Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JASON JUNO
Hurley — Hurley seniors Gavin Moore and Devin Soltis were named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region team.
The WFCA announced its all-region teams on Tuesday with 8-player honorees organized into two regions. The all-state teams will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Hurley finished its first 8-player season at 7-2 and with two All-Region players.
Soltis made it on both offense and defense — at running back and inside linebacker,
“He had a great year for us, made a lot of plays defensively and made some plays as a running back that made him special,” Hurley coach Scott Erickson said.
Moore was selected at a defensive line spot.
“He had a good year for us,” Erickson said.
The 6-4, 280-pound lineman finished the season with 50 tackles, 34 of them solo with one for a loss. He recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.
“Just his size and strength allowed us to play him two gap and play him each side of a guy,” Erickson said. “He was able to keep guys off of him with his long arms and then discard them.”
Erickson said he didn’t think they saw anybody bigger than Moore all season.
“I think his athletic ability is really what separated him, I think, from this year to last year,” Erickson said.
On the offensive side, Soltis led the Northstars with 1,379 yards on 172 carries with 18 touchdowns.
He used his speed to get to the edge and outrun defenders.
“And he had enough strength to run through some guys, too,” Erickson said. ”Good balance, he stayed on his feet. Even if he got knocked out of bounds, at least he didn’t get tackled out of bounds.”
Soltis also led Hurley with 79 total tackles and a team-best 61 solos. He forced three fumbles, recovered one and intercepted three passes. He also finished with eight tackles for a loss and two sacks.
“We tried to keep him uncovered quite a bit and then you just find the ball and get to it. He was a pretty good tackler, stripped some fumbles out of there and he’s certainly had a good year on both sides,” Erickson said.
All-Region Team
OL: Logan Koski, Florence, 6-2, 225, Sr .; Alex Schradle, Clayton, 6-2, 265, Sr .; Joey Syryczuk, Gilman, 6-0, 185, Sr.
RB: Ayron DeLeasky, Phillips, 6-2, 190, Jr .; Mason Gay, Owen-Withee, 5-10, 160, Sr .; Tucker Phillips, Rib Lake, 5-9, 183, Jr .; Devin Soltis, Hurley, 5-11, 175, Sr .; Ryder Rodewald, Bruce, 5-9, 150, Jr.
QB: Dayne Mumm, Clayton, 6-1, 180, Jr .; Gannen Reynolds, Siren, 6-0, 185, Sr .; Jared Schultz, Northwood-Solon Springs, 6-0, 190, Sr .; Luke Smith, Wausaukee, 6-1, 190, Sr.
WR: David Andersen, Chippewa Falls McDonell Central, 6-1, 175, Sr .; Jerome McGeshick, Siren, 5-11, 175, Sr..
DL: Gavin Moore, Hurley, 6-4, 275, Sr .; Tommy Phillips, Wausaukee, 6-3, 215, Sr .; Alex Schradle, Clayton, 6-2, 265, Sr.
ILB: Breyson Kelley, Florence, 6-0, 190, Sr .; Devin Soltis, Hurley, 5-11, 175, Sr .; Anthony Syryczuk, Gilman, 5-10, 160, Jr..
OLB: Colin Fritz, Owen-Withee, 5-10, 160, Sr .; Jared Schultz, Northwood-Solon Springs, 6-0, 190, Sr.
DB: Chris Elmhorst, New Auburn, 6-0, 160, Sr .; Dominic Sherwood, Owen-Withee, 5-11, 165, Sr.
