CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The 2022 American Rivers All-Conference Football Team as voted by the league’s head coaches:
| 2022 All-American Rivers Conference Football Team |
Offensive MVP
Hunter Clasen, Sr., RB, Wartburg College |
Defensive MVP
Owen Grover, Sr., LB, Wartburg College |
Coach of the Year
Wartburg College
Chris Winter |
| First-Team Defense |
School |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Brody Klein -h1 |
Central College |
Jr. |
DB |
Rainier, Wash./Rainier |
| Jack Shaw |
Coe College |
Sr. |
DB |
Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community |
| Joey Foley |
Loras College |
Sr. |
DB |
Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic |
| Parker Rochford |
Wartburg College |
So. |
DB |
Edgewood, Iowa/Edgewood-Colesburg |
| Alex Aitchison & |
Coe College |
Jr. |
DL |
Cascade, Iowa/Cascade |
| Garrett Hertzfeldt |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
DL |
Prairie Du Sac, Wis./Sauk Prairie |
| Jordan Downing @ |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DL |
Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Riley Konrardy |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DL |
LaMotte, Iowa/Bellevue |
| Jay Oostendorp -h1 |
Coe College |
Jr. |
LB |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy |
| Owen Grover @ |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
LB |
Dyersville, Iowa/Beckman Catholic |
| Antonio Santillan ! & |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
LB |
Davenport, Iowa/Assumption |
| Nate Link |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
LB |
Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott |
| First-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Que Baker-McCaulay @ |
Central College |
Sr. |
OL |
Mesa, Ariz./Tempe |
| Noah Theriault |
Coe College |
So. |
OL |
Cedar Park, Texas/Vista Ridge |
| Jack Connors |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
OL |
Carpentersville, Ill./Barrington |
| Sam Reyes |
Wartburg College |
5th Yr. |
OL |
Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott |
| Tucker Kinney |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
OL |
DeWitt, Iowa/Central DeWitt |
| Evan England |
Loras College |
So. |
QB |
Wheaton, Ill./Lena-Winslow |
| Nile McLaughlin |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
QB |
Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott |
| Ray Seidel |
Coe College |
Jr. |
RB |
Cedar Falls, Iowa/Columbus |
| Hunter Clasen -h2 & |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
RB |
Springbrook, Iowa/Bellevue |
| Thomas Butters |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
TE |
Kalona, Iowa/Mid-Prairie |
| Logan Mont |
Central College |
Jr. |
WR |
Aurora, Ill./West Aurora |
| Dominic Shepardson @ |
Coe College |
Sr. |
WR |
Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista |
| First-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Logan Sunvold & |
Central College |
Jr. |
PK |
Monroe, Iowa/Southeast Polk |
| Austin Burns @ |
Central College |
Jr. |
P |
Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg |
| Ben Bryant -h1 |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
RS |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Second-Team Defense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Brandon Lance |
Buena Vista University |
So. |
DB |
Rosenberg, Texas/B.F. Terry |
| Cameron Bannister @ |
Central College |
Sr. |
DB |
State Center, Iowa/West Marshall |
| LaDainian Linnear |
Coe College |
So. |
DB |
Chicago, Ill./George Westinghouse |
| Dalton Wood |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
DB |
Spring Grove, Ill/Richmond-Burton |
| Elijah Diblich |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
DB |
Melrose Park, Ill./West Leyden |
| Tom Adolph |
Central College |
5th Yr. |
DL |
Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West |
| De'Quan Ramsey |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
DL |
Carol Stream, Ill./Wheaton North |
| Freddie Hosch @ |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DL |
Epworth, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Nate Rahn |
Central College |
Sr. |
LB |
Chadwick, Ill./Milledgeville |
| Ben Ridenour |
Coe College |
Sr. |
LB |
Manchester, Iowa/West Delaware |
| Josh Kieffer -h1 |
Loras College |
Sr. |
LB |
East Dubuque, Ill./East Dubuque |
| Brock Carter |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
LB |
Ozark, Mo./Rogersville |
| Second-Team Offense |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Ian Den Herder @ |
Central College |
Sr. |
OL |
Mesa, Ariz./Desert Ridge |
| Ben Baughman |
Loras College |
Sr. |
OL |
Washington, Iowa/Washington |
| Darby Johnson |
Luther College |
5th Yr. |
OL |
Parker, Colo./Ponderosa |
| Wes Spitzmiller |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
OL |
St. Charles, Mo./Pattonville |
| Alex Lahmon |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
OL |
Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar |
| Carter Terry @ |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
QB |
Grand Island, Neb./Northwest |
| Ben Gultig |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
