More than 50 area football players have earned Central All-District honors for their play in the recently completed season.
The Central District is made up geographically, not by the assigned districts by the Missouri High School Activities Association. The teams are selected in voting by media members who regularly cover football teams in the area.
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THE JEFFERSON CITY Jays had a total of seven players recognized in Class 6.
Three came on the offensive side. Gabe Marcantonio was named as the all-purpose player, while Jake Pridgin earned honors at receiver and Anthony Murphy was selected on the line.
Defensively, Jordan Robinson was selected on the line. Two Jays linebackers - Austin Gerloff and Hayden Strobel - were named, along with Austin Chiagorom in the secondary.
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THE HELIAS CRUSADERS dominated the Class 4 team after finishing second in the state for the second straight season.
The Crusaders placed nine players on the offensive side.
At the skill positions, Wyatt Porter was named at quarterback, while Garrett Buschjost was selected at running back. Tight end Hale Hentges and receiver Ryan Tannehill were joined by Michael Tannehill as all-purpose.
Three linemen were honored - Brody Buschjost, Will Fife and Blake Wilbers - along with kicker J.C. Szumigala.
Szumigala also earned two spots on the defensive side, being selected in the secondary and at punter.
Joining Szumigala in the secondary were teammates Trent Dudenhoeffer and Nick Haslag. Three linebackers - Shane Colonius, Michael Tannehill and Pat Ward - were joined by three linemen - Brody Buschjost, Hentges and Wilbers.
Phil Pitts was selected Coach of the Year.
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THE BLAIR OAKS Falcons are well represented on the Class 2 all-district team.
Eight Falcons earned first-team honors on offense. Jordan Hair was named at quarterback, while teammates Caleb Bischoff and Dominic Jamerson were picked at running back. Mikel Drehle and Haydn Lock were selected at receiver/tight end. Two linemen - Dalton Fifer and Hayden Haney were also named to the first team.
The Falcons earned four spots on the first-team defense - linebackers Bischoff and Payton Wilde and lineman Corbin Singer and Drehle in the secondary.
Brad Drehle of Blair Oaks was named Coach of the Year.
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THE SOUTH CALLAWAY Bulldogs earned seven first-team spots in Class 2.
Cory Hanger was named at the all-purpose spot on offense. He was joined by lineman Seth Jennings on the offense.
Hanger and Garner Rudroff were named to the secondary. Neal Hall was picked at linebacker, while Dakota Ballard was selected on the defensive line and Zach Marty made the first team at punter.
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THE CALIFORNIA PINTOS claimed a total of eight spots on the first team in Class 3.
Four of the Pintos were selected on offense - running back Walker Borghardt, linemen Nathan Goans and Nathan Squires, and kicker Aaron Cuevas.
On the defensive side, Squires was named on the line, Jerry Lutz was selected at linebacker, while Jaden Barr was picked in the secondary and at punter.
Marty Albertson of California was named Coach of the Year after leading the Pintos to the semifinals for the second consecutive season.
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THE ELDON MUSTANGS had a total of five players selected to the first team in Class 3.
Three were on offense - Wyatt Greenwalt at all-purpose, Raymond Kwok at running back and Wyatt Bashore on the line.
Defensively, Zack Lemen was named as a linebacker and Dalton Lister was picked in the secondary.
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THE SCHOOL OF the Osage Indians had two players named to the Class 3 first team.
Both of the Indians were named to the offense - Austin Riley at quarterback and Dylan Jeffries at wide receiver/tight end.
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THE TIPTON CARDINALS had four players named to the first team in Class 1.
Two Cardinals were selected on offense - Dylan Cooper at all-purpose and Ryan Bruce on the line.
On defense, Cooper was named as a linebacker and David Richardson was selected at punter.
In addition, Chad Stover, who passed away last month, was selected to the second team in the secondary.