions for 891 yards and 14 touchdowns. For his career, Long totaled 146 receptions for 2,355 yards, while adding 30 receiving touchdowns and 38 total touchdowns. He was an All-Conference selection in the Cornbelt and Big East Conferences last season, while garnering all-conference honors in the Western Great Plains Conference this season. 

“Cooper can make an impact on a game at any moment. He has good ball skills and is dangerous to make plays with his feet after the catch,” Lyman coach Mike Kieffer said. “He is knowledgeable (about) the game and is coachable. He has the ability to play at the next level if he chooses to do so. His impact is obvious as he is the fourth all time in South Dakota 9-man football in receptions and receiving yards.

WIDE RECEIVER: Jovi Wolf, Jr., Chester Area (5-10, 160)

Wolf was a dynamic playmaker all over the field for the Flyers this season. The junior wideout tallied 272 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 763 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He is a two-time all-conference and All-State selection.

“This athlete had a great year. He commanded a double/triple team in every game he played,” Chester Area coach Ben DeRynck said. “He was able to have quality stats while being injured for 2 games and playing with a broken hand for his final game.”

TIGHT END: Gage Gilbert, Sr., Harding County/Bison (6-5, 200)

Gilbert was one of the top playmakers for the Ranchers this season. The senior recorded 1,031 receiving yards on 61 receptions and 12 touchdowns. The two-time all-conference selection finished his career with 80 receptions for 1,295 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“Gage really came into his own his senior year this season. He was a game changer for us on the offensive end,” Harding County/Bison coach Jay Wammen said. “He is a complete TE, can block and catch. He broke the school record for receiving yards in a season this year. “(He) is the only Rancher to ever have over 1,000 receiving yards in a single year.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Isaac Hoeft, Sr., Warner (6-2, 225)

A two-year starter and Lake Region All-Conference selection, Hoeft helped pave the way for a Warner offense that rushed for 2,842 yards on 385 carries and averaged 7.3 yards per carry, as well as passing for 1,126 yards and averaging 44.1 points per game.

“Isaac is one of those kids you can find in the weight room all the time,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “As a team, we averaged 7.3 yds per carry and when we needed the tough yards, we went right behind Isaac.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Chris Wuestewald, Sr,. Wolsey-Wessington (6-0, 280)

Wuestewald was a key piece on the offensive line for an offense that passed for 2,232 yards and 21 touchdown passes, while rushing for 1,740 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.

“Chris has been a 4 year starter for us. He has been a big presence on the offensive line and who we run behind most often,” Wolsey-Wessington coach Hayden Hooks said. “Chris stepped up as a leader this year and was a big part of the success we have had over his career.”

OFFENSIVE LINE: Gunnar Stephens, Sr., Gregory (5-10, 175)

Stephens blocked for a Gorilla offense that averaged 8.51 yards per play over 11 games. The Missouri Valley Football All-Conference honoree also earned the Outstanding Lineman award in the state championship. On defense, Stephens had 46 tackles and six sacks.

“Gunnar is a true athlete that could play almost any position,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. His ability as a guard to trap, pull, get linebackers and pass protect was instrumental in our offense’s 8.5 yards per play season average.”  

OFFENSIVE LINE: Austin Matthaei, Sr., Canistota (5-10, 240)

Matthaei anchored a Hawks offensive line that averaged 30 points per game and 360 yards per game. Canistota rushed for 2,350 yards and passed for another 1,178 yards this season, with Matthaei helping lead the way. Matthaei is a two-time all-conference performer and two-year starter for the Hawks. During his career, the Hawks amassed over 7,400 total yards of offense.

“Leaned on him in the trap and counter game, tough, fearless, quick feet and hands, worker; wouldn't have success without him,” Canistota coach James Strang said.

ATHLETE: Teagan Gourneau, Sr., Lyman (6-0, 180)

Gourneau was an electric playmaker at quarterback that helped lead the Raiders to a semifinal appearance for the first time since 2009. The four-year starter and two-time Western Great Plains All-Conference selection passed for 1,448 yards and 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 487 yards and 11 touchdowns on 86 carries.

“Teagan is a true dual threat QB. Teagan was a highlight waiting to happen,” Lyman coach Mike Kieffer said. “He made big play after big play. He helped propel us to a 9-2 record and a semifinal appearance.”

