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Four Pipestone Area Schools football players were named Mid-South all-district performers.
Senior Minnesota State University-Moorhead pledge Xavier Banjoko, athletic Cayden Zephier, offensive/defensive lineman Jackson Post and quarterback Austin Musch were so honored.
What’s more, two players were honorably mentioned in two-way lineman Griffin Smidt and Mason Fruechte, who excelled on defense as a linebacker.
Six Pipestone Area Schools’ football players were honored by the Mid-South district after completion of the 2025 season. The honorees (from left) are Xavier Banjoko, Austin Musch, Cayden Zephier, Jackson Post, Griffin Smidt and Mason Fruechte. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“Those kids put in the time and effort to make themselves better,” PAS head coach Scott Boomgaarden noted.
“They all performed well throughout the year,” he added.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Austin Musch rushes for big yards during the Section 3AA playoff game versus Windom on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
Musch was a dual-threat quarterback for PAS, finishing with 1,383 yards passing and 16 TD. He supplemented his arm with 409 ground yards (averaging nearly 200 yards per contest).
“Austin was one of our leading rushers, and we had designed runs for him,” Boomgaarden said. “He made good decisions in big moments.”
Zephier could be used as both a wide receiver and running back in offensive alignments.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Cayden Zephier weaves through Windom’s defense during the Section 3AA playoffs on Tuesday, Oct. 21. at Paulsen Field. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
He finished with 425 rushing yards, including a long of 66. He added a team-best 455 receiving yards with nine TD combined (130.6 yards/game).
Zephier was a four-year starter for the Arrows, guarding the opponents best skill player while on defense.
Boomgaarden reported fielding calls on Zephier to play college football; however, no decision has been made.
Banjoko was one of the most dominant defensive players in the district — with 111 tackle points in the Pipestone County Star’s system.
“Xavier has a motor, and he’s a hard hitter,” Boomgaarden said.
When Banjoko suffered an injury during the regular season, the Arrow defense took a noted step back.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Xavier Banjoko (8) attempts to fight off a block during a regular-season game versus Windom on Friday, Sept. 5 at Paulsen Field. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Banjoko’s dedication in the weight room yielded a better ability to get off blocks and make tackles, with double-digit stops for losses and several forced fumbles, including one to give the Arrows “The Battle Axe” over Luverne in September.
Boomgaarden said he could plug Post in at either defensive end or move him inside. The three-year starter made the most of his time playing for the Arrows, the coach commented.
Like Post, Smidt was a complimentary player on both the offensive and defensive lines. He played center on the line and also made plays defensively.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Jackson Post (51) blocks at the point of attack during the Sept. 26 game versus Luverne at Paulsen Field. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Through competing in wrestling, Smidt gained an understanding of leverage and he used that to move opponents.
Fruechte, another wrestler, was undersized — but Boomgaarden said Mason showed grit and willingness to make tackles (106 tackle points).
While PAS finished the season 4-5, the Arrows were a competitive team week in and week out.
PAS finished with a slim 2,595-2,500 edge in total offense; however, outscored 231-192 thanks in part to playing Class AA state champion Jackson County Central and Mr. Football himself, Roman Voss.
The complete first team all-district squad accompanies this story.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Griffin Smidt (50) was a strong two-way player for the Arrows during the 2025 season. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
INFORMATION
FOOTBALL
Mid-South All-District
Brown Sub-district
First-Team Selections
By School
Pipestone Area: Austin Musch, Cayden Zephier, Xavier Banjoko and Jackson Post
Jackson County Central: Roman Voss, Weston Rowe, Gage Johnson, Ben Gallagher, Michael Reipke and Kade Freking-Leu
Luverne: Jaydon Johnson, Jaxon Lais, Josh Hansen, Coy Thone and Darius Dolo
Le Sueur-Henderson: George Doherty, Sam Wagner, Kaiden Reinhardt, Peyton Tellijohn and Jack Fuhrman
Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial: Jack Goeringer, Mason Adams, Carson Othoudt and Braxton Dudgeon
Windom Area: Trent Rothenberger, Steve Meyer and Lane Caldwell
Minnesota Valley Lutheran: Caleb Hunter and Blake Sexton
Sibley East: Will Feterl and Riley Bussler
Pipestone Area Schools’ Gavyn Rowden (54) and Mason Fruechte (21) tackle Windom Area’s Steven Meyer. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)