Newspaper Article Archive of
The Kalona News

Brock Smith was selected to the Iowa Newspaper Association 8-Player All-State first team after an outstanding season on defense.

The Lone Tree senior was selected as a linebacker, but spent quite a bit of the year at the defensive line position. Smith led the Lions in tackles with 86.5 total tackles and 10.5 sacks.

His 10.5 sacks were good for most in the 8-Player District 4 and in the Top 10 in the state.

“When I first found out I was just really excited, first thing I did was call my parents and they were super excited for me,” Smith said.

The standout player for the Lone Tree defense was a cornerstone of the team according to coach Aaron Bohr.

“He’s a great kid and a tremendous leader in the school. He’s a guy you definitely root for in things like this and it’s great to see him get the recognition,” Bohr said.

He said Smith is a huge competitor and him receiving the award is a great way to cap off a strong senior year.

“Even when teams went away from him he was able to pursue. His hustle was just off the charts and really elevated our defense,” Bohr said.

Smith said this year especially he felt like he really elevated his pass rushing and that led to the 10.5 sacks on the year.

“All of our coaches really worked with us on getting our pass rush and it was something that I worked hard at and it paid off,” Smith said.

Now with the season in the rear-view mirror, Smith said looking back his favorite memory from the season was clinching a playoff berth against Iowa Valley.

“The Iowa Valley game, winning that big game and punching our playoff spot was a big memory for me. The season we had, nobody thought we were going to do as well as we did, and we get a banner so that was pretty cool for us,” Smith said.

Smith was only selected on the defensive side, but played both ways for the Lions and caught 32 passes for 608 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith rushed the ball 36 times for 238 yards and three touchdowns.

Lone Tree played against three other first team selections during their schedule this year. They faced off against Baxter’s Travis Lindemoen and Braydon Aker and Midland’s Austin Smith.

INA 8-Player First Team

Wide Receiver

Travis Lindemoen - Baxter

Carter Kuchel - St. Mary’s, Remsen

Offensive Line

Tanner Even - Don Bosco, Gilbertville

Dylan Rottinghaus - Don Bosco, Gilbertville

Bryce Niemeyer- Colo Nesco

Quarterback

Braydon Aker - Baxter

Offensive Back

Austin Smith - Midland

Bryson Duncan - Sidney

Sergio Rodriguez - Sidney

Defensive Lineman

Austin Svoboda - Don Bosco, Gilbertville

Joseph Zaiger - Audubon

Andrew Hontz - Fremont Mills

Defensive Linebacker

Brett Galles - St. Mary’s, Remsen

Brock Smith, Lone Tree

Dustin Andreasen - Audubon

Defensive Back

Drake Johnson - Stanton

Bryce Coppock - Newell Fonda

Punter

Derek Venteicher - Lenox