THRALL — There were awards aplenty for the Thrall High School varsity football team as numerous Tigers had the honor of being selected to the 2A-1 District 13 all-district squad.
The highest honors went to a pair of Tigers who led the way for Thrall this 2023 season as senior Tyler Bonkowski was the recipient of the District 13 Overall Most Valuable Player award with junior Chance Parker named the Offensive Newcomer of the Year award winner.
Thrall had four selected as first-team all-district with senior Luke Pearson at center, junior Landon Gregory as both offensive utility and cornerback, sophomore Alejandro Estrada at kicker and junior Braylon Hernandez at defensive tackle.
Second-team selections were senior Steven Walker at both wide receiver and safety, senior offensive tackle Dawson Meiske, senior wide receiver Breken Proctor, junior inside linebacker Tyler Ortiz, junior outside linebacker Travis Matthews, junior defensive utility player Maverick McAllister and sophomore running C.J. Kelm.
Also named as district honorable mentions were senior Patrick Zieschang, junior Nathan Farr, junior Trace Riggs and sophomore Augie Loza.
This Thrall team under Head Coach Aaron Vanecek had a fast start to its 2023 season with highscoring victories over Somerville High School, Johnson City High School and Florence High School. The Tigers had a 5-1 record and Thrall dropped four of its last five games but still made the 2A-1 bi-district playoffs for the first time since 2021. With a large core of players coming back in 2024, this Thrall program is in very good hands under Vanecek.
Thrall High School varsity football senior defensive lineman Tyler Bonkowski (80) and his teammates wrap up a ball carrier Sept. 8 during the Tigers’ dominant 49-0 win at home versus Florence High School. Photo by Larry Pelchat
Tigers varsity football junior quarterback Chance Parker (4) scrambles for a big run Sept. 1 during Thrall’s 56-42 shootout victory at home against Johnson City High School. Photo by Larry Pelchat
