CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The 2019 American Rivers All-Conference Football Team as voted by the league's head coaches:
| 2019 All-American Rivers Conference Football Team |
Offensive MVP, Blaine Hawkins, Jr., QB, Central College |
Defensive MVP, Logan Rickard, Sr., LB, Coe College |
Coach of the Year, Jeff McMartin, Central College |
| First-Team Defense |
School |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Hunter Semelroth * |
Coe College |
Sr. |
DB |
Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community |
| Blaze Barista * |
University of Dubuque |
Sr. |
DB |
Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South |
| Brendan Holmes & ? |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
DB |
Atlantic, Iowa/Atlantic |
| JoJo McNair & ? |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
DB |
Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central |
| Gary Weaver # ? |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
DL |
Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View |
| Blade Durbala |
Central College |
Jr. |
DL |
Blairstown, Iowa/Benton |
| Jason Fisher * |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DL |
Nashua, Iowa/Nashua Plainfield |
| Logan Rickard * |
Coe College |
Sr. |
LB |
Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon |
| Tate O'Tool |
Central College |
Sr. |
LB |
Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond |
| Chris Miller ? |
Loras College |
Sr. |
LB |
Waukon, Iowa/Waukon/Ellsworth CC |
| Michael Connor -h3 ^ |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
LB |
Woodward, Iowa/Woodward-Granger |
| Antonio Santillan |
Wartburg College |
So. |
LB |
Davenport, Iowa/Assumption |
| First-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Blaine Hawkins -h3 ? |
Central College |
Jr. |
QB |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny |
| Jonathan Curti # * |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
QB |
Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer |
| Kordell Stillmunkes |
University of Dubuque |
Fr. |
RB |
Cuba City, Wis./Cuba City |
| Logan Hughes |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
So. |
TE |
Meeker, Colo./Meeker |
| Eric Pacheco ? -h3 |
Buena Vista University |
Jr. |
WR |
Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic |
| Sam Bartlett |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
WR |
St. Louis, Mo./Fort Zumwalt North |
| Kolin Schulte * |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
WR |
Anamosa, Iowa/Anamosa |
| Cody Smith * |
Central College |
Sr. |
OL |
Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg |
| Keegan Leliefeld -h4 |
Coe College |
Sr. |
OL |
Decorah, Iowa/Decorah |
| Jacob Beasley |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
OL |
Edgerton, Wis./Edgerton |
| Mason Spree |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
OL |
Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Nic Vetter ? |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
OL |
Hampton, Iowa/Hampton Dumont |
| First-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jon Alberts & ? |
Central College |
Sr. |
PK |
Huntley, Ill./Huntley |
| Eric Pacheco ? -h3 |
Buena Vista University |
Jr. |
RS |
Kearny, Neb./Kearney Catholic |
| Evan Eillis |
Coe College |
Jr. |
P |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Second-Team Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Brayden Egli |
Central College |
So. |
DB |
Saint Charles, Iowa/Interstate 35 |
| Jacob Elsbury |
Coe College |
Sr. |
DB |
Byron, Ill./Byron |
| Riley Larson |
Loras College |
Sr. |
DB |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny Centennial |
| Cam Callion |
Simpson College |
So. |
DB |
Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area |
| Eli Barrett |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
DB |
Denver, Iowa/Denver |
| Cedric Dobbins * |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DB |
Waukee, Iowa/Waukee |
| Cam Elam |
Coe College |
So. |
DL |
Downs, Ill./Tri-Valley |
| Marshon Crowder * |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
DL |
Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead |
| Tyler Poggenpohl |
Loras College |
Sr. |
DL |
Walcott, Iowa/Davenport West |
| Reed Kruse -h4 |
Buena Vista University |
Jr. |
LB |
Newell, Iowa/Newell-Fonda |
| Brian Robertson |
Coe College |
Sr. |
LB |
Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle |
| Chad Marsh |
University of Dubuque |
Sr. |
LB |
Oswego, Ill./Oswego |
| Second-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Noah Dodd |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
QB |
Janesville, Iowa/Janesville |
| Jason Hopp |
Central College |
So. |
RB |
Earlham, Iowa/Earlham |
| Joe Meyer |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
RB |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Prairie |
| Jordan Travis |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
TE |
Newton, Iowa/Newton |
| Erik Knaack |
Central College |
Jr. |
WR |
Reinbeck, Iowa/Gladbrook-Reinbeck |
| Kody Riemer -h4 |
University of Dubuque |
Sr. |
WR |
De Pere, Wis./Menasha |
| Josh Mayhew |
Central College |
Jr. |
OL |
Aurora, Ill./West Aurora |
| Thomas Meyer |
Coe College |
Sr. |
OL |
Guttenberg, Iowa/Clayton Ridge |
| Kyle Marsh |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
OL |
Oswego, Ill./Oswego |
| Dalton Vislisel -h4 |
Loras College |
Sr. |
OL |
Solon, Iowa/Solon |
| Ethan Lape |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
OL |
West Union, Iowa/North Fayette Valley |
| John Patrick |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
OL |
Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert |
