Wagner's Gannon Knebel honored as Class 11B All-American on all-state football squad

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Nov. 21—WAGNER, S.D. — Earning the Class 11B All-American honor, Wagner senior quarterback/linebacker Gannon Knebel highlighted the all-state football team, as selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.

Knebel surpassed 2,900 total yards this fall with more than 1,600 yards passing and nearly 1,300 rushing while accounting for 38 total touchdowns. The 6-foot, 210-pound athlete was picked to the all-state team at quarterback.

For his career, Knebel eclipsed the 3,000-yard threshold through the air and on the ground, finishing with 76 total touchdowns. The 2024 all-state linebacker also had 74 tackles with 4 1/2 for loss and two sacks, giving him 165 stops, 14 1/2 TFLs and five sacks for his career.

"Gannon is a once-in-a-coaching-career type of player," said Wagner coach Hunter Hewitt. "I would be surprised if I get another Gannon. He's probably the best player we have ever had."

The Red Raiders were also represented on the all-state team by senior defensive lineman Brayden Kreber. He stacked up 27 tackles with five for loss and three sacks in addition to a forced fumble and two punt blocks. He ended his career with 72 tackles, including 16 for loss and 10 sacks.

"Brayden has been an awesome player for us," Hewitt said. "His speed is a problem for teams, and he is really good at surfing down on the backside and chasing down runs. He's violent at the point of the attack and sets a good edge. He destroys pullers and always plays with the edge a D-lineman needs."

Fellow senior Shea Kjeldgaard was an honorable mention pick for Wagner.

Mount Vernon/Plankinton had a trio of seniors make the all-state squad in Riley Mayer, Camden Stahl and Tyce Feistner.

An honorable mention all-state pick last season, Mayer was tabbed as an all-state H-back for his all-around contributions. He recorded 630 yards from scrimmage and six offensive touchdowns on 73 touches.

On defense, he contributed 57 tackles, one sack and five interceptions.

"Riley did it all for us," said MVP coach AJ Kortemeyer. "He was our go-to guy in the pass game, on the frontside of almost all of our blocking schemes and carried the ball really well for us."

Stahl, at 6-foot and 230 pounds, blocked for an offense that rushed for more than 2,000 yards and gave up zero sacks in 10 games.

"Camden did a great job for us up front," Kortemeyer said. "He is constantly putting himself in a great position to be successful. Later in the year, he took snaps at fullback and did a great job lead blocking for our ball carriers."

Picked a special teams player, Feistner averaged 38.2 yards per punt with four kicks over 50 yards and eight that pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line. He also started at quarterback and linebacker for the Titans.

"Tyce was a large part of our success," Kortemeyer said.

Winner also placed three seniors on the all-state team with Derek Fenenga, Seth Heath and Zac Olson.

At 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, Fenenga was a three-year starter on the offensive line for a Warrior team that captured a state title in 2024.

From his linebacker spot, Heath posted 71 tackles with one sack, one interception and one defensive touchdown this season. He was also the second-leading tackler on the 2024 championship team.

Another three-year starter at defensive back, Olson,a team captain, had 14 tackles and two interceptions this fall. For his career, he had 42 tackles and five interceptions. Coach comments were not available for the Winner players.

Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central seniors Colby Flowers and Hunter Fenske gave the Bucks a pair of all-state selections.

Flowers, an honorable mention all-state player last season, was a two-way star for the Bucks and was selected to the all-state team as an all-around athlete. Offensively, he snagged 18 receptions for 378 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 75 tackles, including seven for loss with one sack, one interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries on the other side of the ball. For his career, Flowers contributed 123 tackles, six sacks, five interceptions, four forced fumbles, three recoveries, plus 993 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

"Colby fit our system really well. It was like having another coach on the field. He helped make adjustments so he, or teammates, could make plays," said WWSSC coach Michael Schmitz. "He has a high motor that allowed him to make plays all over the field."

Up front, Fenske, at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, was a key cog in the Bucks' ground-based attack that contributed to earning a top-six seed in the playoffs.

"Hunter was an anchor to our offensive line and a driving force behind our offense," Schmitz said. "Hunter did whatever was needed for us to be successful. He was a relentless pass blocker who took great pride in his craft."

Junior running back/defensive back Wesley Molnar was also an honorable mention for the Bucks.

Representing Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan was senior defensive back Holden Wollmann. He recorded 48 tackles with six pass deflections, two interceptions and one forced fumble. For his career, Wollmann had 121 tackles, 22 deflections and five interceptions.

"Holden developed into a strong leader both on the field and in the weight room," said BEE coach Jeff VanLeur.

Class 11B champion St. Thomas More had four all-state selections and one honorable mention, while runner-up Elk Point-Jefferson led the class with five selections.

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