2005 All-State High School Football Team

THE ELITE 45
Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005 4C
2005 All-State High School Football Team
QUINCY CHRISTIE
PIERRE
In South Dakota football, talking
about the most explosive talent in
the state often means a discussion
about Christie – the Pierre running
back-defensive back that led the
Governors into the state semifinals
the last two seasons.
Christie, a repeat Elite 45 pick, took his state
champion track speed and turned himself into a topnotch
back that rushed for 1,683 yards this fall and
scored 30 touchdowns (27 rushing and three receiving).
In three seasons, Christie has rushed for 4,100
yards and scored 62 touchdowns.
ANDREW COUGHLIN
DE SMET
A starting lineman on the Bulldogs’
state-title team in 2003,
Coughlin rushed for 1,210 yards as
a back in 2005 while averaging 7.5
yards a carry.
He was just as good on defense,
making 111 tackles in nine games.
In a 14-0 loss to state champion Arlington, he
rushed for 129 yards and had 15 tackles.
He had 275 tackles during his career.
“He was always the hardest worker in practice
and that transferred over to his success on game
night,” said Coach Jason Hein.
MATT DEVINE
GETTYSBURG
Switched from quarterback to
tailback early in the 2005 season,
DeVine gained 1,504 yards in less
than eight games at tailback.
He averaged 10.4 yards a carry
and gained 1,639 yards in all.
As a top-flight defensive back, he made 30 tackles.
An all-stater at three positions (kicker, defensive
end, tailback), DeVine had 5,329 yards rushing,
passing and receiving in his career and he had
a hand in 82 TDs. He also had 213 tackles, 22
sacks and 12 fumble recoveries.
RYAN DIX
ABERDEEN RONCALLI
The Cavaliers went 11-1 and won
their first state football title. Dix
was one of the main reasons why.
The 6-3, 235-pounder, a threeyear
starter at linebacker, had 127
tackles and two interceptions this
season. For his career, he had 335 tackles.
At tight end, he had 11 catches this season,
three for scores.
“He is an outstanding player with excellent instincts
who is a big hitter,’’ said Coach Terry
Dosch. “One of the best players we have had here
at Roncalli.”
ROSTER
POS PLAYER TEAM HT. WT. YEAR COACH
RB-DB Quincy Christie Pierre 5-11 170 Sr. Mike Busch
QB-DB Dusty Coleman O’Gorman 6-2 180 Sr. Steve Kueter
RB-LB Andrew Coughlin De Smet 5-11 185 Sr. Jason Hein
TB-DB Matt DeVine Gettysburg 5-10 200 Sr. Vern Smith
TE-LB Ryan Dix Aberdeen Roncalli 6-3 235 Sr. Terry Dosch
QB-DB Jon Doom Wagner 6-2 195 Sr. Russ Morrell
RB-CB Tyler Duffy Brookings 5-11 190 Sr. Gary Maffett
RB-LB Danny Fathke Avon 6-1 165 Sr. Tom Culver
RB-LB Tyler Flammond Clark 5-10 165 Sr. Joel Huber
QB-DB Casey Grimsrud Sisseton 6-4 210 Sr. Scott Hagen
RB-LB Jordan Haar Freeman 5-11 195 Sr. Jim Kaufman
RB-LB Drew Heithoff Yankton 5-8 180 Sr. Arlin Likness
OG-NT Mike Hilgemann Aberdeen Central 5-10 230 Sr. Mike Flakus
RB-S Derek Hoellein Eureka-Bowdle 6-0 180 Sr. Kerwin Hoellein
OG Ryan Hoffman West Central 6-0 200 Sr. Kent Mueller
OG-DT Drew Huber Doland-Conde 6-0 245 Sr. Clayton Randall
QB-FS Matt Hylland Lincoln 5-11 175 Sr. Aaron Beavers
FB-LB Ryan Isaacson O’Gorman 6-4 210 Sr. Steve Kueter
LB Chris Janisch Roosevelt 6-0 215 Sr. Brent DeBoer
QB-S Dana Kerns Philip 5-10 165 Sr. Keven Morehart