| Second-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Hunter Robinson |
Central College |
Sr. |
RS |
Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon |
| Zach Kreider |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
PK |
Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk |
| Morris Aranda |
Buena Vista University |
Jr. |
P |
Austin, Texas/Vandegrift |
| Honorable Mention |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Braden Ehn |
Buena Vista University |
So. |
OL |
Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area |
| Connor Lewin |
Central College |
Sr. |
LB |
Stillman Valley, Ill./Stillman Valley |
| Nolan Melchert |
Coe College |
Jr. |
DL |
Davenport, Iowa/Assumption |
| Tyler Dralle |
Coe College |
Sr. |
RB |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy |
| Colton White |
Coe College |
Sr. |
WR |
St. Louis, Mo./Francis Howell |
| Walker Even |
Loras College |
Jr. |
LB |
Gilbertville, Iowa/Don Bosco |
| Trey Simmons |
Loras College |
Sr. |
RS |
Fulton, Ill./Fulton |
| Jackson Gingerich |
Luther College |
So. |
TE |
West Liberty, Iowa/West Liberty |
| Colton Davis * |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
OL |
Nebraska City, Neb./Lourdes Central Catholic |
| Hayden Penny |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
DL |
Arlington, Neb./Arlington |
| Derrick Curtis |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
WR |
Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Northeast |
| Monte Robinson Jr. |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
RS |
Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield C.C. |
| Ian Bootsmiller |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
OL |
Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon |
| Jack Bootsmiller |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
DL |
Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon |
| Tanner Krueger -h4 |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
QB |
Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Caleb Striegel |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
OL |
Nashua, Iowa/CAL |
| Joe Weppler * |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
LB |
Sheldon, Iowa/Sheldon |
| Ben Schiltz |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
TE |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny |
| Adam Rothas |
University of Dubuque |
Sr. |
TE |
Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich |
| Hunter Clasen |
Wartburg College |
Fr. |
RS |
Springbrook, Iowa/Bellevue |
| Previous Honors |
| ? - 2018 First-Team All-Conference |
| * - 2018 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h4 - 2018 Honorable Mention |
| ^ - 2018 Defensive 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 |
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- The American Rivers Conference announced today its major football awards and the 54-member All-American Rivers Conference team for the 2019 season. Central College junior quarterback Blaine Hawkins (Jr., Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) was chosen as the conference's Offensive Most Valuable Player, while Coe College linebacker Logan Rickard (Sr., Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon) was voted Defensive Most Valuable Player. Central College head coach Jeff McMartin and his staff earned the Coach of the Year honor.
As Offensive MVP, Hawkins also earns a spot on the 12-member first team offensive squad, his second career first team honor. The Ankeny, Iowa native is the first Offensive MVP award winner from Central. Prior to the MVP award being split to recognize an offensive and defensive standout in 2010, Central had 13 players earn the award; Vern Den Herder (1970), Al Dorenkamp (1974), Don Taylor (1977), Bruce Wendt (1981), Rich Thomas (1985), Mike Stumberg (1988), Ron Saak (1990), Rich Kacmarynski (1991), Mark Kacmarynski (1994), Jeff Sanger (2000), Vance Schuring (2005, 2006), and Tim Connell (2007).
In eight conference games, Hawkins threw for 2217 yards and a league leading 29 touchdowns. His 277.1 yards per game and efficiency rating of 171.5 rank second amongst league quarterbacks. On the ground he added another 440 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rickard rose to the first team as a senior after earning second team honors a season ago. Playing in seven of eight league games, the linebacker recorded 48 tackles for an average of 6.9 per game. He also tallied 6.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and three interceptions. Rickard is the third Kohawk football player to earn Defensive MVP honors, joining Frank Weymiller (2012) and Dylan Stepleton (2016). Prior to the MVP award being split to recognize an offensive and defensive standout in 2010, Coe had four players earn the award; Fredrick Jackson (2001, 2002), Joe Brannen (2004), and Brady Boyle (2009).
In his 16th year at the helm of the Central football program, head coach McMartin, and assistants Ryan Maiuri, Nick Mulder, Jeff Bollard, Logan Emendorfer, Cody Huisman, Eric Jones, Seth Marburger, Austin Mercer, Matt Paulsen, Kyle Pepper, Jeff Sanger, Austen Schueler, and Drew Sikkink guided the Dutch to a 9-1 overall record and a 7-1 mark in A-R-C play for a share of the 2019 conference title. The championship season marked the 31st time Central hoisted the league trophy and the first since 2009. Along with their league title, Central earned their 21st trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. In a thrilling first round game, the Dutch claimed a 38-37 overtime victory against UW-Oshkosh, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Co-Champions. Central heads to Wheaton Ill. Saturday, November 30 for a second-round matchup with the Thunder.
