By Stuart Groskreutz
Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Versatile junior Nate Ricci was named the Most Valuable Player for the Stillwater football team during its postseason awards banquet on Monday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stillwater.

Ricci, who played all over the field, becomes just the third junior to be named MVP for the Ponies - joining an impressive list that includes two-time honorees Gregg Thompson (1976 and 1977) and Aaron Runk (1994 and 1995).

Ricci helped the Ponies finish with a 7-3 record, including 6-2 to place third in the Suburban East Conference. Stillwater, under the direction of first-year head coach Beau LaBore, was defeated by Mounds View 19-18 in the Section 2AAAAA semifinals.

He was joined in earning All-Suburban East Conference honors by teammates Cartier Alexander, Nick Anderson, Sam Hodnefield, Cody Holsten, Zach Krenz and Charlie Register. Sebastian Borges, Sam Brynestad, Zac Houle, Billy Wagner, Joshua Weess and Mike Wicker were honorable mention all-conference sections.

Playing in nine games, Ricci completed 37 of 75 passes for 474 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 802 yards on 143 carries (5.6 avg.) with nine touchdowns. He finished with 1,276 yards of total offense, including 270 (194 rushing and 76 passing) in Stillwater's 33-6 homecoming victory over East Ridge - to single game total that ranks third on the team's all-time list.

Anderson led the Ponies with 849 rushing yards on 185 attempts (4.6 avg.) with eight touchdowns.

Four of Stillwater's seven all-conference picks - Holsten anchored the offensive line - saw most of their time on defense, led by Krenz who finished with a team-high 156 defensive points. Alexander missed the early part of the season while recovering from injury and ranked fourth with 127 points, including a team-leading six sacks. Register, who also contributed on offense and special teams, totaled 111 points while Hodnefield finished with 97 defensive points.

Holsten also received the Pete Miller, Jr. Memorial Award, which is named after the former Ponies offensive lineman who died in a 1980 car accident.

Krenz was chosen MVP on defense by his teammates and Ricci was honored the MVP Offense award. Krenz also received the Big Red Hitter award and was the Kearney Memorial Award winner, which is presented in honor of former Ponies diehard fan Richard Kearney, who went through a 50-year stretch while never missing a Stillwater football game. The award honors Krenz's outstanding career.

The two-way performer was also the only player from the SEC - and the first Stillwater player since Greg Klancher in 1998 - to receive Academic All-State honors from the Minnesota Football Coaches Association.

Ricci received All-State honors from the Pioneer Press and was an All-Metro Third Team selection by the Star Tribune. Krenz was an honorable mention all-state pick by the Pioneer Press and Ricci was all-state honorable mention in voting by the Associated Press.

Wicker ranked second for the Ponies with 134 defensive points and was named the Most Improved Player on defense. Lineman Kyle Kazmierczak was named the Most Improved Player on offense.

Borges was presented the Coaches Award and Sam Brynestad, who recovered five fumbles and ranked third on the team with 132 defensive points, was named Mr. Weight Room.

Register was honored for his versatility and numerous contributions with the Mr. Football Award. The Scout Players of the Year for the Ponies were Connor O'Neill on defense and Ross Markham on offense.

To cap the brisk-paced festivities, the Ponies also announced that Austin Conery, Cody Floen, Hodnefield and Ricci will serve as captains for the 2012 team.

Football

All-Conference: Cartier Alexander, Nick Anderson, Sam Hodnefield, Cody Holsten, Zach Krenz, Charlie Register and Nate Ricci; All-Conference Honorable Mention: Sebastian Borges, Sam Brynestad, Zac Houle, Billy Wagner, Joshua Weess and Mike Wicker; Star Tribune All-Metro Third Team: Nate Ricci; Pioneer Press All-State: Nate Ricci; Pioneer Press All-State Honorable Mention: Zach Krenz; Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention: Nate Ricci; MFCA Academic All-State: Zach Krenz; Scout Defense Player Award: Connor O'Neill; Scout Offense Player Award: Ross Markham; Most Improved Defense: Mick Wicker; Most Improved Offense: Kyle Kazmierczak; Coaches Award: Sebastian Borges; Mr. Weight Room: Sam Brynestad; Mr. Football: Charlie Register; Big Red Hitter: Zach Krenz; Pete Miller Jr. Memorial Award: Cody Holsten; Kearney Memorial Award: Zach Krenz; MVP Defense: Zach Krenz; MVP Offense: Nate Ricci; Most Valuable Player: Nate Ricci; Captains elect: Austin Conery, Cody Floen, Sam Hodnefield and Nate Ricci.