QB-DB Conrad Kjerstad Wall 6-2 185 Sr. Mark Ammann
OG-DT Todd Kutter Brandon Valley 6-0 241 Sr. Chad Garrow
RB-DB Daschle Larsen Elk Point-Jefferson 6-0 175 Sr. Rahn Bertram
OG-LB Matt Leedom O’Gorman 6-1 190 Sr. Steve Kueter
RB-LB Tony Lesnar Milbank 6-0 205 Sr. Jeremy Tostenson
OT-DT Ryan McKnight Washington 6-4 260 Sr. Brian Hermanson
FB-CB Chad Morrison West Central 5-6 155 Sr. Kent Mueller
NT Chris Patron Washington 6-1 232 Sr. Brian Hermanson
QB-DB Nick Ramstad Harrisburg 6-0 165 Sr. Scott Ebert
HB-CB Isaac Randall Dell Rapids 5-7 175 Sr. Steve Hansen
WR-FS Jon Ryan Watertown 6-4 181 Sr. Scott Leitheiser
OG-LB Mark Schaefers Hanson 6-3 190 Sr. Jim Haskamp
WR-DB Tyler Schulte O’Gorman 5-11 160 Sr. Steve Kueter
WR-DB Allan Schmaltz Rapid City Central 6-2 185 Jr. Steve Svendsen
QB-LB Jake Steffen Stickney-Mount Vernon 6-4 200 Jr. Myron Steffen
FB-DE Antonio Thompson Roosevelt 6-3 230 Sr. Brent DeBoer
RB-LB Tom Tripp West Central 5-10 175 Sr. Kent Mueller
FB-LB Curt Truhe Elk Point-Jefferson 5-10 205 Jr. Rahn Bertram
QB-DB Mike Tveidt Pierre 6-7 200 Sr. Mike Busch
OT-DT Myles Ulmer Winner 6-0 225 Sr. Dan Aaker
TB-LB-DB Cameron Weiss Hot Springs 5-8 160 Sr. Trent Pikula
OG-DT Chris Wellenstein Centerville 6-6 275 Sr. Dan Evans
FB-LB Joe Whealy Chester Area 5-11 220 Sr. Brad Benson
RB-LB Jim Williams Hanson 6-0 180 Sr. Jim Haskamp
RB-LB Erik Wuestewald Arlington 5-11 198 Sr. Steve Gilbertson
HONORABLE MENTION
Blake Andersen, Marion-Hurley; Mitch Boeck, Arlington; Paul Bohls, Castlewood; Coulter Boyer, Marion-Hurley;
Jacob Bunkers, Dell Rapids St. Mary; Paul Cahoy, South Central; Casey Cuny, Philip; Chas
DeMers, Winner; Reece Evans, Centerville; Ross Fees, Hot Springs; Taylor Forsling, Elk Point-Jefferson;
Brock Geffre, Lead-Deadwood; Dayne Goodman, Beresford; Jon Griffith, Garretson; Dan Fettig, O’Gorman;
Daniel Hagen, Aberdeen Central; Randall Hill, Harrisburg; Shane Hirt, Platte-Geddes-Dakota Christian;
Trevor Holleman, Platte-Geddes-Dakota Christian; Chris Hurd, St. Thomas More; Brad Iverson, Roosevelt;
Brett Jarman, Canton; Grant Johnson, Stickney-Mount Vernon; Dan Jons, South Central; Bryce
Kreutzfeldt, Chester Area; Jordan Lakatos, Washington; Alex Leloux, Parker; Lucas Loeschke, Grant-
Deuel; Levi Lunden, Deubrook; Tyler Lynch, Roosevelt; Nathan Mahone, Brandon Valley; Matt Malloy, Parkston;
Colby McGinley, St. Thomas More; Greg Mehrer, Scotland; Mark Mitchell, Stanley County; Shane
Morris, Oldham-Ramona/Rutland; Todd Neu, Alcester-Hudson; Dusty Nowotny, St. Thomas More; Josh
Nunn, Washington; David Painter, Montrose; Tate Pesicka, Yankton; Drew Peterson, Lemmon-McIntosh;
Wes Pfaff, Mitchell; Levi Pole, O’Gorman; Ryan Poss, Lennox; Ryan Pourier, Pine Ridge; Jet Price, Harding
County; Cody Raml, Watertown; Riley Reiff, Parkston; Drew Reuman, Lyman; Greg Rhodes, Redfield;
Kelsey Schildhauer, Dell Rapids; Andrew Schoenfelder, Roosevelt; Russ Schultz, Milbank; Dave Severson,
Florence-Henry; Mickey Sirois, Custer; Logan Smidt, Menno; Brandon Stahl, Hitchcock-Tulare; Wyatt
Stangohr, Howard; Donny Stewart, Vermillion; Cory Struck, Montrose; Joe Sweets, O’Gorman; Lance
Tschetter, Iroquois; Charlie Vandersnick, Garretson; Jack VanLeur, Brandon Valley; Andrew Wanner, Groton
Area; T.J. Wendt, Harrisburg; Shea Williams, Hanson; Adam Wollman, West Central.
