KQRadio All-Area Football Teams and Awards

November 15, 2022 Quinn Douglas Featured, Local Sports 0

The 2022 Iowa High School Football season in the KQ-area was one of the most successful ones in a number of years. All 5 teams in the listening area qualified for the playoffs (Webster City in 4A, CGD and Roland-Story in 2A, Eagle Grove and South Hamilton in 1A), with South Hamilton and Webster City ending their season’s in the Round of 16.

It was also a year of standout individual season’s, from Webster City RB Jaxon Cherry, Eagle Grove DB Cayden Schultz, South Hamilton DE Owen Renaud and so on and so forth.

Without further adieu, the KQRadio all-area football teams and awards.

Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Cherry, Jr. (Webster City)

  • 216 car, 1,804 yards, 31 TD, 8.4 YPC, 3 rec, 108 yards, 1 TD, 2,162 all-purpose yards

Following a sophomore year that introduced Cherry to Class 4A, the state as a whole was introduced to the Webster City junior running back. Cherry led Class 4A in rushing yards (1,804), rushing touchdowns (31) and all-purpose yards (2,162), while finishing in the top 5 in touchdowns (32) and the top 10 in yards per carry (8.4). Cherry was named the Offensive MVP of Class 4A, District 1 while being a unanimous first-team selection.

Defensive Player of the Year: Cayden Schultz, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 20.5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 6 interceptions, 2 INT TDs, 1 fumble recovery

The decision between Schultz and South Hamilton defensive end Owen Renaud was a tough one, but Schultz had the ability to change the game from his cornerback spot in 2022. Schultz picked off 6 passes in 2021, but in 2022, numerous times Schultz was able to make plays off of those interceptions, amassing 127 return yards with 2 pick sixes on the season. Schultz also totaled 20.5 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery on the season.

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Max Kumm, Sr. (Webster City)

Max Kumm stepped into a leading role on the Webster City offensive line in his senior season in 2022, and anchored one of the bigger offensive lines in Class 4A. Kumm played the first 3 games at center before being switched to tackle, a move that opened up the Webster City rushing attack that averaged an eye-popping 415 yards per game in the final 7 games. Kumm was a first-team All-District selection in Class 4A, District 1.

Defensive Lineman of the Year: Owen Renaud, Jr. (South Hamilton)

  • 27 tackles, 7 sacks, 15 tackles for loss

Renaud stepped into a starting role at defensive end as a junior and wreaked havoc in Class 1A, District 2, leading the team in sacks (7) and tackles for loss (15), while adding 27 tackles. Renaud ranked 4th in Class 1A in sacks and 12th in tackles for loss. Renaud saved his best performances for the month of October, accruing 3 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.

Coach of the Year: Paul Skartvedt (South Hamilton)

  • 8-2 record, Class 1A, District 2 title, 1A Round of 16

Skartvedt took over the South Hamilton program following Corey Klemp’s departure following 2021. Skartvedt inherited a team that went through an injury-filled 2021, and was able to guide them to a 8-2 record and a district title, and the Hawks fourth appearance in the round of 16 since 2017.

First Team

Offense

Quarterback: Hesston Johnson, Jr. (Roland-Story)

  • 66-153, 1,108 yards, 9 TD, 11 INT, 96 car, 178 yards, 6 TD

Johnson stepped into the starring role of quarterback for Roland-Story as a junior and added a more dual-threat approach to the Norsemen offense. He threw for 1,108 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season, his longest pass a 91-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Lettow against Albia. Johnson added 178 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground as well in his junior campaign.

Running Back: Jaxon Cherry, Jr. (Webster City)

  • See Offensive Player of the Year

Running Back: Jonovan Wilkinson, Jr. (Roland-Story)

  • 97 car, 770 yards, 7 touchdowns, 9 rec, 100 yards, 1 KR TD

Cherry’s reasoning’s are listed above, as he was named our Offensive Player of the Year, while Jonovan Wilkinson saw a sizeable uptick in production as junior. Wilkinson ran for 770 yards and 7 touchdowns, while adding another 100 yards in the receiving game. Wilkinson was named 1st-team All-District in Class 2A, District 7.

Tight End: Keegan Hisler, Jr. (Webster City)

  • 8 rec, 215 yards, 2 touchdowns, 26.9 yards per reception

A running back for most of his youth and high school career, Hisler transitioned to tight end to fill a hole vacated by the departing JJ Moore. Hisler caught 8 passes for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 26.9 yards per reception, while also developing as very successful run blocker for the Lynx as well.

Wide Receiver: Dillon Lettow, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • 10 rec, 284 yards, 5 touchdowns, 25 car, 165 yards

Wide Receiver: Kale Lande, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • 12 rec, 280 yards, 3 touchdowns

Dillon Lettow and Kale Lande made up a large portion of the Norsemen passing game, as the two seniors caught 8 of Hesston Johnson’s 9 touchdown passes on the season, with Lettow averaging an eye-popping 28.4 yards per reception, including a 91-yard touchdown reception against Albia in Week 5.

Offensive Line: Max Kumm, Sr. (Webster City)

Offensive Line: Carter Balvanz, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Offensive Line: Dylan Burnette-Bingham, Sr. (Webster City)

Offensive Line: Caden Hankins, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Offensive Line: Aaron Peyton, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Kumm was named the area Offensive Lineman of the Year above, while Carter Balvanz anchored a South Hamilton offensive line that will end the season as the #1 rush offense in Class 1A, rushing for 3,610 yards and 57 touchdowns. Dylan Burnette-Bingham was an undersized guard in Webster City’s single-wing attack, but his tenacity and mobility earned him a spot on the first-team all-district in Class 4A, District 1.

