North Dakota State University wide receiver Kole Heckendorf, a Mosinee High School graduate, was named to the second-team all-Missouri Valley Conference football team.
Heckendorf led the Bison, who finished 6-5 overall, in receptions for a fourth consecutive season, accumulating 41 catches for 744 yards (18.1 average) and four touchdowns. Heckendorf now stands as the school’s all-time leader with 178 receptions and 2.732 yards and is fifth in TD catches with 17.
Meanwhile, N.D. State teammate Nick Schommer, a Prescott High graduate, made the first team at defensive back after recording 54 total stops in 10 contests. The senior finished with one sack while topping the Bison with three interceptions and nine pass breakups.
And Joe Lardinois, another senior and formerly of Green Bay Notre Dame, was a second-teamer along the defensive line. He was fourth on the squad with 56 total tackles and second with 11.5 tackles for loss, including a team-leading 6.5 sacks. He recovered one fumble and forced three more while registering one safety.
Western Illinois senior Reshad Jones, a Sheboygan South alumnus, made the first team as an offensive lineman. He started 10 games at left tackle as a junior in 2007 after appearing in a combined 12 contests during his redshirt freshman and sophomore campaigns. He was a two-time all-league choice in high school and was selected for the Shrine Bowl game after helping the Redwings earn their first trip to the WIAA playoffs.