Darke County Schools are well represented on the Cross Country Conference all-league football team, which was released last week.
Ansonia, which made the playoffs for the second straight year, has the most players with 10 including two who were named to both the first team offense and defense. Mississinawa Valley has eight players including special mention followed by Tri-Village with seven, Arcanum with seven and Bradford with six.
For the Tigers, Andrew Rowland was named to both the first team offensive line and first team linebacker, and Hunter Muir was named to the first team offense at tight end and the first team defense as a linebacker. The other first team players on offense for Ansonia are Austin Helmke (offensive line), Reese Stammen (running back) and Devyn Sink (punter).
On defense, Ansonia’s first team players include Matthew Shook at defensive back in addition to Rowland and Muir.
Also listed as special mention players for Ansonia: Ross Shook, Hunter Buckingham, Michael Hall and Brock Shellhaas.
The only other local player to make either first team was Tri-Village’s Austin Bruner. He was named to the first team offense at wide receiver. The Patriots have several second team defensive players including Mason Sullenbarger (defensive line) and Derek Eyer (defensive back). Receiving special mention for Tri-Village are Layne Sarver, Cody Eyer, Derek Eyer, Dylan Finkbine and Wyatt Plush.
Mississinawa Valley had three players on the second team offense and one of those also was named to the second team defense. Will Hall made second team offense as a running back and also second team defense as a linebacker. Joining him on the second team offense are teammates Trent Collins (quarterback) and Blake Scholl (wide receiver). Special mention players for the Blackhawks are Cody Dirksen, Max Dirmeyer, Trey Godfrey, Zeb Hannan and Elijah Livingston.
Arcanum had two players named to the second team defense. They are Ethin Hoffman and Isaiah Hootman, both as defensive backs. The Trojans also have five players on special mention including Jayden Heltsley, Cory Ross, Austen Cutarelli, Devin Keckler and Dane Craport.
Bradford also had several players named special mention. They are Josiah Brewer, Larkin Painter, Jarrett Boggs, Hunter Gheen, Taven Leach and Ethan Reed.
The Back of the Year award was given to Justin Brown of Miami East, while the Lineman of the Year award was given to C.J. Billing of Fort Loramie. Spencer Wells of Fort Loramie was named Coach of the Year.
Fort Loramie was the league champion and was well represented on the first team offense and defense. For the Redskins on the first team offense are Grant Imwalle (offensive line), Griffin Meyer (offensive line), Carter Mescher (wide receiver) and Collin Moore (quarterback). On first team defense, C.J. Billing (defensive line), Max Hoying (linebacker), Nick Brandewie (defensive back) and mark Seger (defensive back).
Other first team offensive and defensive players were: Miami East’s Brenden Dalton (offensive line), Lance Rohrbach (offensive line), Vincent Villella (running back), Wesley Sutherly (kicker), Caleb Snyder (defensive lineman), Devin Lawrence (defensive lineman) and Kaleb Nickels (defensive back); Fort Loramie’s Grant Imwalle (offensive lineman), Griffin Meyer (offensive lineman), Carter Mescher (wide receiver), Collin Moore (quarterback), Max Hoying (linebacker), Nick Brandewie (defensive back) and Mark Seger (defensive back); National Trail’s Zach Woodall (wide receiver); Tri-County North’s Brian Stinson (quarterback) and Preston Jackson (defensive lineman); Covington’s Cade Schmelzer (quarterback), Gage Kerrigan (defensive lineman), Parker Dysinger (linebacker), Brayden Wiggins (linebacker) and Andrew Cates (defensive back); Bethel’s Dillon Kelley (linebacker); and Twin Valley South’s Cade Cottingim (defensive back and returner).
In addition to the local players, the CCC second team offense and defense were as follows: Offensive line – Cody Smith (Miami East), Preston Jackson (Tri-County North), Wyatt Hutchins (Tri-County North), Ian Gerling (Covington), Ian Wilson (Covington), Jesse Fisher (Covington); Running back – Kendal James (Bethel); Defensive line – Colin Detrick (Fort Loramie), Wyatt Hutchins (Tri-County North), Cooper Cole (Tri-County North); Linebacker – Clay Finney (Tri-County North) and Troy Watson (National Trail).
Special mention players are:
Bethel – Pat Swinderman, Nic Hoskins, Cade Young, Jared Evans, Jacob Ullmer, Chance Spaeth
Covington – Duncan Cooper, Teague Deaton, Trentin Alexander, Gavin McReynolds
Fort Loramie – Devin Wehrman, Nathan Raterman, Beltran LaFarga
Miami East – Cody Niswonger, Colt Frazier
National Trail – Peyton Lane, Joe Lawson, Evynn Short, Mike Bowerman, Cole Yount
Tri-County North – Braden Gray, Wyatt Woodyard, Liam Downing
Twin Valley South – Kaleb Cornett, Josh Wysong, Isaac Clark, Gabe Worley, Mike Crews, Ryan DeLong
