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RIPON, Wis. - The Midwest Conference released its annual postseason awards Tuesday afternoon, with 13 Ripon players receiving All-Conference selections. Six Red Hawks earned first team honors, with three being named to the second team and four getting the nod as honorable mention.
Sophomore Fullback T.J. Pierce and Junior Offensive Lineman Joshua Novak were Ripon's only two offensive first team selections, as that duo was a huge reason for Ripon's conference-leading rushing attack. Pierce gained an MWC-best 994 yards on the ground, while scoring six touchdowns, while Novak anchored a line that paved the way for 2,974 rushing yards, which is the second most in Ripon history and just 65 yards shy of the school record. This marks Novak's second All-Conference award, after earning second team honors a year ago, while Pierce picks up his first All-Conference selection.
The MWC First Team Defense was made up of 25 percent Red Hawks, as four Ripon players made the team. Junior Defensive Lineman Jeff Trinka earned his first All-Conference award thanks to 20 tackles on the season, while serving as the key cog in Ripon's run defense that allowed the third fewest rushing yards per game in school history.
Also making MWC First Team Defense was senior Linebacker Ryan Andersen, who recorded a team-high 95 tackles (66 solo), including 10 for a loss, while also recording 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and recovering two more. This comes a year after Andersen was named to the MWC's Second Team.
Defensive Backs Joe Faulds and Kurt Roeder rounded out the First Team Defense. Faulds earned his first All-Conference selection thanks to 46 tackles (34 solo), three interceptions, one fumble recovery and 10 pass break-ups. Roeder led the MWC in pass break-ups with 19, as he earned a spot on the All-Conference team for the second time, after earning honorable mention last season. In addition to his break-ups, Roeder registered 43 tackles (32 solo) and two interceptions. Roeder also made First Team All-Conference as a punter, after ranking second in the MWC with an average of 38.5 yards per punt. He pinned 16 of his 46 punts inside the 20-yard line, with three punts traveling at least 50 yards.
The Second Team Offense was highlighted by sophomore Offensive Lineman Kyle Srnka and freshman Kicker Jacob Gahart, whom are each making their first appearance on the All-Conference Team. Srnka was part of Ripon's rebuilt line that finished the season with the sixth-most rushing yards in MWC history. Gahart meanwhile etched his own name into Ripon's record books with a school record nine field goals. The Elkhorn, Wis. native, who was
9-for-13 on field goals during the season, made all seven from inside 40 yards. He also tied a Ripon record with a 47-yarder, while also connecting on a 42-yarder, which is tied for the sixth longest in school history.
The lone selection to the Second Team Defensive team was senior Linebacker Adam Firgens, who is making his second All-Conference appearance after earning a spot on the honorable mention team last year. Firgens finished the season second on the team in tackles with 62 (43 solo), while also intercepting a pass, breaking up three others, recovering two fumbles and blocking a field goal.
The MWC Honorable Mention Offense was led by sophomore Offensive Lineman Nick Parulski, giving him his first All-Conference Selection and assuring 60 percent of Ripon's offensive line a spot on the All-Conference team.
Junior Quarterback Matthew Miller also makes his first All-Conference appearance after ranking second in the MWC in rushing with 922 yards and a conference-best 14 rushing touchdowns, which ranks fourth in school history. In addition to that, Miller threw for 698 yards and four scores.
The Red Hawks also had two selections to the MWC Honorable Mention Defensive Team, as junior Defensive Lineman Kyle Roy earned his second such award and senior Defensive Back Peter Hollmaier made All-Conference for the first time in his career. Roy led the Red Hawks with four sacks, while also making 39 tackles (25 solo), with 9.5 of those going for a loss. He also forced one fumble. Hollmaier was tied for the team lead in interceptions with three, while also ranking seventh on the team in tackles with 40 (28 solo).
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