Wildcat players selected to all-state, all-district teams

Now that Humboldt’s record-setting football season is in the history books, the post-season honors are aplenty.
The Wildcats, who rolled through Class 3A District 2 with an unbeaten record, advanced all the way to the state semifinals, where their season ended in a loss to eventual state champion Harlan as Humboldt finished with a brilliant 11-1 record.
The Iowa Print Sportswriters Association, in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association, this week announced their all-state teams and Humboldt has six players selected in Class 3A.
Wildcats named to the first-team include senior quarterback Caden Matson, senior offensive tackle Ben Kuehnast and junior wide receiver Will Orness. Matson, who was among the state leaders in both passing and rushing, was selected as offense utility.
Second-team selections include senior linebacker Tanner McKimmey and junior defensive end Tayeton Lohaus. Senior wide receiver Jacob Heier was selected to the third team.
Humboldt’s first-team all-district selections include Matson at quarterback, Kuehnast in the offensive line, Orness and Heier at wide receiver, Lohaus in the defensive line, McKimmey at linebacker and senior Nolan Lammers at linebacker.
Second-team all-district selections include junior Kaleb McCullough in the offensive line, senior Christian Alcala at linebacker and senior Carson Berte at defensive back.
Honorable mention picks include junior Christian Lee and senior Daniel Illg in the offensive line, senior Colby Lane at tight end and junior Josh Beldin in the defensive line.
Senior offensive lineman Tracen Troyer received the Golden Award. The hard-hitting 190-pounder was well on his way to an all-district season before his season was cut short in early October when he suffered a knee injury at North Polk.
Humboldt head coach Derrick Elman was named Coach of the Year. Matson was named Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season and Kuehnast was named Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Humboldt had a total of 14 players named to the 3A-2 district all-academic team. Seniors on the academic list include Matson, Kuehnast, Jackson Fischer, Jacob Pedersen and Ryder Wickett.
Juniors on the academic team include Brody Paterson, Kaleb McCullough, Owen Hubbell, Ty Gargano, Peyton Weers, Christian Lee, Evan Hundertmark, Trever Beach and Joshua Thurm.

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