ATHLETE: Colin Bauman, Sr., Deubrook Area (6-1, 195)

Bauman was an influential piece to the Deubrook Area football team this season. He passed for 955 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 556 yards and five touchdowns. Bauman was a two-time team captain and a 2022 first team Dakota Valley Conference all-conference selection. 

“Colin is our QB/MLB. He does a great job of leading by example. A 2-year captain, Colin is the leader of a group of kids who bought in to a new philosophy and made the decision to put in the work and end a 24 game losing streak,” Deubrook Area coach Nathan Lamb said. “Colin tore his ACL/MCL/Meniscus early in the 2nd game of 2021. He initially had an 11 month recovery timetable but because of his hard work, was fully cleared June 1st. With Colin at QB this season, our completion % increased by almost 10% with only 10 more throws than last year and we almost tripled both our passing yards and passing TDs from 2021. Colin is also a great runner with the ball. Having him as a weapon we were able to more than double our rushing yards from 2021 with only 5 more carries along with more than doubling our points per game from 2021. Colin is a huge reason for this improvement and he will be deeply missed.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Devin Woosley, Sr., Warner (6-1, 180)

Woosley was an anchor for the runner-up Monarchs on the defensive line. He recorded 65 tackles, 18 sacks, and one blocked punt this season. Woosley finished his career with 133 tackles, 29 sacks, and two blocked punts. 

“Devin is one of those kids who always has his motor going,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “Devin gets to quarterbacks in a hurry and is someone you have to game plan for.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Grey Gilbert, Sr., Harding County/Bison (6-1, 235)

Gilbert played an important role on a defense that helped lead the Ranchers to a semifinal berth this season. He finished the year with 85 total tackles, 21 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. A first-team All-Stater as a junior and a three-time All-Conference selection, Gilbert finished his career with 264 tackles and 31 sacks.

“Grey is a returning all-state player for us,” Harding County/Bison coach Jay Wammen said. “He was the anchor of our defense and we used him along the entire defensive line. He would play NT, DT and DE. Grey led our team in total tackles for the season from the Dline position.”

DEFENSIVE LINE: Trace Ortman, Sr., Canistota (6-0, 210)

Canistota’s defensive line was anchored in part by the efforts of Ortman. Due to injuries, the senior appeared in only five games this season, recording 17 tackles, two sacks, and six tackles-for-loss. Ortman was an all-state and all-conference performer last season, while also earning the Outstanding Lineman award in the 2021 Class 9AA state championship game.

“Trace is a great player (who) got west nile and meningitis (and) missed half of his senior season,” Canistota coach James Strang said.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Eli Fogel, Sr., Gregory (6-0, 175)

Fogel was one of the leading tacklers on the Gorilla defense, finishing with 45 tackles and 12 sacks. He finished with 161 career tackles, and also earned Missouri Valley Football All-Conference Team honors for the second consecutive year. 

“Eli explosive speed and strength makes him a terrorist on defense,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. “He is constantly in the backfield causing problems and will run down plays from behind. Anyone that has played us knows his number, and has had to try to slow him down. He loves putting his hand on the ground and flat out gets after it.”

LINEBACKER: Noah Kleinsasser, Sr., Canistota (5-11, 185)

Canistota’s linebacking corps was anchored by Kleinsasser and his efforts. The two-time all-conference and All-State selection totaled 80.5 tackles, three sacks, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, one interception, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. Kleinsasser finished his career with 200 tackles, six sacks, 30 tackles-for-loss, and three interceptions.

“Great Kid, nose for the ball, great downhill speed and strength,” Canistota coach James Strang said.

Warner's Ashton Schuchhardt (40) carries the ball against Gregory in the Class 9A state championship game. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

LINEBACKER: Ashton Schuchhardt, Sr., Warner (6-2, 215)

A two year starter and Lake Region All-Conference selection, Schuchhardt was a team captain that recorded 103 tackles, seven sacks, and one fumble recovery during the season. For his career, Schuchhardt finished with 181 tackles, 17 sacks, six tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery. 

“Ashton is the heart and soul of our defense. He is a big, strong kid that gets to the ball in a hurry,” Warner coach Kerwin Hoellein said. “Our defense only gave up 89 yds per game avg. We held 5 of our opponents to their lowest points of the season and our team only allowed 12.7 pts per game.”

