Published: November 16, 2009 06:55 am      

Johnson, Camp earn top honors in MAC football

Six River Kings placed on first team

By Jon Gremmels

Herald Sports Editor

CLINTON — For anyone who saw David Johnson dominate Mississippi Athletic Conference opponents this fall, there could be little question that he was the most valuable player in the league.

The conference coaches certainly thought so.

Johnson, the senior running back/receiver/cornerback who led Clinton to an undefeated conference title, was named Player of the Year in the MAC. Clinton’s Lee Camp was rewarded, too, as Coach of the Year. And six River Kings were named to the first team, three on both sides of the ball.

“It’s really a compliment of them and the kids around them,” Camp said of the first-team honors.

There certainly was no question in his mind that Johnson deserved the top award.

“I’m biased, but he caused more people to adjust their game plans than any other people did,” Camp said.

Johnson, who also was named to the All-MAC first team at running back and cornerback, rushed for a conference-leading 1,159 yards, caught 12 passes for 237 yards and scored 31 touchdowns during the regular season. Among his highlights were a five-touchdown game in the season opener against Davenport North and a six-score effort with 259 yards rushing on only seven carries against Davenport Central. Amazingly, he carried the ball just once after the first quarter in those two games.

“On offense, I think he had a lot more leg drive and was a lot stronger,” Camp said. “There were times he could break tackles or carry people for extra yards. On defense, David had to do a crash course in learning on defense. He really did a nice job. That’s where some of his conditioning came in. He really pressed some guys on defense.”

As for the coaching honor, Camp said that credit belonged to the entire staff.

“That’s a compliment to the coaching staff,” he said. “They put my name on it, but a lot of credit goes to the coaches throughout the program who worked hard.”

Seniors Jake Mangler and Sean Mulholland also were named to the first team on both offense and defense.

Mangler, a quarterback/safety, passed for 689 yards and rushed for 427 in MAC competition.

“I think what helped Jake was he ran the ball, too,” Camp said. “When he did get to throw it, his percentage was pretty high. (He made) a remarkable amount (of improvement as senior); even as the year went on, he kept improving. He’s been real good on the defensive side three years. We could gamble a lot on defense because Jake was back there. He was a pretty sure tackler. He gave us a lot of security behind everybody.”

Mulholland, a student at Prince of Peace, was selected at offensive tackle and defensive end.

“He obviously impressed the other coaches as much as he impressed me,” Camp said “Sometimes it’s easy to get overlooked on the offensive line. He was real valuable on both sides of ball. I can look at times he dominated on one side or the other.”

Clinton’s other tackle, Steve Ralston, also earned first-team honors, as did defensive tackle Austin Krick and linebacker Blake Pennock.

“Steve has tremendous strength and good feet,” Camp said. “He and Mulholland — we attacked outside a lot, and they were the tackles getting the reach blocks.”

Krick, a first-team pick last year, was the leader of a defense that limited opponents to fewer than 2 yards a carry. He led Clinton with 81 tackles in the MAC season, including 20 for loss.

“All year he gave offensive linemen fits,” Camp said. “He kept pressure on the quarterbacks. He keeps coming at you. He earned it last year, and I thought he definitely was better this year, even though he picked up more double teams.”

Pennock, a junior, was in on 59 tackles.

“Blake did a nice job maturing this year to where he was flying to the ball,” Camp said.

Clinton also had six players each chosen for the second and third teams, with five other players receiving honorable mention.

The second-team picks were Hatheway, center Zach Freudenberg, defensive tackle Eric Pruitt, linebacker Ryan Cassidy, defensive back Tyler Morehead and punter Wyatt Klooster. All but Pruitt were seniors.

FIRST TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Jake Mangler (Sr.), Clinton. Running backs — Ryan Byrne (Sr.), Davenport Assumption; Cody Lambert (Sr.), Davenport Central; David Johnson (Sr.), Clinton; Tim Martinez (Sr.), Pleasant Valley. Tight end — Joe Daniel (Sr.), Assumption. Wideouts — Keyvan Rudd (Sr.), Central; Nick Echols (Sr.), Central; Travis Anderson (Jr.), North Scott. Linemen — Sam Gervase (Sr.), Assumption; Jeremy Jacobsen (Sr.), Bettendorf; Josh Behrendt (Sr.), Central; Steve Ralston (Sr.), Clinton; Sean Mulholland (Sr.), Clinton. Kicker — Sam Jurgena (Sr.), Central.

Defense

Linemen — Sam Gervase (Sr.), Davenport Assumption; Brody Berrie (Jr.) Bettendorf; Austin Krick (Sr.), Clinton; Sean Mulholland (Sr.), Clinton; Issac Ales (Jr.), Muscatine. Linebackers — Daniel Byrne (Sr.), Bettendorf; Trent Moorehead (Sr.), Bettendorf; Luke Riley (Sr.), Burlington; Blake Pennock (Jr.), Clinton. Secondary — Ryan Byrne (Sr.), Davenport Assumption; Louis Kranovich (Sr.), Bettendorf; Jake Mangler (Sr.), Clinton; David Johnson (Sr.), Clinton; Alex Rankin (Sr.), North Scott; Tim Martinez (Sr.), Pleasant Valley. Punter — Daniel Byrne (Sr.), Bettendorf, Mitch Michaelis (Jr.), Pleasant Valley.

SECOND TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Cody Manthe (Sr.), North Scott. Running backs — Chris Sanders (Sr.), Bettendorf; Ty Hatheway (Sr.), Clinton; Aaron Huber (Jr.), North Scott; Logan Corrigan (Sr.), Davenport West. Wideouts — Tom Carroll (Sr.), Davenport Assumption; Bryce Ewan (Sr.), Bettendorf; Gage Ridenour (Jr.), Bettendorf. Tight end — Jake Mirfield (Sr.) North Scott. Linemen — Ben Rienartz (Jr.), Assumption; Jordan Spires (Sr.) Bettendorf; Zach Freudenberg (Sr.), Clinton; Nick Hubner, (Sr.), North Scott; Colten Bartholomew (Sr.), Pleasant Valley. Kicker — Alex Garbin (Sr.), Pleasant Valley.

