Wartburg's Rochford and Winter, Coe's Barnes, and Simpson's Cracraft Headline A-R-C Football Postseason Selections

11/22/2024 11:55:00 AM

By: Ali Wilson, A-R-C Assistant Commissioner

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The coaches have selected the 2024 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Football postseason award selections. These student-athletes have distinguished themselves through a challenging conference season schedule. 

Coaches from the conference nominated and selected this year's all-conference team. In addition to honoring the all-conference team, the release also recognizes Offensive Most Valuable Player, Defensive Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and Coaching Staff of the Year.

 

2024 All-American Rivers Conference Football Team

Offensive MVP - Trenton Barnes, Coe College

Defensive MVP - Parker Rochford, Wartburg College

Rookie of the Year - Noah Cracraft, Simpson College

Coach of the Year - Chris Winter, Wartburg College

First-Team Defense

School

Yr.

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Nick Bandy

Central College

Sr.

DL

Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert

Tate Hagen -h1 -h2

Central College

Fifth Yr.

DL

Britt, Iowa/West Hancock

Reid Pakkebier #

Central College

Sr.

LB

Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy

Gavin Smith

Central College

Jr.

DB

Audobon, Iowa/Audubon

Ben Adelsberger #

Coe College

Fifth Yr.

LB

Lake St. Louis, Mo./Liberty

Alex Aitchison ! @ %

Coe College

Fifth Yr.

DL

Cascade, Iowa/Cascade

Chase Kruse

Coe College

Fifth Yr.

DB

Letts, Iowa/Louisa-Muscatine

CJ Hangartner !

Simpson College

Jr.

LB

Tucson, Ariz./Cienega

Thane Alexander

Wartburg College

Sr.

DB

Cedar, Iowa/Eddyville Blakesburg

Justin Grieff #

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

DL

Pontiac, Ill./Pontiac Township

Keenan Tyler

Wartburg College

Jr.

LB

Decorah, Iowa/Decorah

Parker Rochford ! @

Wartburg College

Sr.

DB

Edgewood, Iowa/Edgewood-Colesburg

First-Team Offense

School

Year

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Ryan Neu # $

Central College

Fifth Yr.

WR

West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley

Kade Tippet !

Central College

Sr.

OL

Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott

Trenton Barnes

Coe College

Sr.

RB

Madison, Ind./Madison Consolidate

Nicholas Mattran

Coe College

Fifth Yr.

OL

Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge

Luke Schumacher # -h2

Coe College

Jr.

OL

Waukee, Iowa/Northwest

Za'Cameron Brice #

University of Dubuque

Sr.

WR

Arlington, Texas/Lamar

Jamari Jenkins ! -h2

University of Dubuque

Sr.

TE

Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township

J Jensen III

Simpson College

Sr.

QB

Katy, Texas/Katy Taylor

Owen Anthony

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Jr.

OL

Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southeast

Tucker Kinney ! @

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

OL

DeWitt, Iowa/Central DeWitt

Dawson Rud

Wartburg College

So.

RB

Mondovi, Wis./Mondovi

Ethan Stockwell # -h2

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

OL

Cumming, Iowa/Norwalk Community

First-Team Specialist

School

Year

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Austin Burns # @

Central College

Fifth Yr.

P

Williamsburg, Iowa/Williamsburg

Josh Dennison

Central College

Sr.

LS

Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville

Logan Sunvold ! @

Central College

Fifth Yr.

PK

Monroe, Iowa/Southeast Polk

Ben Bryant

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

RS

Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque

Second-Team Defense

School

Year

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Cole Clark

Central College

Jr.

LB

Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon

Cael Fiderlein

Central College

Sr.

LB

West Branch, Iowa/West Branch

Reece Miller

Central College

Fifth Yr.

DB

Center Point, Iowa/Center Point-Urbana

Mitchel Helmkamp

Coe College

Fifth Yr.

DL

Cedar Rapids, Iowa/St. Ambrose

Ladainian Linnear # $

Coe College

Sr.

DB

Chicago, Ill./George Westinghouse

Jay Oostendorp ! @ -h3

Coe College

Fifth Yr.

LB

Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy

Sam Shaw

Coe College

So.

LB

Atkins, Iowa/Benton

Quintrell Gary

University of Dubuque

Sr.

DL

Chicago, Ill./Evanston Township

Alex Rashid

University of Dubuque

So.

