CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The 2021 American Rivers All-Conference Football Team as voted by the league’s head coaches:
| 2021 All-American Rivers Conference Football Team |
Offensive MVP, Blaine Hawkins, 5th year, QB, Central College |
Defensive MVP, Blade Durbala, 5th year, DL, Central College |
Coach of the Year, Jeff McMartin, Central College |
| First-Team Defense |
School |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Brayden Egli # |
Central College |
Sr. |
DB |
Saint Charles, Iowa/Interstate 35 |
| Tyler Geiman |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
DB |
Beach Park, Ill./Zion-Benton |
| Eli Barrett # |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DB |
Denver, Iowa/Denver |
| Mason Wickett |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
DL |
Humboldt, Iowa/Humboldt |
| Alex Aitchison |
Coe College |
So. |
DL |
Cascade, Iowa/Cascade |
| Blade Durbala ! |
Central College |
5th year |
DL |
Blairstown, Iowa/Benton |
| Hunter Maddy |
Central College |
5th year |
DL |
Mystic, Iowa/Centerville |
| Tanner Frost |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
LB |
Boone, Iowa/Boone |
| Josh Van Gysel |
Central College |
So. |
LB |
Anthem, Ariz./Boulder Creek |
| Manny Lopez |
Coe College |
Sr. |
LB |
Arlington, Texas/Arlington |
| Adam Steingraeber |
University of Dubuque |
5th year |
LB |
Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North |
| Antonio Santillan ! |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
LB |
Davenport, Iowa/Assumption |
| First-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Blaine Hawkins -h3 ? @ ! |
Central College |
5th year |
QB |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny |
| Brandon Kyles |
Buena Vista University |
So. |
QB |
Richmond, Texas/B.F. Terry |
| Alphonso Soko |
Coe College |
Jr. |
RB |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Muscatine |
| Hunter Clasen -h2 |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
RB |
Springbrook, Iowa/Bellevue |
| Karletty Faamatuainu |
University of Dubuque |
5th year |
TE |
Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak |
| Eric Pacheco ? -h3 ! |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
WR |
Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic |
| Tanner Schminke |
Central College |
5th year |
WR |
Boone, Iowa/Boone |
| Joshua Mayhew # |
Central College |
5th year |
OL |
Aurora, Ill./West Aurora |
| Travis Wagner |
Central College |
5th year |
OL |
Mesa, Ariz./Mountain View |
| Rush Vance |
Coe College |
Sr. |
OL |
Yuma, Ariz./Yuma |
| Mason Spree ! |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
OL |
Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Ethan Lape # |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
OL |
West Union, Iowa/North Fayette Valley |
| First-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Logan Sunvold |
Central College |
So. |
PK |
Monroe, Iowa/Southeast Polk |
| Eric Pacheco ? -h3 ! |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
RS |
Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic |
| Jacob Hohl |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
So. |
P |
Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southwest |
| Second-Team Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Jalen Moore |
Buena Vista University |
Jr. |
DB |
Rosenberg, Texas |
| Cameron Bannister |
Central College |
Jr. |
DB |
State Center, Iowa/West Marshall |
| Anthony Bullard |
Coe College |
Sr. |
DB |
Solon, Iowa/Solon |
| JoJo McNair & ? ! |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DB |
Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central |
| Cam Elam # |
Coe College |
Sr. |
DL |
Downs, Ill./Tri-Valley |
| Cedric Nah |
Coe College |
Sr. |
DL |
Brooklyn Park, Minn./Fridley |
| Levi Wolter |
Luther College |
Jr. |
DL |
Elysian, Minn./Waterville-Elysian-Morristown |
| Jordan Downing |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
DL |
Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Freddie Hosch |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DL |
Epworth, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Brady McConaty |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
LB |
Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian |
| Reid Taylor |
Central College |
Sr. |
LB |
Polo, Ill./Polo |
| Owen Grover |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
LB |
Dyersville, Iowa/Beckman Catholic |
| Second-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Noah Sigwarth |
Loras College |
Sr. |
QB |
Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic |
| Carter Terry |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
QB |
Grand Island, Neb./Northwest |
| Jason Hopp # |
Central College |
Sr. |
RB |
Earlham, Iowa/Earlham |
| Billy Friis |
Central College |
Sr. |
TE |
West Branch, Iowa/West Branch |
| Erik Knaack # |
Central College |
5th year |
WR |
Reinbeck, Iowa/Gladbrook-Reinbeck |
| Dominic Shepardson |
Coe College |
Jr. |
