Cardinals land 12 on All-District lists

By Scott Watson

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura football team finished their Class 2A, District 2 season with a record of 7-4, and had 12 players receive All-District honors. 

Six players on the team were named First Team All-District including: Alex Van Gerpen, a senior running back; Ryan Sonquist, a senior offensive lineman; linebackers, Keith Schwickerath, a senior, and Braden Meints, a junior; 

defensive lineman, Shawn Murphy, a junior, and Nic Tusha, also a junior.

Named Second Team All-District were: linebackers, Corey Dodd and Josh Engstler, both seniors; and junior defensive lineman, Tyler Buck. 

Receiving Honorable Mention recognition were: offensive lineman, Jace Byers, a senior, and junior, Jimmy Legge; and junior, Colton Knutson at defensive back. 

“I can’t say enough about the group of seniors we had this year,” said GHV Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp. “Their leadership was phenomenal.”

Leading the district in rushing was Van Gerpen with 1,478 yards on 251 attempts.  He also collected four interceptions and recorded 19 touchdowns. 

Sonquist finished the season with 20 tackles and a sack. Schwickerath was third in the district in solo tackles with 42, contributing to a total of 82 tackles, with four sacks, tying him at second in the district. Meints followed shortly behind with 75 tackles and two interceptions. Next was Murphy with 38 tackles and three sacks. Tusha rounded out the First Team list with 55 tackles and five sacks.

Dodd finished the season with 70 tackles, and Engstler with 52, while Buck was credited 36 tackles, one interception and one sack. 

Knutson received honors at defensive back collecting 37 total tackles (27 solo), and four interceptions, tying him at second in the district with Van Gerpen. 

The Cardinals’ predominately rush-oriented offense ranked third overall in the conference, at 2,427, falling less than 200-yards from Spirit Lake, the district champions. The Cardinals were second in rushing touchdowns at 30 and averaged 4.8 yards a carry on 509 attempts. GHV stuck to rushing, as they finished last in the district in passing yards (461 on 68 attempts) receiving (25 receptions and four touchdowns). 

“The underclassmen will definitely have some big shoes to fill next year,” said GHV Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp. “I am confident that the juniors will take on their new roles well.”

2012 Academic All-District

Jace Byers, Senior

Alex Van Gerpen, Senior

Zach Ryerson, Senior

Trey Jass, Junior

Spencer Shaw, Junior

Teddy Zrostlik, Junior

Jemmy Legge, Junior