Web posted
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Five Bulldogs earn league honors
By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
Jordan Fields played only one season of varsity football, but made it memorable. He dazzled the crowd week in and week out with his electrifying speed and knack for long touchdown runs.
In eight games, the Arkansas City senior finished with 1,215 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was held under 100 yards just once and had two, 200-plus yard performances, including a 245-yard, three-touchdown performance in Ark City's 27-19 win over Campus on Oct. 5.
''Jordan was a huge key to our success," Ark City coach Darrin Wegner said. "He was our spark offensively."
For his efforts, he was one of five Bulldogs recently earned all-AV-CTL Division II honors. Fields was a unanimous choice for first-team running back and a second-team defensive back.
John Miller, a junior, was named a second-team punter. Clint Bruce, a senior, was named both a second-team offensive lineman and defensive lineman. Junior Darrell Freeman was named a second-team defensive back. Chris Keeler, a senior, was an honorable mention on offense.
In addition to bringing quick feet to the quarterback position in his first year as a starter, Miller had a solid year punting. He averaged 33.4 yards per punt attempt.
"He did a really good job punting away from their best returner, and also got some hangtime (on his punts) while we get down there and cover," Wegner said.
Freeman, defending Class 5A state champion in the 100-meter dash, had two interceptions. One of those was timely, as he picked off Campus quarterback Blake Phillips at the Ark City 2-yard line in the Bulldogs' win over the Colts on Oct. 5.
"He runs really well and we were always able to put Darrell on their best receiver," Wegner said.
Bruce helped to anchor both lines. On defense, he finished with 28 tackles, including four tackles for loss.
Bruce and Keeler provided solid blocking for Ark City's ground game, allowing the Bulldogs to average 305 rushing yards per game and rack up nearly 2,400 yards on the season.
"That had a lot to do with Chris Keeler and Clint Bruce," Wegner said. "Those offensive lineman don't always get publicity. The things we did offensively, we wouldn't be able to do without those two guys."
Ark City finished the season 3-6. But the Bulldogs ended a six-year losing streak to arch-rival Winfield, defeating the Vikings 28-0 in the season finale.
McPherson earned the highest accolades. Tanner Hawkinson was named offensive MVP, Sam Stucky defensive MVP and Tom Young coach of the year.
AV-CTL Division II
First team offense -- Quarterback: Kolin Walk, sr., McPherson. Running backs: Jacob Gaede, sr., Newton; Blake Tillman, sr., McPherson; Jordan Fields, sr., Ark City (unanimous). Linemen: Jordan Echer, sr., Valley Center; Evan Kaufman, jr., Newton (unanimous); Derek Webb, sr., Newton; Josh Reese, sr., McPherson (uninamous); Jeff Graber, sr., McPherson (unanimous). Wide receivers: Jordan Buell, sr., Valley Center; Jordan Voelker, sr., Newton; Sam Stucky, sr., McPherson. Tight end: Tanner Hawkinson, sr., McPherson (unanimous). Punter: Kolin Walk, sr., McPherson (unanimous). Kicker: Ben Clary, so,. McPherson. Special teams: Zach Roberts, sr., Newton. Offensive MVP: Tanner Hawkinson, sr., McPherson.
Second team offense -- Quarterback: Chris Ronen, sr., Newton. Running backs: Stevon Kline, jr., Newton; Nathaniel Martens, jr., Newton; Blake Phillips, jr., Campus; Joe Vargas, jr., Winfield. Linemen: Blair Hedges, sr., Valley Center; Alex Koerner, sr., Newton; Jordan Pegg, sr., Campus; Caleb Linn, sr., McPherson; Clint Bruce, sr., Ark City; William Abernathy, sr., Winfield. Wide receivers: Cody Fawl, sr., McPherson; Jeb Taylor, sr., Winfield. Tight end: Jacob Reinhardt, jr., Newton. Punter: John Miller, jr., Ark City. Kicker: Luke Pray, jr., Winfield. Special teams: Blake Phillips, jr., Campus.
First team defense -- Linemen: Joel Barker, sr., Newton (unanimous); Zack Peterson, jr., McPherson (unanimous); Tanner Hawkinson, sr., McPherson. Defensive ends: Jordan Voelker, sr., Newton; Sam Wentling, sr., McPherson (unanimous). Linebackers: Sean Kelly, sr., Newton (unanimous); Kalin Johnson, sr., Newton; Sam Stucky, sr., McPherson (unanimous). Defensive backs: Zach Roberts, sr., Newton (unanimous); Tayler Bersuch, sr., McPherson (unanimous); Joe Reber, sr., McPherson; Joe Vargas, jr., Winfield. Defensive MVP: Sam Stucky, sr., McPherson.
Second team defense -- Linemen: Jerred Douglas, jr., Valley Center; Clint Bruce, sr., Ark City; Buck Archer, jr., Winfield. Defensive ends: Derek Hoetmer, sr., Valley Center; Evan Kaufman, jr., Newton. Linebackers: Jarred Case, sr., Valley Center; Jesse Jerde, sr., Newton; Jared Pavlik, sr., McPherson; Jarrett Cates, sr., Winfield; Defensive backs: Eric Regier, sr., Campus; Jordan Fields, sr., Ark City; Darrell Freeman, jr., Ark City.
Honorable mention -- Offense: Tanner Giffin, jr., Valley Center; Parker Johnson, so., McPherson; Chris Keeler, sr., Ark City; Sam Stucky, sr., McPherson. Defense: Jake Martin, jr., Newton; Dakota Zimmerman, sr., Campus; William Abernathy, sr., Winfield.
Coach of year: Tom Young, McPherson.
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