WR |
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista |
| John Corcoran |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
OL |
Albuquerque, N.M./St. Pius X |
| Que Baker-McCaulay |
Central College |
Jr. |
OL |
Mesa, Ariz./Tempe |
| Ian Den Herder |
Central College |
Jr. |
OL |
Mesa, Ariz./Desert Ridge |
| Jacob Janavich |
Coe College |
Sr. |
OL |
Elgin, Ill./Central |
| Jeremy West |
University of Dubuque |
Sr. |
OL |
Jacksonville, Texas/Princetonk |
| Colton Davis * -h2 |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
OL |
Nebraska City, Neb./Lourdes Central Catholic |
| Second-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Austin Neufeld |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
PK |
Marion, Kan./Marion |
| JoJo McNair & ? ! |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
RS |
Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central |
| Austin Burns |
Central College |
So. |
P |
Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg |
| Honorable Mention |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Braden Ehn -h2 |
Buena Vista University |
Sr. |
OL |
Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area |
| Ramon Garcia |
Buena Vista University |
Jr. |
PK |
Denison, Iowa/Denison-Schleswig |
| Brandon Woodland |
Buena Vista University |
Fr. |
P |
Phoenix, Ariz./Greenway |
| Brody Klein |
Central College |
So. |
DB |
Rainier, Wash./Rainier |
| Evan Ellis ! |
Coe College |
Sr. |
P |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Jay Oostendorp |
Coe College |
So. |
LB |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy |
| Elliott Pipkin |
University of Dubuque |
5th year |
WR |
Oswego, Ill./Oswego |
| Jack Foley |
Loras College |
Sr. |
DB |
Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic |
| Josh Jones |
Loras College |
Sr. |
LB |
Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington |
| Sam Jones |
Loras College |
Sr. |
DL |
Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington |
| Josh Kieffer |
Loras College |
Sr. |
LB |
East Dubuque, Ill./East Dubuque |
| Derrick Olcott |
Loras College |
Sr. |
OL |
Davenport, Iowa/Davenport West |
| Drake Sorensen |
Loras College |
So. |
OL |
Peotone, Ill./Peotone |
| Vershon Brooks |
Luther College |
Fr. |
RB |
Brighton, Colo./Brighton |
| Jeremy Whalen |
Luther College |
Sr. |
LB |
Dawsonville, Ga./Dawson County |
| David O'Connell |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
WR |
Lakewood, Colo./Golden |
| Karrell Simpson |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
So. |
DB |
Kansas City, Mo./Liberty HS |
| Kevin Tims |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
WR |
Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis Palmer |
| Jack Bootsmiller -h2 |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
DL |
Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon |
| Wyatt Schaben |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
LB |
Harlan, Iowa/Harlan |
| Ben Bryant |
Wartburg College |
So. |
RS |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Jace Moore |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
QB |
Guttenberg, Iowa/Clayton Ridge |
| Previous Honors |
| @ - 2019 Offensive MVP |
| ! - 2019 First-Team All-Conference |
| # - 2019 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h2 - 2019 Honorable Mention |
| ? - 2018 First-Team All-Conference |
| * - 2018 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h4 - 2018 Honorable Mention |
| & - 2017 First-Team All-Conference |
| -h3 - 2017 Honorable Mention |
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced today its major football awards and the 54-member All-American Rivers Conference team for the 2021 season. Central College fifth-year senior quarterback
Blaine Hawkins (5
th year, Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) was chosen as the conference’s Offensive Most Valuable Player, while teammate
Blade Durbala (5
th year, Blairstown, Iowa/Benton) 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 third career first team honor. The Ankeny, Iowa native is earning his second Offensive MVP award, with the first coming in 2019. Hawkins is the only Dutch to earn the Offensive MVP award. Prior to the MVP award being split to recognize an offensive and defensive standout in 2010, Central had 12 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 a conference record-setting 2,827 yards and 44 touchdowns. His 353.4 yards per game and efficiency rating of 217.4 rank first amongst league quarterbacks. On the ground, he added another 206 yards and five touchdowns.
Durbala is earning his second-consecutive first team honors in addition to his Defensive MVP award. The fifth-year senior is the third Dutch to earn the Defensive MVP award, joining
Danny Samson (2013) and
Shane Wong (2010). Playing in all eight league games, the defensive lineman recorded 35 tackles for an average of 4.375 per game. He also tallied 9.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks.
