Football: Stuart named offensive, defensive player of year in MONLPC-8
SURING — The Suring High School football team came into the season hoping to make a smooth transition to 8-man football. The Eagles did just that, tying for the MONLPC-8 title and earning a postseason berth behind a monster year from senior Logan Stuart.
Stuart was named the offensive and defensive player of the year in the conference. He won the offensive award as a running back and the defensive honor as a linebacker.
“It’s truly an honor, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m so glad that my last football season in high school went as well as it did, and I got to enjoy it with the best team I could’ve asked for,” said Stuart.
Stuart averaged 247.5 rushing yards per contest for a season total of 2,475 yards. He scored 32 touchdowns on the ground.
On defense, Stuart racked up a team-leading 162 total tackles. He was credited with 12 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Stuart made sure to thank his coaches and especially teammates for earning the awards he did.
“My teammates deserve just as much credit, if not more,” said Stuart. “They were the engine of the team and most of all, they never quit. They came through over and over again. These (awards) are definitely team wins.”
Joining Stuart on the first team were teammates Leo Taylor and Chad McVeigh.
Taylor, a junior, made the list as an offensive lineman, helping lead the way for several big rushing games from Stuart.
Taylor also was an honorable mention as a defensive lineman, accumulating 49 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
The junior said he was a bit surprised to be recognized, but he is ready to get back to work and have an even better senior season next fall.
“I know these honors will motivate me to become better,” Taylor said. “Also, with this year’s experience, I believe I will make myself better in the future.”
McVeigh made the first team as a defensive lineman and honorable mention list as an offensive lineman.
On defense, McVeigh totaled 65 tackles, nine sacks and one fumble recovery.
“Football is the sport I’ve been doing my whole life, and I love it. I’ve spent a lot of time and hard work on it, and it means the world for me to be recognized for it,” said McVeigh, who also said the memories he made with the team were more special to him than the honors.
Senior Jayden Geniesse was the only Eagle to land on the second team, making it as a defensive back.
Geniesse led the team with four interceptions while also chipping in 33 total tackles.
Seniors Duncan Breed and Dequez Sepulveda (offensive ends) and sophomore Breyden Taylor (offensive lineman, defensive lineman) joined Leo Taylor and McVeigh as honorable mentions.
Breed rushed for a pair of touchdowns on the season, while also hauling in two receiving touchdowns.
Sepulveda finished with five total touchdowns, with two coming as a receiver, one as a kick returner, one as a punt returner and the other on a rush.
On defense, Breyden Taylor posted 40 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Suring finished the season 8-2 overall, being eliminated by Gibraltar in the first round of the postseason. Gibraltar also handed the Eagles their only regular season loss.
Gillett
Gillett hoped to compete for the MONLPC-8 title this fall but instead was bitten by the injury bug, finishing with a 3-6 overall record.
Senior Logan Block was one of four Tigers to earn all-conference nods, making the first team as a linebacker and second team as an offensive lineman.
With all the injuries the team dealt with, Block was asked to serve several roles, and he produced wherever he played.
The senior led the team with 98 tackles, including seven for losses. He also tallied three sacks and was voted the team’s MVP and top defensive player by his teammates.
Being an all-conference selection means a lot to him, he said. “I have worked hard over my high school career to get to this point, and with it being my senior year, it was a great feeling to accomplish this,” said Block, who also rushed for 508 yards and four touchdowns while catching 10 passes.
Gillett’s other three players honored all made the honorable mention list.
Freshman Derek Block served as the team’s quarterback this fall, accumulating 853 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. He also rushed for 302 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior Anthony Carroll was a dual-threat player out of the backfield, while senior Wyatt Herzog was the team’s most productive wideout.
Carroll finished the season with 438 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, plus 347 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
Herzog averaged 23.9 yards per catch during the season, finishing with 454 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He was tabbed the team’s Top Offensive Player.
Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
A pair of players from the Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Academy co-op landed on the conference’s honorable mention list.
Senior Simon Gard was honored as an offensive end, while Josh Kristof made the list after a strong freshman season.
Gard spent time at several positions, including quarterback, for the co-op. He finished with 15 receptions for 330 yards as a pass-catcher.
Kristof ended the season with 75 total tackles.
The co-op was unable to earn a win this fall.