RAPID CITY -- Howard coach Chad Stadem had an inkling his team had the goods to win a state championship going into the 2004 season.
The Tigers returned all their skill position players from the previous year.
With only one lineman returning, Stadem knew developing a group up front would make or break his team's season.
As it turned out, the combination of senior leadership and solid line play made Howard into the state Class 11B champions.
"We had two of the best backs in the state. We knew if we could get the line doing its job, we'd have a shot," Stadem said.
"Late in the year, we started executing really well. Our quarterback starting throwing the ball really well late in the year and that helped get our passing game going."
Four Tigers head up this year's Class 11B all-state team, which was voted on by the South Dakota Football Coaches Association.
Leading the way are a pair of 1,000-yard rushers from Howard's offense.
Running back Doug Carlson, a senior who was selected all-state as a defensive back in 2003, rushed 185 times for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns during the Tigers' 11-1 campaign in 2004.
Carlson was named Joe Robbie Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Back for his efforts during Howard's 29-8 victory over St. Thomas More in the state Class 11B title game.
Fullback Jared Hegdahl, a senior, gained 1,240 yards from 150 carries, scoring 14 touchdowns and running for two 2-point conversions along the way. He added eight catches for 83 yards and held down punting and kicking duties for Howard. He made 23 point-after kicks last season.
Gabe Gassman, a senior who was Howard's lone returning lineman from 2003, recorded 84 tackles, four quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries to earn a spot on the all-state team at defensive end.
A four-year starter, Gassman was named Outstanding Lineman at the state "11B" finals.
Defensive back Curt Carlson, a senior who started for three seasons, finished with 35 tackles and three interceptions for Howard.
"This group was good at knowing what they needed to do," Stadem said. "They were good at separating all the little games that take place during the course of a game and focusing on what had to be done."
State 11B runner-up St. Thomas More put three players on this year's all-state team.
Linebackers Jordan Den Hartog and Max Chapman, both seniors, were named on defense. Senior Mike Hartley was named at guard on offense.
Den Hartog recorded 130 total tackles -- 61 solo -- and five quarterback sacks last season. He also intercepted two passes and forced a fumble.
Chapman finished with 110 tackles, three interceptions, three quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.
Hartley, who started three of his four varsity seasons, was a mainstay on the Cavaliers' offensive line.
St. Thomas More finished with 3,487 yards of total offense in 2004.
"We're very blessed to have three on all-state," said St. Thomas More head coach Wayne Sullivan, whose team went 11-1 in 2004. "That shows the hard work that they put in.
"Those three anchored our team. The offensive and defensive lines, with Mike there, that's where you win football games. Max and Jordan, that's one of the first times there have been linebackers named from the same team. That tells you how valuable they were. They were always in the right spot."
Joining Doug Carlson as repeating all-state players were quarterback Jacob Breske, Webster; running back Jason Donnelly, Elk Point-Jefferson; wide receiver Bubba Slaba, Wagner; tackle Jacob Arthur, Clark; and defensive back Mike Steffen, Stickney-Mt. Vernon.
Breske, Slaba, Arthur and Steffen returned to the all-state team at their respective positions again this season. Donnelly was the all-state kicker in 2003.
Also named to the all-state team on offense were wide receiver Preston Crissey, Beresford; tight end Derek Koupal, Wagner; tackle Blake Kaiser, Garretson; guard Eric Warren, Clark; and center Justin Klumb, Stickey-Mt. Vernon.
Others named to this year's all-state defensive team were end Lee Kessler, Aberdeen Roncalli; tackle Shawn Schnabel, Parkston; tackle Tom Schroeder, Miller; linebacker Mac Johnson, Gregory; linebacker Matt Hill, Wagner; and defensive back Rocky Nelson, Platte.
Selected to the all-state team on special teams were kicker Matt Lindgren, Clark; punter Talon Hall, Stanley County; and special teams player Myles Kuiper, Platte.
