The Cuba High School football season has been over for months, but four Wildcats were recently recognized for their play from this past season.

The Missourian, a newspaper based out of Washington, released its list of All-Area players voted on by local media members. The number of schools and players in the area extends past Cuba’s class, district and conference, making it an impressive accomplishment to reach. St. Clair’s Nate Short was named Offensive Player of the Year and Union’s Traven St. Clair was named Defensive Player of the Year.  Borgia’s Johnny Williams was named Special Teams Player of the year and St. Clair’s Travis Johnson was named Coach of the Year. 

Cuba seniors Wyatt McMillian and Paco Leos and juniors Ethan Noltkamper and Zane Brown were all named to the All-Area teams.

McMillian was named to the 3rd team All-Area team for his play on the offensive line. He was also an honorable mention selection in the Quad County All-Conference team. McMillian led the Wildcats with 38 pancake blocks and allowed just one sack on the season. He added 32 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on defense. He is looking to play at Missouri S&T, but is currently weighing options to continue his playing career in college. 

Leos was named as an honorable mention selection for the All-Area team as a linebacker. He was also an All-Conference honorable mention selection. Leos led the Wildcats with 67 tackles and taillied two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, a sack and a forced fumble. He added 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on offense. 

Noltkamper was named as honorable mention selection for the All-Area team as a running back and as a defensive back. He was named a second team All-Conference selection for both positions. In just eight games, Noltkamper ran for 942 yards, eight rushing touchdowns and caught four passes for 53 yards and a receiving touchdown. He played his best game of the season on Oct. 17 against Bayless when he erupted for 295 yards and three touchdowns. On defense Noltkamper made 56 tackles, deflected two passes, made a tackle for loss and returned a recovered fumble for a touchdown. 

Brown was also named as an honorable mention to the All-Area team as a defensive lineman. He was named a 2nd team All-Conference selection. Brown made 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, forced a fumble and added a quarterback hurry to his strong junior year. He is expected to anchor Cuba’s offensive and defensive lines next season as a senior.    

Noltkamper and Brown will return to the Wildcats for their senior season under head coach Kaleb Cason, as he enters his second season at the helm. Next season will be the first year where Steelville High School’s student athletes will join the Wildcats on the gridiron, per the co-op agreement between the two schools.