The 2023 KQRadio football season was another successful season across the listening area, highlighted by Webster City’s path to the Class 3A quarterfinals, South Hamilton’s 3rd district title in 4 years, and Roland-Story’s most wins in a season since 2016.
With that, came some fantastic individual performers as well. Let’s dive into our area awards, followed by teams.
(*Note: Players are eligible for two selections if they are a special teams contributor)
Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Cherry (Sr.), Webster City
Stats: 251 car, 1,891 yards, 26 TD, 7.5 YPC, 21 receiving yards, 2,122 all-purpose yards
Cherry wins our first two offensive player of the year awards, after winning the inaugural award in 2022. Cherry managed to run for nearly 1,900 yards, even with missing a game-and-a-half of action between Hampton-Dumont-CAL and Charles City. His dominance on the offensive end made him a game-planning nightmare.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jayden Weinzetl (Jr.), Webster City
Stats: 57 tackles, 46 solo, 6 sacks, 16.5 TFL, 1 fumble recovery
Weinzetl was seen as someone who was going to make a big impact in 2023 coming into the season and delivered just that. The junior made the switch to defensive line in the 2nd half of the season and continuously tortured opposing backfields and quarterbacks.
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Brandon Lahr (Sr.), Webster City
Lahr was the leader of one of the top offensive lines in Class 3A. After an up-and-down start to the season, the Lynx O-Line paved the way for Webster City’s 5-game winning streak, averaging nearly 386 yards per game during that stretch. Lahr was named 1st-team All-District as well.
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Drake Canavan (Sr.), Eagle Grove
Stats: 31 tackles, 18 solo, 5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 1 INT
Despite an 0-9 record in 2023, Drake Canavan provided a bright spot for the Eagles as an edge rusher. Canavan led the team with 5 sacks and a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss, helping put the Eagles defense in advantageous situations.
Coach of the Year: Matt Finn, Roland-Story
- 7-3 record, Class 2A, District 8 runner-up, 2A Round of 16
Matt Finn has overseen a long, but promising rebuild of a once-proud Roland-Story football program. Year 1 in 2020 featured a winless record, but the win total continued to climb with the passing years until this season. The Norsemen football team had their most wins in a season since 2016 with a 7-3 mark, and a runner-up finish in Class 2A, District 8.
First Team
Offense
Quarterback: Sam Knoll (Jr.), Roland-Story
- 50/114, 798 yards, 8 TD, 5 INT, 43.9% completion, 85 rush yards, 2 TD
Knoll stepped into the starting quarterback role with Hesston Johnson’s switch to running back, and after an up-and-down start, his performances against Greene County and Clarke in the 2A Playoffs highlighted his in-season improvement.
Running Back: Jaxon Cherry (Sr.), Webster City
- See Offensive Player of the Year
Running Back: Nick Severseike (Jr.), South Hamilton
- 101 car, 1,137 yards, 20 TD, 11.3 YPC
Severseike was the home run threat in South Hamilton’s wishbone attack time and time again in 2023, with numerous touchdown runs of 50+ yards. Severseike also had great ability to be a physical runner and run through contact when needed.
Tight End: Owen Renaud (Sr.), South Hamilton
Renaud wasn’t a factor as a pass catcher from his tight end spot in 2023, but his blocking was a key factor in the Hawks possessing one of the top rushing attacks in all of Iowa throughout the season. Renaud was also a versatile blocker that lined up at tight end, as a receiver and in the backfield.
Wide Receiver: Colin Kirstein (Sr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 16 receptions, 326 yards, 3 TD, 20.4 yards per reception
Colin Kirstein took over the WR1 spot for Clarion-Goldfield-Dows in 2023, and quickly became the favorite target of his quarterback Carson Nesheim. Kirstein’s 326 receiving yards was 2nd in the listening area, but his 20.4 yards per catch led all eligible receivers in the listening area.
Wide Receiver: Jonovan Wilkinson (Sr.), Roland-Story
- 20 receptions, 352 yards, 5 TD, 17.6 YPR, 68 car, 394 yards, 6 TD
Wilkinson moved from running back full-time to a primary receiver spot in the Norsemen’s spread offense, although he still saw a number of snaps at running back. Wilkinson’s dynamic speed from the slot position made him a tough matchup for safety’s and linebackers in 2023.
Offensive Line: Brandon Lahr (Sr.), Webster City
Offensive Line: Aaron Peyton (Sr.), Roland-Story
Offensive Line: Landon Griffin (Sr.), Webster City
Offensive Line: Kaden Schwandt (Sr.), South Hamilton
Offensive Line: Jake Jennings (Sr.), Roland-Story
Lahr was the winner of our 2023 Offensive Lineman of the Year above, but Landon Griffin made big strides in his final year with the Lynx at offensive tackle. Aaron Peyton led Roland-Story’s offensive line from his guard spot, to become one of the best lines in Class 2A.
South Hamilton’s Kaden Schwandt was one of the handful of seniors that led the way up front for the #1 rushing team in Class 1A in 2023, while Jake Jennings was integral part of the Norsemen’s revamped offensive line at his center position.
