Caleb Marsh leads eight Bluejays with postseason honors
Tabor College senior wide receiver Caleb Marsh has been selected to the first team All-KCAC football team, leading eight Bluejays who received postseason honors.
"Caleb is a student of the game that brings a seriousness that is necessary," said head Coach Mike Gottsch. "It was a privilege to be his coach."
Making the All-KCAC second team was Billy Hickman, senior, tackle.
Bluejays earning honorable mention honors were Jay Medellin, sophomore, wide receiver; Darrin Fisher, junior, center; Sean Retting, junior, defensive back; Kyle Basinger, sophomore, linebacker; Lance Baar, senior, defensive lineman; and Derik Martinez, senior, punter.
Marsh, of Hillsboro, accumulated 42 catches, 811 yards, and 10 touchdowns on the season. He improved from a 2006 All-KCAC honorable mention selection to this year's lone Bluejay selected to the first team. Marsh was a bright spot on a team that finished with a 1-9 record.
Hickman, 6-4, 280, from Bakersfield, Calif., was the anchor of the offensive line. He came into this year excited, and bought into the new football program.
"From the time that I arrived at Tabor you could tell Billy wanted to see that his senior year would be successful," Gottsch said.
Medellin, 5-7, 170, from Pasadena, Texas, ended the year with 30 catches, 353 yards, and two touchdowns. Each week he continued to improve through hard work.
"He gave every ounce that he had on Saturdays, but also gave it all on the practice field," Gottsch explained. "We are excited about his future."
Fisher, 6-3, 270, from Englewood, Calif., was an offensive leader who helped motivate the entire team. He was a consistent player who was able to make the adjustments necessary for the center position.
"I was impressed with his consistency and football awareness," Gottsch said. "He is a good model for our team, and we are happy to have him coming back next year."
Retting, 5-9, 160, from Colorado Springs, Colo., had 35 tackles, one interception, and five pass deflections. Because of his small size he is a deceptive player who can make big plays.
"Sean is a steady, consistent, and witty football player that has great instincts," explained Gottsch.
Basinger, 5-9, 200, from Pretty Prairie, ended the year with 78 tackles, one and a half sacks, one interception, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He is a player that you can always count on to be ready on Saturday, even through his many injuries this season.
"We loved his determination, and we are expecting big things out of him next year," said Gottsch.
Baar, 6-5, 225, from Joes, Colo., had 32 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Injuries plagued him this year, but he worked hard and played through the pain.
"He was our most consistent defensive lineman, and we are going to miss him," explained Gottsch.
Martinez, 6-0, 190, from Foothill Ranch, Calif., used his leg strength to take on both the punting and kicking duties. He is a gifted athlete who could take a bad snap and still punt the other team into bad field position.
"Derik has a good understanding of his position," Gottsch said. "He could be a good special teams coach someday."
