Hawks named all-conference

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

HOUSTON - The Houston Hawks were once again just short of earning a spot in the postseason. But that does not mean Houston was not recognized as a good football team.

With a look at the All-Great Land Conference squads, it is apparent the talents of the Hawks was noticed.

Houston claimed seven spots on the first team, nine others on the second team and three honorable mentions on the squads selected by Great Land Conference coaches.

Six of Houston's first-team all-conference selections were on offense.

&#8220We had great recognition offensively,” Houston head coach Norm Bouchard said. &#8220Only two of the players I nominated on offense did not make the first team.”

Fullback Bradd Erickson, wide receivers David Monteil and Donovan Parker, center Clinton Banzhof, guard Jeremy Grube and tackle Chris Minsch were named to the first team. Long snapper Tyler Strickland also earned first-team honors.

The two notable omissions, and Bouchard's other two nominees, were quarterback Ryan Thamm and running back Karl Thistle. Thamm and Thistle were both second-team selections, with statistics worthy of first-team status. Bouchard said Houston's third-place finish in the Great Land Conference contributed to those omissions - especially in Thistle's case.

Thistle, a junior, rushed for a team-high 1,089 yards and nine touchdowns. But first-place Eielson and second-place Nikiski also had first-team caliber backs. Eielson junior Nick Rogers and Nikiski senior Justin Tumbaga were given the first-team spots. Bouchard said team finish was essentially the tie-breaker between Rogers, Tumbaga and Thistle.

&#8220To keep Karl out of there about killed me,” Bouchard said. &#8220When you're the third team, it's hard to argue when they beat you heads up. Everybody's got a good running back, and that was the difference.”

Seward's Cody Beck earned first-team honors at quarterback.

&#8220It came right down to the fact that he was everything Seward has,” Bouchard said.

Thamm enjoyed a break-out junior year. In his second season at the position, Thamm threw for 754 yards and 12 touchdowns. This from a quarterback who was fighting for his job when the season began.

Thistle's backfield mate, Erickson, earned first-team honors following his first year as a fullback.

&#8220Coming off the offensive line, everything was brand new,” Bouchard said. &#8220Teams couldn't key on the tailback.”

Erickson rushed for more than 600 yards during his senior year, and topped the 100-yard mark twice.

Four Hawks earned multiple all-conference honors. Junior Donovan Parker added second-team defensive back, second-team utility and honorable mention return specialist to his first-team wide receiver honor. Monteill was named second-team defensive back and second-team punter in addition to first-team wide receiver. Minsch earned the nod at second-team linebacker, while Grube was chosen as a second-team defensive lineman.

Also selected to the second team was defensive lineman Keith Grillot.

Mallory Smyth (inside linebacker) and Blake Elder (defensive back) were honorable mentions.

&#8220Mallory Smyth played every single defensive position during his career at Houston High School,” Bouchard said. &#8220He's always solid at whatever you ask him to do. He went and did it hard.”