League foes bag state slots in 1B, 2B football

Opponents of Whitman County teams in the SE cut a wide swath in this week’s all state selections announced by the Associated Press poll with the LRS Broncos 2B champions booking 11 of the slots on the state 2B team. Bronco quarterback Dylan Hartz was named player of the year for the 2B division. Hartz, who will be a senior next year, earned all-state honors for quarterback and defensive back.

Five of the Bronco all-stater are juniors.

Nighthawk Max Mueller, a senior, was the lone 2B player in the county to earn an all-state honor as a defensive lineman on the second team.

Waitsburg/Prescott seniors bagging all-state first team slots were Dalton Estes at running back and Ben Schafer in the line.

Other Broncos on the first team were Ryan Whitmore, receiver; Jarrad Morley, both lines; Jacob Anderson, offensive line; Keanu Niezwaag, linebacker, and Cody Ruzicka, punter. Connor O’Neil was named second team running back and defensive back, and Ruzicka was named second team kicker.

Mike Olson, QB for Liberty Christian’s Patriots garnered player of the year honors in the 1B division. Olson was named first team quarterback along with his favorite target, Tyler Morris. The Patriots, 1B state champs, landed six slots on the all-state team.

Colton junior Jake Straughan was the lone Whitman County entry in the lineup with a second-team pick as defensive back.

Touchet senior Octacio Preciado was selected for linebacker in the second team.