DB

Lodi, Wis./Lodi

Brandon Phelps

Loras College

Sr.

LB

Morris, Ill./Morris

Hunter Hanke

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Sr.

DL

Waverly, Neb./Waverly

Christian Nunley

Wartburg College

Sr.

DL

Manchester, Iowa/West Delaware

Second-Team Offense

School

Year

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Eman Alaniz !

Buena Vista University

Sr.

RB

Parker, Ariz./Parker

Grant Nelson -h1

Central College

Sr.

TE

Pella, Iowa/Pella

Jase Grunder

Central College

So.

RB

Tampico, Ill./Prophetstown

Maximus Reitano -h1

Central College

Jr.

OL

Grimes, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes

Jeron Senters !

Coe College

So.

WR

Marion, Iowa/Kennedy

Noah Theriault ! @

Coe College

Sr.

OL

Cedar Park, Texas/Vista Ridge

Wes Spitzmiller # $

University of Dubuque

Sr.

OL

St. Charles, Mo./Pattonville

Joe Bream

Simpson College

Sr.

OL

Urbandale, Iowa/Urbandale

Noah Cracraft

Simpson College

Fr.

WR

West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley

Will Conlan -h1

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

OL

Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque

Carter Henry

Wartburg College

Sr.

WR

Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood

Carter Markham

Wartburg College

Sr.

QB

Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott

Second-Team Specialist

School

Year

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Jeron Senters !

Coe College

So.

RS

Marion, Iowa/Kennedy

Sean Medcalfe -h1

Luther College

So.

P

Augusta, Ga./Westside

Sam Contreras

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Fr.

LS

Omaha, Neb./Omaha Westside

Cael O'Neill # $

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

PK

Solon, Iowa/Solon

Honorable Mention

School

Year

Pos.

Hometown/High School

Matthew Beisswenger

Buena Vista University

Jr.

DB

Audubon, Iowa/Audubon

Troy Reynolds

Buena Vista University

Jr.

LB

Ainsworth, Neb./Rock County

Ben DeMeulenaere

Central College

Jr.

DB

Chelsea, Iowa/Belle Plaine

Tyler Harms

Central College

Jr.

OL

Boundurant, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar

Braiden Damhoff

Coe College

So.

OL

Fulton, Ill./Fulton

Clay Krousie

Coe College

Sr.

QB

Montezuma, Iowa/Benton

Blake Heffron

University of Dubuque

Fr.

RS

Gilbert, Ariz./Chandler

Joey Rhomberg

University of Dubuque

Fr.

QB

Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon

Channing Williams

University of Dubuque

Sr.

LB

Dallas, Texas/Richardson

Dalton Wood ! -h2

University of Dubuque

Sr.

DB

Spring Grove, Ill./Richmond-Burton

Cormaic Flynn

Loras College

Jr.

RS

Monmouth, Ill./United

Justin Hayes -h1

Loras College

Jr.

OL

Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk

Jacob Tedrow

Loras College

Jr.

TE

Chatham, Ill./Glenwood

Tanner Philpott

Simpson College

Fr.

P

Waukee, Iowa/Northwest

Zach Truitt

Simpson College

Sr.

LB

Des Moines, Iowa/Carlisle

Jake Rhodes

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Jr.

OL

Windsor, Colo./Windsor

Cole Siems #

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Sr.

WR

DeWitt, Neb./Tri-County

Kevin Starnes

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Sr.

TE

Westminster, Colo./Standley Lake

Jaxson Hoppes -h1

Wartburg College

Jr.

P

Waterloo, Iowa/Waterloo West

Kaleb Lamphier

Wartburg College

Fifth Yr.

DB

Independence, Iowa/Independence

John McConohy

Wartburg College

Sr.

TE

DeWitt, Iowa/Central Clinton

Austin Souhrada

Wartburg College

Fr.

LS

Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock

Mac Watts

Wartburg College

Jr.

LB

Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar

Jake Walker

Wartburg College

So.

DL

Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock

Previous Honors

! - 2023 First-Team All-Conference

# - 2023 Second-Team All-Conference

-h1 - 2023 Honorable Mention

@ - 2022 First-Team All-Conference

$ - 2022 Second-Team All-Conference

-h2 - 2022 Honorable Mention

-h3 - 2021 Honorable Mention

 

The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced today its major football awards and the 56-member All-American Rivers Conference team for the 2024 season. Wartburg’s Parker Rochford was chosen as the conference’s Defensive MVP and Coe’s Trenton Barnes was selected as Offensive MVP. In its first year as an award, Noah Cracraft of Simpson earned Rookie of the Year. Wartburg head coach Chris Winter and his staff earned the Coach of the Year honor. 

