Running back Zach Knox has been named the Most Valuable Player for 2013 Ponies Football team. The award was announced at the annual postseason banquet on December 2nd at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stillwater.

 

Knox, a junior, was also named Offensive MVP. Senior linebacker David Peterson was awarded Defensive MVP. Each of the MVP honors are the result of team vote.

 

In addition, Knox was named to the all-conference squad. He was joined by seniors Brian Branch and Peter Palecek and junior Matt Anderson. Players receiving honorable mention all-conference recognition includes senior Nick Brevitz and juniors Andrew Lammers and DJ Skie.

 

Knox racked up several school records putting him in the #1, #5, and #6 spots in the single game rushing category. He set Stillwater's single game rushing record and single game total offense record when he ran for 294 yards against White Bear Lake.

 

Knox also finished high on Stillwater’s lists for season rushing (3^rd, 294 Carries*/1547 yds, 5.3 avg, 17 tds, 171.9 yds/per game* - * indicates all-time records for these two categories), career rushing (5th, 411 carries/ 2161 yds/ 5.3 avg/ 23 Tds), and all-purpose yards (#3, WBL: 294 rush, 0 rec, 0 pr, 21 kr, total yds 315).

 

Palecek, a senior offensive lineman, was a big reason that Knox was able to set those records. He earned the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award. The Kearney Memorial Award went to senior quarterback Trevor Tillett for his outstanding career achievements.

 

Several additional awards were handed on out Monday. Junior Taylor Howe (defense) and senior Jack Hamel (offense) were named the team’s Scout Player(s) of the Year while Branch (defense) and Cal Rorabeck (offense) were named the Most Improved Players.

 

Junior Jake Maclean earned the Coaches Award while senior Oliver O'Keefe was named Mr. Weight Room. The Big Red Hitter Award was not given out this year as no player received 70% of the vote. Versatile junior DJ Skie received the Mr. Football Award. The Player-Coach Whistle Award – not a regular team award – was given to two returning starters who were unable to play a down of football for us, but were integral to the success of our team. That award went to senior captain Jake Olson and senior Ryan Peltier, who suffered season ending injuries before the end of the first week.

 

In addition, the team earned Silver Academic Award for the second consecutive year through the Minnesota Football Coaches Association.

 

Also announced at the banquet is that Matt Anderson, Ryan Floen, Zach Knox, Andrew Lammers, and Ian Weisbrod will serve as captains for the 2014 Ponies.

 

It's worth noting that the 10-12 grade players combined to serve over 1,500 hours to our community and world.

 

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2013 season a success!

 

 

Stillwater Ponies Football Awards

 

Scout Defense Player: Taylor Howe

Scout Offense Player: Jack Hamel

Scout Defense & Scout Offense Player, Est. 2005 (STAFF DECISION) – The player showed great effort, attention to detail, and insisted on personal improvement while demonstrating the opposition’s personnel and scheme to the best of his ability. These players gave the defense or offense the “best look” throughout the season.

 

Most Improved – Defense: Brian Branch

Most Improved – Offense: Cal Rorabeck

Most Improved Player: Offense & Defense, Est. 1975 (STAFF DECISION) – The player who showed the greatest improvement either from one season to the next or from beginning of one season to its end. A player on each side of the ball is recognized.

 

Coaches Award: Jake McLean

Coaches Award, Est. 1973 (STAFF DECISION) – The underclassman who contributed to the varsity team, but in a way that surpasses the coaching staff’s anticipated expectations. In other words, this player represents a pleasant surprise to the team through their on-the-field performance.

 

Mr. Weight Room: Oliver O’Keefe

Mr. Weight Room, Est. 1983 (STAFF DECISION) – The player who was our finest example in the weight room. This player rarely, if ever, misses a workout, shows consistent and unmatched effort, continuous improvement, enthusiasm, and makes others better because he is there.

 

Mr. Football: DJ Skie

Mr. Football, Est. 1983 (STAFF DECISION) – The player who was called to do more than any other player on the team. This player is a presence on offense, defense, special teams, and simply “wears the most hats.”

 

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman – Peter Palecek

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award, Est. 1980 (OL AND TE VOTE FOR A SENIOR OL) – This award was called the Pete Miller, Jr. Memorial from 1980-2012. Pete was an offensive lineman whose life was shortened by a car accident in 1980. For 32 years, Pete’s parents, Pete, Sr. and Marilyn, funded this award in Pete’s memory to recognize the hard work and dedication of a lineman who performed his best when called upon in a position that often goes unrewarded. It continues today under the title Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

 

Big Red Hitter Award: NONE (49% & 44%)

Big Red Hitter Award, Est. 1966 (MUST GET 70% PLAYER VOTE) – The player was a physical presence. The player hits hard throughout the game in any or all facets of the game.

 

MVP – Defense: David Peterson

MVP – Offense: Zach Knox

MVP: Defense, Est. 1971 & MVP: Offense, Est. 2010 (PLAYER VOTE) – The Most Valuable Player on the defense/ offense.

 

MVP: Zach Knox

MVP, Est. 1971 (PLAYER VOTE) – The Most Valuable Player on the football team.

 

Kearney Memorial: Trevor Tillett

Kearney Memorial, Est. 1979 (COMMUNITY HEADED BY ERIC THOLE) – Richard Kearney was a lifelong resident and businessman in the Stillwater community. Kearney was also an avid Stillwater athletics fan who had a stretch of 50 years in which he did not miss a Ponies football game. In memory of Kearney’s love of the game and his favorite team his family established this award to recognize the Pony football player whose career was most successful on and off the football field.

 

All Conference: Brian Branch, Peter Palecek, Matt Anderson, Zach Knox

Honorable Mention: Nick Brevitz, DJ Skie, Andrew Lammers

All Conference & Honorable Mention (STAFF DECISION) – Each team is awarded one All Conference player for each win the team earns plus one additional selection. Honorable Mention recognizes players who were considered for All Conference. All Conference is at the discretion of the coaching staff. Players are chosen based on their performance in the regular season games and overall contributions to the team.

 

All Metro (Star Tribune and Pioneer Press): Peter Palecek

 

Captains: Matt Anderson, Ryan Floen, Zach Knox, Andrew Lammers, Ian Weisbrod

Captains, Est. 1971 (PLAYER AND COACHES VOTE) – The captains are chosen by their teammates to be the primary leaders of the team. These young men will be expected to carry the mission and vision of the program throughout the months leading up to and during the season. The players select these peers because they believe they will represent and promote the importance of good character, academic achievement, athletic improvement and performance, football, and the team. It is an extraordinary recognition that must be met with extra time, investment, and expectations.