Football: Dickelman named offensive back of year in Bay

SHAWANO — Coming into the fall season, opposing teams knew Brayden Dickelman would be the focal point of the Shawano Community High School football team’s offense.

It didn’t matter.

Dickelman had a senior season to remember, not only leading the Hawks to a playoff appearance, but also earning first team honors in the Bay Conference as a running back. He also was named the recipient of the Offensive Back of the Year award.

“When I found out I was named Back of the Year, I was little shocked in all honesty,” said Dickelman, who set the Shawano single season rushing record with 1,326 yards in the regular season (1,386 yards including the playoffs). “It was a kind of a secondary goal for me and I knew I had a shot of getting it but was not highly anticipating it. So with that, it meant a lot more and is probably the highest recognition I have received so far in my career and it feels amazing.”

Over the team’s 10 games, Dickelman scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. The senior averaged an eye-popping 7.1 yards per carry.

Dickelman was also sure to thank his teammates for helping him achieve the awards.

“Without a doubt they receive tons of credit,” Dickelman said. “We came in this year and we knew what we wanted to do and coach (Al) Tomow challenged our lineman and I think they handled it very well. Our receivers also did a fantastic job on the perimeter blocking as well. None of my success would be possible without them.”

What makes Dickelman’s offensive accomplishments even more impressive is the fact that Dickelman played linebacker on the defensive side of the ball. He earned honorable mention status at that position.

Two of Dickelman’s blockers, seniors Chase Huntington and Ben Smits, also earned all-conference honors.

Huntington made the second team as a tight end, catching nine passes for 81 yards to go along with his strong blocking.

“Earning the second team honor means a lot,” said Huntington. “Being a run-first offense and not receiving many passes, it’s great to get recognized by other coaches for the amount of work I put into this sport.”

Smits made the honorable mention list as an offensive lineman.

Huntington was one of four Hawks to make the all-conference second team.

Sophomore Elliott Lowney was tabbed to the second team as a wide receiver after leading the Bay in receiving yards.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the all-conference second team in this conference where we have a lot of good teams. Also, to be recognized for all the hard work really feels good” said Lowney, who caught 45 passes for 900 yards and eight touchdowns.

Lowney admitted he was upset when he learned he didn’t make the first team, but said he’d use it as motivation “to prove to those coaches why I am indeed the best receiver in the conference.”

The sophomore caught nine passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the season-ending playoff loss to West De Pere on Oct. 25.

Senior Ben Carroll (defensive back) and junior Trace Yeager (defensive end) helped the Shawano defense take a big leap forward this season.

Like Lowney, Yeager was happy to be recognized, but is ready to take a step forward next season.

“I feel like I deserve more than a second team, so next year I will fight and practice harder so I can get a first team for my last year of high school,” said Yeager.

Joining Dickelman and Smits on the honorable mention team was junior Nick Kohn, who made the list as a defensive lineman.

Clintonville

In the North Eastern Conference, Clintonville was unable to earn a conference win, finishing the season with a 1-8 overall record.

Junior Nathan Morse was the lone Trucker to land on an all-conference team. Morse earned honorable mention status as a defensive back.

Morse finished the year with 44 tackles and intercepted a pair of passes.

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