This story is sponsored by: American Family Insurance – Randy LeMoine Agency, LLC
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
Following a second-place finish in the conference, Spencer/Columbus had eight first-team selections to the 2018 All-Cloverbelt Conference Football Team, as voted on by the conference coaches following the season.
The Rockets finished the season 7-1 in the Cloverbelt and 11-2 overall after losing to Stratford in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal.
Coaches are only allowed to nominate players for all-conference accolades at one position.
Spencer/Columbus offensive lineman Logan Zschernitz, a Northern Illinois University recruit, was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, and was one of the eight Rockets to earn first-team honors.
Quarterback Jarred Mandel, receiver Austin Bacon, offensive lineman Nate Karau, defensive lineman Gavid Kilty, linebackers Carson Hildebrandt and Hayden Bauman, and defensive back Ethan Meece were also first-team picks for the Rockets.
Mandel threw for 1,493 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 398 yards and five scores for Spencer/Columbus.
Bacon was a dual threat from the wing position, rushing for a team-high 802 yards and 12 touchdowns, and catching 31 passes for 508 yards and 10 TDs.
Hildebrant led the Rockets in tackles with 111, while Bauman had 73 tackles and three interceptions. Meece had a team-high five interceptions.
Eau Claire Regis defensive back Cade Osborn was named Defensive Player of the Year.
2018 All-Cloverbelt Conference Football Team
(Note: Players only eligible for one position)
First Team
Offense
Quarterback: Jarred Mandel, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic.
Running backs: Tyler Klement, jr., Colby; Reece Kellnhofer, sr., Colby; Andrew Ernstmeyer, sr., Eau Claire Regis; Joey Kinderman, sr., Fall Creek.
Wide receivers: Austin Bacon, jr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Noah Gillingham, sr., Stanley-Boyd.
Linemen: Logan Zschernitz, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Nick Maenner, sr., Eau Claire Regis; Nathan Gorzek, sr., Eau Claire Regis; Logan Hawkey, sr., Colby; Nate Karau, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic.
Defense
Linemen: Henry Theisen, jr., Eau Claire Regis; Gavid Kilty, jr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Kadin Peterson, sr., Eau Claire Regis; C.J. Spaeth, sr., Cadott.
Linebackers: Carson Hildebrandt, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Hayden Bauman, jr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Caden Boettcher, sr., Osseo-Fairchild; Will Jordahl, sr., Eau Claire Regis.
Defensive backs: Cade Osborn, sr., Eau Claire Regis; Jack Nicolai, sr., Eau Claire Regis; Ethan Meece, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic.
Specialist: Tristan Root, jr., Eau Claire Regis.
Second Team
Offense
Quarterback: L.J. Schmelzer, sr., Stanley-Boyd.
Running backs: Brady Spaeth, jr., Cadott; Luke Mayer, sr., Neillsville/Granton; Hayden Reinders, jr., Eau Claire Regis.
Wide receivers: Harley Schmelzer, jr., Colby; Bret Kostka, jr., Osseo-Fairchild.
Linemen: Mike Anderson, sr., Fall Creek; Tanner Kleinschmidt, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Riley Bauer, jr., Eau Claire Regis; Justin Smasal, sr., Stanley-Boyd; Hunter Roenz, jr., Neillsville/Granton.
Defensive backs: Ben Milas, sr., Stanley-Boyd; Luke Rooney, sr., Eau Claire Regis; Travis Laube, sr., Fall Creek.
Specialists: Nelson Wahl, so., Cadott; Evan Dieringer, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic.
Honorable Mention
Offense
Quarterbacks: Jackson Johnson, sr., Osseo-Fairchild; Isaac Michels, sr., Eau Claire Regis.
Running backs: Mathew Hanson, jr., Altoona; Sam Jacobson, sr., Osseo-Fairchild; Bo Chwala, so., Stanley-Boyd.
Wide receivers: Jayden Salisbury, sr., Altoona; Hunter Hand, sr., Neillsville/Granton; Andrew Klienhans, sr., Fal Creek; Ryan Meyers, jr., Osseo-Fairchild.
Linemen: Ryan George, sr., Osseo-Fairchild; Tristan Harris, sr., Stanley-Boyd; Austin Grubowski, so., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Blake Loegering, sr., Altoona; Ryan Riplinger, sr., Fall Creek.
Defense
Linemen: Garret Steffen, jr., Altoona; Brian Pelekoudas, sr., Fall Creek; Jared Burgherdt, sr., Fall Creek.
Linebackers: Matt Kunze, sr., Colby; Ethan Tegels, jr., Cadott; Luke Erickson, jr., Neillsville/Granton; Eden Jacobson, so., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Andrew Rodriguez, jr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic.
Defensive backs: Gavino Lopez, jr., Colby; Clayton Carlson, sr., Stanley-Boyd; Noah Kahl, sr., Cadott; Nate McMahon, jr., Altoona; Monte Diestler, jr., Neillsville/Granton; Jadyen Salisbury, sr., Altoona.
Specialists: Mike Karlen, Stanley-Boyd; Brady Nicks, sr., Fall Creek.
Individual Awards
Coach of the Year: Bryant Brenner, Eau Claire Regis.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Mike Thalacker, Eau Claire Regis.
Offensive Player of the Year: Logan Zschernitz, Spencer/Columbus Catholic.
Defensive Player of the Year: Cade Osborn, Eau Claire Regis.