Defense

Linemen — Tyler Swope (Jr.), Davenport Assumption; Brian Khoury (Sr.), Bettendorf; Justin Boyd (Jr.), Burlington; Travis Plambeck (Sr.), Davenport Central; Eric Pruitt (Jr.), Clinton; Jake Mirfield (Sr.), North Scott. Linebackers — Josh Behrendt (Sr.), Central; Ryan Cassidy (Sr.), Clinton; Tyler Blondell (So.) North Scott; D.J. Steffen (Sr.), Pleasant Valley. Secondary — Tom Carroll (Sr.), Assumption; Matt Bettenhausen (Sr.), Bettendorf; Nick Echols (Sr.), Central; Tyler Moorehead (Sr.), Clinton; Travis Anderson (Jr.) North Scott. Punter — Wyatt Klooster (Sr.), Clinton.

THIRD TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Dylan Jones (Sr.) Bettendorf. Running backs — Joey Trizzino (Sr.) Bettendorf; Jordan Webb (Jr.), Burlington; Josh Osborn (Jr.), Burlington; D.J. Steffen (Sr.) Pleasant Valley. Wideouts — Drew Lakin (Sr.), Clinton; Brad Frick (Sr.), Davenport North; Austin Schwartz (Jr.), North Scott. Tight end — Wade Klooster (Sr.), Clinton. Linemen — Matt Suiter (Sr.), Davenport Assumption; Lance Beckman (Sr.), Burlington; Brent Clausen (Sr.), Clinton; Grayson Schmidt (Jr.), North Scott; Devin Johnson (Sr.), Pleasant Valley.

Kicker — Austin Miller (Jr.), North Scott.

Defense

Linemen — Joe Daniel (Sr.), Davenport Assumption; Griffin Steil (Jr.), Bettendorf; Wyatt Klooster (Sr.), Clinton; Nick Hubner (Sr.), North Scott, Adam Murphy (Sr.), North Scott; Nolan Proehl (Sr.), Davenport West. Linebackers — Ryan Langford (Jr.), Assumption; Jordan Sinkler (Jr.), Assumption; Sean Walding (Sr.), Burlington; Adam Young (Sr.), Clinton; Justin Porth (Sr.), Clinton. Secondary — Ryker Fox (Sr.), Bettendorf; Eric Wells (Jr.), Bettendorf; JeffJackson (Sr.), Davenport Central; Austin Schwartz (Sr.), North Scott; Andrew Swanson (Sr.), Pleasant Valley; Noah Mitchell (Sr.), West. Punter — Austin Miller (Jr.), North Scott.

HONORABLE MENTION

Offense

Quarterbacks — Nick Bakeris (Sr.), Davenport Central; Mitch Michaelis (Sr.), Pleasant Valley; Sean Finn (Sr.), Davenport Assumption. Running backs — Ryan Langford (Jr.), Assumption; Zach Mumm (So.), Assumption; Jeremy Schneden (Sr.), Burlington; Antwuan Woods (Jr.), Central; Mo Walker (Sr.), Clinton. Wideouts — Andrew Dobek (Jr.), Assumption; Dan Tomsha (Sr.), Assumption; Evan Kenney (Sr.), Colin Sullivan (Sr.), Clinton. Tight ends — Josh Clifton (Sr.), Pleasant Valley. Linemen — Tyler Swope (Jr.), Assumption; Matt Hannon (Sr.), Assumption; Kyle Nickels (Sr.), Assumption; Hunter Spreen (Jr.), Bettendorf; Grant Anderson (Jr.), Bettendorf; Tim Graham (Jr.), Burlington; Joe Flaherty (Sr.), Burlington; TJ Meyer (Jr.), Central; Austin Lambert (Sr.), Central; Trae Harris (Sr.), Central; Derek Thornton (Jr.), Clinton; Marcel Warren (Jr.), Muscatine; Nick Schurr (Sr.), Pleasant Valley; Rhett Schaefer (Sr.), Davenport West. Kickers — Ozzie Carrillo (Jr.), Muscatine; Dan Tomsha (Sr.), Assumption; Ben Parker (Sr.), Clinton.

Defense

Linemen — Chad Schmertman (Sr.), Bettendorf; Zac Pearson (Sr.), Davenport Central; TJ Meyer (Jr.), Central; Diante Luke (Sr.), Davenport North; Ronnie Frantz (Jr.), North Scott; Ben Nagle (Jr.), North Scott; Devin Johnson (Sr.), Pleasant Valley; Nick Schurr (Sr.), Pleasant Valley; Dolan Guhin (Jr.), Pleasant Valley. Linebackers — Joe Matson (Sr.), Daveport Assumption; Nate Shaw (So.), Bettendorf; Austin Shaver (Jr.), Burlington; Ryan Steckel (Sr.), Central; Matt Snider (Sr.), Muscatine; Derek Minch (Sr.), Muscatine; Brad Frick (Sr.), North; Joe Kern (Jr.), North; Jeremiah Clark (Sr.), North Scott; Chris Seitz (Sr.), North Scott; Mitch Michaelis (Sr.), Pleasant Valley; Ian Smith (Sr.), Pleasant Valley. Secondary — Tim Kilfoy (So.), Assumption; Palmer Foster (Sr.), Assumption; Garrett Hass (Sr.), Davenport West. Punter — Dan Tomsha (Sr.), Assumption.