The Centralia Panthers were loaded in 2022, including what turned out to be three all-state players.

Senior defensive back Kyden Wilkerson and junior punter Cullen Bennett were named to the all-state first team and all-district team at those positions, and senior offensive lineman Seth Hasekamp was added to the all-state third team and all-district team.

Centralia’s dynamic linebacking corps of seniors Brayden Shelton and Jesse Shannon were also named all-district players in Class 2 District 7 along with senior offensive lineman Payton Mabrey and junior defensive back Beau Hatton.

Among Centralia’s honorees on the Central Missouri Media all-district team were the running back and defensive back Wilkerson, offensive and defensive lineman Hasekamp, linebackers Shelton and Shelton, and punter Bennett on the Class 2 first team; and the offensive lineman Mabrey and senior kicker Nathan Timpe on the second team.

Wilkerson was a formidable running back on offense with 137 yards rushing per game, 18 touchdowns and eight 100-yard days in 10 games but was also a problem for offenses in Centralia’s secondary. He had a team-high 86 tackles along with four tackles for loss and three pass breakups.

Head coach Tyler Forsee said it is no surprise that Wilkerson can tackle so well given his high skillset in other sports.

“Kyden is a great player due to the fact he can tackle so well,” Forsee said. “He is a state champion wrestler, and it's always nice to have tough kids that you know can tackle well. He's tough as nails and is a good athlete that has a knack for getting to the ball carrier like a magnet.

“Kyden was also a three-year starter and was a great asset as a coach because he was like having a coach out on the field. Kyden had great understanding of what we were trying to accomplish on the defensive side and did a tremendous job of getting the guys in the right position to make some plays.”

Bennett had big shoes to fill stepping in at quarterback for the graduated Clarence Cannon Conference offensive player of the year in Beau Gordon. He averaged 104.5 passing yards and threw for 12 touchdowns while adding two more on the ground, but he was at his best using his leg.

As the team’s punter, Bennett averaged 48.1 yards on his 19 punts this season while placing nine balls inside the 20-yard line and sending one 68 yards as his longest boot. The 48.1 average is nine yards better than any Centralia punter, earning him the school record.

“Cullen had a great season and posted on the best punting averages in the nation,” Forsee said. “When you look up stats from other teams all across the country you really get a sense of just how well he did.”

The top punting average in the nation, according to MaxPreps, belongs to California’s Ethan Gonzalez, who averaged 51 yards per boot while parking six balls inside the 20.

“Cullen is a true coach's kid and has a great understanding of the game and attention to detail,” Forsee said. “He came in clutch for us several times during the season to get a great punt off and really win the field position battle.”

Hasekamp was a mainstay on Centralia’s offensive and defensive lines, causing havoc on defense with 60 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks and blocking in front of a rushing attack that averaged 217.1 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry.

“Seth is the best offensive lineman that I have coached,” Forsee said. “He is probably the most dependable kid that I have had the pleasure of coaching. He is an excellent player and an even better leader. He has worked hard, and I was proud to see his name selected.

“Seth was a three-year starter, and though I thought he was deserving of being selected last year, he took a big leap this year and was really a dominant player each week for us.”