HURON — A pair of Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central were named to the Class 11B all-state team, which was selected by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association and announced Monday.

Another player for the Blackhawks and one from Miller/Highmore-Harrold received honorable mention.

Selected to the Class 11B offensive unit for W/WS/SC was junior Ryder Michalek in a wide receiver spot.
Michalek had 49 catches this season for 816 yards, which game hime a 16.6-yard average. He also had six touchdown catches and three conversion receptions.

“Ryder is one of the most dedicated kids I have ever coached,” Woonsocket/Wessington Springs/Sanborn Central coach Kenny Huether said. “He has a tremendous work ethic both in and out of season and shows up every day with a great attitude. His overall commitment makes those players around him better.”

Joining Michalek on the Class 11B team was senior Blake Larson as a defensive back.

During his senior campaign, Larson recorded 47 tackles to go along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He finished his high school career with 94 tackles, 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

“Blake is a very intelligent football player, almost like a coach on the field,” Huether said. “His diversity allowed us to use him in multiple positions both offensively and defensively.

“Combine his intelligence with his athleticism and it makes him a very good football player,” he said.

Junior Holden Havlik earned honorable mention for the Blackhawks. The 6-3, 215-pound junior was 114 of 203 passing for 1,752 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.

Havlik also carried the ball 82 times for 542 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Holden has an incredible arm and build. He has been a three-year starter at QB and works very hard at his craft,” Huether said. “He has always been a good passer, but this year added the running aspect to his game and became a true dual threat QB. Because of his arm strength, he makes plays most kids can only dream about.”

Earning honorable mention on the Class 11B squad for Miller/Highmore-Harrold was tightend/halfback Colby Kolda. The 6-1, 170-pound junior had 691 rushing yards and four touchdowns and 278 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season.

“Colby has been a workhorse this year,” Miller/Highmore-Harrold coach Travis Heasley said. “He was the center of our offense and was a force to take down. He had some incredible highlight reel runs.”