Defense
Defensive End: Drake Canavan (Sr.), Eagle Grove
- See Defensive Lineman of the Year
Defensive Tackle: Owen Duns (Sr.), South Hamilton
- 38.5 tackles, 13 solo, 3.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL
Defensive Tackle: Beau Nohrenberg (So.), Webster City
- 20.5 tackles, 12 solo, 7 TFL, 1 fumble recovery
Defensive End: Jayden Weinzetl (Jr.), Webster City
- See Defensive Player of the Year
Jayden Weinzetl and Drake Canavan’s cases were listed above with the Player of the Year honors. Owen Duns had a huge year at defensive tackle for South Hamilton, with opponents spending most of their time game-planning for 2022’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Owen Renuad. Beau Nohrenberg stepped into his first year on the varsity field performed very well for Webster City on the interior defensive line.
Linebacker: Hesston Johnson (Sr.), Roland-Story
- 67.5 tackles, 48 solo, 9.5 TFL, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 TD
Linebacker: Charlie Watts (Jr.), Roland-Story
- 74 tackles, 45 solo, 1 sack, 6.5 TFL, 1 fumble recover, 1 INT, 1 blocked punt return for TD
Linebacker: Keegan Hisler (Sr.), Webster City
- 38 tackles, 30 solo, 2 sacks, 7 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 TD
Linebacker: Cael Nixon (Jr.), Webster City
- 37 tackles, 27 solo, 3 sacks, 7.5 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries
Hesston Johnson and Charlie Watts were tackling machines for Roland-Story in 2023, the two leading the Norsemen in tackles, while both had their playmaking moments with Johnson’s pick-six and Charlie Watts scoring off a blocked punt. Keegan Hisler was apart of the Lynx’s relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and one of the team’s most sure-handed tacklers. Cael Nixon helped hold down the middle of the field in the linebacker core for the Lynx, complimenting Jaxon Cherry very well.
Defensive Back: Trevyn Lyons (Sr.), Webster City
- 40.5 tackles, 34 solo, 1 TFL, 1 INT
Defensive Back: Briar Klaver (Sr.), Webster City
- 49 tackles, 37 solo, 4 INT
Defensive Back: Cody Long (So.), Roland-Story
- 63 tackles, 42 solo, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 1 fumble recovery
Webster City’s Trevyn Lyons and Briar Klaver drew the praises of head coach Bob Howard with their play in the 2nd half of the season, as Klaver had 4 INT’s as a ballhawking safety, while Lyons was a sure-tackler and eliminated opportunities for his matchups to get open. Roland-Story’s Cody Long was one of the team leaders in tacklers, bringing a physical nature to the safety position for the Norsemen.
Punter: Mason Allen (Sr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 26 punts, 916 yards, 35.2 yards per punt
Kicker: Sam Knoll (Jr.), Roland-Story
- 35/40 PAT, 21 touchbacks
Second Team
Offense
Quarterback: Carson Nesheim (Sr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 37/85, 584 yards, 6 TD, 5 INT, 43.5% completion, 61 car, 193 yards, 2 TD
Running Back: Diego Gonzalez (Sr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 139 car, 674 yards, 8 TD, 4.8 yards per carry, 4 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD
Running Back: Kolby Hodnefield (So.), South Hamilton
- 70 car, 658 yards, 6 TD, 9.4 yards per carry, 2 receptions, 10 yards
Tight End: Luke Estlund (Jr.), Webster City
- 3 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD
Wide Receiver: Riley Larson (Sr.), Roland-Story
- 13 receptions, 227 yards, 2 TD, 17.5 yards per reception
Wide Receiver: Wyatt DeCoster (Sr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 7 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD, 10.3 yards per reception
Offensive Line: Carter Stolee, (Sr.), South Hamilton
Offensive Line: Trenton Robinson (Fr.), Eagle Grove
Offensive Line: Caden Hankins (Sr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Offensive Line: Tristan Peterson (Jr.), Roland-Story
Offensive Line: Sam Youngdale (Sr.), Webster City
Defense
Defensive End: Roland Yates (Jr.), Roland-Story
- 25.5 tackles, 16 solo, 3 sacks, 9.5 TFL
Defensive Tackle: Fiston Carlson (Fr.), Roland-Story
- 25 tackles, 21 solo, 3 sacks, 4 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 TD
Defensive Tackle: Dominick Melendrez (Sr.), Eagle Grove
- 22.5 tackles, 8 solo, 2.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL
Defensive End: Bryce Lindaman (Jr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 16.5 tackles, 11 solo, 1 sack, 5 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 TD
Linebacker: Christian Chelsvig (Sr.), Roland-Story
- 53.5 tackles, 33 solo, 3.5 sacks, 6 TFL
Linebacker: Noah Gunderson (Sr.), South Hamilton
- 45 tackles, 21 solo, 2 TFL, 1 INT
Linebacker: Tjerdan Johnson (Sr.), South Hamilton
- 23.5 tackles, 14 solo, 2 INT
Linebacker: Connor Christopher (Sr.), Eagle Grove
- 60 tackles, 34 solo, 0.5 sack, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT
Defensive Back: Landon Greufe (Sr.), South Hamilton
- 22 tackles, 16 solo, 2 INT
Defensive Back: Heston McIlrath (Jr.), Roland-Story
- 37.5 tackles, 30 solo, 1 INT
Defensive Back: Carson Bertran (Jr.), Webster City
- 27 tackles, 22 solo, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery
Punter: Preston Van De Pol (Sr.), South Hamilton
- 10 punts, 312 yards, 31.2 yards per punt
Kicker: Selvin Gonzalez (So.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- 28/24 PAT