Citizen Staff/James Wold
Randolph senior linebacker Zach Reuter, right, had 69 tackles in 2009 and was named the Small Trailways' Player of the Year.
Switching positions can be a difficult move to make – especially for a senior.
Randolph senior Zach Reuter made the transition look easy.
Moving from fullback to offensive lineman, Reuter anchored a Rockets squad that shared the Small Trailways title in 2009.
His ability to dominate as a lineman and inside linebacker made Reuter the conference’s Player of the Year.
“He was very consistent throughout the year,” Rockets coach Pat Winch said. “He was never out of position.”
Reuter was the heart and soul of a defense that posted shutouts in half of its conference games while allowing just 27 total points in Small play. Reuter finished with 69 tackles, including 30 solo.
“Every single defensive call – blitzes, coverages – were made by Zach,” Winch said. “The way we had our 52 defense set up, Zach and Brandon Zimmerman were responsible for 60 percent of our tackles.”
Other conference coaches were highly impressed with Reuter.
“Zach Reuter’s a tough football player,” Hustisford coach Dan Simon said. “He was a dominant linebacker for Randolph. He’s just a playmaker on the field.
“I think every team would want a player like Zach.”
Reuter’s leadership ability extended off the field. During the summer lifting season, Reuter would take younger kids without licenses in his car and bring them to the high school.
He would also stay for extra lifting to help the younger players out.
“He was a coach on and off the field for us,” Winch said.
Another Rockets player – Brian Kampstra – was also first-team performer at two positions. The junior running back/defensive back was fifth in the conference in rushing (72 carries, 520 yards) and second in interceptions (three).
“Brian really came on strong,” Winch said. “He was a complete team player.
“He had some great carries and had the ability to stretch the defense.”
Other Rockets on the first team included junior wide receiver T.J. Huizenga, senior defensive lineman Tommy Pocernich (three sacks) and junior linebacker Jon Roberts.
Hustisford senior Adam Falkenthal was a first-team quarterback (45-for-82, 651 yards) and kicker (18-for-20 extra points). Senior wide receiver Brett Hildebrandt led the league in receiving (17 receptions, 364 yards).
Junior Aaron Fenner was honored at inside linebacker (72 tackles, 21 solo).
Running back Manny Ramirez (107 carries, 891 yards) paced Cambria-Friesland’s first-team honorees. Nathan Weyh made the squad as a tight end. The Toppers also had four linemen recognized, including offensive linemen Kye Leystra and Mario Leija as well as defensive linemen Nate Braaksma and Gus Zavala.
Fall River had two defensive backs – senior Dylan Rabl (four INTs) and junior Dexter Oelke (three INTs) – honored while junior Deon Robbins (89 tackles) made the team as an inside linebacker.
Trailways Conference
All-Small Division Football, 2009
First team: QB - Adam Falkenthal, Hustisford, Sr.; RB - Manny Ramirez, Cambria-Friesland, Jr.; Tyler Bozacki, Madison Abundant Life, Jr.; Brian Kampstra, Randolph, Jr.; WR - Brett Hildebrandt, Hustisford, Sr.; T.J. Huizenga, Randolph, Jr.; Brandon Nelson, MAL, Sr.; TE - Nathan Weyh, C-F, Sr.; Grant Moon, Rio, Sr.; OL - Kye Leystra, C-F, Sr.; Zach Reuter, Randolph, Sr.; Mario Leija, C-F, Sr.; Ty Kearney, Rio, Jr.; Jimmy Treslley, MAL, Sr.; DB - Brian Kampstra, Randolph, Jr.; Dylan Rabl, Fall River, Sr.; Dexter Oelke, Fall River, Jr.; Brandon Nelson, MAL, Sr.; ILB - Zach Reuter, Randolph, Sr.; Deon Robbins, Fall River, Jr.; Leo Schaefer, MAL, Sr.; Aaron Fenner, Hustisford, Jr.; OLB - Robbie Fugiel, Rio, Sr.; Jon Roberts, Randolph, Jr.; DL - Nate Braaksma, C-F, Sr.; Tommy Pocernich, Randolph, Sr.; Jimmy Treslley, MAL, Sr.; Gus Zavala, C-F, Jr.; Danny Strause, Rio, Jr.; P - Alex Pfeil, Williams Bay, Sr.; K - Adam Falkenthal, Hustisford, Sr.; SPT - Leo Schaefer, MAL, Sr.
Player of the Year - Zach Reuter, Randolph, Sr.
Second team: QB - Ben Syvertson, Randolph, Sr.; Jordan Prochnow, C-F, Jr.; RB - Aaron Fenner, Hustisford, Jr.; Danny Strause, Rio, Jr.; WR - Sam Wiersma, C-F, Sr.; TE - Brandon Zimmerman, Randolph, Jr.; Sam Agnew, Fall River, Jr.; OL - Tim Jaynes, Fall River, Sr.; Matt Dachs, Hustisford, Sr.; Nate Braaksma, C-F, Sr.; Tyler Klingman, MAL, Sr.; Joey Frea, Rio, Jr.; ILB - Adam Falkenthal, Hustisford, Sr.; Ryan Connolly, Hustisford, Jr.; OLB - Zach Bubolz, C-F, Jr.; DL - Anthony Wendt, Randolph, Jr.; Matt Dachs, Hustisford, Sr.; Ty Kearney, Rio, Jr.; Michael Shane, MAL, Jr.; Kyle Marks, Fall River, So.; Kevin Bruning, MAL, Sr.; Derric Francis, Rio, Jr.; P - Mike Roe, Hustisford, Fr.; Danny Strause, Rio, Jr.; Darren Neuman, Fall River, Jr.; Brian Kampstra, Randolph, Jr.; K - Teddy Gerry, MAL, Sr.; Ty Kearney, Rio, Jr.; Deon Robbins, Fall River, Jr.; SPT - Dylan Ashley, C-F, Sr.; Dexter Oelke, Fall River, Jr.; Cody Krohn, Hustisford, Jr.