In his 17
th year at the helm of the Central football program, head coach McMartin, and assistants
Ryan Maiuri, Nick Mulder, Jeff Bollard, Logan Emendorfer, Collin Erickson, Logan Huinker, Cody Huisman, Eric Jones, Seth Marburger, Austin Mercer, Matt Paulsen, Kyle Pepper, and
Drew Sikkink. guided the Dutch to a perfect 10-0 overall record 8-0 in A-R-C play for the programs 32
nd conference title. The 2021 season marks the fifth time McMartin has received conference Coach of the Year honors (2005, 2006, 2007, 2019). In addition to McMartin’s five accolades, the Central program has earned Coach of the Year accolades 13 times:
Ron Schipper (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995) and
Rich Kacmarynski (1998, 2000). Along with their league title, Central earned their 22
nd trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Dutch are set to host Bethel University at noon, Saturday, November 20 for a first round matchup.
Six of the nine schools saw student-athletes garner first-team offensive accolades. Fifth-year seniors
Tanner Schminke (5
th year, Boone, Iowa/Boone),
Joshua Mayhew (5
th year, Aurora, Ill./West Aurora), and
Travis Wagner (5
th year, Mesa, Ariz./Mountain View) are joining Hawkins as a first-team selection for Central College. Schminke, a wide receiver, is collecting his first all-conference honor while leading the conference with 986 receiving yards on 53 receptions. In his 53 receptions, he tallied 14 touchdowns during league play. Mayhew and Wagner, both on the offensive line, together guided a line that ranked first in the conference in total yards with 1,637 rushing and 3,317 passing. Mayhew is a 2019 second-team honoree and Wagner is picking up his first all-conference honor.
Finishing tied for second in conference standings, the Wartburg Knights saw two first-team offensive selections. Running back
Hunter Clasen (Jr., Springbrook, Iowa/Bellevue) had a breakout year for the Knights, leading the team in rushing yards and finishing sixth overall in the conference with 549 yards. Clasen was tied for third in the league in rushing touchdowns (8), helping guide Wartburg to a 6-2 mark in A-R-C play. He is earning his first all-conference honor after earning honorable mention in 2019. Joining Clasen as a first-team selection for Wartburg is offensive lineman
Ethan Lape (Sr., West Union, Iowa/North Fayette Valley). Lape’s sophomore season in 2019 saw him receive second-team honors, and in 2021 he guided a line that ranked second in the conference in rushing yards with 1,491.
Coe College notched two first-team all-conference offensive selections after finishing tied for second in the league with a 6-2 record in running back
Alphonso Soko (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Muscatine) and offensive lineman
Rush Vance (Sr., Yuma, Ariz./Yuma). Soko led the A-R-C in yards per/game with 101.5, with 609 total yards on 112 carries during A-R-C play. Soko rushed for 11 touchdowns on the season, which ranked first in the league. The junior running back is earning his first all-conference honor. Vance opened holes for Coe’s running game that compiled 1,472 yards this season, averaging 184.0 yards per game.
The Beavers of Buena Vista University saw two players earn first-team offense. Sophomore quarterback
Brandon Kyles (So., Richmond, Texas/B.F. Terry) threw for 1,507 yards this season in eight conference games, to go along with his 13 passing touchdowns. Kyles had a completion percentage of 67.1% (139-207) with his longest completion being 75 yards. The Richmond, Texas native averaged just under 190 yards per game through the air. Kyles is collecting his first all-conference honor. Teammate and wide receiver,
Eric Pacheco (Sr., Kearney, Neb./Kearney Catholic) also got the nod as a first-team member for the third-consecutive year. Pacheco was second in the league in receiving yards with 805 in league play and third in the league with nine touchdown receptions. The Kearney, Neb. native averaged 13.6 yards per catch with his longest reception being 75 yards. Pacheco has had a standout career in a Beaver uniform with being voted honorable mention in 2017 along with his three first-team selections.
The Simpson Storm’s
Mason Spree (Sr., Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) earned first-team offensive lineman honors for the second straight year. Spree was a key member of an O-line unit that protected a quarterback who threw for 2,111 yards this season and opened up holes for a running game that totaled 925 yards. Rounding out the first-team offensive honorees is University of Dubuque’s fifth-year tight end,
Karletty Faamatuainu (5
th year, Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak). The fifth-year senior is picking up his first all-conference honor. Faamatuainu had 329 yards receiving this season on 25 receptions. Faamatuainu had three touchdown receptions in league play.
