10 players from the Pierre Governors are on the 11AA All-State Football team, as chosen by the South Dakota High School Football Coaches Association.
Lincoln Kienholz is the quarterback. The University of Washington commit passed for 3,422 yards and 46 touchdowns this season while rushing for 1,435 yards and 24 touchdowns. Kienholz, a senior, is South Dakota’s all-time passing yardage leader with 9,100. He also rushed for over 3,500 yards in his career.
Junior Jett Zabel led the Governors in receptions with 54 and receiving touchdowns with 13. He had 842 yards in receptions.
Senior Jack Merkwan had 48 catches for 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns to set career school records in those three categories with 123 catches, 2,706 yards (also the best ever in 11AA) and 28 touchdowns.
Junior Matthew Coverdale and senior Christian Busch represent Pierre’s offensive line. Coverdale played at one guard spot and Busch was at center.
Jason Maciecjzak, a senior, came to Pierre after three seasons at Douglas High School and had three sacks, six tackles for losses and 21 ½ total tackles.
Senior middle linebacker Gavin Stotts was the Governors’ leading tackler with 106. He also had three sacks and 18 tackles for losses.
Jacob Mayer, a senior cornerback, had an interception, a sack, two tackles for losses and 33 total tackles.
Junior Cade Kaiser made the All-State team as an athlete. Kaiser was second on the Governors in touchdown catches with 12 with 35 receptions for 735 yards. He caught what is believed to be the longest play in school history, a 97-yard touchdown pass in Pierre’s 11AA semifinal win over Yankton.
Senior Jayden Wiebe made All-State as a special teams player. Wiebe returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, including a 98-yard return against Aberdeen Central.
Kienholz was named as the “All-American” in 11AA.
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