McCorkle's Corner: The College Report XII

Home Coverage – Dietz, Denault earn All-Conference football honors; plus other local talent at the next levels

By Rick McCorkle for Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

Collegiate Athletics / Alumni Radar

College Football

Karsen Denault, a Napavine graduate by way of Winlock, who previously earned a top-15 ranking in the nation among NCAA Division III receivers, was also named the Northwest Conference Rookie of the Year in a recent vote of conference coaches.

Also earning all-conference recognition was Mark Morris graduate Deacon Dietz, a junior receiver at Whitworth.

Denault, a freshman at George Fox, hauled-in a team-high 42 receptions for 908 yards and nine touchdowns. His average of 21.62 yards per reception ranked him 12th in the nation, and his nine scoring grabs ranked him second in George Fox history.

Napavine grad (by way of Winlock) Karsen Denault made the most of his freshman season by writing his name into the football record book at George Fox University, earning Rookie of the Year honors from the Northwest Conference. / Photo courtesy of George Fox Athletics

“Karsen got better and better every single week,” Bruin head coach Spencer Crace said in a story on the school’s website. “He was one of the most explosive players in the conference. For a team that doesn’t throw the ball every play, Karsen scratched the surface of nearly 1000 yards with less than 50 catches. I’m so excited for Karsen’s future as a Bruin. This is only the beginning!”

Dietz led Whitworth in receptions (38), receiving yards (521) and touchdown receptions (five) for the season. He averaged 13.7 yards per catch, including a 69-yard grab. He finished the season averaging 47.4 yards per game.

Deacon Dietz caught passes and completed a throw, and Kelso’s Hunter Letteer made tackles and intercepted a pass, but Whitworth came out on the short end of an 18-16 decision to Chapman College in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Dietz caught eight passes for 108 yards including a 26-yard reception, and completed his only pass attempt for six yards. Letteer, a senior linebacker, made five solo tackles, assisted on three tackles, and returned an interception 11 yards.
The Pirates finished their season 8-3.

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