The 2019 season marks the fourth time McMartin has received conference Coach of the Year honors (2005, 2006, 2007). In addition to McMartin’s four accolades, the Central program has earned Coach of the Year commendations 13 times; Ron Schipper (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995) and Rich Kacmarynski (1998, 2000).
Seven of the nine schools saw student-athletes garner first-team offensive accolades. Joining Hawkins as a first team selection for Central College is offensive lineman, Cody Smith (Sr., Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg). Smith’s junior season in 2018 saw him receive second-team honors, and in 2019 he guided a line that ranked first in the conference in passing yards (2,321) and second in rushing (1,710).
Fellow co-champion, the Wartburg Knights also saw two first-team offense selections. Wide receiver Kolin Schulte (Sr., Anamosa, Iowa/Anamosa) had a breakout year for the Knights, leading the team in receiving yards during league play, and finishing second overall in the conference with 771 yards. Schulte was second in the league in touchdown receptions (12), helping guide Wartburg to 7-1 mark in A-R-C play. He is now a two-time all-conference honoree after being a second-team selection in 2018. Fellow senior teammate Nic Vetter (Sr., Hampton, Iowa/Hampton Dumont) becomes a two-time first-team all-conference offensive lineman, helping to give the Wartburg quarterback time to find Schulte for 12 touchdowns. Vetter guided a Knights offensive line that rushed for 1,621 yards on the season and provided protection for an air assault that went for 2,148 yards.
The University of Dubuque notched two first-team all-conference offensive selections in running back Kordell Stillmunkus (Fr., Cuba City, Wis./Cuba City) and offensive lineman Jacob Beasley (Jr., Edgerton, Wis./Edgerton). Stillmunkus led the A-R-C in rushing yards as a freshman, racking up 810 yards on 156 attempts during A-R-C play for an average of 5.2 yards per carry. Stillmunkus rushed for nine touchdowns on the season, which ranked second in the league. Beasley opened holes for Dubuque’s running game that compiled 1,449 yards this season, averaging 181.1 yards per game.
The Coe Kohawks’ Keegan Leliefeld (Sr., Decorah, Iowa/Decorah) earned first-team offensive lineman honors after garnering honorable mention a season ago. Leliefeld was a leader on the offensive line for the Kohawks that passed for 1,817 yards this season and rushed for 1,158 yards. He helped guide the Kohawks to a fourth-place finish in the conference with a record of 5-3 in A-R-C play.
The Storm of Simpson College saw two players earn first-team offense. Wide receiver Sam Bartlett (Sr., St. Louis, Mo./Fort Zumwalt North) led the A-R-C in receiving yards this season with 994 yards in eight league games. The St. Louis native hauled in a season long 70-yard reception this year, and averaged 18.4 yards per catch, quickly becoming Simpson’s deep threat. Bartlett would finish top in the league in receiving touchdowns with 13. Offensive lineman Mason Spree (Jr., Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) would join Bartlett on the first-team list. Spree was a key member of an O-line unit that protected a quarterback who threw for 2,316 yards this season and opened up holes for a running game that totaled 1,278 yards. Both Bartlett and Spree received their first career all-conference selections.
Buena Vista wide receiver Eric Pacheco (Jr., Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic) picked up first-team honors for the second straight year. Pacheco was second in the league in receiving yards with 769 in league play, along with six touchdown receptions. The Kearney, Neb. native averaged 12.6 yards per catch with his longest reception being 59 yards. Pacheco has had a standout career so far in a Beaver uniform, as he has been selected all-conference each of his three years in Storm Lake. In 2017, he was voted honorable mention and in 2018 he broke out and made first-team selection.
Rounding out the first-team offensive honorees are two student-athletes from Nebraska Wesleyan University. After being named second-team offense for the last two seasons, quarterback Jonathan Curti (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) cracked the first-team list in 2019. The senior QB threw for 2,364 yards this season in eight conference games, to go along with his 21 passing touchdowns. Curti had a completion percentage of 55.6% (190-342) with his longest completion being 56 yards. The Colorado Springs, Colo. native averaged just under 300 yards per game through the air (295.5 ypg). Teammate and tight end, Logan Hughes (So., Meeker, Colo./Meeker) also got the nod as a first-team member. Hughes had 177 yards receiving this season on 21 receptions. The sophomore also collected five touchdown grabs.