RYAN ISAACSON
O’GORMAN
Taking over at fullback for 2004
Elite 45 captain Josh Mahoney,
Isaacson ran 156 times for 1,180
yards and 14 TDs as the Knights
completed their second straight unbeaten
season.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder also had 13 receptions
for 296 yards and seven TDs, and he had 44
tackles and five sacks.
“Ryan was a threat to run or catch the ball with his
speed and size,” Coach Steve Kueter said. “His ability
to move from guard to fullback made our team better.
He is a player who has a bright future in college.”
CHRIS JANISCH
ROOSEVELT
On defense for the Riders,
Janisch was all over the place. He
had 40 unassisted tackles and 60
assists. He was perhaps the key defender
as the Riders lost just four
games the past two seasons, all to
state champ O’Gorman.
“Chris was the most talented linebacker in our
school history,” Riders coach Brent DeBoer said.
“His timing on blitzes is astounding. He is a gamebreaker.
We would not have been as successful
without his leadership.”
DANA KERNS
PHILIP
The Scotties reached the state finals
for the first time ever behind
Kerns’ quarterbacking.
Kerns completed 64 percent of
his passes, going 56-for-88 for 939
yards with 15 touchdowns. He also
rushed 91 times for 834 yards and nine TDs.
As a safety, he had 23 solo tackles and 56 assists.
“This is our leader and role model for Scotties football,”
said Coach Keven Morehart. “He was always
willing to give extra time to the little kids after practice
and after games. He will be hard to replace.”
CONRAD KJERSTAD
WALL
For five years, Kjerstad has been
a football force in the middle of the
state. He’s been a two-way starter
for the Eagles all five years and has
some tremendous career stats – including
35 interceptions, believed
to be an all-time South Dakota record, 141 touchdowns,
and 3,641 yards rushing.
There was no letup this his senior year. As quarterback,
he rushed for 540 yards and 11 touchdowns
and passed for 1,501 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Defensively, he had 46 tackles and 10 interceptions,
returning three for touchdowns.
JON DOOM
CASEY GRIMSRUD
DEREK HOELLEIN
TODD KUTTER
WAGNER
SISSETON
EUREKA-BOWDLE
BRANDON VALLEY
Despite missing two games in
midseason to knee surgery, Doom
passed for 1,211 yards and eight
touchdowns while completing 50
percent of his passes. He also
rushed 76 times for 366 yards.
“He has a great feel for the game of football
and has the God-given ability to play the game,’’
said Coach Russ Morrell. “We run the no-huddle
offense, and all of our plays are called from the
sideline with hand signals. Jon can look once
and starts calling the next play for his teammates.”
Grimsrud proved a dangerous
weapon this fall with either his arm
or his legs.
He completed 67.6 percent of
his passes, throwing for 2,329
yards and 22 touchdowns. Running
the ball, he had 156 attempts for 783 yards and
eight more touchdowns.
And that was just his offense. He made 68 solo
tackles to go with 41 assists.
His most impressive game this year came
against Redfield when he completed 19 of 22 passes
for 369 yards and four touchdowns.
A four-year starter, Hoellein led
the Patriots to a 10-1 record and
a berth in the Class 9AA semifinals.
He had 99 carries for 841 yards,
23 receptions for 524 yards (22.8
yards a catch), and passed for 146 yards and
scored 25 touchdowns. At safety, he had 72 tackles
and four interceptions.
During his career, Hoellein had more than 2,000
yards rushing, 1,500 passing and 600 receiving.
He scored 55 TDs. He is being recruited by NCAA
Division I-AA and II schools.
