Eight Trojans earn postseason honors

The 2016 season will go down as one of the best ever in the history of Whitehall High School football.

The Trojans, who finished the season with a 10-2 record and a spot in the MHSA Class B Semifinals, were well represented on the District 5B All-State and All-Conference teams.

Whitehall had four players who earned both All-State and All-Conference honors. The Trojans had another four who earned All-Conference honors.

Seniors Braden Larsen and Andrew Simon, and juniors Wyatt Alexander and Dawson Hoerauf all received All-State honors.

Larsen was also first team All-Conference at both quarterback and defensive back. Larsen finished the season with 3,423 yards passing and 37 touchdowns. He also had 816 rushing yards on 106 carries for a 7.7-yard average. He had 11 rushing touchdowns. He added had 64 tackles and team high five interceptions.

"Braden Larsen had a tremendous career as a Whitehall Trojan football player. He was a great leader an asset to our program in so many ways. He is one of the most determined athletes I have ever coached and does a great job of leading by example," head coach Dan Lacey said. "Braden scored 582 total points in his career ranking fourth all-time in Montana History. His 288 points in a single season also ranks fourth all-time. Braden's 98 career touchdowns ranks fourth all time, and his 49 total touchdowns this season ranks third all-time. Braden also threw for six touchdown passes in one game twice in his career ranking third all-time. Braden's 8,602 total offensive yards ranks fifth all time and his 4,239 this season ranks 3rd all-time. Braden was also able to gain an average of 353.25 total yards per game ranking second all-time. Braden's passing stats also won't go unnoticed in Montana history. He threw for 7,342 career passing yards ranking him fifth all-time. His 3,423 passing yards this season ranks him fourth all-time. Braden also averaged 285.25 yards passing per game this season ranking him fourth all-time. Braden has also found the record books for completions in a career with 478 (fifth all-time) and 230 this season ranking fifth all-time. He also ranks fifth all- time with 19.2 completions per game this season. His touchdown passes are also something to be proud of. Braden threw 77 touchdown passes in his career ranking him fourth all-time, and his 37 touchdown passes this season rank fourth all-time."

Simon was first team All-Conference at tight end and linebacker. Simon had 69 receptions for 1193 yards and 11 touchdowns. Simon was also the teams leading tackler with 147. He also had one interception and 10 sacks.

Lacey said Simon is a great example of a football player.

"He is physical, loves contact, and plays with an attitude that makes other teams fear him. Andrew was our leading tackler this year on defense and did a great job of replacing the tradition of great 5B linebackers. Andrew's six fumble recoveries ranks him fifth all-time in Montana history in a single season," Lacey said. "Offensively, Andrew had one of the best seasons and careers in Montana history as a receiver. His 2,323 career receiving yards rank second all time trailing only Jeff McElroy with 2,376. His senior season he totaled 1193 which ranks fourth all time in a season. His 128 career receptions ranks sixth all-time, his 69 receptions in a season ranks 8th all-time. His 99.4 receiving yards per game ranks seventh all-time, and his 23 career touchdowns ranks fifth all time in Montana history. Andrew will go down as one of the greatest football players ever to play in Whitehall and in Montana."

Hoerauf was named first team All-Conference at both offensive and defensive line. A pivotal force in the interior, Hoerauf had 76 tackles, and 20 sacks.

"Dawson was rock solid for us all year long on both the defensive and offensive line. He faced constant double teams all year long and was still able to create havoc for the opposing offense. He was a key part to our success in stopping the run heavy 5B conference and a vital member to our success on offense," Lacey said.

Alexander was first team All-Conference at receiver, and second team All-Conference at defensive back. Alexander had 64 receptions for 1,147 yards and 15 touchdowns.

"Wyatt had one of the best seasons ever for a Whitehall Trojan receiver. He is currently fifth all-time in Montana history with 15 receiving touchdowns in a single season, eighth all-time in yards in a game with 95.6, and sixth all-time in yards in a season with 1,147," Lacey said. "He also did a great job for us defensively shutting down the opposing teams best receivers. He was a true shut down corner, teams just wouldn't throw his way."

Senior Colton Noyes was named first team All-Conference at defensive end. Noyes had a team high 22 sacks and was second on the squad in tackles with 108.

"He is a great example of team first. He knew we were thin on both the offensive and defensive lines and he was willing to make the switch and he took it and ran with it. He made the most of his opportunity and turn it into one of the best defensive end seasons Whitehall football and the state of Montana has seen," Lacey said.

Sophomore Sawyer Keener was named second-team All-Conference at linebacker. Keener was third on the team in tackles with 92.

"Sawyer had a great season for us defensively. He played just about all of our linebacker positions as well as some time at safety, and did everything we asked him to do and then some. His attention to detail and film study was a huge key to our success defensively," Lacey said.

Junior Braden Smith was named second team All-Conference at both running back and punter. Smith had 439 yards rushing on 73 carries and scored six touchdowns. Smith averaged 40.5 yards a punt.

"Braden had a great season for us as a running back/ receiver and punter. Braden is so versatile and willing to do whatever is asked of him to make the team better. He was one of our best contributors in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, and special teams) and we are very lucky to have such a productive player in our program," Lacey said.

Sophomore Connor Johnson was named second-team All-Conference at kick returner. He had 11 kick returns for 398 yards.

"Connor is one of the most explosive players on our team. When the ball is in his hands good things happen. He did a tremendous job for us this year in the return game. He was very close numerous times this season to taking a punt or kick return to the house and I look forward to continued success from Connor in the future," Lacey said.

Looking back on the season, Lacey said all in all this Whitehall football team achieved great things with a group of great players and teammates.

"I want to thank all of them for their hard work and dedication to the program. I also want to thank my coaches for the all the hours they put into making this team successful. I would also like to thank the parents and community for all of the support you gave this team throughout the season, it didn't go unnoticed or unappreciated," he said. "Lastly I would like to thank the Whitehall Ledger for their continued support throughout the season. Your dedication to what you do is appreciated."