EHS Football Players, Cheerleaders Honored

Winning special awards for the varsity Effingham High School football team were, left to right, Zach Donaldson, Gaige Gillum, Maddox Burner, Charlie Ring, Spencer Fox, Eli Middendorf, Michael Love, Andrew Lotz and Rylan Pals. Not pictured were Weldon Dunston and Maicol Sefton.

Effingham High School football and cheerleading awards were presented Friday evening at the Hearts Rock Cafe.

Varsity football awards went to Zach Donaldson for defensive most valuable player and Chris Hutts Bandit award, Andrew Lotz and Spencer Fox for the George Wenthe Sportsmanship award, Ryan Pals and Chase Smith for the Jack Klosterman “Hang Tough” award.

Maddox Burner and Michael Love claimed the Lineman of the Year award. Offensive Most Valuable Player went to Gaige Gillum and Weldon Dunston. Defensive Most Valuable Player award went to Donaldson and Charlie Ring. Maicol Sefton won the Special Teams Most Valuable Player award and Eli Middendorf claimed the Varsity Most Improved.

Football lettermen were Gaige Gillum, Jacob Weaver, Camden Raddatz, Wade Bushur, Nolan Fearday, Brock Meltabarger, Weldon Dunston, Max Buzzard, Wyatt Hayes, Nick Martin, Andrew Lotz, Brodie Belcher, Jaxon Bridges, Hayden Wendling, Maicol Sefton, Aidan Carrell, Tyson Seibert, Sean Buckman, DJ Latham, Kaden Koeberlein, Alex Hernandez Gomez, CJ Cutright, Mickey Dear, Dalton Buckels, Hunter Holland, Zach Donaldson, Logan Jones, Spencer Fox, Max Flack, Michael Love, AJ Lybarger, Fabayaun Gallon, Layne Flach, Maddox Burner, Rainier Martin, Brian Westendorf, Aiden McCarty, Will Moser, Rylan Pals, Chase Smith, Carson McBride, Brady Stortzum, Will Henderson, Jeremiah Lorton, Brayden Relle, Landon Wallace, James Wise, Eli Middendorf, Seaton Hall, Sean Flores, Bryce Hackman, Colton Webb, Hunter Reed, Logan Kessler, Maxx Kistler, Brayden Tucker, Kayden  Mietzner, Charlie Ring and Will Hecht.

Winning freshman/sophomore football awards were Will Hecht, freshman hustle award, Aiden McCarty, sophomore hustle award, Clinton Metcalf, freshman Bandit award, AJ Lybarger, sophomore Bandit award and Maxx Kistler, freshman Little Big Man award.

Effingham High School football cheerleading awards went to Jenna Simmons for Outstanding Football Cheerleader and Kayla Smith for Cheerleading Leadership award.

Cheerleading letterwinners were Kayla Smith, MaKenzie Smith, Maryssa Hackman, Laela Keyes, Isabella Harkins-Albin, Haylie Cameron, Mally Shoemaker, Lexi Tarr, Maddy Smith, Jenna Simmons, Lainey Walls, Ella Knierim, Alyssa McGregor, Alysea Buckels and Kierrah Lorton.

Winning football cheerleading awards were, left to right, Kayla Smith and Jenna Simmons.

Junior varsity special award winners were, left to right, AJ Lybarger, Will Hecht, Clint Metcalf, Aiden McCarty and Chase Smith (Jack Klosterman Hang Tough award, varsity). Not pictured was Maxx Kistler.

Named to the All-Apollo Conference were, left to right, Charlie Ring (Second Team Defensive Line), Maddox Burner (First Team Offensive Line), Andrew Lotz (Second Team Wide Receiver), Spencer Fox (Second Team Linebacker), Michael Love (First Team Defensive Lineman) and Landon Wallace (Second Team Offense Lineman). Not pictured was Weldon Dunston (First Team Running Back).