A two-way lineman, the 6-foot,
241-pound Kutter blocked for a
quarterback who threw for 1,600
yards and a running back who
rushed for 1,200.
Kutter also had 62 tackles and
seven sacks for the Lynx.
“Todd has been a very vital player on our team
the past two years,” said Coach Chad Garrow. “He
can totally control a game from the D-line position
through his sound technique and his extreme desire.”
TYLER DUFFY
JORDAN HAAR
RYAN HOFFMAN
DASCHLE LARSEN
BROOKINGS
FREEMAN
WEST CENTRAL
ELK POINT-JEFFERSON
One year after his blocking
helped Jordan Paula run for 1,300
yards, Duffy was the Bobcats’
featured back in 2005, rushing
206 times for 1,552 yards and 13
touchdowns.
He was a three-year starter at either running
back or defensive back.
“Tyler is a very hard, low-to-the-ground runner
who possesses quick feet and great acceleration,’’
said Coach Gary Maffett. “Tyler has all the
skills both physically and mentally that can take
him to the next level.”
For some truly eye-popping statistics
this fall, look no further than
Haar. He rushed 263 times for
1,825 yards and 19 touchdowns in
8 games. He rushed for 415 yards
against Parker, a game he carried
the ball 52 times. For his four years on the team, all
as a starter, he netted 5,513 yards and accumulated
62 touchdowns. That’s just offense. He also had
65 unassisted tackles and 30 assists this season.
“He is a tremendous athlete with the will and
desire to win,” Freeman coach Jim Kaufman said.
“Jordan is one of those special athletes that come
around in a program every so often.”
One of the big reasons why the
Trojans won their unprecedented
sixth straight Class 11A title, the
200-pound guard’s blocking helped
West Central score 568 points this
season.
Hoffman earned the outstanding lineman award
in both the 2004 and ’05 title games.
“All you have to do to appreciate Ryan’s contributions
to this program is look at the number of yards
and total points we put up offensively,” said Coach
Kent Mueller. “He was an extremely hard worker
and great leader on a senior-dominated team.”
Despite playing the entire season
with a separated shoulder, Larsen,
a four-year starter at defensive
back, had a school-record eight interceptions.
He was a dangerous runner and
receiver as well, rushing 97 times for 484 yards
and catching 20 passes for 406 yards.
“Daschle is one of the best pure athletes I have
ever coached, who has worked hard to get our
team to the playoffs the past three years, including
the semis this year,” said Coach Rahn
Bertram.
DANNY FATHKE
DREW HEITHOFF
DREW HUBER
MATT LEEDOM
AVON
YANKTON
DOLAND-CONDE
O’GORMAN
Fathke led the Pirates to an unbeaten
season, rushing for 1,576
yards, including 172 in the state finals.
He averaged 12 yards a carry and
scored 19 touchdowns. He also had
60 tackles and five interceptions. For his career, he
had 51 TDs, 215 tackles and 2,925 rushing yards.
Avon won two state titles and finished second once
during Fathke’s three seasons as a starter.
“Danny is like having another coach on the
field,’’ said Coach Tom Culver. “He is more prepared
mentally than any other player that I have
ever seen.”
The team captain for the Bucks,
Heithoff led Yankton to an undefeated
regular season and ESD title,
only losing to O’Gorman in the
‘11AA’ championship game.
A two-way starter, Heithoff
rushed for 1,290 yards this fall with 12 touchdowns.
He also caught 14 passes for 233 more
yards. On defense, he made 57 tackles, four
sacks and blocked three punts.
He ended his career as a Buck with 3,267 yards
of total offense and fifth on the rushing list with
1,935 yards.
The anchor of the Chargers’ line,
the 245-pound Huber blocked for
an offense that produced 3,736 total
yards.
He also had 21 solo tackles, 49
assists and six sacks as a defensive
tackle. For his career, he had 163 tackles
and 18 sacks.
“He plays the position like they teach the guys
that play on Saturdays and Sunday to,” said
Coach Clayton Randall. “He has great footwork
and position. We rushed the ball to his side of the
line a majority of the time and always during
crunch time.”
The outstanding lineman in the
state Class 11AA finals, Leedom
helped the Knights to back-to-back
unbeaten seasons.
