Braves place 11 on WVFCA all-star team
Dec. 22—It was mentioned several times in the fall that Terre Haute South had a deceiving 5-6 record during the 2023 high school football season.
Wabash Valley coaches must have agreed, because the Braves have what might be an unprecedented 11 players named to the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association's all-star team.
Part of the reason is because half the Braves' losses came in flukish situations, one of those unlucky setbacks coming against a Bloomington North team that spent quite a bit of the season ranked first in Indiana's Class 5A.
Another part is the result of a change in the WVFCA policies this season, with a separate all-Valley team for the Illinois schools selected for the first time.
Thus, there are 69 Indiana players named to the first or second team and 29 Illinois players picked without regard to position — a total of 98 players named.
That still means that more than one of every nine of the honored players are Braves — quarterback Brady Wilson, running back Zyeiar White, receiver A.J. Watkins, tight end Chris Herrin and offensive lineman Sean Murphy on the first offensive team, lineman Isaac Johnson, defensive back Nic Yatsko and punter Adam Mohamed on the first defensive team, kicker Griffin Runyan on the second offensive team and defensive back Treva Branch and linebacker Brandon Freeman on the second defensive team (Freeman was selected as an at-large defensive player).
Also well represented is South Putnam, a Class A top-10 team the entire season that gave eventual state champion Indianapolis Lutheran one of its closest playoff games. The Eagles have lineman Parker Harris and kicker Wyatt Kendall on the first-team offense; linebacker Aden Beadles and at-large pick Keenan Mowery-Sheilds on the first-team defense; quarterback Wyatt Mullin and receiver Bransyn Hanley on the second-team offense; and lineman Kyle Glasson and defensive back Caden Switzer on the second-team defense.
Linton and South Vermillion, both part of the best Class 2A sectional in the state, each had four first-team players and two second-team players. First-team offensive players are quarterback Paul Oliver and lineman Hank Gennicks of Linton and receiver Parker Weir and quarterback (at-large) Dom Garzolini of South Vermillion. First-team defenders are lineman Corey Andrews and linebacker Christian Shonk of the Miners and lineman Zack Hess and linebacker Alex Shryock of the Wildcats. Second-teamers are offensive lineman (at-large pick) Jacob Breedlove and defensive back Jesse Voigtschild of Linton and running back Dallas Coleman and offensive lineman Aaron Kersey of South Vermillion.
Sullivan, also a member of that sectional, has three first-teamers, all on defense — lineman Seb Ortiz, linebacker Camden Singer and defensive back Seth Pirtle. Second-teamers for the Golden Arrows are receiver James Propes, offensive lineman Brayden Clem and defensive at-large selection Ethan Garrett.
Two Illinois teams have six all-Valley players: Lawrenceville, with Rylee Dohoney, Wyatt Halter, Bryant Jenkis, Kasen Ochs, Tanner Waller and Pep Wirth, and Red Hill, led by Hayden Arbuckle, Dylan Camden, Lance Moore, Reece Ralston, Sam Stimler and Karson Tully.
Monrovia has five players selected: running back Brayton Belcher on the first-team offense, lineman Brendan Frank and at-large pick Joe Smith on the first-team defense, lineman Lane Whitney on the second-team offense and defensive back Eli Welch on the second-team defense.
Another team with five picks is Greencastle. Wide receiver Owen Huff and lineman Jackson Buis are on the first-team offense, quarterback Cole Stephens and running back Lamar Moore on the second-team offense and lineman Cameron Pingleton on the second-team defense.
Casey, which enjoyed a Class A playoff win in Illinois, also has five representatives: Grant Cochonour, Jake Reddicks, Brady Rhoads, Connor Sullivan and Brian Wright.
Northview has four players on the team, including running back Tyler Lee, offensive lineman Aiden Swearingen and defensive back Luke Marlow on the first team and linebacker Jace Deakins on the second team.
Illinois playoff team Paris has four players — Ethan Curl, Ty King, Evan Ramsey and Kalvin Rigdon — and so does Olney with Logan McDonald, Jashun McKinley, Nolen Seals and Case Thomann.
