CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA --- The 2018 American Rivers All-Conference Football Team as voted by the league's head coaches:
Offensive MVP, Matt Sacia, Sr., QB, Wartburg College |
Defensive MVP, Michael Connor, Sr., LB, Simpson College |
Coach of the Year, Matt Jeter, Simpson College |
| First-Team Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jordy Borman |
Central College |
Junior |
DB |
Eagan, Minn./Eagan |
| Dante Joseph # |
Luther College |
Senior |
DB |
Layton, Utah/Northridge |
| Brendan Holmes & |
Simpson College |
Junior |
DB |
Atlantic, Iowa/Atlantic |
| Ryan Lehr # -h1 |
Simpson College |
Junior |
DB |
Indianola, Iowa/Indianola |
| JoJo McNair & |
Wartburg College |
Sophomore |
DB |
Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central |
| Gary Weaver # |
Buena Vista University |
Junior |
DL |
Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View |
| Daniel Vega |
Coe College |
Senior |
DL |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier |
| Michael Noll |
Luther College |
Senior |
DL |
Lake City, Minn./Lincoln |
| Dillon Rademaker & |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
DL |
Greene, Iowa/North Butler |
| Chris Miller |
Loras College |
Junior |
LB |
Waukon, Iowa/Waukon/Ellsworth CC |
| Michael Connor -h3 |
Simpson College |
Senior |
LB |
Woodward, Iowa/Woodward-Granger |
| Connor Frerichs |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
LB |
New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton |
| First-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Blaine Hawkins -h3 |
Central College |
Sophomore |
QB |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny |
| Matt Sacia ^ & @ |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
QB |
Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott |
| Shaka Taylor & |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Senior |
RB |
Norfolk, Neb./Lutheran High Northeast |
| Cam Bunting # |
Simpson College |
Senior |
RB |
Indianola, Iowa/Indianola |
| Dwayne Allen, Jr. & |
University of Dubuque |
Junior |
RB |
Hampshire, Ill./St. Edward |
| Matt Kopp |
Coe College |
Junior |
TE |
Belvidere, Ill./Belvidere |
| Eric Pacheco |
Buena Vista University |
Sophomore |
WR |
Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic |
| Dalton Kuehl & ! -h2 |
Coe College |
Senior |
OL |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson |
| Ryan Heinrichs |
Loras College |
Senior |
OL |
Davenport, Iowa/Assumption |
| Collin Stefanowski # |
University of Dubuque |
Senior |
OL |
Lake Villa, Ill./Grant Community |
| Nic Vetter |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
OL |
Hampton, Iowa/Hampton-Dumont |
| Hud Johnston # |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
OL |
Maynard, Iowa/West Central |
| First-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jon Alberts & |
Central College |
Junior |
PK |
Huntley, Ill./Huntley |
| Nathan Hawkins -h1 |
Simpson College |
Senior |
P |
Solon, Iowa/Solon |
| Elijah Thomas |
Loras College |
Freshman |
RS |
Zephyrhills, Fla./Zephyrhills |
| Second-Team Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Hunter Semelroth |
Coe College |
Junior |
DB |
Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community |
| Prince Krah |
Simpson College |
Senior |
DB |
Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt |
| Blaze Barista |
University of Dubuque |
Junior |
DB |
Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South |
| Cedric Dobbins |
Wartburg College |
Junior |
DB |
Waukee, Iowa/Waukee |
| Trey Chumbley |
Simpson College |
Junior |
DL |
Grimes, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes |
| Doug Gates # |
University of Dubuque |
Senior |
DL |
Zion, Ill./Zion-Benton |
| Jason Fisher |
Wartburg College |
Junior |
DL |
Nashua, Iowa/Nashua Plainfield |
| Logan Rickard |
Coe College |
Junior |
LB |
Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon |
| Terrence Hall |
Coe College |
Senior |
LB |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy |
| Joe Weppler |
Simpson College |
Junior |
LB |
Sheldon, Iowa/Sheldon |
| Marshon Crowder |
University of Dubuque |
Sophomore |
LB |
Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead |
| Marcus Johnson |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
LB |
Huxley, Iowa/Ballard |
| Second-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Cole Miller # |
Buena Vista University |
Senior |
QB |
Dumont, Iowa/Hampton-Dumont |
| Jonathan Curti # |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Junior |
QB |
Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer |
| Maurece Herrion -h1 -h2 |
