This story is sponsored by Victory Apparel
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
Four local football players have been selected to play in the annual Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Games, which will be played Saturday, July 16, at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh.
The annual games, pitting graduated seniors for the North against the South in both Large School and Small School divisions, will be played at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s home stadium. The Small School game will begin at 2 p.m. and the Large School game is set for 6 p.m.
There will also be an 8-man all-star game at 10 a.m.
Proceeds from the game and fund-raising events by the players benefit Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Marshfield running back Nick Hoheisel and tight end Zach McManus will play for the North in the Large School game, while Stratford defensive back Jesse Dickmann and Spencer/Columbus Catholic offensive lineman Elijah Welsh have been picked to play for the North team in the Small School contest.
Spencer/Columbus Catholic coach Jason Gorst will serve as an assistant on the North team’s coaching staff in the Small School game.
Hoheisel led the Valley Football Association South Division in rushing with 1,449 yards and was third in overall scoring with 96 points (16 touchdowns) in earning unanimous first-team all-VFA South and WFCA all-Northwest Region accolades in 2015.
McManus was named the VFA South Wide Receiver/Tight End of the Year and was a first-team all-conference selection at tight end after catching 16 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He also was a second-team all-VFA pick at punter and an honorable mention choice at kicker for the Tigers.
Dickman was a first-team all-Marawood Conference selection at defensive back, and Welsh was a first-team all-Cloverbelt Conference pick at offensive line last fall.
Gorst, the Cloverbelt Conference Coach of the Year, led the Rockets to a 13-1 record and an appearance in the WIAA Division 5 state championship game where Spencer/Columbus lost to Amherst 42-0.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” Gorst said. “I’m really proud of Elijah. He had a great career and he will represent us well, and for me it’s just an honor to be selected and go down and coach with a lot of coaches who have had a lot more success than me and learn from them. I look forward to the opportunity.”
Other Central Wisconsin athletes picked for the game include Stevens Point wide receiver Victor Kizewski and Wisconsin Rapids offensive lineman Jack Vruwink on the North Large team, and Edgar defensive back Austin Borchardt, Marathon linebacker Sam Buchberger, and Colby offensive lineman Eric Jorgenseon on the North Small squad.
For complete rosters go online to wifca.org. Anyone can make a donation on behalf of a player or coach, or a general donation, at chwevents.org. Click on the “Get Involved” tab to find out how.