Rochford was selected as the league’s Defensive MVP after another impressive season for the Knights. In addition, he is earning his third all-conference honor in his career. Rochford played in all eight conference contests and recorded 24 total tackles, 16 of which were solo. He had two tackles for loss for four yards, and two interceptions on the year. Rochford is the third Wartburg Knight to earn Defensive MVP honors, joining Spencer Capitani in 2014 and Owen Grover in 2022 and 2023. 

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Barnes, for the Kohawks, stepped up in a big fashion this season as he is recognized as Offensive MVP in the A-R-C. Barnes played in all eight conference games and rushed for 999 on 212 attempts, for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He recorded 11 rushing touchdowns on the season. He additionally recorded one receiving touchdown. Barnes is earning his first career all-conference nod in addition to his major award. Barnes is the first Kohawk to earn Offensive MVP since 2016 when Trevor Heitland earned the nod. 

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Cracraft of Simpson is earning the league’s inaugural Rookie of the Year honor after he stood out across the league this year in his first season. The wide receiver played in all eight league games this fall totaling 791 receiving yards on 59 catches. He recorded 11 touchdowns in his first year campaign. He was additionally named to second-team offense this season. 

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In his fourth year at the helm of the Wartburg football program, head coach Winter, and assistants Matt Wheeler, Matt Tschetter, Luke Summers, Ethan Lape, Matt Buckner, Jawanza Holmes, Jeff Beck, Paul Mugan, Steve Kingery, Alex Pollack, and Tom Butters guided the Knights to a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play and 9-1 overall record. Wartburg earned its 20th conference title in program history. The 2024 season marks the third time Winter has received conference Coach of the Year honors. Winter joins Rick Willis (1999, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017), Bob Nielson (1993), Don Canfield (1982, 1983), and Lee Bonhus (1968) as conference Coach of the Year honorees in Wartburg history. Along with the league title, the Knights earned its 15th trip to the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. Wartburg has marched all the way to the national semifinals the past two seasons and will begin another postseason journey on Saturday, November 30 at Noon when they host Wisconsin-Platteville in the second round. 

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All nine A-R-C schools are represented on this year’s all-conference team, including seven with first-team honorees. 

Offense First-Team All-Conference: 

In addition to Barnes, Coe is represented by offensive lineman Nicholas Mattran and Luke Schumacher. Mattran and Schumacher were part of an offensive line unit that allowed the offense to score 40 touchdowns on the season. The Kohawk offense rushed for 1,808 yards and threw for 1,560 yards over the eight league games. Coe converted 176 first downs this season. Mattran is earning his first career all-conference honor while Schumacher is earning his first career first-team honor after being named to second-team last season. 

Wartburg is represented by Tucker Kinney, Dawson Rud, and Ethan Stockwell this season on first-team offense. Kinney, an offensive lineman, is earning his third consecutive first-team honor after another dominant season leading the Knights OL. Stockwell also stands strong on the offensive line with Kinney. With their efforts, the Knights were able to rush for 1,925 yards and pass for 1,383 over the eight conference contests that Wartburg went unblemished in. Wartburg found the endzone on 43 occasions. Dawson Rud had a breakthrough season stepping up for the Knights as a running back. The sophomore is earning his first career all-conference honor. He carried the ball 126 times for 818 yards this season and eight touchdowns. 

Ryan Neu and Kade Tippet represent Central College this season for the offense. Neu, a fifth year wide receiver, had 36 catches for a total of 517 yards. He recorded six touchdowns on the season with his longest reception coming at 54 yards. In addition, he rushed for 59 yards on six attempts. Tippet, a member of the offensive line, allowed the Dutch offense to be dominant scoring 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,492 yards and passing for 1,943 yards. 

The University of Dubuque is represented by the duo of Za’Cameron Brice and Jamari Jenkins. Jenkins is earning his second career first-team honor while Brice is earning his first career first-team honor after being named to second-team a season ago. Brice, a wide receiver for the Spartans, caught 67 passes for 842 yards over eight conference games and recorded ten touchdowns. Additionally, he rushed on four attempts for 21 yards. Jenkins, a tight end, snagged 48 passes to receive for 505 yards and record 11 touchdowns on the season. 