QB |
Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge |
| Kallion Buckner |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
RB |
Madison, Wis./Middleton |
| Cooper Zeck |
Coe College |
Sr. |
TE |
Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine |
| Ryan Neu |
Central College |
Jr. |
WR |
West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley |
| Reed Worth |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
WR |
Monroe, Iowa/PCM |
| Wade Sheets |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
WR |
Wan Vert, Ohio/Crestview |
| Second-Team Specialist |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Cael O'Neill |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
PK |
Solon, Iowa/Solon |
| Aidan Driscoll |
Loras College |
Fr. |
P |
Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee |
| Jeremiah Powell |
Buena Vista University |
Fr. |
RS |
Rosenberg, Texas |
| Honorable Mention |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Tate Hagen |
Central College |
Jr. |
LB |
Britt, Iowa/West Hancock |
| Joe Barreras |
Coe College |
Sr. |
OL |
Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia |
| Carter Maske |
Coe College |
Jr. |
QB |
Waterloo, Iowa/West |
| Luke Schumacher |
Coe College |
Fr. |
OL |
Waukee, Iowa/Northwest |
| Elijah Dertz |
Loras College |
Jr. |
DL |
Lanark, Ill./Eastland-Pearl City |
| Mitchell Huisenga |
Loras College |
Jr. |
OL |
Washington, Iowa/Washington |
| Zach Kemp |
Loras College |
Sr. |
DB |
Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic |
| Mason Morris |
Loras College |
Sr. |
LB |
Davenport, Iowa/Bettendorf |
| Scott Talmadge |
Loras College |
So. |
PK |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny Centennial |
| Beau Cornwell |
Luther College |
Jr. |
P |
Iowa City, Iowa/West Branch |
| Sam Feine |
Luther College |
Sr. |
DL |
Andover, Minn./Andover |
| Blake Storby |
Luther College |
Jr. |
TE |
Lake Mills, Iowa/Lake Mills Community |
| Aashton Kirkland |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
So. |
RS |
Riverview, Fla./Durant |
| Trystin Myers |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
RB |
Cummings, Kan./Athison County |
| Tad Naiberk |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
OL |
David City, Neb./Aquinas Catholic |
| Wyatt Schaben -h1 |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
LB |
Harlan, Iowa/Harlan |
| Tyler Geiman & |
University of Dubuque |
Sr. |
DB |
Beach Park, Ill./Zion-Benton |
| Jamari Jenkins |
University of Dubuque |
So. |
TE |
Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township |
| Liam Smith |
University of Dubuque |
Fr. |
PK |
Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle |
| Ethan Stockwell |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
OL |
Cumming, Iowa/Norwalk Community |
| Drew Wyffels |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
DB |
Mabel, Minn./Mabel Canton |
| Previous Honors |
| & - 2021 First-Team All-Conference |
| @ - 2021 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h1 - 2021 Honorable Mention |
| ! - 2019 First-Team All-Conference |
| # - 2019 Second Team All-Conference |
| -h2 - 2019 Honorable Mention |
The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced today its major football awards and the 54-member All-American Rivers Conference team for the 2022 season. Wartburg College senior running back
Hunter Clasen (Springbrook, Iowa/Bellevue) was chosen as the conference’s Offensive Most Valuable Player, while teammate
Owen Grover (Dyersville, Iowa/Beckman Catholic) was voted Defensive Most Valuable Player. Wartburg head coach
Chris Winter and his staff earned the Coach of the Year honor.
As Offensive MVP, Clasen also earns a spot on the 12-member first team offensive squad, his second first team honor. The Springbrook, Iowa native is the third Wartburg Knight to earn Offensive MVP honors, joining
Matt Sacia (2018, 2017) and
Logan Schrader (2015, 2014). Prior to the MVP award being split to recognize an offensive and defensive standout in 2010, Wartburg had seven players earn the award:
Matt Wheeler (1999),
Vince Penningroth (1995),
Gary Walljasper (1984),
Scott Fritz (1983),
Mike Ward (1982),
Connie Hellerich (1969), and
Murray McMurray (1968).
In eight conference games, Clasen ran for a team best 935 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 115.9 yards per game led the league and his average of 7.6 yards per carry was seventh best in the conference. The senior running back for the Knights had just eight negative yards recorded during league play. Additionally, Clasen recorded 118 yards on 14 receptions for an average of 8.4 yards per catch.
Grover is earning his first-career first team nod in addition to his Defensive MVP award after earning a spot on the second team a season ago. The senior linebacker is the second Wartburg Knight to earn Defensive MVP honors, joining
Spencer Capitani in 2014. Playing in all eight conference games, Grover recorded 50 total tackles, including 29 solo. The Dyersville native had 6.5 tackles for loss for a total of 19 yards and recorded three sacks. The senior linebacker tallied two interceptions.
