Brian Heimer, the rugged fullback and nose guard for the Austin football team, was voted MVP by his teammates.

Wednesday, November 17, 1999

Brian Heimer, the rugged fullback and nose guard for the Austin football team, was voted MVP by his teammates.

Heimer, a senior, was given the Terry Larson Award on Sunday night at the team’s annual awards banquet.

As fullback, Heimer finished second on the club in rushing with 655 yards and seven TDs on 122 carries.

On defense, Heimer earned All-Big Nine honors for his ferocious play at nose guard. He led the team in tackles (96), sacks (7.5) and defensive points (166.5).

The senior now enters the wrestling season ranked in the Top 10 among the state’s heavyweight wrestlers.

Heimer was one of three All-Big Nine players for Austin, joined by tight end Matt Smith and quarterback Tanner Schieck.

Smith and Jeff Jensen shared the team’s Most Improved Player Award. Smith caught 34 passes for 487 yards and five TDs as Schieck’s favorite target.

Jensen, an offensive lineman, was a stalwart along a line that routinely blew open holes for Heimer, Mike Cunningham and Preston Horton. Jensen’s linemate Beau Blake was honored with the team’s Offensive Lineman Award.

Seniors Horton and Schieck shared the team’s Offensive Back Award, given to the top player in the Austin backfield.

Schieck completed 64 of 150 passes for 918 yards, nine TDs and 10 interceptions. Schieck often displayed a knack for scrambling as well and rushed for six TDs.

Horton led the club with 786 yards rushing on 119 carries. He rushed for nine TDs, including five in a playoff win over Rosemount. Those five TDs tied a school record. Horton rushed for 234 yards in that game, helping Austin to set a school record of 417 yards rushing in a single game.

Horton was also the Packers Special Team Award winner. He returned two kicks for TDs during the season.

Horton, Cunningham and Kevin Maus were honorable mention All-Big Nine.

Cunningham and Bill Nagel shared the Defensive Back Award; the duo were second (91) and third (90) on the team in tackles respectively.

Maus and Heimer were co-winners of the Defensive Lineman Award. Maus finished second on the team with 6.5 sacks.

Finally, Nick Rohne was honored with the Loyalty Award. Rohne missed the first half of the season while recovering from a separated shoulder. He came back to led the club with two interceptions.

All of the team’s honorees are seniors.