All District

Four Altoona-Midway Jets were designated for honors when the Kansas 6-Man District 1 All-District selections were announced this week.

 

Named to the All-District squad were AMHS seniors William Stackhouse, Kieran Foster, and Joey Lamendola, along with junior Kage Beck.

 

Stackhouse was the lone Jet to be tabbed for first-team distinction on the All-District unit. Second-team plaudits were bestowed upon Stackhouse and Lamendola, while Foster was a two-way designee on the second squad. Beck became the fourth member of the Blue and Gold to earn postseason accolades when he was named to the honorable mention list.

 

“We are proud of all four of these young men, and they are truly deserving of this recognition,” Altoona-Midway coaches Jeff and Randy Almond said in a combined statement. “Of course, every member of our squad made important contributions to the success we had this season. While not everyone can receive postseason honors, we’re certainly pleased that these four Jets were deemed worthy of this distinction.”

 

Stackhouse was named first-team All-District 1 on offense and second-team on defense. Foster was picked for second-team All-District on both sides of the ball, while Lamendola was a second-team choice on defense. Beck’s honorable mention honors did not differentiate between offense and defense.

 

Stackhouse led the Jets in several offensive categories during 2024, according to statistics supplied to MaxPreps. He led AMHS is rushing (641 yards on 70 carries for a 9.2 average); all-purpose yards (1009 yards, 126.1 yards per game); total yards (1266 yards, 158.3 average); return yardage (210); solo tackles (43) total tackles (61); fumble recoveries (5); touchdowns (16); and total points (98). He also completed 21 passes on 39 attempts for 467 yards and nine touchdowns and hauled in 17 receptions for 158 yards.

 

“William is a very talented young athlete with a tremendous work ethic,” said Coach Randy Almond. “I am very proud of his accomplishments and I am thankful to have coached him. I have no doubt that he will excel in whatever he puts his mind to.”

 

Foster topped the AMHS charts in passing, connecting on 58-of-85 aerial attempts for 538 yards and nine touchdowns. Foster also finished with 577 total yards, an average of 70.6 yards per game. On defense, the senior logged 24 solo tackles and 22 assists for 46 total tackles. Foster also had a fumble recovery.

 

“Kieran has grown and matured both on and off the field, and I am so proud of him,” Randy Almond said. “He definitely has the leadership qualities that will take him far in his future endeavors.”

 

Lamendola made his mark defensively as an interception machine, as he pilfered aerials from the opponents on six occasions. He also finished with 37 total tackles, with 23 of them the solo variety, and added a fumble recovery. Lamendola tallied nine TDs and two conversions for a total of 56 points. He was the second-leading Jet in rushing (39 carries for 308 yards, a 7.9 average); receiving (20 catches for 296 yards); and total yards (604).

 

“Joey did an excellent job for us playing defensive back, especially with those six interceptions,” Coach Jeff Almond said. “Joey will be missed next year and we all wish him the best.”

 

Beck was the top receiver for the Jets in 2024, hauling in 28 passes for 458 yards (an average of 57.3 yards per game). Beck also rushed 12 times for 69 yards and was 4-for-7 passing. The junior finished with 565 total yards and was second on the team in touchdowns (14); total points (88); total tackles (53) and solo stops (29).

 

“Although Kage is a junior, his leadership skills came out of him over the last few games of the season,” Jeff Almond noted. “Kage will be the one that everyone will look to next year for direction. I have the utmost confidence that Kage will be the leader who steps up and leads by talking and example.”

 

“I hope all of these young men know that I truly do believe in them,” Randy Almond added.

 

Altoona-Midway finished the season 3-5 overall and had a 2-3 mark in District 1 action.

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District champion Peabody-Burns and runner-up Marais Des Cygnes Valley dominated the first-team All-District selections.

 

Marais Des Cygnes Valley actually led the district picks, garnering seven first-team choices (four offense and three defense). Two Trojans were also named to the second team and two honorable mention.

 

Peabody-Burns, undefeated in district play, garnered five first-team spots and three Warriors made second-team.

 

Landon Traver of MDCV was named the District 1 Player of the Year, while Jameson Miles of Peabody-Burns was tabbed as the District Offensive MVP. The District Defensive MVP went to Tagg Bond of Chetopa. 

Photo L-R Kage Beck, Joey Lamendola, Kieran Foster, William Stackhouse.