Football team announces postseason awards

INDIANOLA - The Simpson football team held its annual postseason banquet Jan. 23, recognizing seven players for eight team awards.

Among the awards distributed on the night were Scout Team Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Linemen of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players, Special Teams Player of the Year and the Storm Award.

Michael Smith, a junior running back from Lawton, Iowa, earned Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors while sophomore defensive lineman from Kansas City, Mo., Aaron Sewell took home Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year.

Brian Tjossem, a junior center from Sutherland, Iowa, earned Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. A two-year letterwinner, Tjossem has started every game for the Storm since his sophomore year.

The Defensive Lineman of the Year award went to Vinni Smith, a senior nose guard from Brooklyn, Iowa. Smith lettered three times for the Storm and started all 10 games in 2010. He made 30 tackles - 1 1/2 for loss - and earned honorable mention All-Iowa Conference honors.

Newcomer Brad Vogel landed Offensive MVP and Special Teams Player of the Year honors. The freshman from Donnellson, Iowa, led the Storm in receiving, kick returns and punt returns. He caught 36 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns and ranked second in the Iowa Conference with 128.1 all-purpose yards per game. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors at the end of the season.

Defensive MVP honors went to Braden Everding, a junior linebacker from Tripoli, Iowa. Everding landed a spot on the Academic All-District First Team and earned honorable mention all-conference accolades. A two-year letterwinner, Everding started all 10 games for the Storm in 2010. He led the team with 82 tackles, including eight for loss and five sacks. He also intercepted a pass and forced a fumble.

The Storm Award, as voted on by the players, went to Everding and Nathan Trimble. The Storm Award is presented annually to the person(s) who best exhibit the traits of a Simpson football player - leadership, commitment, loyalty and dedication.

Entering the season as the starting fullback, Trimble, a senior from Iowa City, suffered a season-ending injury in week one. Despite the injury, Trimble remained a valuable presence in the locker room and on the sidelines throughout the year.