Oconto Falls’ Huber tabbed conference’s offensive, defensive player of year for football

Oconto Falls High School senior Owen Huber was named the offensive and defensive player of the year in the Northwoods Conference.

Huber was a unanimous selection to the offensive first team as a back and defensive team as a linebacker.

“It means a lot because I’ve put in a lot of work and I set my mind to be better, and to receive these awards is amazing,” said Huber. “It shows that my work I do pays off, and that other coaches and players recognize it also.”

In the team’s seven games, Huber rushed for 718 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 223 yards and an additional touchdown.

On defense, Huber recorded 58 total tackles. He had three tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovered, a fumble forced and an interception.

“I would like to thank my coaches for teaching me how to use my skill, because without them my work and skill would mean nothing without them by my side,” said Huber.

Senior Adam Haines also was a unanimous first-team selection on both sides of the ball as a lineman.

Along with providing lanes to run for the team’s backs, Haines also rushed for a touchdown against Northland Pines. Haines finished with 26 total tackles and a sack on defense.

“It means a lot. I’ve worked towards this for a long time, and I think it’s awesome that all of the work is finally paying off,” said Haines of the honors. “It is very special to be able to end on a high note with a season like this one.”

Oconto Falls’ other first-team selection was senior Daylen Hischke, who made the list as a defensive end. Hischke tallied 18 total tackles and led the team with three sacks.

Seniors Josh Saari (tight end), Tucker Moynihan (offensive lineman) and Owen Seidl (linebacker) and juniors Dylan Thomson and Noah Hirst (defensive backs) earned second-team honors.

Saari and Moynihan helped block for the Panthers’ run-oriented offense. Oconto Falls rushed for 1,335 yards and 17 touchdowns during its 3-4 season.

Seidl recorded 17 total tackles and forced a fumble this fall. Thomson tallied 28 total tackles, while also recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass. In limited games, Hirst also picked off a pass and tallied seven total tackles.

Seniors Tucker Bouche (quarterback), Hunter Mallien (offensive back), Seidl (tight end) and Saari (defensive end) and Thomson (offensive back) all were honorable mentions.

Bouche passed for 500 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown. Mallien rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown, with Seidl helping pave the running lanes.

Thomson rushed for 264 yards and three touchdowns and caught eight passes for 120 yards. Saari accumulated 13 total tackles, with 2.5 sacks.

Along with its three wins in conference play, Oconto Falls also qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

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