Iola High’s single-season rushing leader Jerrik Sigg was named as the Topeka Capital-Journal’s Kansas All-Class 4A state football team’s kicker returner.
Sigg and nine area high school players — all eight-man football players — were recognized by the Capital-Journal and the Wichita Eagle with state football honors. The two newspapers released their all-state and all-class football teams Sunday.
“I was able to do what I did because of my teammates. I’m very honored to receive the all-state honors but those also go to my team,” Sigg said this week.
“Our offensive line played very well this year, allowing me to get through the holes and run with the football.”
Sigg finished the 2011 season with 1,323 yards on 220 carries. He reached that pinnacle because of a school-record performance in the season’s final game.
Sigg rushed for 353 yards on 53 carries, also a school high-water mark, in a 44-28 win over Prairie View in October. Sigg was the first Iola High player to ever lead the Southeast Kansas League ins coring.
In the Mustangs’ final season in the SEK and with just one win in league action, Sigg ended up as the league’s scoring champion.
The 6-1, 172-pound senior scored 170 points this season, sixth most in SEK history. His 26 touchdowns are fourth most in league history and Sigg is just one of 15 players who have scored 20 or more touchdowns in a season.
Sigg was named to the Capital-Journal’s Class 4A first-team defense as a returner. Sigg returned kickoffs for the Mustangs. He had 972 return yards and took three kickoffs back for touchdowns.
The Wichita Eagle afforded Sigg Class 4A honorable mention in three spots — running back, linebacker and kicker.
“I’m not sure about the kicker honor. I did kickoff for us,” Sigg laughed.
“This was a great season for me and for the team even though we only won two games. We all worked hard and I give a lot of credit to my teammates. We had to overcome some adversity but had people step up.”
Sigg was referring to the Mustangs’ starting fullback, sophomore Stephen McDonald, going down for the season early in the first game of the season. Devin Culler, a senior, moved to fullback.
“We really expected a big season from Stephen so that was a blow for us. Devin, who hadn’t ever played fullback, stepped up and did a tremendous job in the backfield for us,” Sigg said.
On defense, Sigg had 26 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles and two fumble recoveries. He moved from safety to linebacker late in the season because of injuries.
“You know, I’ve always dreamed about winning awards. You know like all young kids, you know the Heisman (Trophy, for the top college football player),” Sigg said. “This is awesome to be recognized statewide. It’s a reflection on the whole team. We didn’t have a lot of size on our line but they did the job for us up front.”
Reflecting on using the “wildcat” formation offensively, Sigg said he allowed him to see the whole field. The wildcat offense has running backs lined up in the backfield and a direct snap to a running back.
“In the position that a quarterback is usually really gives you a different perspective back there. It was the perfect offense for the athletes we had, especially after we lost Stephen out of the backfield,” Sigg said.
“Johnny (Whitworth) and Jacob (Rhoads) had some good runs off the pitch in the wildcat.”
Sigg admitted he has a tough decision to make when it comes to what he wants to do in college. Sigg is also a standout on the Iola High baseball team.
He said Emporia State and William Jewell College of Liberty, Mo., along with Kansas junior colleges have shown interest in recruiting him as a football player.
“No doubt, it will be tough. I love both sports,” Sigg said.
THREE OF FOUR area eight-man football teams had players honored by one or both newspapers. All nine players received honorable mention recognition.
Crest High’s Lancers had senior Jayden Bowen as a lineman and junior Kyle Hammond as a back by the Capital-Journal.
Bowen, Hammond and junior Jesse Boone earned honorable mention from the Wichita Eagle as defensive linemen. Also Bowen was recognized as defensive back.
Junior Jordan Morton earned honorable mention as an offensive end and Hammond was a running back by the Eagle.
Marmaton Valley High’s senior Kaleb Stroud was honored by both newspapers as a kicker. Junior Nathan Smart was named as a honorable mention lineman and junior Cole Becker was named as a back by the Topeka paper.
The Eagle honored Becker as a running back on offense and a linebacker defensively. Smart was honored as an offensive lineman.
Southern Coffey County High’s senior KEWade Seabolt earned honorable mention as a defensive lineman from the Eagle. Titan Wes Callahan, a senior, earned honorable mention as defensive back.
