The Minnewaska Area football team released its season-ending awards and postseason honors recently.  The Lakers went 2-7 overall in 2023, which included a 2-5 mark in the sub-district.

The Lakers were seeded fifth for the Section 6AAA Tourney and Minnewaska lost at fourth-seeded Sauk Centre in the opening round, 52-18.

Albany and Rockford tied for top honors in the Mid State Northwest White Football sub-district with 6-1 league records, followed by Pierz (5-2),  Montevideo (4-3), Howard Lake-WW (3-4), Sauk Centre and Minnewaska (both 2-5) and Melrose Area (0-7).

Minnewaska Area seniors who played their last game at Sauk Centre were Austin Ballhagen, Austin Weber, Nathan Dell, Bode DeZelar, Jack Majerus, Myles Reichmann, Austin Hoverud, Cole Kittelson, Kenneth Czech, John Jenson and Ben Jenson.

Coaching the Lakers this season was second-year head coach Jared Lyle with assistance from Matt Meagher, Jason Weber, Jeremy Christianson, Nathan Snider, Brian Gruber and Zach Traphagen.

“I thought we definitely made some positive strides this year, and there is a lot of room for growth,” second-year head coach Jared Lyle said.  “What I am most proud of is that our kids, no matter the score, played hard from start to finish.

“Every group is different, but I will miss this group of seniors and all that they brought to our program.  I told them that any success we have in the future is a direct correlation of the work and foundation they laid down this year; they really exemplified what it meant to be a Laker.”

Season awards and honors

Earning All-District honors this year for the Lakers was senior runningback/linebacker Myles Reichmann.  Reichmann, used primarily as a run blocker for the Lakers, rushed 17 times for 121 yards and also caught four passes for 14 yards.

On defense, he had one interception, one fumble recovery and one sack and was among the top three tacklers.

Earning recognition on the All-District honorable mention team this year were senior runningback/defensive back Jack Majerus and senior wide receiver/defensive back Austin Ballhagen.

Majerus led the Lakers this year with 595 yards rushing on 129 carries with two touchdowns, while Ballhagen had a team-best 26 receptions for 329 yards and also shared punting duties with Riley Dell.

Earning the “Solem Strong Memorial Award” this season for the Lakers was Kenneth Czech.

And, winning the “Dan Wold Memorial Award” were John Jenson and Cole Kittelson.

•  The Minnewaska Area team earned a Team Academic All-State Gold award for a team grade-point average of 3.38.  In addition, Myles Reichmann earned Individual Academic All-State honors.

Named to the Academic All-District team this fall were Kenneth Czech, Jack Majerus, Myles Reichmann, Kaiden Harvey, Levi Johnson, Owen Meulebroeck, Carter Meyer, Oliver Reiland, Lucas Tauber, Drew Winter, Marc Gruber, Jayda Kolstoe, Tyson Metz and AJ Svec.

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