L to R: Mason Brouillet, Noah Cracraft, CJ Hangartner, Tanner Philpott (photos by Frank Novak)

Posted: Nov 21, 2025

Four first team picks highlight Simpson’s 11 A-R-C selections

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Simpson College football team capped its first winning season since 2018 with 11 All-American Rivers Conference selections, including first team honorees Mason Brouillet, Noah Cracraft, CJ Hangartner and Tanner Philpott.

Seven more Storm standouts earned second team or honorable mention recognition after powering Simpson to a 6-4 year and a perfect 5-0 road record. Simpson tallied wins over Crown, Buena Vista, Luther, Dubuque, Loras, and Nebraska Wesleyan.

Simpson's defense delivered one of the league's most disruptive seasons, led by three all-conference veterans and a breakout freshman. First team linebacker CJ Hangartner scored twice, collected 10.5 tackles for loss and had five sacks, while senior defensive back Mekhi Holmes (second team) added three interceptions highlighted by one pick six. Freshman linebacker Noah Noland (second team) ranked third nationally with 127 tackles, and senior lineman Nolan Pagel (second team) contributed 11.5 tackles for loss.

The Storm offense produced its highest rushing total since 2019 behind first team offensive lineman Mason Brouillet, who helped clear the way for league rushing champion Demarico Young (honorable mention). Through the air, first team wide receiver Noah Cracraft led the conference with 11 touchdowns, while freshman quarterback Jayden Thoreson (honorable mention) broke Simpson's single-season completion percentage record at 69.2 percent. Senior wideout Cole Staska (second team) added career highs in receptions and yards, including a 96-yard score, the second-longest play in school history.

The Storm fielded one of the top special teams units in Division III, anchored by first team punter Tanner Philpott, whose 43.9-yard average ranked third nationally. Sophomore placekicker Aiden Lanier (honorable mention) tied Simpson's single-season field goal record (11) and finished top 25 nationally in field goal percentage (78.6).

Mason Brouillet, First Team

Senior offensive lineman from Wasilla, Alaska
Started all 10 games
Helped the Storm offense to 362.4 yards per game
Blocked for the league's leading rusher
Helped Simpson gain 1,335 yards on the ground, the program's highest output since 2019
Anchored a line that allowed just 16 sacks, second fewest in the league

Noah Cracraft, First Team

Sophomore wide receiver from West Des Moines, Iowa
Earns his second all-conference honor after being named second team as a freshman
Led the A-R-C with 11 receiving touchdowns (t-16th in DIII)
Caught 53 passes for 648 yards, averaging 72.0 yards per game
Tied the program record for receiving touchdowns in a game with four against Luther on Oct. 18
Logged four multi-touchdown performances

CJ Hangartner, First Team

Senior linebacker from Tucson, Ariz.
Named to A-R-C First Team for third straight season
Posted 49 total tackles, including 35 solo
Registered 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks
Had a 74-yard pick six against Buena Vista, the fourth-longest interception return in program history
Returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown against Augustana
Forced another fumble at Coe

Tanner Philpott, First Team

Sophomore punter from Waukee, Iowa
Earns second all-conference honor after being named honorable mention as a freshman
Totaled 1,757 yards on 40 punts for a 43.9-yard average (3rd in DIII)
Landed 16 punts inside the 20, fourth most in single season team history
Matched his career long 78-yard punt against Neb. Wesleyan on Nov. 15
Recorded 11 punts of 50+ yards

Mekhi Holmes, Second Team

Senior defensive back from St. Louis, Mo.
Tied for third on the team with a career-high 49 total tackles, including 31 solo
Tallied three interceptions, returning one 42 yards for a touchdown
Recorded five pass breakups and 0.5 tackles for loss
Posted a career-high 12 tackles in the team's season opener against Augustana

Noah Noland, Second Team

Freshman linebacker from Carlisle, Iowa
Led the A-R-C with 127 tackles (t-3rd in DIII)
Ranked first in the league and third nationally with 68 solo tackles
Posted 127 tackles, the third-highest single-season total in program history and most since 1995
Recorded double-digit tackles in eight games, including three games with 18Led Simpson with 12 tackles for loss and added five sacks
Blocked two PATs to secure a 28-27 win over Loras
Recovered a fumble against Central

Nolan Pagel, Second Team

Senior defensive lineman from Carlisle, Iowa
Recorded 29 tackles, including a career-high 15 solo
Ranked second on the team with 11.5 tackles for loss (36 yards)
Posted two sacks for a loss of 12 yards
Recovered a fumble against Crown

Cole Staska, Second Team

Senior wide receiver from Missouri Valley, Iowa
Caught 61 passes for 769 yards, both career highs
Scored six touchdowns to finish his career ranked ninth all-time
Hauled in a 96-yard touchdown, the second-longest offensive play in program history
Amassed a career-high 153 yards against Wartburg on Sept. 20

Aiden Lanier, Honorable Mention

Sophomore kicker from Port Orange, Fla.
Converted 11 of 14 field goals, tying the program single-season record
Made 27 of 30 PATs
Finished with 60 total kicking points, the most by a Simpson kicker since 2017
Drilled two 49-yard field goals in the season opener, tied for the fourth-longest in program history

Jayden Thoreson, Honorable Mention

Freshman quarterback from Tucson, Ariz.
Completed 202 of 292 passes for 2,234 yards and 21 touchdowns
Broke Simpson's single season record for completion percentage (69.2%)
Shattered every other rookie passing record in team single season history
Posted a 151.7 passer efficiency, the highest by a Simpson signal caller since 2002
Ranked third in the league in total yards and touchdown passes

Demarico Young, Honorable Mention