Iola High senior Bryce Misenhelter has earned all-state recognition for his work on the football field this fall.
Misenhelter earned honorable mention as a defensive lineman on the Topeka Capital Journal’s all-state Class 4A squad. The honor was announced Sunday.
Misenhelter ranked second for the Mustangs with 93 tackles — more than 10 per game — and led Iola with 52 solo stops and 12 tackles for loss. He also led the team with three quarterback sacks.
He did all this despite battling an ankle injury that slowed, but never stopped him.
With Misenhelter anchoring the defensive end position, the Mustangs went 5-4 on the season and captured their second consecutive Pioneer League championship.
OTHER AREA gridiron performers also earned all-state status.
Humboldt’s Jacob Carpenter and Hunter Murrow were recognized by both the Topeka Capital-Journal and Wichita Eagle for their work on defense on the all-state Class 3A team. Carpenter received honorable mention as a linebacker, Murrow a defensive back. Murrow also earned honorable mention on the Eagle’s all-state team as a receiver.
The Cubs finished with an 8-3 season, advancing to the second round of the 3A playoffs.
YATES CENTER was well represented, too.
The Wildcats, making their first playoff appearance since 1990 in Kansas Eight Man, Division I, were led by seniors Caleb DeNoon, Austin McNett and Robert Arnold as honorable mention all-state performers on the defensive side by the Capital-Journal. Arnold was recognized as a defensive lineman, DeNoon a linebacker and McNett a defensive back by both newspapers. Arnold also received honorable mention in the Eagle as a receiver on offense. DeNoon took honorable mention as quarterback as well by the Eagle.
The Wildcats, 7-4, advanced to the second round of the eight-man playoffs after winning their first postseason game since 1983.
Even more remarkably, the Wildcats entered the 2013 campaign with a 23-game losing streak.
CREST High’s Clayton Miller was recognized by both newspapers as an honorable mention all-state linebacker in the eight man ranks as well.