On the defensive side of the ball, the co-champions and automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Playoffs, the Dutch landed two on first team. Defensive lineman Blade Durbala (Jr., Blairstown, Iowa/Benton) recorded 38 tackles on the season in conference play, with 16 of them being solo tackles. He got to the opposing quarterback two times on the season. The junior also recorded 9.5 tackles for loss, costing teams 24 yards. Durbala is joined by linebacker Tate O’Tool (Sr., Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond). O’Tool recorded 59 tackles in eight league contests with 31 of them being solo. The senior also snagged one interception and forced two fumbles (recovering one fumble). Both Durbala and O’Tool have made the all-conference lists for the first time in their respective careers.
The co-champion Wartburg Knights led the pack on the defensive side of the ball with three student-athletes receiving first-team nods. For the third straight season, defensive back JoJo McNair (Joliet, Ill./Joliet) has found his name listed as a first-team defensive player. In eight conference games, McNair broke up four passes and added three interceptions. McNair is joined by teammate and defensive lineman, Jason Fisher (Sr., Nashua, Iowa/Nashua Plainfield). The senior recorded 7.0 tackles for loss in A-R-C play, costing opponents 50 yards in the process. Fisher finished atop the league in total sacks (6). In 2018, Fisher was a second-team all-conference defensive player. The final Knight to receive first-team honors is linebacker Antonio Santillan (So., Davenport, Iowa/Assumption). Santillan recorded 67 tackles in conference play, averaging 8.4 tackles per contest. Santillan led the league in interceptions as a linebacker, picking off five passes. This is the sophomore’s first career all-conference honor.
As a 2018 second-team all-conference selection, Dubuque defensive back Blaze Barista (Sr., Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) made the jump to first team in his final campaign. Barista led the A-R-C in pass breakups, recording 15 of them - three more than second place. The Wheaton Ill. native also snagged three interceptions during league play.
Joining Rickard as a first-team all-conference selection for the Kohawk defense is Hunter Semelroth (Sr., Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community). Semelroth was also a second-team selection in 2018. The senior defensive back ended the season third on the team in tackles with 55, averaging 6.9 tackles per contest. His 12 pass breakups ranked second in the league and his 2 interceptions tied for 10th.
Loras College senior linebacker Chris Miller (Sr., Waukon, Iowa/Waukon/Ellsworth CC) collected is second straight first team all-conference honor in 2019. Miller had a team-leading 52 tackles this season in league play. Of the 52 tackles, Miller led the A-R-C with 13.5 of the tackles for loss, averaging 1.69 tackles for loss per contest.
Simpson was led on the defensive side of the ball by 2018 Defensive MVP Michael Connor (Sr., Woodward, Iowa/Woodward-Granger) who landed as a first-team selection for the second straight season. Connor also garnered honorable mention accolades as a sophomore. During the 2019 campaign, the senior was second in the league with 88 tackles in A-R-C play, averaging 11 tackles per conference contest. To go along with his tackles, the Woodward, Iowa native recorded 3 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and one interception. Connor is joined by teammate Brendan Holmes (Sr., Atlantic, Iowa/Atlantic), who is making his third consecutive appearance on the first-team list. The senior defensive back had six pass breakups to go along with 2 interceptions in conference play. He was a force to be reckoned with as he recorded 73 tackles and one sack in the Storm's eight conference games.
Defensive lineman Gary Weaver (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View) is making it back-to-back appearances on the first-team all-conference list for Buena Vista. In 2017, he was voted second-team all-conference. During his senior campaign, Weaver tallied 12.5 tackles for loss in conference play, averaging 1.56 TFL per game. He was tied for third in the conference with 4.5 sacks, which also marked a team high.
For the third straight season, Central placekicker Jon Alberts (Sr., Huntley, Ill./Huntley) received the nod for first-team honors. Alberts maintained a 91.7% field goal percentage this season, converting 11 of his 12 attempts. The senior also showed off his leg strength as he converted a conference best 48-yard field goal.
Buena Vista’s Pacheco was also recognized as a first-team special teams member as a return specialist. Pacheco averaged 32.5 yards per kick return, taking one back for a touchdown.
Coe’s punter, Evan Ellis (Jr., Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque) was voted first team by the league’s head coaches. Ellis led the A-R-C in punt yards with 1,893 and he also held the highest average per punt at 43.0. The junior had nine punts of over 50 yards and nailed 11 punts inside the 20. His longest punt of 68 yards was second in the conference by a single yard.
The Dutch and the Knights continue their NCAA Division III Playoff run this weekend, November 30. Central came back to take down Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Pella, Iowa 38-37 (OT) last week. The Dutch travel to Wheaton, Ill. to take on the Wheaton College Thunder in the Second Round. Wartburg took down Hope College handedly on the road last weekend and advance to play Wisconsin-Whitewater in Whitewater, Wis. Both games are scheduled to kickoff at noon central time.
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