Leedom was a key blocker on a
line that helped O’Gorman run for
over 300 yards a game. He also had a team-leading
72 tackles for a defense that had five
shutouts and allowed just over seven points a
game.
“Matt was our defensive leader and helped a
young defense become the most dominant in the
state,” said Coach Steve Kueter.
TYLER FLAMMOND
MIKE HILGEMANN
MATT HYLLAND
TONY LESNAR
CLARK
ABERDEEN CENTRAL
LINCOLN
MILBANK
Fourteen yards a carry. That unheard-of
figure is what Flammond averaged
this season on 63 attempts.
The Comets played a weak schedule,
but Flammond was even better
against the toughest team, rushing
14 times for 223 yards in a playoff loss to Chester.
He scored 22 TDs and led the team in tackles.
“I have had a number of good running backs in the
last 20 years at Clark, but I do not know if I have
ever had one who is so elusive,” said Joel Huber. “He
has the ability to stop on a dime, cut sideways and
accelerate to full speed in a matter of seconds.”
The two-way lineman was a key
contributor for the Golden Eagles.
The team’s most valuable lineman
the past two seasons. The 5-
foot-10, 230-pound Hilgemann was
voted Spirit of the Eagle this season
– the team’s most prestigious award.
“His work ethic in the offseason is second to
none,” said Coach Mike Flakus.
“His strength as an offensive lineman was his
ability to get outside in our sweep series and
pulling in our trap series.”
Despite his team being overshadowed
by other Sioux Falls
teams, Hylland’s talents were visible
to all.
A three-year starter, he passed
for 1,542 yards and ran for 543.
He also had 35 tackles and six interceptions. For
his career, he had 3,800 total yards, 104 tackles
and16 interceptions.
“One of the best all-around athletes I’ve
coached,” said Aaron Beavers. “Works hard and is
the definition of a team player. Matt is a special
athlete and even a better person.”
Two thousand two hundred
eighty-two yards. That number is
phenomenal for a college or NFL
running back, but for a high school
player it is just jaw dropping.
Lesnar ran the ball 335 times, averaging
6.8 yards a carry and scored 20 touchdowns.
“Tony is one of the most humble players I have
ever coached,” Coach Jeremy Tostenson said.
“His offensive line loves him. We put a huge load
on Tony’s back this year and he carried us right into
the Dome.”

THE ELITE 45
Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005 5C
RYAN MCKNIGHT
JON RYAN
ANTONIO THOMPSON
CAMERON WEISS
WASHINGTON
WATERTOWN
ROOSEVELT
HOT SPRINGS
Washington again ranked among
the best football teams in the state
and McKnight was a big reason
why.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound lineman
played both ways and did not allow
a sack all season on a team that threw 196 times.
Defensively, he had 68 total tackles – 26 solo
and 42 assisted, including 15 tackles for a loss
and seven sacks.
“He is a big strong physical player who enjoys
playing the game,” Coach Brian Hermanson said.
A two-year, two-way starter at
free safety and wide receiver,
Ryan was a big-play man for the
Arrows.
The 6-foot-4, 181-pounder had 33
receptions for 695 yards – 21 yards
a catch – with five touchdowns this season.
On defense, he had five interceptions, two fumble
recoveries, two blocked kicks, 35 solo tackles
and 21 assists.
During his career, Ryan had 58 receptions for
1,130 yards.
On offense and defense, Thompson
was a presence on the field for
the Riders, helping carry them to a
second straight season where the
only losses came against state
champion O’Gorman.
As fullback, Thompson muscled his way to 977
yards rushing on 137 attempts and 14 touchdowns.
That’s over 7 yards a carry. As a defensive
end, he recorded 21 unassisted tackles and six
sacks.
“He is one of the very best fullbacks I have
coached,” Coach Brent DeBoer said.
Weiss has been one of the most
prolific running backs the Black
Hills have seen in some time.
This season he rushed for 1,319
yards and 10 touchdowns. In his
career, he rushed for 3,520 yards
and scored 49 touchdowns. On defense, he had
eight career interceptions and 65 tackles.
“Cameron is an incredible back who has great
vision and excellent speed and quickness,’’ said
Coach Trent Pikula. “Although he is only 160
pounds, he plays much bigger.”
