State runner-up Wolsey-Wessington, and one-loss Warner are well represented on the Class 9A all-state team announced today by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

Wolsey-Wessington had four players on the honor unit, while the Monarchs had five players gain recognition.

Here is a look at the area players who were honored, followed by the complete list of Class 9A all-state members:

Caleb Richmond, Wolsey-Wessington: This junior quarterback hurt opponents with his arm and with his feet this past season. He passed for 1,806 yards and 22 touchdowns, and also rushed for 1,229 yards and 18 TDs. He already has 3,126 yards passing and 38 touchdowns, and 1,816 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns with a chance to tack on to those totals next season.

Colin Hughes, Wolsey-Wessington (Fullback): This senior captain played a key role in helping the Warbirds get all the way to the state championship contest. On one of the state’s most prolific offenses, Hughes helped to pave the way for a potent ground attack, and also provided valuable pass protection for the Warbirds, who averaged 37.8 points per game this past season.

Moshe Richmond, Wolsey-Wessington (Wide Receiver): There were few playmakers more electrifying than this senior. Richmond was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. He had 72 receptions for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also 446 yards rushing and 8 TDs. He finished his career with 1,889 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns, and 635 yards rushing and 11 TDs. He also racked up 17 tackles and blocked two PAT kicks in the state championship game.

Preston Cavalier, Warner (Offensive Line): This senior was an anchor for an offense that racked up 2,069 yards rushing, 3,555 total yards, and scored 417 points. He was selected the Outstanding Lineman in the 2023 state championship game. “Preston is a force in the trenches,” said Monarchs coach Derek Hoellein. “When we needed yardage, we ran behind #55.”

Justin Rohrbach, Ipswich (Offensive Line): This three-year started paved the way for a team that rushed for 2,117 yards and 29 touchdowns, and passed for 1,047 yards and 15 more TDs. “He was our best lineman all season long,” said Ipswich coach Brian Hogie. “Great footwork and hard worker. Most runs went behind him or we were pulling him.”

Camron Eng, Castlewood (Linebacker): Opponents soon found out where Eng was located on defense. He had 54 tackles, 8 for loss, 3 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered one. He had 126 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, and 3 interceptions. “Camron had a knack for hitting people on defense. His stats may not jump off the page, but he was all over the place making plays,” said Warriors coach Doug Ruesink. “He could identify offenses and put himself in position to make a play or help his teammates make a play. He brought passion and fire to each and every snap.”

Jesiah Baum, Warner (Defensive Back): While Baum was a playmaker on offense, he also made his presence felt on defense. The junior had 45 tackles this past season to run his career total to 93. “Jesiah does a great job identifying plays and getting to the ball,” said Monarchs coach Derek Hoellein. “With his quickness, he can play the pass and also come up in run support.”

Peyton Rainford, Wolsey-Wessington (Special Teams): Rainford made his presence felt in all three phases of the game for the Warbirds this season. On offense, the senior accumulated 979 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, Rainford collected 46 tackles, and he was also a key player on special teams. He finished his career with 1,336 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Max Kulesa, Ipswich (Honorable Mention): Kulesa was at the hub of the Ipswich offense this season. He passed for 935 yards and 12 TDs, ran for 641 yards and 10 TDs to move his career totals to 2,890 yards passing and 31 TDs, and 850 yards and 15 TDs. He also had 89 career tackles and 3 interceptions. “Max was the leader of our football team this season,” said Tigers coach Brian Hogie. “He was a dynamic playmaker on the offense with both his arm and his legs.”

Kyle Hettich, Ipswich (Honorable Mention): Hettich was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. The junior rushed for 594 yards and 8 TDs, had 459 yards receiving and 6 TDs, returned to two kicks and one punt for scores, and accumulated 1,285 total yards. “Kyle is a versatile, explosive football player,” said Ipswich coach Brian Hogie. “He is a player that we try to get the ball in his hand in a variety of ways. He is a game changer in all aspects of the game, offense, defense, and special teams.”

Chays Mansfield, Warner (Honorable Mention): Mansfield was a big part of a defense that held opponents to 8 points or less eight times this season. He had 58 tackles and a sack. He was the starting middle linebacker on teams that went 22-1. “Defense wins championships,” said Warner coach Derek Hoellein, “and Chays is a mainstay in our defense.”

Alec Mikkelsen, Warner (Honorable Mention): Mikkelsen was a special teams asset for the Monarchs. He averaged 52.2 yards per kickoffs with 19 touchbacks, made 38 PAT kicks, kicked a 27-yard field goal, and averaged 39.4 yards per punt this past season. He had three career successful on-side kicks. “Alec is a special teams weapon,” said Warner coach Derek Hoellein, “pinning teams deep on the kickoff and being almost automatic kicking PATs.”

Devon Fischbach, Warner (Honorable Mention): This senior was always around the football for the Monarchs. He had 6 interceptions, 39 tackles and recovered a fumble this past season. He played on a defense that allowed only 9.4 points per game. He had nine 9 career interceptions and 80 tackles. “Devon is a leader on our defense that got everyone lined up correctly,” said Warner coach Derek Hoellein. “He is a ball-hawk safety.”

Class 9A

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks — Caleb Richmond, Wolsey-Wessington.

Fullback-HBack — Colin Hughes, Wolsey-Wessington.

Running Backs — Tate Miller, Howard; Brayden Terveen-Smith, Dupree; and Rylee Veal, Harding County-Bison.

Wide Receivers — Moshe Richmond, Wolsey-Wessington and Miles Eide, Centervlle.

Tight End — Luke Koepsell, Howard.

Linemen — Calvin Halverson, Howard; Riley Kerner, Wall; Preston Cavalier, Warner; and Jensen Fitch, Philip.

DEFENSE

Linemen — Nayati Bickerdyke, Harding County-Bison; Justin Rohrbach, Ipswich; Carson Reitz, Estelline-Hendricks; and Eli Peterson, Lemmon-McIntosh.

Linebackers — Jace Blasius, Wall; Weston Remmers, Howard; Camron Eng, Castlewood; and Blair Ham, Lemmon-McIntosh.

Defensive Backs — Carson Hinker, Howard; Ethan Bovill, Alcester-Hudson; and Jesiah Baum, Warner.

OTHERS

Athletes — Kale Crowser, Wall; and Wyat James, Estelline-Hendricks.

Special Teams — Peyton Rainford, Wolsey-Wessington; and Roper Eaton, Dupree.

HONORABLE MENTION — Alec Austin, Centerville; Max Kulesa and Kyle Hettich, Ipswich; Tanner Volmer, Dawson Handcock and Brayden Lange, Wall; Tyce Gropper, Philip; Matthew McAninch, Estelline-Hendricks; Cole Kieffer, Lyman; Noah Little Wounded, Dupree; Chays Mansfield, Alec Mikkelsen and Devon Fischbach, Warner; and Cole Ducheneaux, Timber Lake.

All-American — Luke Koepsell, Howard.