HILLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL: Five footballers earn all-state honors
BY RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Trojan football coach Dustin McEwen pointed out that his 2002 team's 6-5 record was not as exceptional as some of what his previous years' teams have posted.
The Trojans' season ended Nov. 9, when they were eliminated in the second round of the state playoffs by the eventual Class 3A state champion Conway Springs in a closer-than-indicated 28-7 decision.
While it isn't as good as what his teams finished with in 98, 99 and 01, that wasn't enough to keep any of his players from earning all-state honors by both The Wichita Eagle and The Topeka Capital-Journal newspapers.
A total of five players were named as All-Class 3A honorable mention selections by both publications, the most ever named for a single season in school history by The Eagle.
Senior quarterback Dustin Jost ended his high-school career as the Trojans' leader in total offense in 2002, completing 74 of 149 passes for 1434 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards.
Transfer Caleb Marsh will be one of the Trojans' primary weapons next season.
Marsh hauled in 17 catches for a team-high 443 yards and five touchdowns to earn recognition by The Eagle both as a receiver and in the defensive secondary.
Defensively, his three picks left him in a three-way tie for first with Kris Jones and Shawn Hughbanks.
Marsh was the team leader in solo tackles with 37 and five for losses to finish third overall with 72.
Speedster tailback Alan Yoder paced a Trojan ground-game which averaged 201.6 yards a game.
Yoder was the Trojans' leading rusher with 112 carries for 699 yards and eight touchdowns to be named by The Eagle.
The duo of Yoder and Marsh were the only two of the five which weren't recognized by The Capital.
Opening holes for Yoder were tackle-Graham Ratzlaff and guard-James Bina.
Ratzlaff was selected honorable-mention by The Capital on offense.
From his linebacker position, Ratzlaff was second to Hughbanks in tackles with 81 totaled.
Bina ranked fifth in tackles with 68, picking up a pair of sacks, tackles for losses and fumbles recovered as a defensive end.
