Eli Mullock was named first team runningback and first team defensive back. On offense, Eli set the school record for rushing yards, an accomplishment for which he gave his offensive line credit; he took them out to dinner at Pizza Hut after the season was over. Eli became much more physical this year to go with his speed and was much more willing to deliver punishment at the end of the play. He is an outstanding clutch runner, scoring from 40 yards out in the closing seconds of regulation and then running in the extra points to send it to overtime against Mound City. He has the ability to improvise; for instance, he reversed field and outran everyone to score the game winning touchdown for the Tigers in that game. Also against Mound City, he made a critical interception against the Panthers to kill a drive. He would quietly get his 200 yards every Friday night and will return for another year.
Alex Harmening was named first team all purpose back, first team linebacker, and second team punter. When Bryce Ross went down with a hip injury Alex, who had not played quarterback since junior high, stepped right into the position and gained the confidence of his receivers and the rest of his team right off the bat. He was enough of a threat to throw to keep teams from keying on Eli. Unlike many quarterbacks, he was willing to fire out and block for his men and create holes for Eli to run. He was also a threat to run and catch passes as well. Despite his small size, he was willing to deliver the punishment; for instance, during preseasons, he ran over a Stanberry defender on his way to a long touchdown run. On defense, he led the team in sacks and his shoestring tackles constantly stopped opponents from either scoring touchdowns or getting long gains. As punter, he was not called on to punt very often due to the high-scoring offense for the Tigers, but when he did, he pinned opponents within their own five in several critical situations. One such situation happened at Stanberry in the fourth quarter when he pinned the Bulldogs inside their own five and they could not get a drive going.
Brian Hall was named first team offensive lineman. He always described himself as "a little bit crazy" and he was mobile and athletic enough to pull and create holes for people. He was not very big, but he more than made up for it by being very quick, ferocious, and athletic. Always willing to try different things, he has earned an active role on the basketball team this year after not having gone out for it the previous three years; he also plays the guitar and improvises songs in his spare time. A people person, he is always willing to get out and meet new people.
When Stanberry beat Worth County two years ago after the Tigers had fought back from an impossible deficit to take a lead, the Tigers were knocked out of the playoffs. It was Wyatt, who was a reserve lineman at the time, who was the most in tears after the loss. Wyatt took that disappointment and earned a starting role for the Tigers by his senior year. He was always willing to work hard and always willing to play wherever was best for the team. He always looked out for his fellow linemen and always fought for respect from everyone. Above all, he was all about Worth County. By his senior year, he was ready to take charge whenever it was needed. When the Tigers were only leading West Nodaway 26-12 against the upstart Rockets, it was Wyatt who got his team focused for the second half. And it was his blocking in the second half that sprung the Tiger backs free in that game for big runs as Eli racked up over 250 yards and Alex got 150 more; Wyatt was driving his man back several yards on some plays. And he was one of the main kids to welcome the Northeast Nodaway students in as Worth County did coop football with Northeast for the first time this year. "We're all one team," he said. For that, he was named second team offensive lineman.
Cody Green was named first team defensive end. For all four years, Cody was the man who would lead the Tigers in prayer with the other team after every game. From a prayer warrior, he became a warrior on the field as well. The defensive end is one of the most important positions in 8-man football because if the runningback gets by the end, he usually gets a touchdown or a long gain. Cody Green was a steady presence at that position, ensuring that did not happen. He had outstanding technique, turning people inside all the time so that others could make the play. And when someone did get outside of him, he had the speed that he could make the play before they could turn it upfield.
John Hinz was named as second team defensive lineman. He was one of the most improved players from last year. He constantly clogged up the middle so that teams could not pound the ball at Worth County. One opponent complimented him by saying he was the best defensive lineman he had ever played against. Thanks to his run stopping abilities, he frequently forced teams into long yardage situations which were easier to defend against. And he was mobile and quick enough despite his size that he could chase down opposing quarterbacks sometimes. His parents, Bart and Sarah Hinz, operate the Show-Me Youth Home east of Sheridan where the kids who reside there look up to him as an older brother. He was a student of the game and had a very strong grasp of how the game works.
No comments:
Post a Comment