Shiner St. Paul football players earn postseason honors

Shiner St. Paul won the TAPPS Division IV state football championship in early December, beating Arlington Grace Prep Academy 49-34. Many athletes on the Cardinals team were awarded for their play throughout the season, specifically during district and during the playoff run.

Three players were named to the TAPPS All-State first-team. Conor Kresta was named as a running back to the first-team all-district while Austin Barton was named as an athlete to the first team. Kresta was also named first-team all-district on defense as a linebacker.

Max Patek was named to the second team as an offensive lineman while running back Joseph Natal was honorably mentioned. Named to the Academic All-State team were Barton, Kresta, Alex Hull, Ryan Bell, Ryan Malinovsky, Josh Haynes and River Haynes.

The Cardinals also racked up awards during their run in District 5-DIV III/IV football where they went 5-1.

Named to the first-team all-district offense team are offensive lineman Max Patek and Alex Hull, running backs Conor Kresta and Joseph Natal, wide receiver Ryan Bell and athlete Austin Barton. Named to the second team were offensive lineman Josh Haynes and wide receiver River Haynes. Honorably mentioned on offense were Ryan Malinovsky, Tre’Zell Jenkins-Perry, Weston Geiger, Jack Janecek, Noah Leist, Jacob Darilek, Eudosio Garza and Frank Benes.

Named to the first-team all-district defense team are defensive lineman Josh Haynes, linebackers Conor Kresta and Alex Hull and defensive backs Austin Barton and Ryan Malinovsky. Named to the second team are Cole Brown, Joseph Natal, Eudosio Garza and Ryan Bell. Honorably mentioned were Noah Leist, Jacob Darilek, Tre’Zell Jenkins-Perry and River Haynes.