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West Marshall’s Evertsen named Class 2A captain

T-R FILE PHOTO - West Marshall senior defensive end Brayden Evertsen (40) prepares to defend a pass while being blocked by Centerville’s Bryer Daugherty (62) during their Class 2A football playoff game Oct. 23 in State Center.

The West Marshall football team’s return to the Class 2A state quarterfinals for the first time in eight years was driven by seven players named to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A all-state teams.

In all, the Marshalltown area produced 13 all-state football selections, including five first-team honorees.

West Marshall’s two-way standout Brayden Evertsen, a Division II commit to the University of Mary, was named the 2A all-state captain in a vote of statewide coaches and media after leading all tight ends with 447 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He also led all 2A defensive linemen with 71 tackles from his defensive end position.

Evertsen was a three-time first team all-district selection for the Trojans (8-2), who lost a one-point heartbreaker to Prairie City-Monroe in the game to get to the UNI-Dome. A two-time IPSWA first-team selection on the defensive line, Evertsen led the entire state with 30.5 tackles for loss and was second in all classes with 17 quarterback sacks.

A dynamic talent, Evertsen finished with 22 receptions while also serving as a blocker on a West Marshall front line that paved the way for 2A’s top rushing attack. The Trojans rushed for 3,255 yards for a state-leading average of 325.5 yards per game.

Evertsen was one of seven Trojans selected to the Class 2A teams, joined as a repeat first-team selection by offensive lineman Luke Pinnick. The Northern Illinois-bound senior left tackle was the driving force of West Marshall’s prolific rushing attack.

Junior running back Preston Pope also received first-team all-state honors after leading the division with 1,842 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. West Marshall’s all-state honors included second-team selection for senior offensive lineman Brock Bonschmit, senior linebacker Grant Nason and sophomore defensive back Peyton Hart, and third-team selection for senior defensive back Jarrin Goecke.

South Tama County senior Payton Vest was selected as the 2A first-team kick/punt returner. He averaged 29.8 yards per kickoff return, including a 90-yard touchdown against Solon, and got 15 yards in his only punt return this season. He also led the Trojans with 1,276 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, 13 receptions for 127 yards, and was the team’s top tackler with 57 total stops and 9.5 tackles for loss.

Marshalltown had a pair of all-state honorees, as senior linebacker Carson Williams was voted to the Class 4A first team and senior offensive lineman Aidan DeVolder was chosen to the third team.

Williams, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end and linebacker, has committed to the University at Buffalo. He ranked third in receiving yards by a tight end in 4A this fall, making 35 receptions for 403 yards and three touchdowns, and he ranked 24th in the class with 51 total tackles to lead the Bobcats on both sides of the ball.

DeVolder, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound right tackle, has committed to Minnesota State University at Mankato.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck had two seniors selected to the 8-Man all-state teams, both on the offensive side of the ball. Keagan Giesking, who finished second in the state with 2,179 rushing yards, was honored alongside offensive lineman Auston Wittgreve.

Giesking totaled 32 rushing touchdowns for the Rebels (9-1) while receiving his third all-state honor in four seasons as a starter.

East Marshall senior Samuel Bandstra collected third-team all-state honors in Class 1A after finishing third in the division and sixth overall in the state with 100.5 total tackles. Bandstra made 9 tackles for loss as well for the Mustangs (2-6), and he was the team’s leading rusher with 440 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

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