J Jensen III had an impressive season for the Storm from the quarterback position to allow him to earn first-team nods. Jensen appeared in all eight conference contests and had an efficiency rating of 144.6. He went 213-for-311 for 2,134 yards this season for 21 touchdowns. The senior only recorded six interceptions. This is his first career all-conference honor. 

Rounding out the first team offense is Nebraska Wesleyan’s Owen Anthony. Anthony, a member of the offensive line, was a strong front to the P-Wolves offense. His efforts allowed the offense to rush for 965 yards and pass for 1,352 yards. NWU recorded 17 touchdowns on the season. 

Defensive First-Team All-Conference: 

Joining Rochford on first-team defense is Justin Grieff, Thane Alexander, and Keenan Tyler. Grieff is earning his first career first-team honor after earning second-team honors a season ago while Alexander and Tyler are earning their first career all-conference accolades. Grieff played in all eight conference contests recording 27 total tackles including 13 for loss. He recorded 19 sacks for loss and grabbed one interception. Additionally, he accounted for three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. Alexander recorded a total of 19 tackles, with nine of those coming in a solo effort. He recorded 1.5 tackles for loss for two yards, four interceptions, and three pass breakups. Tyler stepped up this season with 76 total tackles with 44 of those coming by a solo effort. He recorded 2.0 tackles for loss for four yards, one interception, and three pass breakups. 

CJ Hangartner represents the Simpson College Storm on first-team defense for the second consecutive season. The linebacker played all eight conference contests, recorded 45 tackles with 24 coming in a solo effort. He recorded 9.5 tackles for loss for 36 yards, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, six quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups. 

Picking up first-team defensive honors for the Dutch is Nick Bandy, Tate Hagen, Reid Pakkebier, and Gavin Smith. Bandy and Smith are earning their first all-conference honors in their careers while Hagen and Pakkebier are earning their first career first-team honors after Hagen earned honorable mention a season ago and Pakkebier was named to second-team. Bandy and Hagen are both a part of the Central defensive line. Bandy recorded 21 total tackles on the season with 10 coming in a solo effort. He also recorded 7.5 tackles for a loss of 37 yards and seven quarterback hurries. Hagen recorded 32 total tackles with 11 solo recorded. He had 6.0 tackles for a loss of eight yards, three sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Pakkebier, a linebacker, recorded 42 tackles with 26 of those recorded as solo efforts. Additionally, he recorded 10.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, and one interception on the season. Smith, a defensive back, added 21 tackles himself with 13 of those by solo effort. He had three interceptions recorded on the year. 

Rounding out the defensive team is the Coe trio of Ben Adelsberger, Alex Aitchison, and Chase Kruse. Adelsberger earned second-team a season ago as his first all-conference honor, Kruse is earning his first career all-conference honor, and Aitchison is earning his fourth first-team nod. Aitchison had another impressive conference season for the Kohawks with 35 total tackles, including 20 solo, 12.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and four pass breakups. Adelsberger recorded 39 total tackles, 21 for loss, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five pass breakups, and one interception. Kruse found the hole for 30 tackles, 22 in a solo effort. Additionally, he had 1.0 tackle for loss, five pass breakups, and one interception. 

Special Teams First-Team All-Conference: 

Central is represented by Austin Burns, Josh Dennison, and Logan Sunvold as part of first-team specialists this season. Burns, honored as a punter, played in all eight conference contests punting the ball on 25 occasions for the Dutch for a total of 1,082 yards (43.28 yds/punt). His longest of the season was booted 75 yards. Dennison, the Dutch long snapper, has never had a bad snap and was a known tackler for Central’s punt team. The Dutch unit has given up less than five yards in punt returns this season. Sunvold is being honored as the first-team placekicker for the fourth consecutive season. Sunvold appeared in seven conference games this fall and recorded 36 kickoffs for a total of 2,119 yards and recorded 13 touchbacks. 

Ben Bryant of Wartburg was recognized at first-team as a return specialist this season. Playing all eight conference games, Bryant averaged 29.8 per kick return and a long of 63 yards. Additionally, he led the league in punt return average, averaging 11.5 yards per return. 


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About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.