Kool, Garrels, Morales earn all-state recognition

The Fairfield and Pekin football teams have grabbed spots on the all-state football teams selected by the Iowa Newspaper Association.

Fairfield senior Cody Kool has been named Class 3A second-team all-state, filling an offensive line position on the squad after doing his share of work on both sides of the ball in 2011. Kool anchored the Trojan line and helped the Trojans pile up more than 2,000 yards on the ground.

For Pekin, junior Quentin Garrels was selected to Class 1A second-team all-state and senior teammate Derek Morales nabbed a third-team spot.

Garrels was ninth in rushing yards in Class 1A, carrying the ball 212 times for 1,486 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Of course, the Pekin junior owes a chunk of his success to Morales, who is an offensive-line selection. Altogether, the Pekin offense gained 2,575 yards on the ground thanks to a group of linemen led by Morales.

Both the Panthers and Trojans finished their seasons 5-5 and made the substate round of the playoffs.