CHAD MORRISON
MARK SCHAEFERS
TOM TRIPP
CHRIS WELLENSTEIN
WEST CENTRAL
HANSON
WEST CENTRAL
CENTERVILLE
An Elite 45 repeater, the 155-
pound Morrison was one of the big
reasons the Trojans won their sixth
straight Class 11A title.
One of the state’s smallest 11-
man fullbacks, Morrison rushed 114
times for 758 yards and blocked for an offense that
gained 4,568 yards. On defense, he had 42 tackles.
“Chad is an example of a player who excels because
of heart, hard work and a never quit
attitude,” said Coach Kent Mueller. “If you were
going to pick a player as an example to represent
West Central football, it would be Chad.”
A four-year, two-way starter,
Schaefers helped the Beavers become
the state’s most dominant
9-man team.
Hanson went 12-0 and outscored
foes 51-5.8 this fa;; as Schaefers’
blocking helped the Beavers average 409 yards a
game, including 331 via the rush. As a linebacker,
he had 96 tackles and six sacks for a defense that
yielded 70 yards a game rushing and 49 passing.
For his career, he had 288 tackles.
“Mark has possessed some of the best technique
of any lineman or defensive player that I
have coached,” said Jim Haskamp.
An Elite 45 repeater, Tripp led
the Trojans to an unprecedented
sixth straight Class 11A title.
He rushed for 1,135 yards on 120
carries, had nine receptions for 231
yards and scored 16 TDs. He also
had a team-leading 101 tackles as the Trojans limited
foes to 3.5 points a game.
“Tom is an example of a kid who has maximized
his physical gifts and talents, combined them with
extra work watching film and mentally preparing
each week, to leave West Central as one of our alltime
best players,” said Coach Kent Mueller.
A four-year starter, the 6-foot-6,
275-pound Wellenstein helped
make the Tornadoes one of the
elite teams in Class 9A.
His blocking helped the Tri-Valley
Conference champs to 3,334 total
yards in 2004 and 3,196 in 2005.
On defense, he had 57 tackles this season and
67 in 2004.
He is getting offers from Division II schools and
Division I schools are interested in him, said
Coach Dan Evans.
CHRIS PATRON
TYLER SCHULTE
CURT TRUHE
JOE WHEALY
WASHINGTON
O’GORMAN
ELK POINT-JEFFERSON
CHESTER AREA
A nose tackle with a nose for the
football, Patron helped make the
Washington Warriors one of the
state’s top Class 11AA teams this
season.
The 232-pounder had 17 tackles
for loss and 12 sacks. He also had 32 solo tackles
and 36 assists, blocked two punts and recovered
three fumbles.
“He is very quick off the ball and possesses
great strength,” said Coach Brian Hermanson.
“Chris plays at a level that all coaches admire. He
has one speed – all out.’’
A repeater on the Elite 45 team,
Schulte was small in stature and big
in deed, helping the Knights to a second
consecutive unbeaten season.
He had 30 receptions for 638
yards and nine touchdowns, rushed
42 times for 313 yards and seven TDs and even
filled in at quarterback, going 6-for-7 for 174 yards
and four TDs. He was also a dangerous return man.
“Even with his impressive stats, he did all the
other things to make us better,” said Coach Steve
Kueter. “His blocking and faking ability made our
offense go.”
A junior, Truhe is a coach’s
dream running back: In 216 carries,
he never fumbled and lost only 5
yards all season.
Truhe gained 1,304 yards and
had 14 TDs. He also had 84 tackles,
four interceptions (two returned for TDs) and
three fumble recoveries for the Huskies.
A three-year starter, the 205-pounder already
holds five school records.
“A hard-nosed runner who is a punishing runner,’’
said Coach Rahn Bertram.
A ferocious hitter, Whealy helped
make the Flyers one of the elite
teams in Class 9AA.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder had
134 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions
and two fumble recoveries
this season. He also rushed 84 times for 496
yards and 16 TDs and blocked for a runner who
gained almost 1,200 yards.
“The kids kind of fed off him on defense,’’ said
Coach Brad Benson. “He was a student of the
game. We considered him an on-the-field coach.’’
NICK RAMSTAD
ALLAN SCHMALTZ
MIKE TVEIDT
JIM WILLIAMS
HARRISBURG
RAPID CITY CENTRAL
PIERRE
HANSON
The Tigers were one of the top
teams in Class 11A, and Ramstad
was a big reason why.
