T-R FILE PHOTO - West Marshall head football coach Cody Hackett, left, talks with assistant coach Austin Nichols during the Trojans’ Class 2A state quarterfinal game against PCM on Nov. 6 in State Center. Hackett was named the District 3 Coach of the Year.

The West Marshall football team’s first run to the Class 2A state quarterfinals in eight years was fueled by a relentless ground game and stingy defense, and the Trojans’ resultant haul on the all-district squad reflected their dominance.

West Marshall swept the district’s Player of the Year awards while putting five players on both the offense and defense of the all-District 3 team.

Head coach Cody Hackett was named the district’s Coach of the Year after leading the Trojans to an 8-2 overall record that included a 4-0 district mark. West Marshall didn’t get to face the other unbeaten team in the district, Forest City (3-0), when the Indians were forced to miss because of COVID-19 guidelines.

West Marshall senior lineman Luke Pinnick was named the Lineman MVP of the district, junior running back Preston Pope was honored as the Offensive MVP, and senior defensive end Brayden Evertsen was selected as the Defensive MVP, and each were on their respective all-district squad.

Pinnick, a Northern Illinois recruit, received his fourth first-team all-district selection in as many years after helping the Trojans churn out a 2A-best 3,255 yards rushing. West Marshall ranked third in its class in total offense (4,480) after falling to PCM in the state quarterfinals.

Pope led 2A as well with his 1,842 yards of rushing offense and his 24 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry this season in earning first-team all-district honors for the first time.

Evertsen was West Marshall’s second-leading tackler with 71 stops, though his 17 quarterback sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss rank atop the rest of 2A. He becomes a three-time all-district first-team honoree after helping the Trojans allow an average of just 12.1 points per game.

Joining the first-team offense for the first time were senior right guard Brock Bonschmit, sophomore quarterback Peyton Hart and sophomore wide receiver Grahm Nason. Bonschmit lined up next to Pinnick on the Trojans’ dominant offensive line, helping Hart accumulate 788 yards rushing and 818 yards passing. Hart was 36-for-63 passing with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also had eight rushing scores. Nason corraled four passes for 158 yards this season. Nason also had one carry go for a 71-yard touchdown.

On the defense, senior linebacker Jarrin Goecke earned a second-consecutive selection to the all-district squad. Goecke had 35.5 total tackles and two interceptions despite playing the entire season through a knee injury.

First-time first-teamers for West Marshall were senior defensive end Kaden Davis, senior linebacker Grant Nason and senior defensive back Blake Pinegar. Nason led the Trojan defense with 84.5 total tackles, Davis had 31 stops and 7.5 quarterback sacks, and Pinegar made 18.5 tackles and an interception.

Taking home honorable mention honors for the Trojans were senior offensive lineman Jacob Walton, senior wide receiver/defensive back Trevor Cowan, and sophomore center Sam Schaper.