University of Dubuque |
Senior |
RB |
Elgin, Ill./Larkin |
| Trevor Joiner |
Luther College |
Senior |
TE |
Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle |
| Kolin Schulte |
Wartburg College |
Junior |
WR |
Anamosa, Iowa/Anamosa |
| JoJo McNair |
Wartburg College |
Sophomore |
WR |
Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central |
| Cody Smith |
Central College |
Junior |
OL |
Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg |
| Colton Davis |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sophomore |
OL |
Nebraska City, Neb./Lourdes Central Catholic |
| Mathew Wingerson |
Simpson College |
Senior |
OL |
Gladstone, Mo./Oak Park |
| Carter Henken |
Simpson College |
Senior |
OL |
Crystal Lake, Iowa/Forest City |
| Jacob Britton |
University of Dubuque |
Senior |
OL |
Wonder Lake, Ill./Woodstock North |
| Tyler Schager -h3 |
Wartburg College |
Senior |
OL |
Kasson, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville |
| Second-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Tristan Connell |
Coe College |
Sophomore |
PK |
Camanche, Iowa/Prince of Peace |
| Cam Kiner |
Central College |
Senior |
P |
Craig, Neb./Oakland-Craig |
| Eric Pacheco -h3 |
Buena Vista University |
Sophomore |
RS |
Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic |
| Honorable Mention |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Reed Kruse |
Buena Vista University |
Sophomore |
LB |
Newell, Iowa/Newell-Fonda |
| Trevor Smith |
Central College |
Senior |
DB |
Audubon, Iowa/Audubon |
| Lou Gomez |
Central College |
Sophomore |
DB |
Mission, Texas/Mission |
| Donny Groezinger |
Central College |
Senior |
RB |
Sulphur Springs, Texas/Eastland (Ill.) |
| Pat Gray |
Central College |
Senior |
S-Back/TE |
West Des Moines, Iowa/Waukee |
| Justin Schwennen |
Coe College |
Senior |
DB |
Calamus, Iowa/Central-Clinton DeWitt |
| Keegan Leliefeld |
Coe College |
Junior |
OL |
Decorah, Iowa/Decorah |
| Brian Gilles |
Loras College |
Senior |
DB |
Edwards, Ill./Elmwood Brimfield |
| Alex Wernimont |
Loras College |
Senior |
LB |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Dalton Vislisel |
Loras College |
Junior |
OL |
Solon, Iowa/Solon |
| Noah Sigwarth |
Loras College |
Sophomore |
QB |
Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic |
| Brad Boelkow |
Loras College |
Senior |
WR |
Spring Grove, Ill./Richmond Burton |
| Alex Kruse |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Senior |
DB |
Valparaiso, Neb./Raymond Central |
| Jacob Garnas |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sophomore |
LB |
Julesburg, Colo./Sedgewick County |
| Caleb Conway -h3 |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Senior |
TE |
Omaha, Neb./Millard West |
| Zachary Griswold |
Simpson College |
Senior |
OL |
Colorado Springs, Colo./Fountain-For Carson |
| Tanner Krueger |
Simpson College |
Junior |
QB |
Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Michael Lewis |
University of Dubuque |
Junior |
OL |
Aurora, Ill./Joliet West |
| Andy Vujnovich |
University of Dubuque |
Freshman |
PK |
Columbus, Wis./Columbus |
| Andy Vujnovich |
University of Dubuque |
Freshman |
P |
Columbus, Wis./Columbus |
| AJ Hunter |
University of Dubuque |
Junior |
RS |
Elgin, Ill./Larkin |
| Kody Riemer |
University of Dubuque |
Junior |
WR |
De Pere, Wis./Menasha High |
| JoJo McNair -h3 |
Wartburg College |
Sophomore |
RS |
Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central |
| Previous Honors |
| ^ - 2017 Offensive MVP |
| & - 2017 First-Team All-Conference |
| # - 2017 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h3 - 2017 Honorable Mention |
| ! - 2016 First Team All-Conference |
| @ - 2016 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h1 - 2016 Honorable Mention |
| $ - 2015 First Team All-Conference |
| % - 2015 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h2 - 2015 Honorable Mention |
| & - 2014 First-Team All-Conference |
| #- 2014 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h3- 2014 Honorable Mention |
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- The American Rivers Conference announced today its major football awards and the 54-member All-American Rivers Conference team for the 2018 season. Wartburg College senior quarterback Matt Sacia (Sr., Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott), for the second-straight year, was chosen as the conference's Offensive Most Valuable Player. Simpson College linebacker Michael Connor (Sr., Woodward, Iowa/Woodward-Granger) has been named the Defensive Most Valuable Player. Simpson head coach Matt Jeter and his staff earned the Coach of the Year honor.
