A total of 10 players who competed in the Class 9B state championship game earned all-state recognition announced today by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

State champion Sully Buttes and runner-up Faulkton each had five members represented.

Here is a look at each area player, followed by the complete list of Class 9B all-state selections:

Wes Wittler, Sully Buttes (Quarterback): This junior had a monster season culminating with an MVP performance in the state championship game. He passed for 1,928 yards and 25 TDs, rushed for 723 yards and 17 more TDs. He now has career totals of 2,835 yards passing and 34 TDs, and 953 yards rushing and 19 TDs. “Wes is as competitive of a person as they come. He has been the quarterback for our team the last two seasons,” said Chargers coach Tom Moore. “Wes has a good, accurate arm and does a great job of being able to extend plays with his feet when needed. He is a great leader for us at QB and we wouldn’t have had the season we had without him.”

Tristen Baloun, Faulkton (Fullback): Baloun was a load to bring down whenever he had the ball. He rushed for 884 yards (7.56 per carry) and scored 19 touchdowns. He scored five TDs in a semifinal victory this past season. “Tristen is a bruising runner. He is a good blocker,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He is a hard worker on the field and in the weight room.”

Gavin Colson, Sully Buttes (Wide Receiver): Colson played a key role in the Sully Buttes offense. The wide received had 37 receptions for 588 yards and 7 touchdowns to run his career totals 46 catches, 735 yards and 8 TDs. “Gavin is our most consistent receiver,” said Chargers coach Tom Moore. “He is a very smart player and puts himself in good positions with alignments and his routes. Gavin is very sure handed and is able to stretch defenses with his ability.”

Charlie Deiter, Faulkton (Tight End): Deiter was always around the ball for the Trojans. He had 36 receptions for 650 yards and 6 touchdowns on offense, and was an all-state selection at linebacker last season. “Charlie is our go-to guy when we need a catch,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He is also a very good blocker. He is a very smart football player.”

Trey Machtemes, Faulkton (Offensive Line): This guard moved people out on the line of scrimmage for a team that rushed for 2,200 yards and 40 touchdowns. “Trey is a very good blocker in space,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He also does a great job of making line calls and being in the right place. He has worked very hard to become a very good lineman.”

Taydon LaRosh, Sully Buttes (Offensive Line): This center anchored a line for one of the most potent offenses in the state. “Taydon has been our starting center and most consistent lineman for us the last twp years,” said Chargers coach Tom Moore. “He helped power our offense that accumulated over 4,000 yards this season. Playing a lot of shotgun, missed snaps were very rare with Taydon at center. Being very versatile, we were able to utilize his ability to be a puller in several occasions or leave him to block a nose tackle 1-on-1.”

Lincoln Dikoff, Faulkton (Defensive Line): Dikoff brought traffic to halt for the Trojans. The senior had 18 solo tackles and 24 assisted stops, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. “Lincoln does a great job of playing both the run and the pass,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He gets double teamed a lot and does a very good job of beating it. He has worked really hard in the weight room.”

Kadyn Westergren, Sully Buttes (Defensive Line): While Westergren had a stellar year on offense, he also was a major factor on defense, recording 58 tackles for the state champion Chargers. “Kadyn is a physical football player with lots of determination,” said Sully Buttes coach Tom Moore. “He has tremendous get off and plays great with his hands. He does a great job of getting off blocks and finding the football.”

Gavin Barber, Sully Buttes (Linebacker): This four-year starter had 34 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery despite missing part of the season with an injury. His career totals include 227 tackles, 9 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries. “Sidelined with an injury for a part of the regular season, Gavin has played a huge addition to our defense throughout the playoffs,” said Chargers coach Tom Moore. “He is very dynamic on both sides of the ball, but as a linebacker he has been the leader and playmaker of our defense the last two years. He is a strong and mentally tough football player.”

Kaden Sayler, Herreid-Selby Area (Linebacker): Sayler collected 80 tackles despite being double-teamed a lot of the season. An all-state guard last season, he finished with 194 career tackles. “Kaden does all the little things that coaches love to see. Loves to study film. Hardworking and passionate about the game of football,” said Wolverines coach Josh Sayler. “He was our leader on both sides of the ball for last two years. He leads not only on the field but with his work ethic in the weight room/off season work.”

Gian DiMaria, Faulkton (Defensive Back): While DiMaria helped to produce numerous touchdowns on offense, he also did his best to prevent them on offense. The senior had 23 solo tackles, 13 assists, had 7 interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered another. “Gian always covers our opponents’ top receiver,” said Faulkton coach Shayne Geditz. “He uses very good technique and plays the ball well in the air. He is a very smart football player.”

Payton Chasing Hawk, Hitchcock-Tulare (Honorable Mention): Chasing Hawk did a little bit of everything for the Patriots. He had 500 yards on offense and 7 touchdowns as a wide receiver. He also had 46 tackles and 3 interceptions, including one for a TD as a safety on defense. He was also a kicker, punter and returner. “Payton is quiet, but really took on his leadership role this year,” said Hitchcock-Tulare coach Tom Salmen. “Payton is one of the best athletes in the state in my opinion, but just wasn’t able to fully show it off this season.”

Class 9B

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Wes Wittler, Sully Buttes.

Fullback-HBack — Tristen Baloun, Faulkton.

Running Backs — Aziah Meyer, Avon; Gus Stout, Kadoka Area; and Waylon Bolle, Corsica-Stickney.

Wide Receivers — Jackson Zwart, Colman-Egan; Gavin Colson, Sully Buttes; and Easton Miller, Canistota.

Tight End — Charlie Deiter, Faulkton.

Linemen — Jarrett Olawsky, Corsica-Stickney; Trey Machtemes, Faulkton; Taydon LaRosh, Sully Buttes; and Jaden Kleinsasser, Canistota.

DEFENSE

Linemen — Lincoln Dikoff, Faulkton; Maverick LeBrun, Dell Rapids St. Mary; Kadyn Westergren, Sully Buttes; and Adam Kleinsasser, Canistota.

Linebackers — Gavin Barber, Sully Buttes; Kaden Sayler, Herrreid-Selby Area; and A’lShamon Gunter. Avon; Lincoln LeBrun, Dell Rapids St. Mary.

Defensive Backs — Brady Scott, Canistota; Gian DiMaria, Faulkton; and Gentry Bartling, Burke.

OTHERS

Athletes — Tate Tolsma, Corsica-Stickney and Kole Hermann, Kadoka Area.

Special Teams — Jens Hansen, Irene-Wakonda and Trimmier Hanson, Dell Rapids St. Mary.

HONORABLE MENTION — Jack Mousel, Colman-Egan; Kaleb Schonebaum, Burke; Randall Powers and Landon Mudder, Avon; and Payton Chasing Hawk, Hitchcock-Tulare.

All-American — Aziah Meyer, Avon.