On the defensive side of the ball, conference champions and automatic qualifier, Central College, had three first-team players joining Durbala. On the line with Durbala, fifth-year senior
Hunter Maddy (5
th year, Mystic, Iowa/Centerville) recorded 36 tackles for an average of 4.5 per game. He also tallied 10.5 tackles for a loss, and two fumble recoveries and leads the league with 8.5 sacks. Maddy is collecting his first all-conference honor. Sophomore linebacker for the Dutch,
Josh Van Gysel (Sr., Anthem, Ariz./Boulder Creek), recorded 46 tackles for an average of 5.8 per game. He also tallied one interception and two pass breakups. Van Gysel is also picking up his first all-conference honor. Teammate
Brayden Egli (Sr., Saint Charles, Iowa/Interstate 35) is picking up his second all-conference honor after being named to second-team in 2019. Egli was the leading tackler for Central with 48 total tackles, averaging 6.0 per game. As a defensive back, Egli tallied three tackles for a loss, three pass breakups and five interceptions.
Buena Vista saw two players earn first-team defensive honors in
Mason Wicket (Sr., Humboldt, Iowa/Humboldt) and
Tanner Frost (Sr., Boone, Iowa/Boone). Both student-athletes are picking up their first all-conference honor. On the defensive line, Wicket recorded 31 tackles, averaging 3.875 per game. He also tallied nine tackles for a loss and four sacks. Frost, playing the linebacker position, tallied 39 tackles averaging 4.9 per game. He added 6.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.
The Coe College Kohawks saw two players earn first-team defensive honors with
Alex Aitchison (So., Cascade, Iowa/Cascade) and
Manny Lopez (Sr., Arlington, Texas/Arlington). Aitchison and Lopez are collecting their first all-conference honors each. Aitchison recorded 26 tackles averaging 3.25 per game. He tallied 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He recorded one interception playing on the defensive line. Playing the linebacker position, Lopez finished league play second in conference with total tackles (74). He averaged 6.3 tackles per game. He also tallied 5.0 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and two interceptions.
The Dubuque Spartans also saw two players earn first-team defensive honors in
Tyler Geiman (Jr., Beach Park, Ill./Zion-Benton) and
Adam Steingraeber (5
th year, Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North). Geiman recorded 48 tackles for an average of 6.0 per game. He also tallied 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Geiman led the league in passes defended with eight pass breakups and six interceptions. The Beach Park, Ill. native is earning his first-career all-conference honor. Steingraeber recorded 39 tackles for an average of 4.9 per game and tallied two interceptions. This is Steingraeber’s first all-conference honor.
Rounding out the first-team defensive honorees are two student-athletes from Wartburg College. After being named second-team offense in 2019, defensive back
Eli Barrett (Sr., Denver, Iowa/Denver) cracked the first-team list in 2021. The Denver, Iowa native recorded 52 tackles to average 6.5 per game. His seven pass breakups ranked second in the league, and he also recorded one interception for a return of 35 yards. He also was atop the league with two fumble recoveries during conference play. Teammate and linebacker,
Antonio Santillan (Sr., Davenport, Iowa/Assumption) got the nod as a first-team member for the second straight year. Santillan led the Knights recording 70 tackles in league play to average 8.8 per game. He also tallied one pass breakup and one interception.
For the first time in his career, Central placekicker
Logan Sunvold (So., Monroe, Iowa/Southeast Polk) received the nod for first-team honors. Sunvold made four of his six field goal attempts with his longest being 35 yards. The sophomore converted on 63 of his 64 extra points. With his 63 conversions in conference play, the sophomore broke the conference record.
Buena Vista’s Pacheco was also recognized as a first-team special teams member as a return specialist for the second-consecutive year. Pacheco averaged 21.33 yards per kick return and 21.64 yards per punt return.
Nebraska Wesleyan’s punter,
Jacob Hohl (So., Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southwest) was voted first-team by the league’s head coaches. Hohl led the A-R-C in punt yards with 1,945 and he also held the highest average per punt at 39.7. The sophomore had four punts of over 50-yards and nailed 16 punts inside the 20. His longest punt of 60 yards was third in the conference.
The Central College Dutch begin their NCAA Division III Playoff run this weekend, November 20. The Dutch will host Bethel University on their own turf. Kickoff is scheduled at noon central time.