Sacia improved on his outstanding 2017 numbers, recording conference-highs in yards (2,434), pass efficiency (197.5), touchdowns thrown (29) and completion percentage (73.3%). He started all eight conference contests for the 7-1 Knights (8-2 overall). He also completed the most passes of any quarterback in the conference with 170 in 232 attempts. Sacia has thrown up some very impressive overall stats as well, ranking third in NCAA Division III with a passing efficiency of 189.1 and second nationally in completion percentage at 72.0%. Sacia (2017, 2018) is the 10th Wartburg player to earn MVP honors, joining Murray McMurray (1968), Connie Hellerich (1969), Mike Ward (1982), Scott Fritz (1983), Gary Walljasper (1984), Vince Penningroth (1995), Matt Wheeler (1999), Spencer Capitani (Defensive MVP 2014) and Logan Schrader (2014, 2015).
Connor rose to the first team as a senior after earning honorable mention last year. The linebacker led the conference with 91 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Those are averages of 11.4 tackles over the eight-game conference season and just more than one sack per game. His overall season numbers also led the conference with 113 tackles and the previously mentioned 8.5 sacks. Connor is the sixth Storm footballer to earn conference MVP honors and the second in the last six years. QB Taylor Nelson was the Offensive MVP in 2013. Other Simpson winners were Ricky Gales (1989), Brad Jorgenson twice (1996, 1997), Guy Leman (1998) and Mike Donnenwerth (1993).
Simpson hasn’t had a Coach of the Year since Jay Niemann won in 2003. The Storm were picked fourth by the conference’s coaches in the preseason. Jeter had his team in the championship hunt until the second-to-last weekend of the season when it dropped a game at home to Dubuque. When Central won and Dubuque lost this past Saturday, the Storm ended the year in a three-way tie for second place at 6-2. Simpson was the only team to upend conference champion, Wartburg, during league play. The final overall record of 7-3 was just the 20th time in school history a Simpson team had seven wins or more. Simpson’s other Coaches of the Year were John Sullivan (1969), the great Jim Williams (1988, 1991, 1996, 1997) and Niemann.
Eight of the nine schools in the league had representatives on the first-team offense. Wartburg’s conference-championship team had offensive linemen Nic Vetter (Sr., Hampton, Iowa/Hampton-Dumont) and Hud Johnston (Sr., Maynard, Iowa/West Central) on the first unit along with Sacia. Wartburg’s offense was first in the conference in scoring offense (45.6 points per game) and passing offense (316.3 yards per game). Joining those two on the offensive line were Dalton Kuell (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) of Coe College, Collin Stefanowski (Sr., Lake Villa, Ill./Grant Community) of the University of Duqubue and Ryan Heinrichs (Sr., Davenport, Iowa/Assumption) of Loras College. Kuell is first team for the third-straight year. Stefanowski moved up from his second-team spot a year ago.
There’s a lot of talent in the first-team skill positions. The coaches, using wild-card votes, felt strongly enough that two quarterbacks should be on the first team. Central College’s Blaine Hawkins (So., Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) was second in the conference with a pass-efficiency ranking of 169.0. Despite missing a game with an injury, Hawkins was fifth in the conference with an average of 258.4 ypg.