Caden Hankins anchored the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows offensive line that spent most of the season in the top 10 in Class 2A in rushing in a very tough Class 2A, District 2. Aaron Peyton anchored a Roland-Story offensive line that improved by leaps and bounds from 2021, as the Norsemen rushed for over 1,000 yards as a team in 2022. Peyton was named a first-team all-district offensive lineman in Class 2A, District 7.

Defense

Defensive End: Owen Renaud, Jr. (South Hamilton)

  • See Defensive Lineman of the Year

Defensive Tackle: Connor Hanson, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 37.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery

Defensive Tackle: Jack Mendoza, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 28.5 tackles, 1 sack, 11 tackles for loss

Defensive End: Mason Allen, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 26 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 tackles for loss

Defensive Line was perhaps the most talented position for the KQ-Area in 2022, with the unit listed above combining for 18.5 sacks, 41.5 tackles for loss and 119 total tackles on the season. Renaud was named our Defensive Lineman of the Year for accolades listed above, as Connor Hanson led a stout Webster City defensive line with 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, while being named Class 4A, District 1 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Jack Mendoza served as a quick, agile defensive tackle for Eagle Grove’s defensive line, as he totaled a team-high 11 tackles for loss, with a sack as well. Mason Allen was one of the top pass-rushers in Class 2A in 2022, tallying 6 sacks and 9 tackles for loss for Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.

Linebacker: Noah Gunderson, Jr. (South Hamilton)

  • 54.5 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries

Linebacker: Charlie Watts, So. (Roland-Story)

  • 81.5 tackles, 0.5 sack, 3.5 tackles for loss

Linebacker: Diego Gonzalez, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 39.5 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 INT TD, 1 fumble recovery

Linebacker: Korey Anderson, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 42.5 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery

The linebacking core is highlighted by Roland-Story sophomore Charlie Watts, who led the KQ-area in tackles with 81.5, while adding 3.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore. South Hamilton junior Noah Gunderson may have been the biggest playmaker at linebacker of the first-teamers, tallying a team high 54.5 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

In Wright County, Diego Gonzalez emerged as a defensive leader for Clarion-Goldfield-Dows in their revamped 3-3-5 defense, as he tallied 39.5 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, a fumble recovery, 2 interceptions and a pick six. On the other side of the county, Korey Anderson led Eagle Grove in tackles with 42.5, along with 7 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

Defensive Back: Cayden Schultz, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • See Defensive Player of the Year

Defensive Back: Nevan Foss, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 30.5 tackles, 1 sack, 3.5 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 1 INT TD, 2 fumble recoveries

Defensive Back: CJ Hisler, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 25.5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 INT TD

Schultz was a clear-cut choice for our first-team as the area’s Defensive Player of the Year with 6 interceptions and 2 pick sixes. Webster City seniors Ty McKinney and CJ Hisler bookended a veteran-savvy secondary for the Lynx, with McKinney totaling 24.5 tackles and Hisler adding 25.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack. McKinney led Webster City with 4 interceptions, while Hisler added 2 interceptions and a pick six.

Punter: Luke Patton, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Kicker: Brallon Gomez, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Luke Patton averaged 35 yards per punt in his senior season, which led all KQ-area punters, while Brallon Gomez converted 3-of-4 field goal attempts, and converted 26-of-28 PAT’s on the season.

Second Team

Offense

Quarterback: Ty McKinney, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 29-64, 613 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT, 82 carries, 477 yards, 8 TD

Running Back: Nick Severseike, So. (South Hamilton)

  • 86 carries, 765 yards, 10 touchdowns , 2 receptions, 22 yards

Running Back: Landon Skartvedt, Sr. (South Hamilton)

  • 80 carries, 763 yards, 10 touchdowns, 3 receptions, 65 yards

Tight End: Mack Seaba, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 6 receptions, 108 yards, 2 touchdowns, 18 yards per reception

Wide Receiver: Carter Flattebo, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • 23 receptions, 269 yards, 11.7 yards per reception

Wide Receiver: John Pamperin, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 4 receptions, 84 yards, 2 touchdowns, 21 yards per reception

Offensive Line: Landon Griffin, Jr. (Webster City)

Offensive Line: Erick Perez, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Offensive Line: Owen Duns, Jr. (South Hamilton)

Offensive Line: Kaden Schwandt, Jr. (South Hamilton)

Offensive Line: Christian Chelsvig, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Defense

Defensive End: Zach Pamperin, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 20 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss

Defensive Tackle: Thomas Tjaden, Jr. (Roland-Story)

  • 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss

Defensive Tackle: Ernie Taylor, Sr. (South Hamilton)

  • 17.5 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery

Defensive End: Drake Canavan, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception

Linebacker: Uli Frias, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 40 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss

Linebacker: Skyler Scott, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 29.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery

Linebacker: Blake Harris, Sr. (South Hamilton)

  • 28 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Linebacker: Trenton Sorenson, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 38 tackles, 0.5 sack, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery

Defensive Back: Teagan Trask, Sr. (South Hamilton)

  • 27 tackles, 4 interceptions, 37 return yards

Defensive Back: Boaz Clark, Jr. (Roland-Story)

  • 12.5 tackles, 5 interceptions

Defensive Back: Preston Gardner, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 18 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions

Kicker: Sam Knoll, So. (Roland-Story)

  • 1-1 FG, Long of 20 yards, 20-26 on PAT

Punter: Cale Kirstein, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 32 punts, 952 yards, 29.8 yards per punt