The quarterback rushed 112
times for 852 yards and 15 touchdowns
and passed for 454 yards
and two scores. As a defensive back, he had 45
tackles and seven interceptions.
“Good decision maker on the option,’’ said
Coach Scott Ebert. “Great yards per carry average
despite teams keying on him. He was a threat to
take it for a touchdown on every play. A tough kid,
a gamer.”
Schmaltz was perhaps the
state’s most prolific receiver this
fall as a junior with 64 catches for
1,001 yards and five touchdowns.
His most impressive game may
have been against state champion
O’Gorman when the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder had 12
receptions for 154 yards.
“His hands are like a vacuum cleaner, bringing
in everything he gets his hands on,” said Coach
Steve Svendsen. “He’s our go-to guy when we are
looking for a big play.”
A three-time all-stater, the multitalented
Tveidt was all-ESD at four
positions (wide receiver, tight end,
quarterback and punter) in his
Pierre career.
Moved to QB in Game 5 of his junior
season, he is the only Pierre player ever to run,
catch and throw for more than 100 yards in a game.
This season, the North Dakota State basketball recruit
rushed 161 times for 652 yards and 10 TDs and
was 48-for-93 for 712 yards and four TDs. Career
numbers: 1,235 yards passing, 899 rushing, 733
receiving, nine field goals, 40.2-yard punting average.
Class 9A champion Hanson won
so many games by the 45-point rule
this season that Williams often had
limited opportunities.
But did he ever show off when he
got a chance to run. Williams ran
for 1,991 yards on just 170 carries (an average of
11.7 yards a carry). He scored 40 touchdowns. Defensively,
he made 96 tackles. For his career, he
had 6,010 yards rushing and 104 touchdowns.
“Jim has been a true leader both on and off the
field with his dedication,” Hanson coach Jim
Haskamp said. “He truly is a role model for
younger kids.”
ISAAC RANDALL
JAKE STEFFEN
MYLES ULMER
ERIK WUESTEWALD
DELL RAPIDS
STICKNEY-MOUNT VERNON
WINNER
ARLINGTON
A player who saved his best for
the Quarriers’ best opponents, Randall
rushed for 1,172 yards, averaging
6.7 yards a carry.
Dell Rapids played five teams
rated in the top five in Class 11A
and the 175-pound Randall averaged 129 yards
against them.
“He is not very big, but is powerful, very quick
and tough to bring down,’’ said Coach Steve
Hansen. “I had coaches tell me that he was a little
Barry Sanders.”
A junior, Steffen has been a twoway
starter since eighth grade.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback
led the Knights to the Class
9AA finals, averaging 8.6 yards a
carry (1,687 yards), completing
66.2 percent of his passes (1,162 yards), making
111 tackles and accounting for 44 touchdowns.
He has already had 4,187 career yards passing
and running, 72 TDs and 287 tackles.
“He may end up being the best of the three D-I
players I’ve had in the last seven years,” said
Coach Myron Steffen.
Despite being a defensive tackle,
the 225-pound Ulmer was in on 127
tackles (44 solos, 83 assists) this
season.
He also anchored an offensive
line that helped Winner get 2,500
yards rushing and 1,050 passing.
For his career, Ulmer had 261 tackles.
“Myles is the best all-around lineman I have ever
coached,” said Dan Aaker. “He saw double teams
and cut blocks every play but still had double-figure
tackles in all 11 games we played. He is tough
as nails.”
One of the big reasons why the
Cardinals had back-to-back unbeaten
seasons, Wuestewald rushed
153 times for 901 yards and scored
20 touchdowns this season.
The Dakota Valley Conference
MVP, Wuestewald also had 106 tackles.
In his career, the four-year starter rushed for
3,120 yards and scored 51 TDs.
“Erik Wuestewald is a tenacious competitor,
who is relentless when carrying the football,’’ said
Coach Steve Gilbertson.
Coleman: Led O’Gorman to crucial victories over Roosevelt
Continued from 1C
state championships – I was very glad
to be a part of it. I was very fortunate
to have the teammates I had.”
During the wildly successful 2005
season, Coleman made the decision to
pursue baseball in college. As a kid
who has always moved from sport to
sport with unbridled enthusiasm, it
was a difficult decision – and a very
tough time to make it.