Three running backs made the first team, thanks again to the wild cards in the voting process. Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Shaka Taylor (Sr., Norfolk, Neb./Lutheran Northeast) was second in the conference with 111.8 ypg., finishing just shy of 900 yards in conference play. He scored six touchdowns. Simpson’s Cam Bunting (Sr., Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) was the leading ball-carrier in the league with 1,138 yards and was the leading scorer with 78 points on 13 TDs (11 rushing). Dubuque’s Dwayne Allen, Jr. (Jr., Hampshire, Ill./St. Edward) was just behind the top two with an average of 106.6 ypg. He scored five TDs in conference games. Taylor and Allen, Jr. are earning their second-consecutive first-team honors while Bunting is moving up to first team after being a second team selection a season ago.
Only one wide receiver made the all-conference first team. Buena Vista University’s Eric Pacheco (So., Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic) had 5.6 receptions per contest and scored six touchdowns. His nearly 80 ypg. average ranked fifth in the conference. Coe College tight end Matt Kopp (Jr., Belvidere, Ill./Belvidere) was an effective blocker and receiver for the Kohawks. One-fifth of his 25 receptions went for touchdowns.
Joining Connor on the first-team defense were Simpson teammates Brendan Holmes (Jr., Atlantic, Iowa/Atlantic) and Ryan Lehr (Jr., Indianola, Iowa/Indianola), both defensive backs. Holmes tied for second in the conference with four interceptions, while Lehr had two. The duo tied for 11th in the league with 70 tackles. Each are earning their second all-league honors, with Holmes becoming a two-time first teamer and Lehr garnering first team accolades this season after being named second team in 2017.
Wartburg also had three defenders on the first team. JoJo McNair (So., Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central) could be the most dynamic player in the league. He was chosen first team as a defensive back and second team as a wide receiver and earned honorable mention as a return specialist. McNair was credited with nine passes defended and averaged almost five catches for per game, including nine touchdowns. He was second in kick returns (27.0 ypg. and one 91-yd TD) and third in punt returns (8.9 ypg.). Dillon Rademaker (Sr., Greene, Iowa/North Butler), collecting his second-straight first team honor, made a huge impact on the defensive line with 55 tackles, a conference-leading 20 of which were for loss (minus-88 yards). Connor Frerichs (Sr., New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton), a linebacker, made 50 tackles in eight conference games.
Luther College had a pair of first-teamers. Defensive back Dante Joseph (Sr., Layton, Utah/Northridge) was the ninth-leading tackler in the conference with 75. Joseph was voted a second team all-league member in 2017. Michael Noll (Sr., Lake City, Minn./Lincoln) tallied the fourth-most sacks in conference play with 5.5 and had a total of 42 tackles.
Four schools placed one player on the defensive unit. Jordy Borman (Jr., Eagan, Minn./Eagan) of Central had eight passes defensed, two of which were interceptions. He rounded out the first-team defensive backs. Defensive lineman Daniel Vega (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) of Coe was ninth in the league with eight tackles for loss (-22 yards). Buena Vista’s Gary Weaver (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View), a lineman, was fourth in tackles for loss (13 for -49 yards) and had 43 total tackles. Weaver moves up to first team after collecting second team accolades a season ago. Linebacker Chris Miller (Jr., Waukon, Iowa/Waukon) of Loras was sixth in the conference with 77 tackles, but he climbed to second in sacks with a total of eight.
The first-team specialists were Central kicker Jon Alberts (Jr., Huntley, Ill./Huntley), Simpson punter Nathan Hawkins (Sr., Solon, Iowa/Solon) and Loras return man Elijah Thomas (Fr., Zephyrhills, Fla./Zephyrhills). Alberts, first team in 2017 as well, capped an outstanding season with a game-winning field goal this past Saturday. Alberts was the fourth-leading scorer in the conference, connecting on 7-of-7 field goals and 37-of-37 PATs. Hawkins punted for an average of 40.8 yards per punt on 41 kicks. Thomas led the league in kickoff returns with an average of 28.7 yards per return. He returned 14 punts for an average of 10.3 yards per return.
This year’s all-conference team, including the second-teamers and honorable-mention choices, has 11 states represented. There is at least one player from all nine conference schools on either the first or second teams. Wartburg earned the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Football Championship, the first round of which begins this Saturday. The Knights travel to Minnesota to meet Bethel University in a noon kickoff.
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