While none of the three local high school football teams qualified for postseason play in 2023, there were still plenty of highlights this past fall for Waterloo, Columbia and Dupo. 

Here is the 2023 Republic-Times All-Local Football Team, showcasing the top 30 players in this newspaper’s coverage area. 

Koby Osterhage, Waterloo. This senior was an all-around star for the Bulldogs, playing quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense in addition to defensive back and punter. He received first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference accolades at wide receiver, defensive back and punter. For the season, Osterhage threw two touchdowns, scored 15 others on offense with 922 total yards, recorded 52 total tackles and three sacks on defense, and averaged just under 40 yards per punt.

Mason Voegele, Columbia. He earned all-Cahokia Conference honors at defensive back after tying for the team lead in total tackles with 72 to go along with two interceptions. The junior also threw 10 touchdown passes and ran for five more as the starting quarterback. 

Deegan Prater, Dupo. It was a solid sophomore season for Prater, who passed for 1,406 yards and 13 touchdowns, ran for 309 yards and eight scores, and recorded 42 total tackles, a fumble recovery and two interceptions on defense. 

Jack Roessler, Waterloo. This 6-foot-4 senior was a force on the line for the Bulldogs. He earned first team all-MVC honors at both center and defensive lineman.  

Harrison Bartosik, Waterloo. A first team all-MVC linebacker, this senior racked up 105 total tackles with two sacks and four fumble recoveries. 

Gavin Lich, Waterloo. Another senior first team all-MVC linebacker, Lich finished with 103 total tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries. 

Nick Phillips, Dupo. A 6-foot-tall senior, Phillips was the main receiving target this season for the Tigers. He finished with 595 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. 

Sam Denny, Columbia. Another senior, Denny earned all-Cahokia Conference honors at wide receiver. He finished with 253 yards receiving and a touchdown in addition to 72 total tackles on defense. 

Derez Sayles, Waterloo. An elusive sophomore running back, Sayles quickly made a name for himself with 903 yards rushing, 117 yards receiving and nine total touchdowns to earn an all-MVC honorable mention. 

Ashton Stein, Dupo. A senior running back and linebacker for the Tigers, Stein rushed for 405 yards and three touchdowns in addition to a sack and two fumble recoveries on defense. 

Kaleb Buechler, Waterloo. This senior earned second team all-MVC as a kicker and was an All-MVC honorable mention at defensive back. He made 25 extra points this season and averaged 44.14 yards per kickoff.

Lucas Riebeling, Columbia. A star pitcher on the Eagles baseball team, Riebeling enjoyed a solid senior season on the gridiron with 226 receiving yards and three touchdowns. 

Connor Ballard, Dupo. Yet another senior on the list, Ballard was a force on both offense and defense for the Tigers. He posted 348 yards receiving and four touchdowns on offense and recorded two fumble recoveries and an interception on defense. 

Chris Pete, Waterloo. A junior, Pete received second team all-MVC recognition as a returner after racking up 293 return yards and a touchdown. That was good for 22.5 yards per return on the season. 

Keegan Thompson, Columbia. It was a solid sophomore season for Thompson, who finished with 57 total tackles, a fumble recovery and interception in addition to making 14 extra points as the team’s kicker. 

Conrad Lindhorst, Waterloo. Another sophomore on the list, Lindhorst came on as starting quarterback midway through the season and earned all-MVC honorable mention with six touchdown passes. 

Kaleb McGlasson, Dupo. This senior contributed on offense and defense for the Tigers with three rushing touchdowns and a sack and three fumble recoveries on defense. 

Dalton Rainwater, Columbia. It was a solid senior season for Rainwater, who had 195 yards receiving and three touchdowns in addition to 244 kickoff return yards. 

Steven Lopez-Tercero, Waterloo. An all-MVC honorable mention selection, this 245-pound offensive guard should be a key part of Waterloo’s rushing attack again next year.  

Colten Skaggs, Dupo. A senior linebacker, Skaggs led the Tigers in total tackles with 57 and recorded three sacks. 

Jase Nelson, Columbia. He ripped off some long runs this fall and finished with 256 total yards of offense and two touchdowns.

Patrick O’Donnell, Waterloo. This 6-foot-tall junior received an all-MVC honorable mention for his play on the defensive line.

Logan Hicks, Columbia. A junior, Hicks had 188 yards rushing and score on offense and a sack and fumble recovery on defense. 

Justin Manning, Waterloo. At linebacker, this junior received an all-MVC honorable mention after recording 57 total tackles, a fumble recovery and two interceptions. 

Cameron Janik, Columbia. Another junior, Janik recorded 42 total tackles and a fumble recovery on defense in addition to 106 yards rushing on offense. 

Thinh Staggs, Dupo. This junior recorded 284 yards receiving and two touchdowns. 

Brandon Jackson, Columbia. A senior, Jackson recorded 51 total tackles on defense for the Eagles.

Brady Rose, Waterloo. An honorable mention all-MVC running back, Rose finished with 231 total yards and two touchdowns.

Jackson Buelteman, Columbia. A senior, Buelteman had 156 yards receiving and two touchdowns. 

Charles Reynolds, Dupo. Also a senior, Reynolds recorded 40 total tackles and a safety for the Tigers.