In his second year at the helm of the Wartburg football program, head coach Winter, and assistants
Matt Wheeler,
Matt Tschetter, Anthony Vela, Luke Summers, Ethan Lape, Quinton Murphy, Jeff Beck, Paul Mugan, Steve Kingery, Jason Splitt, and
Connor Reed guided the Knights to a perfect 10-0 overall record and 8-0 in A-R-C play for the program’s 18
th conference title. The 2022 season marks the first time Winter has received conference Coach of the Year honors. Winter joins
Rick Willis (2017, 2014, 2013, 2010, 1999),
Bob Nielson (1993),
Don Canfield (1983, 1982), and
Lee Bondhus (1968) as conference Coach of the Year honorees in Wartburg history. Along with their league title, Wartburg earned their 13
th trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Knights are set to host UW-La Crosse at Noon, Saturday, November 19 for a first-round matchup.
Five of the nine schools saw student-athletes garner first-team offensive accolades. Fifth-year senior
Sam Reyes (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott), seniors
Tucker Kinney (DeWitt, Iowa/Central DeWitt),
Nile McLaughlin (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott), and
Thomas Butters (Kalona, Iowa/Mid-Prairie) are joining Clasen as first-team selections for Wartburg College. Reyes and Kinney played on the offensive line and together guided a line that ranked second in the conference in total yards (3,918) with 1,981 rushing and 1,937 passing. McLaughlin was the leader of the offense as the quarterback, playing in all eight conference contests. He finished second in the league in efficiency (150.2) while leading the Knights to an undefeated regular season. McLaughlin had 156 completions for 1,835 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Eldridge native averaged 229.4 passing yards per game. Butters played tight end for the Knights this season, recording 24 receptions for a total of 334 yards. The Kalona native had five receiving touchdowns for the Knights this year. Additionally, he was a key factor in the Wartburg offense recording 1,981 yards on the ground. Reyes, Kinney, McLaughlin, and Butters are all earning all-conference honors for the first time in their careers, finding a spot on the first team.
Finishing tied for second in conference standings, the Coe College Kohawks saw three first-team offensive selections. Running back
Ray Seidel (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Columbus) had a fantastic year for the Kohawks, leading the team in rushing yards (533) and finishing the season tied for third with nine rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Seidel had nine receptions for 75 yards. Wide receiver,
Dominic Shepardson (Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista), led the team and sat third in the conference with 724 receiving yards, averaging 90.5 per game. In 62 receptions, Shepardson recorded seven touchdowns, which is second best on the team. Rounding out the first-team offensive honorees from the Kohawks is lineman
Noah Theriault (Cedar Park, Texas/Vista Ridge). The sophomore was a key factor in Coe allowing just seven sacks against, which is the best in the league. Additionally, Theriault allowed the Kohawks to record 3,096 total yards (1,160 rushing and 1,936 passing). Shepardson is now a two-time All-Conference honoree after picking up second team honors last season. Seidel and Theriault are earning All-Conference for the first time in their careers.
Central College notched two first-team offensive All-Conference selections in
Logan Mont (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) and
Que Baker-McCaulay (Mesa, Ariz./Tempe). Mont is a junior wide receiver who is picking up first-team All-Conference accolades for the first time in his career. The Aurora, Illinois native led the Dutch in receiving yards with 630 on 58 receptions. The junior averaged 78.8 receiving yards per game while recording four touchdowns. Additionally, Mont recorded a rushing touchdown in just four attempts. Baker-McCaulay was on the offensive line for the Dutch and is receiving first-team nods after earning second-team honors a year ago. The senior offensive lineman led the Dutch to 4,035 total yards, which led the A-R-C this season.
University of Dubuque offensive lineman,
Jack Connors (Carpentersville, Ill./Barrington) was the lone first-team offensive selection for the Spartans. The junior was a key member of an O-line unit that protected a quarterback who threw for 2,451 yards and opened up holes for a running game that totaled 1,201 yards.
The Loras Duhawks sophomore quarterback,
Evan England (Wheaton, Ill./Lena-Winslow) picked up first-team offensive honors after a successful season. The Wheaton, Illinois native recorded 1,996 passing yards on 196 completions. With a 66% completion percentage, England threw for 18 touchdowns and averaged 249.5 yards per game. Additionally, the sophomore Duhawk picked up 274 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
On the defensive side of the ball, conference champions and automatic qualifier, Wartburg College, had five first-team players joining Grover. On the line for the Knights and picking up All-Conference honors are seniors
Jordan Downing (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) and
Riley Konrardy (LaMotte, Iowa/Bellevue). Downing is earning first-team honors after being named second-team All-Conference a season ago. The senior D-lineman played in all eight conference games this season and recorded 27 total tackles. He finished second in the league with 7.5 sacks and tied for fifth with 10.5 tackles for loss for a total of 67 yards. Konrardy is picking up his first All-Conference honors after recording 20 total tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss with 4.5 sacks.
