Koepnick, Patterson earn Greater Metro top honors

Posted: Nov. 13, 2012

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Tony Koepnick, Sussex Hamilton

Tony Koepnick, Sussex Hamilton

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Sussex Hamilton junior running back Drew Patterson and senior lineman Tony Koepnick were both given the highest honors possible from the Greater Metro Conference, earning Offensive Back and Lineman of the Year.

Both were among a healthy contingent of Hamilton players named first-team All Conference.

Patterson, who rushed for 1,969 yards and 26 touchdowns, took the same award won by his older brother, Nick, last season.

"Drew has the ability to run past you, through you or around you," Hamilton coach John Damato said. "By giving defenses and his opponents a variety of possibilities, he really puts them in conflict and on their heels. He has a tremendous feel for the running back position and the game of football. He's being recruited by many Division 1 schools."

Patterson was helped by a tremendous offensive line, notably the 6-3, 284-pound mammoth at tackle, Koepnick

"I think Tony is a model for persistence," Damato said. "He never wavered from his own personal goals, and he knew the only way he could accomplish them was through hard work.

"He had a tremendous year that was marked by his consistency. He played his best football against the best competition. That is the best indication of a great football player."

Tight end Tony Gumina eared first-team All Conference for a second straight year, and center Sufyan Hamouda was named first team after earning second-team status a year ago.

On defense, first-team choices included Jake Knueppel at defensive back, Aaron Zagorski at inside linebacker and Joe Eggert on the defensive line.

All Conference

First-team choices in the Greater Metro:

Second team: Kyle Wirtz, WR, Brookfield East; Darren Walker, WR, West Allis Central; TJ Novotny, Marquette, TE; Dan Bell, Menomonee Falls, OT; Will Hilbert, Marquette, OT; Andrew Poenitsch, Sussex Hamilton, OG; Elijah Goodman, Brookfield Central, OG; Cameron Green, Menomonee Falls, C; Nick Sotiros, West Allis Hale, QB; Cole Hernikl, Menomonee Falls, RB; Nick Knoebel, Sussex Hamilton, RB; Christian Almonte, Menomonee Falls, RB; Devan Finney, West Allis Central, FB; Shaquille Redding, Wauwatosa East, DB; Tom Enright, Marquette, DB; Billy Schim, Brookfield Central, DB; Quinn Floyd, Marquette, ILB; Steve Ambrookian, Brookfield Central, ILB; Austin Vanark, Brookfield Central, ILB; Alex Klestinski, Marquette, OLB; Landon McDonald, Brookfield East, OLB; DeShawn Pullen, Menomonee Falls, DL; Cory Caliendo, Sussex Hamilton, DL; Jack Podewilis, Brookfield East, DL; Erik Hunt, Brookfield East, DL; Connor Allen, Brookfield East, P; Steven Knopp, Brookfield Central, K

Hamilton honorable mention: Kenny Lo, K; Nick Boyd, DL; Tommy Diehl, DL