Seven members of the South O’Brien Wolverines received recognition as the 2023 Class A District 1 All-District Football Teams were released. South O’Brien players on the all-district first team were Derek Paulsen, Justin Paulsen and Mitchell Enger. Second team selections for the Wolverines were David Bottjen and Willie Conley. Receiving honorable mention were Justice Frerk and Josh Gnade. All are seniors, with the exception of Derek Paulsen, who is a junior. South O’Brien finished tied for sixth in the District with a 1-5 record. The complete list of All-District selections with grade follows:
FIRST TEAM
Derek Paulsen, JR, Justin Paulsen, SR, Mitchell Enger, SR, South O’Brien; Laytin Kock, SR, Tatum Wilken, JR, Jackson Marnach, SR, Jack Terpstra, SR, Ian Blowe, SR, Carter Wilken, SR, Ashton McCully, SR, Treyden Goodman, SR, Akron-Westfield; Jonah Petersen, SR, Kyler Bork, SR, Owen Schroeder, SR, Mitchell Schnepf, SR, Cody Evans, SR, Dawson Pick, SR, Jace Colling, JR, MMCRU; Will Harpenau, SR, Kale Pearson, JR, Cole McCarty, JR, Nolan Nilles, SR, Dylan Poeckes, JR, Gabe Wiltgen, SR, Gehlen Catholic; Gavin Sleezer, JR, Angel Barajas, JR, DJ Rodriguez, SR, Hayden Garlow, JR, Alta-Aurelia; Michael Block, SR, Cassidy Henricks, SR, Kayne Julius, JR, Dawson Kreykes, SO, Sibley-Ocheyedan; Bradley Van Beek, SR, James Gellerman, JR, Ethan Wiersma, SR, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn.
SECOND TEAM
David Bottjen, SR, Willie Conley, SR, South O’Brien; Lane Hemmelrick, JR, Connor Wendel, SR, A-W; Brayson Mulder, SO, Michael Peterson, JR, MMCRU; Chance Kallsen, SR, Drake Hodgson, FR, Gehlen; Ridge Cargin, JR, Camden Reinert, SO, A-A; Noah Doeden, SR, Dominic Marco, SO, S-O; Adam Schierholz, SR, Ethan Huberg, SR, HMS.
HONORABLE MENTION
Justice Frerk, SR, Josh Gnade, SR, South O’Brien; Kasey Nielson, SR, Tyler Wetrosky, SR, A-W; Grant Prescott, JR, Noah Galles, SR, MMCRU; Landen Reuter, SR, Dane Lehmann, SO, Gehlen; Zarek Napierala, JR, Brayden Westphal, JR, A-A; Dalton Wingate, SR, Gavin Stanton, SO, S-O; Evan Eilers, SR, Slayton McCarter, JR, HMS.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Offensive MVP: Jonah Petersen, SR, MMCRU.
Defensive MVP: Gavin Sleezer, JR, A-A.
Kicker: Jack Schoenfelder, SR, A-W.
Punter: Owen Schroeder, SR, MMCRU.
Specialist/Utility: Tatum Wilken, JR, A-W.
Lineman: Kasey Nielson, SR, A-W.
Head Coach: John Sievert, A-W.
Assistant Offensive Coach: Colin Youde, MMCRU.
Assistant Defensive Coach: Nick Jacobs, A-W.
FINAL DISTRICT RECORDS
Akron-Westfield 6-0
MMCRU 5-1
Gehlen Catholic 4-2
Sibley-Ocheyedan 2-4
Alta-Aurelia 2-4
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 1-5
South O’Brien 1-5