Senior linebacker
Antonio Santillan (Davenport, Iowa/Assumption) is joining Grover as a first-team defender. Santillan recorded 35 total tackles this season including 3.5 for a loss. Additionally, the Davenport native had two interceptions with one being taken back for a touchdown. Santillan is now a three-time first-team All-Conference defender. Also playing linebacker for the Knights and earning All-Conference honors is junior
Nate Link (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott). Link is picking up All-Conference honors for the first time in his career. The junior linebacker recorded 42 tackles, which is second on the team only behind Grover. 29 of those tackles were solo as he recorded 4.0 tackles for loss and one sack. Additionally, Link recorded an interception and a pass breakup. Leading the Knights secondary was
Parker Rochford (Edgewood, Iowa/Edgewood-Colesburg). The sophomore defensive back tallied 35 total tackles with 28 being solo stops. He finished the season tied for second with nine pass breakups and tied for third with four interceptions, that he was able to run back for a total of 48 yards.
Coe College had three defensive players pick up first-team All-Conference honors in
Alex Aitchison (Cascade, Iowa/Cascade),
Jay Oostendorp (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy), and
Jack Shaw (Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community). Aitchison was a force to be reckoned with defensively as he led the league in multiple categories. He recorded a total of 34 tackles with 16 of them being for a loss of 98 total yards and 11 sacks. Additionally, Aitchison recorded a pass breakup, quarterback hit and forced three fumbles. The Cascade native is now a two-time first-team honoree. Oostendorp had a breakout season for the Kohawks as he tallied 47 total tackles with 37 of them being solo stops. The Cedar Rapids native was second in the league with 14 tackles for loss and tied for third with 5.5 sacks in eight games played. Oostendorp recorded three pass breakups, a quarterback hit, and forced a fumble. The junior linebacker is earning first-team All-Conference honors after being an honorable mention performer a season ago. Picking up first-team All-Conference nods for the first time is senior defensive back, Jack Shaw. The Atkins native recorded 44 tackles including three for a loss of four yards. Shaw tied for third in the league with four interceptions and tallied five pass breakups in eight conference contests.
Picking up first-team defensive All-Conference honors for the Central Dutch is junior defensive back
Brody Klein (Rainier, Wash./Rainier). The Dutch junior tallied 35 tackles include three for a loss in just seven conference games. Klein had two quarterback hits, two forced fumbled, one quarterback hit and one interception that he returned 45 yards for a touchdown. Klein is earning All-Conference honors for the first time after being an honorable mention performer last season.
Senior defensive back from Loras College,
Joey Foley (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic) is the lone Duhawk to pick up first-team defensive honors this season. Foley recorded 30 stops this season including four for loss and assisted on a sack. The senior led the league in total interceptions with six and tied for fourth with eight pass breakups. Additionally, Foley recorded a quarterback hit and forced a fumble. The Rockford, Illinois native is earning first-team All-Conference honors for the first time in his career.
Rounding out the first-team defensive All-Conference honorees is sophomore defensive lineman from the Dubuque Spartans,
Garrett Hertzfeldt (Prairie du Sac, Wis./Sauk Prairie). Hertzfeldt had 27 tackles this season, including 15 solo stops. The sophomore Spartan tied for third in the league with 5.5 sack and a tied for eighth with 8.5 tackles for loss. Playing the defensive line, Hertzfeldt recorded an interception that he took back 13 yards for a touchdown. Earning All-Conference honor for the first time in his career, the Prairie du Sac native had a pass breakup and a quarterback.
The Central Dutch punter and place kicker picked up first-team specialist honors.
Logan Sunvold (Monroe, Iowa/Southeast Polk) is earning first-team honor for the second-consecutive season as a placekicker while
Austin Burns (Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg) found his way to the first team as a punter after being named second team a season ago. Sunvold made five of his eight field goal attempts with his longest being 36 yards. The junior converted on 45 of his 46 extra points. Additionally, the Monroe native recorded 15 touchbacks on kickoff this season. Burns was recognized as a first-team honor as a punter, recording 1,273 yards on 33 punts, which is the highest average per punt with 38.6. The junior had four punts over 50-yards and nailed 13 punts inside the 20. His longest punt of 65 yards was second in the league.
Wartburg’s
Ben Bryant (Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque) was voted first-team by the league’s head coaches as a return specialist. Playing in seven conference games, Bryant averaged a team best 22.8 yards per kick return and a league best 12.5 yards per punt return.
