Several Cobblers, Raiders earn spots on Class 11AAA All-Conference team
Even though the 2024 campaign is over with for the Rapid City Central and Rapid City Stevens football teams, there's a few accolades to collect before moving on to the offseason.
In a recent announcement made by Randy Marso, All-Conference Coordinator for the Eastern South Dakota Conference, there were plenty of Cobblers and Raiders who were recognized as part of the ESD Class 11AAA All-Conference Team.
Headlining the offensive team for the Cobblers is junior Weiland Benbo, teammate Brayden Jackson, junior lineman Lane Bixby and senior lineman Ben Paepke.
Benbo was a standout for Central. In 2024, he totaled 508 all-purpose yards, with 434 of those yards coming from the ground. On defense, Benbo recorded 74 tackles, four and a half tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack and two fumble recoveries.
Jackson had plenty of strong offensive performances, while Bixby and Paepke were integral parts of the Cobblers' offensive attack.
Junior Easton Graff was named to the all-conference team as a linebacker, alongside teammate Jonah Blake. Graff amassed 76 total tackles, with four and a half sacks and two interceptions.
All together, the Cobblers boasted six all-conference selections.
Stevens senior offensive lineman Elias Gillen, who is set to join the Texas Tech football program, also received an all-conference nod.
Senior defensive back Luke Hanzlik received all-conference recognition for the Raiders, alongside defensive lineman Cooper Meyers.
Junior Jack Day was the conference's top returner, collecting 1,060 all purpose yards. Day also compiled 33 catches for 690 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Raiders had four all-conference selections in total.
Rapid City Central finished their season with 2-8 record with their first postseason appearance in six years. Rapid City Stevens completed their season with an 0-9 record.
ESD AAA Football All-Conference Team
West River student-athletes denoted in italics.
Sam Knuth, Senior, Harrisburg, Quarterback.
Landon Dulaney, Senior, Brandon Valley, Wide Receiver.
Levi Veskrna, Junior, Brandon Valley, Running Back.
Braeden Feeldy, Senior, Harrisburg, Wide Receiver.
Josiah Heinz, Junior, Harrisburg, Running Back.
Weiland Benbo, Junior, Rapid City Central, Running Back.
Brayden Jackson, Junior, Rapid City Central, Running Back.
Lucas Feldkamp, Senior, Brandon Valley, Offensive Line.
Hudson Parliament, Junior, Brandon Valley, Offensive Line.
Layne Bixby, Junior, Rapid City Central, Offensive Line.
Ben Paepke, Senior, Rapid City Central, Offensive Line.
Elias Gillen, Senior, Rapid City Stevens, Offensive Line.
Evan Gray, Senior, Brandon Valley, Linebacker.
Gunnar Swift, Senior, Brandon Valley, Linebacker.
Carter Baier, Senior, Harrisburg, Linebacker.
Easton Graff, Junior, Rapid City Central, Linebacker.
Drake Jellema, Senior, Brandon Valley, Defensive Back.
Nolan Pudwill, Junior, Brandon Valley, Defensive Back.
Bradley Esser, Junior, Harrisburg, Defensive Back.
Justin Kabera, Senior, Harrisburg, Defensive Back.
Luke Hanzlik, Senior, Rapid City Stevens, Defensive Back.
Mekhi Zacher, Junior, Brandon Valley, Defensive Line.
Aidan Costain, Senior, Harrisburg, Defensive Line.
Isaac Ostrem, Senior, Harrisburg, Defensive Line.
Jonah Blake, Senior, Rapid City Central, Defensive Line.
Cooper Myers, Senior, Rapid City Stevens, Defensive Line.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kian Upton, Junior, Harrisburg, Kicker.
Jack Day, Junior , RC Stevens, Returner.
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