North Vermillion produced two first-teamers on offense — receiver Cody Tryon and quarterback (at-large pick) Jerome White — plus defensive lineman Aidan Hinchee. Marshall also had three players chosen — Lucca Giannavola, Luis Lopez and Kaden Matzke — and Cascade has a second-team offensive player in running back Toby Savini and second-team defensive players in lineman Duncan White and defensive back Lucas Farmer.
Teams with two picks are Owen Valley (first-team defensive back Tim Harden and second-team offensive lineman Hemi Shepherd), Terre Haute North (defensive lineman Ash Duckett and linebacker Jackson McDonald, both on the second team), North Central (offensive lineman Coy Brooks and defensive lineman Lane Hargis, second-teamers), Parke Heritage (second-team linebacker Jerrid Graves and second-team defensive lineman John Kramer) and North Putnam (second-team tight end Patrick O'Brien and second-team punter Christian Kramer).
One player each was selected from West Vigo (second-team linebacker Ryan Cobb), Eastern Greene (second-team running back James Lewis) and Cumberland (Blake McMechan).
First team
Offense
Quarterback — Paul Oliver, Linton
Quarterback — Brady Wilson, Terre Haute South
Running back — Brayton Belcher, Monrovia
Running back — Tyler Lee, Northview
Running back — Zyeiar White, Terre Haute South
Wide receiver — Owen Huff, Greencastle
Wide receiver — Cody Tryon, North Vermillion
Wide receiver — A.J. Watkins, Terre Haute South
Wide receiver — Parker Weir, South Vermillion
Tight end — Chris Herrin, Terre Haute South
Offensive line — Jackson Buis, Greencastle
Offensive line — Hank Gennicks, Linton
Offensive line — Parker Harris, South Putnam
Offensive line — Sean Murphy, Terre Haute South
Offensive line — Aiden Swearingen, Northview
Offense at-large — Dom Garzolini, South Vermillion
Offense at-large — Jerome White, North Vermillion
Kicker — Wyatt Kendall, South Putnam
Defense
Defensive line — Corey Andrews, Linton
Defensive line — Brendan Frank, Monrovia
Defensive line — Zack Hess, South Vermillion
Defensive line — Aidan Hinchee, North Vermillion
Defensive line — Isaac Johnson, Terre Haute South
Defensive line — Seb Ortiz, Sullivan
Linebacker — Aiden Beadles, South Putnam
Linebacker — Christian Shonk, Linton
Linebacker — Alex Shryock, South Vermillion
Linebacker — Camden Singer, Sullivan
Defensive back — Tim Harden, Owen Valley
Defensive back — Luke Marlow, Northview
Defensive back — Seth Pirtle, Sullivan
Defensive backs — Nic Yatsko, Terre Haute South
Defensive at-large — Keenan Mowery-Shields, South Putnam
Defense at-large — Joe Smith, Monrovia
Punter — Adam Mohamed, Terre Haute South
Second team
Offense
Quarterbacks — Cole Stephens, Greencastle; Wyatt Mullin, South Putnam
Running backs — Dallas Coleman, South Vermillion; James Lewis, Eastern Greene; Lamar Moore, Greencastle; Toby Savini, Cascade
Wide receivers — Bransyn Hanley, South Putnam; James Propes, Sullivan
Tight end — Patrick O'Brien, North Putnam
Offensive linemen — Coy Brooks, North Central; Brayden Clem, Sullivan; Aaron Kersey, South Vermillion; Hemi Shepherd, Owen Valley; Lane Whitney, Monrovia
Offense at-large — Jacob Breedlove, Linton
Kicker — Griffin Runyan, Terre Haute South
Defense
Defensive linemen — Ash Duckett, Terre Haute North; Kyle Glasson, South Putnam; Lane Hargis, North Central; John Kramer, Parke Heritage; Cameron Pingleton, Greencastle; Duncan White, Cascade