“It wasn’t so much football as it was
being part of the team,” Coleman said.
“I’ve built so many friendships based
on being part of this team. It’s tough to
imagine not hanging out with them. A
lot of games stick out in my mind, but
being part of the team is what is going
to be so tough to be done with.”
A bad back kept him out of three
games this season, but the Knights
won them all. For the year, Coleman
ran for 628 yards and 17 touchdowns
and passed for 872 and 14 touchdowns.
An all-stater and Elite 45 member
last year, he leaves the O’Gorman
football program as the all-time leading
rusher with 2,454 yards. He had 31
touchdown passes and 34 rushing
touchdowns for his career.
His 2005 stats were hampered
because of the injury, but also because
the Knights, who won their 13 games
by an average of nearly 40 points, had
subs playing much of the time.
In those moments where a game
was in doubt, though, Coleman was
fearless as well as peerless.
“He’s the best prime-time player I
ever coached,” O’Gorman head football
coach Steve Kueter said. “Obviously,
he was a great player all the
time, but especially when the chips
were on the table. When you have a
player who can take over mentally and
physically in those situations, it lifts a
team up. They block a little harder and
get after things a little more because
they got the guy right there who is
LLOYD B. CUNNINGHAM / ARGUS LEADER
O'Gorman players and fans gather at midfield to recite the Lord's Prayer after a game
this season against Washington. Dusty Coleman leads the prayer in the center.
going to get things done.”
In the two games the Knights
played against Roosevelt in 2005 – the
only two games they won by less than
30 – Coleman was the difference.
In the state semifinals, his 60-yard
run for a touchdown helped O’Gorman
win 14-6.
At the 2005 Dakota Bowl, a 24-14
Knights victory in early September,
his contribution was downright inspirational.
O’Gorman led 17-14 in the final
quarter with two starting offensive
linemen on the sidelines in addition to
Elite 45 receiver Tyler Schulte.
“We had to move 80 yards. If we didn’t
score, it really looked like Roosevelt
was going to win the game,”
Kueter said. “On 10 plays, we ran
Dusty eight times. This was at the end
of a very hot night where he had been
playing both ways. His legs were
cramping up, but he knew if we didn’t
score we were in trouble. What 10,000
saw that night was a little piece of
what we see all the time from him.”
The end of the drive? A 3-yard
touchdown run by Coleman to clinch
the victory.
Tip of the iceberg
Coleman is an academic all-stater, a
Fellowship of Christian Athletes officer
and a friend to jocks and non-jocks
alike at O’Gorman, but along with all
that, not a day goes by when he is not
thinking about honing his athletic
skills.
“After the state championship, I felt
a little tired, like I needed a break,”
said Coleman. “But it felt like nothing
was going on. I got so bored. I ended
up playing a lot of basketball. I needed
to do something to take up the time.”
Coleman has always been that way.
“He’s never once said ‘I don’t want
to do this,’” said his father, Brad Coleman.
“Sports have been his passion
since he was a little guy. I mean real
little, like 2 years old. He always wanted
to be playing catch.”
When Brad wasn’t around, he’d beg
his mom, Julie, to play catch. Like his
older sisters Sonia and Tabitha, both
talented volleyball players at O’Gorman,
the kid just couldn’t get enough
of sports.
“We had a hoop set up in the basement
and he’d shoot at that thing for
hours,” Julie said. “It didn’t matter
what the season was, if it was
basketball, he’d be dribbling
all over the house. If it was
football season, he’d have a
football with him wherever
he went.”
In fourth grade, Coleman
started playing football.
For an athlete who
would one day be the top
offensive player in the state,
he actually liked defense
more.
“He didn’t like offense,”
Brad said of his son who
was then an undersized
middle linebacker. “Little
guys don’t like getting hit,
but they like hitting
guys.”
Of course that mentality
hasn’t changed, just
expanded. He certainly
likes offense more now as
his career numbers show
– 34 rushing touchdowns,
31 passing touchdowns
and a school
record 2,454 yards rushing
– but he never lost his
defensive focus and developed
into a top two-way player,
making 31 tackles this season and
finishing with 11 interceptions for his
career.
See COLEMAN, page 6C