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BY DAVID MARRAN
dmarran@kenoshanews.com

Considering Carthage College coach Tim Rucks believes Jeff Koeneman is one of the greats in the 113-year history of the program, it was only fitting that the receiver earned All-CCIW honors Tuesday.

Koeneman, a senior wide receiver, was joined on the first-team by teammates Nick Merchut, a senior receiver, offensive lineman Terrance Clark and punter/kicker Tyler Funk.

Koeneman, a first-team all-league choice for the second year in a row, led the CCIW with a school-record 94 catches while compiling 1,031 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

“(Before the Wheaton game), I told the team that everybody in this room had the privilege of playing with maybe the greatest player in the history of Carthage,” said Carthage coach Tim Rucks, who indicated he nominated Koeneman for CCIW Player of the Year honors.

“Five years from now, there is no doubt in my mind he will be coming back here to go into the hall of fame.”

Merchut, a second-team All-CCIW performer a year ago, had 66 receptions for 1,006 yards and a league-high 12 touchdown catches.

Bringing the Funk

Funk, a junior from Racine Horlick, averaged 44.4 yards on 35 punts. He also was 8-of-10 on field goals — including a pair of school-record 52-yard boots — and 40-of-47 on extra-points.

“It’s an absolute shame what has happened to Tyler,” Rucks said. “Statistically, he leads the country in punting but he doesn’t have enough attempts to qualify. A kid shouldn’t be punished for having a good offense. He’s a great punter who has evolved as a good kicker.”

Clark, a 6-foot-4, 278-pounder from Dolton, Ill., was a second-team choice last year. He and second-team pick Matt Favero were part of a line that paved the way for 4,639 total offensive yards.

Second-teamers

Other Carthage players making second team were junior quarterback Evan Jones and senior defensive lineman Alex Annes.

North Central quarterback Aaron Fanthorope was named the CCIW’s Art Keller Offensive Player of the Year; Illinois Wesleyan linebacker Nick Nikolich was named CCIW Don Larson Defensive Player of the Year; and Wesleyan’s Norm Eash was named the CCIW Bob Reade Coach of the Year.