Platte-Geddes finished off a perfect season with a 42-12 win over Hamlin in the Class 9AA state championship game. Now, the state champion Black Panthers are getting recognized.

Platte-Geddes landed seven members on the Class 9AA all-state team, along with another player being named honorable mention. The all-state teams were selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

The Black Panthers had four players named to the offensive team, including two-time all-state member Caden Foxley. He was an all-state punter last season, but the junior made the team as a tight end this year. He caught 24 passes for 386 yards and six touchdowns.

“Caden also could make a highlight reel on pancake blocks this year. Has to have well over 25,” Platte-Geddes coach Bruce Hanson said. “He is a beast on our O-line, and I believe he is one of, if not the best tight end in any class.”

Foxley is joined by running back Jackson Neuman and wide receiver Nate Whalen on offense. Neuman, a junior, carried the ball 125 times for 1,065 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also catching six passes for 102 yards and a score.

“We spread the ball around to a lot of players and Jackson gets an average of 12 carries a game,” Hanson said. “If we gave it to him 20-25 times like a lot of players, he would easily have over 2,000 yards. He’s a very explosive, shifty back.”

Whalen finished his prep career with 17 receptions for 428 yards and five touchdowns this season. He averaged 25.1 yards per reception.

“We do not throw the ball a lot, so his stats do not reflect the caliber of a receiver he is,” Hanson said.

Up front, Royce Finney represented the Black Panthers on the offense line. The junior lineman helped pave the way for over 2,700 rushing yards and 4,200 total yards.

“Royce and Foxley anchor the right side of our line,” Hanson said. “(Finney) is the communicator and makes the calls for us there. He is our pulling guard and does not miss. Royce is one of those kids that need football and has really excelled for us.”

Defensively, Platte-Geddes landed a pair of players on the all-state team, as well.

The versatile Grayson Hanson did a little of everything for the Black Panthers, being named an all-state linebacker. The junior had 116 tackles (62 solo), 14 tackles for loss, four interceptions and three forced fumbles (two recoveries).

“Grayson is the leader of our defense. He gets everyone aligned and makes all the calls for us,” coach Hanson said. “We feel like he is the smartest kid on the field. He also is our player that moves all over and plays middle linebacker, outside linebacker and safety. We try to put him in position to take away the other team’s best player and plays. He has 19 touchdowns on offense, but didn't nominate him there because this is where he belongs on the defensive side.”

Kelby VanDerWerff, who also played quarterback for Platte-Geddes, made the all-state team as a defensive lineman. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound senior anchored the defensive line, but also threw for 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns on offense.

“He's our leader and team captain,” Hanson said. “Not too many quarterbacks play defensive end, and he does that for us.”

Platte-Geddes’ final all-state player is Jackson Olsen, who made the team on special teams as the team’s kicker. The junior made 3 of 4 field goals, including a long of 42 yards. He was 10-for-11 on extra points and kicked nine touchbacks on kickoffs.

“Jackson is a big weapon for us in field position and scoring,” Hanson said. “He has a big leg.”

Hanson’s Riley Ferry was named an all-state defensive lineman for the second straight year, as well.

“Riley is a dedicated, hard-working, coachable athlete,” Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said. “Leader in the weight room and a great role model for our younger athletes. Has great instincts and a nose for the football. Usually attracted double teams from opponents.”

Ortman highlights Class 9A all-state team

Tyce Ortman was named the All-American of the Class 9A all-state team after guiding Canistota/Freeman to a third consecutive state title. He was one of five players from the Pride to earn all-state honors.

Ortman did a little bit of everything for the Pride on offense. He rushed for 1,011 yards and 20 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry, while also throwing for 753 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed 50 percent of his passes. Ortman made the all-state team as a running back last year.

“Tyce has a nose for the football and the best closing speed of any defensive player I have had the privilege to coach,” Canistota/Freeman coach James Strang said. “Took the field as a freshman when we got banged up and hasn't left the field since. Has played wide receiver, running back and quarterback. Everything a coach could ask for. He will be playing on Saturdays in the future.”

A pair of his offensive linemen also earned all-state honors. Seniors Clayton Smith and Cole Papendick are both all-state offensive linemen after paving the way for the Pride’s prolific offense. Smith, a 2019 all-state lineman, played guard and tight end.

“Clayton is a hammer,” Strang said. “He does a great job stacking edges and playing off of double teams. He pulls and powers with great speed and finishes blocks in the open field. He started the statement across our O-line that one block isn’t good enough -- get two.”

Papendick played guard and center. Canistota/Freeman scored 420 points and rushed for 2,500 yards. The Pride also passed for 850 yards, as they averaged seven yards per play.

“Cole is a multi-talented offensive and defensive lineman,” Strang said. “He has played center and guard, defensive tackle and defensive end. He fights double teams extremely well and got fat kid glory with a 90-yard pick-six. He pulls and powers with great speed and finishes blocks in the open field.”

The Pride also landed two members on the all-state defensive team, including linebacker Logan Katzer. He has 35.5 tackles (29 solo), nine tackles for loss, four sacks, three interceptions and forced a pair of fumbles.

“Logan has a nasty attitude,” Strang said. “He has great hands and was on ESPN’s ‘You Got Mossed.’ Transferred from McCook Central/Montrose last year and wished we could have had him for more years when he was younger.”

Joining Katzer is Isiah Robertson, who was named to the all-state team as a defensive back. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound junior recorded 27 tackles and had seven pass breakups. He also added four interceptions and 2.5 tackles for loss.

“Isiah is the quickest player on our team,” Strang said. “He is great at man-to-man and has the ability to get over the top and assist in run support. He sheds a lot of perimeter blocks.”

Howard had four players named to the all-state team. After earning honorable mention honors last year, Howard’s Riley Genzlinger made the all-state team as a fullback.

Genzlinger carried the ball 100 times for 735 yards, while also recording 12 receptions for 167 yards. He scored 20 touchdowns.

“Riley has been our fastest and best offensive player the last two years,” Howard coach Pat Ruml said. “He was the main back in our offense that had 3,790 yds and 58 touchdowns this season, and 7,300 yds and 108 touchdowns the last two years.”
Blocking for Genzlinger was Samuel Callies, an all-state offensive lineman. He was the anchor for the Tigers up front.

“Samuel has been our best offensive lineman the past two years,” Ruml said. “He made all of our line calls and knew every blocking assignment for every player on offense as a captain and weight room leader.”

The Tigers’ final two all-state players came on defense. Jaxon Kampshoff earned all-state honors for his work on the defensive line. The senior recorded 81 tackles and sacked the quarterback nine times.

“Jaxon has been our best defensive player the last two years,” Ruml said. “Our defense only gave up 170 yards per game and 77 points all year (7.7 per game). Captain and weight room leader.”

At linebacker, Howard’s Ty Beyer’s 91 tackles and one fumble recovery earned him all-state honors.

“Ty has been our best LB for the last two years,” Ruml said. “He is only a junior, but is our team’s biggest hitter and sure tackler.”

Lyman’s Colton Collins also made the all-state team at running back. The junior was a workhorse for Lyman this season. He carried the ball 174 times for 1,263 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

“Toughest player on our team,” Lyman coach Michael Kieffer said. “Runs as hard as anyone I've ever coached in my 15 years.”

Scotland’s Gall named to Class 9B all-state team

Jordan Gall, of Scotland, was named to the Class B all-state team as a defensive lineman. The senior was named honorable mention last year. He finished with 43.5 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and an interception for the Highlanders.