This season certainly was proof of that.

That depth, skill and talent is reflected on the All-Hawk Eye football team.

The elite squad is led by Winfield-Mount Union senior Cam Buffington, who has been selected as Hawk Eye Player of the Year.

Brian Borrison, who guided Mediapolis to a district title and a berth in the Class 2A state quarterfinals, is being recognized as Hawk Eye Coach of the Year.

Buffington excelled at running back and linebacker for a Winfield-Mount Union team that was ranked No. 1 in the state this season.

Buffington, who will join the University of Iowa football team next season, led the Wolves to an unbeaten regular season and a spot in the 8-Player state semifinals.

Buffington gutted it out after suffering an ankle injury early in the playoffs.

He led W-MU to a dramatic road win at Don Bosco to earn his team a trip to the UNI-Dome for the semifinals.

Buffington rushed for 1,362 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 613 yards and 11 scores.

Buffington was a force defensively with 106.5 tackles, including 18.5 for loss.

Cam Buffington is joined on the All-Hawk Eye team by teammates Abram Edwards, Cooper Buffington and Cole Milks.

Edwards, who will play at Division I Army next year, made the team as a defensive lineman.

He had 60.5 tackles, including 22.5 for loss. Edwards also caught 23 passes for 393 yards and six touchdowns.

Cooper Buffington, Cam’s cousin, was an outstanding lineman on offense and defense. He finished with 19 tackles for loss.

Milks filled in for Buffington at running back and also delivered with a clutch game-ending interception in the 34-29 win over Don Bosco.

Mediapolis overcame two early losses against tough opponents before hitting its peak when it counted most with a strong run in the postseason.

The Bulldogs had six players selected to the first team. They include punter/kicker Drew Miller, running back Jackson Hutcheson, wide receiver Aedin Nelson, linebacker Chett Mohr, offensive lineman Gavin Hallgren and defensive lineman Kyle Vorwerk.

Borrison did a masterful job coaching this Mediapolis team. The Bulldogs nearly pulled off an upset over an excellent Monticello team in the quarterfinal game.

Miller, a University of Georgia commit, was outstanding in all phases of the kicking game for Mediapolis. He was also the team’s starting quarterback, leading the Bulldogs to a pair of playoff victories.

Miller passed for 890 yards and rushed for 666. He accounted for 13 total touchdowns.

Miller made 40-of-42 extra-point kicks and booted a 45-yard field goal. He averaged 49.5 yards per punt for Mediapolis.

Hutcheson rushed for 1,121 yards and 22 touchdowns. Nelson had 476 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

Mohr had 112.5 total tackles, including 18.5 for loss. Vorwerk had 25 tackles for loss.

Class 2A playoff qualifier West Burlington-Notre Dame had three players — Caden Schwenker, Quincy Collins and Emry Watson — selected to the All-Hawk Eye team.

Schwenker passed for 1,062 yards and rushed for 412 yards.

Collins rushed for 1,062 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also excelled on defense with 58.5 tackles.

Watson, a starter on the offensive and defensive line, led the Falcons with 76 tackles.

The Burlington Grayhounds had three players picked for the All-Hawk Eye squad.

They include lineman John Schuelka along with backs Caden Schisel and Gabe Robinson. All three were two-way starters for BHS.

Schisel rushed for 656 yards and was one of Burlington’s top tacklers on defense.

Robinson rushed for 839 yards and 11 touchdowns from his quarterback position. He also played a key role at defensive back.

Class 3A playoff qualifier Fort Madison had defensive lineman Cory Arnott, linebackers Hayden Segoviano and Teague Smith, and defensive back Marcus Guzman named to the team.

Guzman excelled on both sides of the ball. He passed for 1,476 yards and rushed for 536 while combining for 21 touchdowns.

Segoviano rushed for 516 yards and five scores.

Smith had 54.5 tackles — 29 solo — and 7.5 tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble.

Keokuk quarterback Brenton Hoard was chosen to the team after passing for 1,695 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 719 yards and five scores.

The Chiefs also had defensive lineman Kevin Joy and linebacker Mason Claus named to the team.

Joy had 30.5 tackles, including 12 for loss. Claus had 94.5 tackles.

Class A playoff qualifier Columbus had running back Kaden Amigon and offensive lineman Russell Coil selected.

Amigon rushed for 1,860 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Jaden Bauer from Class A playoff qualifier Danville made the team as a defensive back. Bauer recorded 33.5 tackles. He also passed for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns.

WACO, a state qualifier in 8-Player, had tight end Louden Huisenga chosen to the team. Huisenga had 203 yards receiving and five touchdowns. He also had 54 tackles, including 11 for loss.

Wapello wide receiver Jackson Lanz also made the squad. He had 30 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns.