The Montgomery County football team got seven players on this year’s Eastern Missouri Conference team, two of them earned all-league honors for the second year in row.

Seniors Trenton Birkner and Tatum Wessel made their return to the all-EMO football team, while seniors Jacob Hogue, juniors Chase Queathem and Colby Ellis and sophomores Tyler Rodgers and Owen See were named to the all-league squad for the first time.

Wessel was named first-team defensive linebacker after leading the Wildcats in tackles for the second year in a row. He finished with 90 tackles after having 106 tackles a year ago. Wessel was voted first-team defensive linebacker in 2023.

Birkner was named first-team defensive end this fall after being voted second-team defensive back last year. He finished with 58 tackles with three sacks.

Hogue was named first-team wide receiver and second-team defensive back after turning in the best season of his high school football career. He caught for 784 yards with seven touchdowns as a receiver and had 57 tackles with two interceptions on defense.

Hogue was also one of three unanimous choices for wide receiver, joining Mark Twain’s Coden Miller and Van-Far’s Gavin Gaston.

Queathem earned first-team honors at defensive back after recording a career-best 86 tackles, Ellis was named second-team defensive lineman, Rodgers was voted second-team offensive lineman and See received second-team notice at strong safety/outside linebacker.

Rodgers and See were among nine sophomores on the all-EMO football team.

The Wildcats had a 3-7 overall record, but finished at the .500 mark in EMO play with a 3-3 record. They beat Mark Twain, Wright City and Louisiana and lost to Bowling Green, Van-Far and North Callaway in league games. Last year, MCHS finished with five conference wins.