ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
Seven members of the Marion High School football team were selected by the coaches of the Cottonwood Valley League for commendation at 12 positions.
Five Warriors received honors on both offense and defense.
Joel Versch was picked for the first team as a wide receiver and as a defensive back. As a receiver, he caught 24 passes for 484 yards and four touchdowns.
On defense, Versch, a 5-10, 155-pound senior, was credited with 29 first-hit tackles and 24 assists with a team-leading eight interceptions and five batted passes.
Also making the first team on both sides of the ball was Alan Vogel, a 6-4, 214-pound senior who was picked as an offense tackle and defensive lineman.
On defense, Vogel was credited with 25 first-hit tackles, 27 assists and nine tackles for a loss. He also caused three fumbles and recovered two.
Steven Boone was picked first-team fullback and second-team linebacker. The senior rushed for a team-leading 936 yards on 163 carries, an average of 5.7 yards per attempt. He scored 13 touchdowns.
On defense, the 5-10, 198-pound junior was credited with 43 first-hit tackles and 43 assists.
Jason Matz was picked as a second-team running back and first-team defensive back. Matz, who made the transition from tight end to running back around mid-season, still picked up 711 yards on 110 carries, an average of 6.5 yards per attempt.
On defense, the 6-2, 186-pound senior was credited with a team-leading 55 first-hit tackles, plus 35 assists, four tackles for a loss, three fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
Tyler Smith, a 5-10, 228-pound junior, was selected first-team offensive guard and second-team linebacker.
On defense, he was credited with 39 tackles, 32 assists and seven tackles for a loss. He also recovered two fumbles and picked off one pass.
Eric Smith was picked as a first-team defensive end. The 6-1, 188-pound senior was credited with 25 first-hit tackles, 30 assists and a team-leading 10 tackles for a loss. He also led the Warriors in fumble recoveries with four, and in batted passes with four.
Jimmy Shipman, a 5-10, 211-pound junior, was picked for the second-team defensive line. He was credited with 17 first-hit tackles, 18 assists and three tackles for a loss.
The Warriors finished the season with a 6-4 record overall and a 4-1 mark in the six-team CVL.
League champion Sacred Heart filled 15 positions on the all-league teams, including 10 on the first team.
Cottonwood Valley all-league
First-team offense
Quarterback: Brian Bechard, Sacred Heart. Running back: Matt Ryan, Sacred Heart. Fullback: Steven Boone, Marion. Center: Chris Carathers, Chase County. Guards: Nick Herpich, Herington; Tyler Smith, Marion; Justin Walter, Sacred Heart. Tackles: Ryan Albrecht, Herington; Alan Vogel, Marion; Krae Marrs, Sacred Heart. Wide receiver: Joel Versch, Marion; Robert Dolan, Sacred Heart. Tight end: John Sigle, Council Grove. Kicker: Jeff Bloomer, Wichita Independent.
First-team defense
Linemen: Alan Vogel, Marion; Adam Breault, Sacred Heart; Ricky Bonilla, Sacred Heart. Ends: Krae Marrs, Sacred Heart; Eric Smith, Marion. Linebackers: Justin Walters, Sacred Heart; Ned Vasholtz, Herington; Daniel Brakenhoff, Council Grove. Backs: Joel Versch, Marion; Jason Matz, Marion; Jerad Mann, Chase County; Robert Dolan, Sacred Heart. Punter: Mitch Johnson, Herington.
Second-team offense
Quarterback: Ben Van, Wichita Independent. Running back: Jason Matz, Marion; Jerad Mann, Chase County. Fullback: Ned Vasholtz, Herington. Center: Adam Breault, Sacred Heart. Guards: Matt Fox, Council Grove. Tackles: Cody Catlin, Council Grove. Wide receiver: Paul Hiemenz, Wichita Independent; Jimm McKee, Sacred Heart. Tight end: Michael Ratcliff, Sacred Heart.
Second-team defense
Linemen: Lauren Gehrke, Herington; Bobby Abril, Wichita Independent; Jimm Shipman, Marion. Ends: Ryan Albrecht, Herington; Nathan Whitcomb, Chase County. Linebackers: Steven Boone, Marion; Tyler Smith, Marion; Brian Weiser, Sacred Heart. Backs: Matt Ryan, Sacred Heart; Mitch Johnson, Herington.
