By Dave Vilhauer
Aberdeen American News
Some were record breakers, some were ankle breakers and all found a way to make an impact on the field.
As the Class 9A all-state football team is announced today, the list includes a group of players who were able to make plays, whether on offense, defense or special teams.
The squad includes a pair of career 4,000-yard rushers, a quarterback who passed for eight touchdowns in the state championship game, and multiple defenders who racked up triple digit tackles this past season.
Offense
The Most Valuable Player of the Class 9A state championship game, Potter County quarterback Chayce Hall hurt opponents with his arm and his feet. The senior rushed for 813 yards and 10 touchdowns, passed for 1,450 yards and 24 TDs, and fired a state-record eight touchdown passes in the title contest for the Battlers. He finished his career with 1,164 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns and 1,862 yards passing and 28 TDs.
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“Exceptional athlete whose biggest downfall at times is that he tries to do too much,” said Potter County coach Vern Smith.
Only a junior, Howard fullback Luke Loudenburg has already rushed for 4,121 yards. This past season, Loudenburg rushed for 2,248 yards and 37 touchdowns. He averaged 9.4 yards per carry. Already a three-year starter, Loudenburg has 55 career touchdowns with a full season remaining. So far, Loudenburg has averaged 8.8 yards per carry for the Tigers.
Wolsey-Wessington running back Ryne Johnson finished his senior season with 2,072 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns. He capped his career with 4,612 yards and 62 touchdowns, despite sharing the backfield with a 1,000-yard rusher last year and a 2,000 yard rusher this year.
The second running back to make the list is Colome senior Terrance Kinzer. He rushed for 1,120 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 8.12 yards per carry.
“He was probably the best football player I’ve coached in my eight years at Colome,” Cowboys coach Kevin Keiser said.
Kinzer was also a factor on special teams, returning three kicks for touchdowns, including one for 97 yards.
Other playmakers to earn a spot were Potter County senior Tanner Heuer and Sully Buttes sophomore Cody Nelson, both wide receivers, and Leola-Frederick tight end Derrick Podoll.
The offensive line was highlighted by Hanson senior guard Andrew Nelson. The Beavers racked up 2,239 yards rushing this fall - an average of 248 yards per game - thanks to a line that featured this senior.
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“Andrew is an outstanding athlete and lineman with a tremendous attitude and work ethic,” Hanson coach Jim Haskamp said. “He has helped make those he played with better.”
Lemmon-McIntosh guard Garrett Clark and Leola-Frederick center Matt Weisser were also selected for their contributions on offense.
Defense
Two Howard defensive players were chosen as all-state selections in senior linebacker Nick Pardy and defensive back junior Jordan Kuhle.
Pardy sparked a defense that allowed only 112 yards rushing per contest this past year. Pardy recorded 119 tackles, one sack, forced three fumbles and intercepted a pass. He finished his career with 211 tackles, two sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. Pardy was also a leader in the weight room where he was able to dead lift more than 550 pounds.
Kuhle was always around the action and packed a pop when he showed up. He recorded 93 tackles and picked off a pair of passes for the Tigers. The two-year starter already has 176 career tackles.
“He is the best overall football player on the team,” Howard coach Pat Ruml said. “He is by far the biggest hitter.”
The second defensive back named to the all-state team is Wolsey-Wessington’s Larenzo Williams.
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Hanson’s Jacob Paradeis also made his mark on the field.
Paradeis was always around the ball. The senior had 68 tackles, four sacks and recovered a pair of fumbles this past season. He finished his career with 155 tackles, six sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
“Jake has put in a lot of time and work in the off season to make himself and his team better,” Jim Haskamp said.
Tackles Jimmy King, a junior for Leola-Frederick, and Chandler Keppen, a senior for Chester Area, were selected, along with defensive ends Austin Hoerner, a senior for Leola-Frederick, and Dakota Thorstenson, a senior for Herreid/Selby Area.
Joining Paradeis and Pardy on the list of linebackers is Potter County senior Mitchell Hinckley and Warner junior Derrek Tuszka.
Special teams
Special teams players are Herreid/Selby kicker Israel Argullin, Philip punter Paul Guptill and Northwestern long snapper Tyler Carda and special team player Dexter Lick, of Tri-State.
Argullin averaged 52.36 yards per kickoff with 23 touchbacks. He also booted 10 kicks that landed inside the opponents’ five-yard line. Argullin made a field goal and also was 15 of 17 on extra point attempts this past season.
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Honorable mention:
Dane Campbell of Leola-Frederick, Brody Peterson of Lemmon-McIntosh, Phil Beck of Ipswich-Edmunds Central, Carson Kirby of Potter County, Alex Viger of Tri-State, Logan Weisser of Leola-Frederick, Alex Babcock of Wolsey-Wessington, Nathan Sumption of Leola-Frederick, Cole Acheson of Chester Area, Alex Marsh of Ipswich-Edmunds Central, and Joey Evans of Andes Central.
