By Becky Walz,
Eleven members of the Decorah football team were recognized by being named all-district in Class 4A, District 2.
Seven of them are first-time honorees.
In total, seven Vikings were named first team all-district while four were placed on the second team list. Thirteen athletes were recognized for their academic achievements.
First team
Senior Keenan Tyler not only earned his second first-team all-district nod but was also named the district’s offensive player of the year. Tyler completed 132-for-231 passes for 1,678 yards for 20 touchdowns, along with carrying the pigskin 151 times for another 623 yards and seven scores. Aside from his offensive nod, the senior was a first-team linebacker honoree, leading Decorah with 54.5 total tackles, including 40 solo stops and 14.5 assists. Tyler had 7.5 tackles for loss and picked up three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Selected as the district’s kicker of the year was Brody Young. The senior had 39 kick-offs for 2,025 yards with six touchbacks and converted on 21-of-22 PATs. He also was 8-for-10 in field goals with his longest being 44 yards. It also marks Young’s second all-district first team nod.
Leading receiver Jacob Pipho earns his second first-team all-district honor with 27 catches for 502 yards, averaging 18.6 yards per reception. Pipho, a senior, also finished the season with 24.5 total tackles (21 solo, 3.5 assists) and three interceptions on defense.
Joseph Bockman was second on the team in receiving yards with a total of 473 in his 47 receptions, scoring six TDs to earn his second all-district honor. He also had 16 carries of the pigskin for an additional 47 yards. On the opposite side of the ball, the senior had 32 total tackles (28 solo, 4 assists) to go with a trio of interceptions. Bockman also shouldered much of the return duties, picking up 268 yards in 15 attempts and returning 10 punts for a total of 72 yards.
Receiving his first all-district nod, Noah Storts was third in receiving yards for Decorah, averaging 11.2 per reception. The senior pulled down 39 passes for 435 yards and scored four touchdowns for the Vikings. On defense, Storts provided 39.5 total stops, including 31 solo tackles and 8.5 assists. He had 17.5 tackles for a loss to go with 8.5 sacks.
As a defensive end for the Vikings, Joseph Hjelle was second on the team in total tackles with 50 (38 solo, 12 assists). During his senior campaign he was also second in tackles for loss with 16.5 and sacks with 8.0.
Lineman Thomas Ostlie played both sides of the ball for the Vikings which averaged 12.9 yards per pass and 4.1 yards rushing per carry, earning himself the inaugural honor on the all-district list. Defensively, the senior picked up 10.5 total tackles with five being solo stops and two tackles for a loss.
Second team
Four Vikings received their first all-district selections.
Among the honorees were seniors Kendall McCain, Garrick Smith, Zach Jermier and Ryan Johanningmeier.
McCain was part of the offensive line, which allowed the Vi kings to rush for 1,446 yards. On defense, he collected 20.5 total tackles with 14 solo and 6.5 assisted. He had 3.5 tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery as well.
Smith played on both the offensive and defensive lines. He was there for 2.5 tackles, with two solo stops.
At a receiver position, Jermier caught seven passes for 134 yards, averaging 19.1 yards per reception. On the defensive side of the ball, Jermier was there for 36 total tackles (28 solo, 8 assisted) to go with a fumble recovery and an interception.
Johanningmeier played mainly on defense and was third on the team in total tackles with 42.5 (32 solo, 10.5 assisted). The senior cornerback also had a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Vikes.
Academics
The Vikings also were recognized for their efforts in the classroom. In total, 13 Vikings were named academic all-district.
Among the honorees were seniors Keenan Tyler, Brody Young, Thomas Ostlie, Jacob Pipho, Joseph Hjelle, Kendall McCain, Ryan Johanningmeier, Dane Frieden and Brayden Reiser; and juniors Jackson Knoke, Erik Hjelle, Casey Brickley and Jaden Baker.
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