The Menomonie Mustangs football season ended in round one of playoffs v.s. Onalaska, finishing as a 4-6 team. Following this season, the coaches of the Big Rivers Conference huddled together to highlight the outstanding players in the conference.
The Big Rivers conference includes Menomonie, Rice Lake, River Falls, Hudson, Chippewa Falls, and Superior. These teams were a part of the Mustangs regular season schedule and all of these opposing conference teams picked to honor Menomonie’s game changers. The All-Conference team rosters were composed of 2 teams, one player for each position in offense, defense, and special teams. With an honorable mention category as well, it allows many hard working athletes to be recognized. Menomonie’s award winners are as follows:
Shepard (Sr)-1st team offensive line
Luke Pember (Sr)- 2nd team outside linebacker
DJ Butler (Jr)- 2nd team running back
Max Erickson (Sr)- 2nd team defensive end
Luke Bystol (Sr)- HM tight end
Max Branch (Sr)- HM offensive line
Bailey Casey (Sr)- HM defensive back
Charlie Mikesell (Sr)- HM special teams specialist
This award can create many emotions and give insight towards players that are respected throughout the conference. We asked a few of these recipients what this award can mean.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Bailey Casey, a Senior Captain of the football team. “I feel like the players that were represented from our team for most of the leaders like our captains were recognized as all conference players and all the other people that got the award have had a great work ethic throughout their High School career and deserve it.”
“It made me proud, it was a good feeling to see all of the hard work we have put in as a team and for myself and glad I could do it for the school.” said Luke Pember, a Senior Captain of the football team. When asked how he felt about being recognized as an all conference player.
We asked Luke if he felt like the award recognized all of your hard work and if it helped the culture of the team. Luke said “yes mine and my team’s work was recognized and it really helps bring light to the team as a whole and the school.”
This award is a great honor and recognizes these player’s years of hard work. These strong Mustangs have cemented themselves in school history and will remain in elite company from a long line of Menomonie talent. Good luck to all hardworking Mustang’s in their future endeavors!