LINEBACKER: Booker Schooley, Sr., Castlewood (5-11, 175)

Schooley played a major role for the Warriors on defense this season. He registered 60 tackles and three sacks, while also recording 144 receiving yards and four touchdowns on offense. Schooley is a two-time DVC All-Conference selection, who finished his career with 342 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense, while adding 147 tackles, three sacks, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries on defense.

“Booker was a force on defense to block and would do anything on offense we asked him to do,” Castlewood coach Doug Ruesink said. “Team captain and leader of our team. Stats don't show the impact Booker had on the Castlewood program the last 4 years. Booker never wanted off the field.”

LINEBACKER: Ben Zwart, Sr., Colman-Egan (6-1, 195)

Colman-Egan’s defense was led by Zwart, who recorded 53 tackles, four sacks, four fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick. Zwart was a two-time DVC All-Conference selection and a Brookings All Area selection in 2021.

“Team Captain, very hard working dependable athlete,” Colman-Egan coach Chad Williamson said.

DEFENSIVE BACK: Kade Stukel, Sr., Gregory (5-9, 165)

Stukel played a part in a defense that allowed just 12.5 points per game en route to a Class A state championship. The two-time Missouri Valley Football All-Conference selection finished his career with 142 tackles, including 39 this season. Stukel was an All-State Honorable Mention selection last season. 

“Kade is a lock down DB. We will single him up on our opponents toughest receivers,” Gregory coach Mike Murray said. “He has great closing speed and times his jumps well and can make a play on the ball with consistency. He can also come up on the run like a rocket and make open field plays behind the line. Great defender. Great all-around kid.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Carson Kirwan, Sr., Castlewood (6-3, 185)

Kirwan was a key playmaker on both sides of the ball for Castlewood. The senior rushed for 223 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 416 receiving yards and six touchdowns on offense. Defensively, Kirwan tallied 22 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. For his career, he finished with 57 total touchdowns, 2,836 rushing yards, 152 passing yards, 872 receiving yards, 3,893 all-purpose yards, 131 tackles, four interceptions, and five fumble recoveries. Kirwan was also a three-time DVC All-Conference selection.

“Carson was a do-it-all player for the Warriors during his HS career,” Castlewood coach Doug Ruesink said. “He played RB, WR, DB, and LB. He returned kicks and punts and even got a few passing opportunities. Carson missed the first 3 games of the 2022 season due to an ACL injury. He got hurt early on in our quarterfinal game this year (another torn ACL) which hindered the stats he could've had for the year.”

DEFENSIVE BACK: Layton Terkildsen, Jr., Philip (5-10, 200)

Terkildsen was the workhorse for the Philip backfield this season. Offensively, Terkildsen rushed for 1,494 yards and 16 touchdowns on 169 carries, while adding 153 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. He also had one kick return for a touchdown. Defensively, Terkildsen had six interceptions and one touchdown.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Quincy Thu, Jr., Castlewood (5-11, 185)

Thu was all over the field for the Warriors this season, recording 208 receiving yards and three touchdowns, 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns, as well as 657 punt and kick return yards and two touchdowns. In total, he combined for 1,020 all-purpose yards. Defensively, Thu totaled 24 tackles, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery. He was also a DVC All-Conference selection.

“Quincy was a very versatile player for us this year,” Castlewood coach Doug Ruesink said. “He did a little bit of everything for us on offense, defense, and special teams. Played lockdown corner for us, but could also jump in the box and stick his nose in any play.”

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: Jon Nefzger, Sr,. Estelline/Hendricks (6-3, 210)

Nefzger was a key factor for the Redhawks on special teams this season. The senior was 19-for-25 on extra point kicks, averaged over 40 yards per kickoff and punt. His longest kickoff was 60 yards, while his longest punt was 57 yards. Nefzger was also an all-conference selection.

“Consistent kicker who has good distance; most misses were due to bad hold; hard worker,” Estelline/Hendricks coach Tim Cass said.

HONORABLE MENTION: Tage Ortman, Jr., Canistota; Lane Tvedt, Jr., Castlewood; Cayden Scott, Jr., Canistota; Tance Wagner, Sr., Lyman; Jake Jorenby, Jr., Deubrook Area; Tate French, Jr., Wolsey-Wessington; A.J. Lindskov, Sr., Timber Lake; Zach Wood, Sr., Warner; Keegan Haider, Sr., Wolsey-Wessington; Jayden Miller, Sr., Timber Lake; Dominic VanEgdom, Jr., Alcester-Hudson