By Brad Unangst

Sports Editor

Five Crusader football players earned conference honors and four were named to the all-section team, helping put the finishing touches on Mayer Lutheran’s 2008 season.

Senior co-captains Colton Otto and Alex Petterson and junior CJ Byrne earned all-conference honors while senior co-captain Clay Hoese and junior Luke Buttenhoff received all-conference honorable mention honors.

Otto, Hoese, Petterson and Buttenhoff were also named to the all-section team this season.

Otto, the team’s starting quarterback, passed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns. Otto also rushed 79 times for 371 yards and seven touchdowns and was named as the Crusaders offensive MVP this season. As a linebacker, he recorded 33 solo and 32 assisted tackles.

Petterson, an offensive and defensive tackle, had 29 solo and 41 assisted tackles this season. Petterson’s play was the reason he picked up the team’s MVP Lineman honor this season.

Byrne, who also played quarterback, handled the punting duties and returned kicks for the Crusaders, set a new single-season school record with 10 interceptions and he also had 33 solo and 30 assisted tackles playing safety this year. Byrne was named a captain for next season.

Hoese earned Mayer Lutheran’s defensive MVP after recorded a team-high 56 solo and 34 assisted tackles and finished with five sacks from his linebacker position this season. He also led LHS in rushing with 824 yards on 177 attempts and ran for seven touchdowns.

Buttenhoff, a tight end, turned in the fifth-best single-season receiving performance in the program’s history after finishing with team highs in receptions with 34 and receiving yards with 425. Buttenhoff also caught seven touchdowns this season. He had 20 solo and 31 assisted tackles and five sacks as a defensive end and was named a captain for next season.

All five players were integral in helping Mayer Lutheran finish 6-5 overall and 3-4 in the Minnesota River Conference where the Crusaders earned a share of fifth place this season.

LHS ended its season in the Section 4AA finals, falling to rival Norwood Young America 22-12.

“We had a great season,” LHS head coach Dean Aurich said. “One of our goals was to step it up from last season and play our best ball in the playoffs.

“NYA and Mayer Lutheran have had some big rivalry playoff games,” Aurich added. “Hopefully we will get another chance next year in the section championships. God blessed us with a great year.”

Otto, Petterson and Hoese are three of LHS’ nine seniors who are ending their playing careers this season. The team’s other seniors are Ben Stadnick (27 solo tackles, three sacks); Tyler Zander (13 solo, 21 assisted tackles, Christian Leader Award); Austin Jones (20 solo, 15 assisted tackles); Adam Fosmo (16 solo, 14 assisted tackles, MVP Special Teams), Jake VonRentzell (19 solo, 12 assisted tackles) and Tim Krueger (three solo, eight assisted tackles).

Anthony Puckett, a junior running back/defensive back, was also named a captain for next season and junior Ryan Lane was named the team’s Most Improved Player.

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