This past Sunday afternoon, the football family gathered for the annual end-of-season banquet, held at the high school, celebrating the successes of the 2024 season.

At the banquet, many awards were handed out to members of the 2024 squad, including All-District and Team awards.

All-District

Four Bears were honored with All-District selections:

• Tate Frantz (SR): Offensive Line
• Cooper Gates (JR): Most Valuable Defender
• Keaton Gates (SO): Utility Player
• Nolan Staker (JR): Punter

All-District awards were selected by the coaching staffs of all Class 1A District 5 teams.

Speaking to the West Branch Times, head coach John Nestor said of Frantz, “Tate was awesome. I called Tate a ‘War Daddy.’ You're never going to hear him, he's super-quiet, but he showed up and speaks through his play. He does a great job, he's super-dependable, he's reliable, he's like a coach on the field, he gets everybody lined up, and was a really, really good football player for us. He was a staple on the O- and D-line.”

Nestor on Cooper Gates: “He was Mr. Everything. He never came off the field. He ran for just under 500 yards, he lead the team in tackles. To put that kind of output on the field, he's just a great football player and we're lucky he's coming back next year.”

Nestor on Keaton Gates: “He played receiver, running back, DB, and he probably could have played safety, he probably could have played linebacker, he probably could have some off the edge in blitz packages. He returned punts and returned kicks. The thing with Keaton is that he's very raw. He could be a lot better, which is scary for our opponents. I think he's just scratching the surface. He's a great player, a great young man.”

Nestor on Staker: “He flipped the field numerous times for us. He was unanimous when that award came up. Even the Regina coach said Nolan's name. He did a great job for us.”

Varsity Team Awards

Varsity team awards were voted on by the players.

• Most Valuable Player (Chad Gate Memorial): Cooper Gates
• Most Valuable Offensive Back (Wayne Rummells Memorial): Cooper Gates
• Most Valuable Receiver: Brandon Pedersen
• Most Valuable Offensive Lineman (Larry Rummells Award): Tate Frantz
• Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Tate Frantz
• Most Valuable Linebacker: Cooper Gates, Conner Capper
• Most Valuable Defensive Back: Keaton Gates
• Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Reese Gingerich
• Most Valuable Scout Team Player: Cash Hatfield, Maddux Rushton, Jerricho Hobbs
• Most Versatile Player: Keaton Gates

Fresh/Soph Team Awards

Fresh/Soph team awards were voted on by the players.

• Scout Team Player of the Year: Teague Thomas 
• Special Teams Player of the Year: Gabe Depoorter
• Most Outstanding Defensive Back: Arik Marsh
• Most Outstanding Linebacker: Dillan Schenkel
• Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Cooper Hartz
• Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Gavin Oxley, Garrett Tisinger
• Most Outstanding Wide Receiver: Jackson Ellyson
• Most Outstanding Offensive Back: Spencer Green
• Most Valuable Player: Spencer Green
• Coaches Appreciation Awards: Kyler Donohoe, Caeson Gingerich

Thank you to the West Branch Times for contributing information to this article.