Linebackers — Ryan Cobb, West Vigo; Jace Deakins, Northview; Jerrid Graves, Parke Heritage; Jackson McDonald, Terre Haute North
Defensive backs — Treva Branch, Terre Haute South; Lucas Farmer, Cascade; Caden Switzer, South Putnam; Jesse Voigtschild, Linton; Eli Welch, Monrovia
Defense at-large — Brandon Freeman, Terre Haute South; Ethan Garrett, Sullivan
Punter — Christian Kramer, North Putnam
Illinois
Casey — Grant Cochonour, TE-LB; Jake Reddicks, CB; Brady Rhoads, WR; Connor Sullivan, RB-LB; Brian Wright, K
Cumberland — Blake McMechan, RB-DB
Lawrenceville — Rylee Dohoney, OL-DL; Wyatt Halter, QB-DB; Bryant Jenkis, RB-LB; Kasen Ochs, FB-LB; Tanner Waller, RB-LB; Pep Wirth, OL-DL
Marshall — Lucca Giannavola, LB; Luis Lopez, P; Kaden Matzke, QB
Olney — Logan McDonald, LB; Jashun McKinley, RB; Nolen Seals, DB; Case Thomann, OL
Paris — Ethan Curl, LB; Ty King, WR; Evan Ramsey, DL; Kalvin Rigdon, RB-DB
Red Hill — Hayden Arbuckle, RB-DB; Dylan Camden, OL-DL; Lance Moore, TE-DL; Reece Ralston, WR-DB; Sam Stimler, RB-DB; Karson Tully, LB
Honorable mention
Cascade — Marcus Hobson, Josiah Murrain, J.T. Roshong, Chase Schnarr, Duncan White
Cloverdale — Tayt Jackson
Eastern Greene — Darrel Burton, Evan Ferkingstad, Jonas Hawk, Evan Rogers, Bryce Teague
Edgewood — Gunnar Caswell, Jaxton Collier, Christian Couch, Carter Hayden, Keegan Lane, Michael Law, Gunnar Perry, Nehemiah Strunk
Lawrenceville — Wyalan Bice, A.J. Lawson, Kolby Stoops
Linton — Ty Boyd, Hayden Feltner, Blane Kirkman, Cooper Smith, Ashton White
Marshall — Ty Harper
Monrovia — Asher Clements, Ethan Followell, Jozy Hand, Dom Kindle, Ryder Pool
North Central — Gavin Simmons, Blake Sturm, Malakai Urbain, Greydyn Walters
North Putnam — Jayden Laffin, Brogan Woodall
North Vermillion — Landen Baker, Gavin Bean, Wyatt Walters
Northview — Caelen Bell, Kyle Cottee, Slade Fell, Avery Perry, Gage Thompson
Olney — Evan Gilreath, Dirks Weiler
Owen Valley — Rhett Manuel, Kolby Pardue, Bryan Richardson
Parke Heritage — Caleb Rector
Red Hill — Avery Arbuckle
Riverton Parke — Gabe Lewis, Sebastian Mankin, Kyle Price
South Putnam — Zach Dorsett, Kolby Harcourt, Logan Sillem, Wyatt Switzer, Ben Teipen
South Vermillion — Will Clay-Faulkner, Dylan Conder, Dylan Hill, Jace Skinner, Carter Wood
Sullivan — D.J. Gaines, Laytin Huff, Logan Ketterer, John Taft, Jackson Trimble
Terre Haute North — Kam Baker, Tristen Chatman, Emelio Medina
Terre Haute South — Coy Bender, Imer Holman, Jaidyn Hoole, Tommaso Poff, Brodi Smith, Bronson Thomas, Landon Wilkinson
West Vigo — Hunter Callahan, Landon Fields, Gabe Skelton
All-Academic team
Cloverdale — Corey Branigan, Jesse Carroll, Carson Caulkins, Jace Gardner, Logan Hamm, Artrevion Henderson, Drake Hoffa, Tayt Jackson, Levi Johnson, Scottie McGuire
Eastern Greene — Kendall Britton, Jace Brown, Darrel Burton, Evan Ferkinstad, Jonas Hawk, Peyton Lewis, Ty McKnight, Kegan Michael, John Williams
Edgewood — Grant Coffey, Christian Couch, Evan Dodds, Carter Hayden, Terrance Moore, Dylan Wickens
Greencastle — Anthony Adams, Jackson Buis, Cooper Robinson
Lawrenceville — Rylee Dohoney, Walter Halter, Bryant Jenkins
Liinton — Brett Anderson, Michael Auberry, Jacob Bredeweg, Aaron Chancy, Hayden Feltner, Drake Fields, Hank Gennicks, Dresden Kenworthy, Lane McDonald, Colten McKinnon, Cody Pigg, Casin Pope, Ezra Powell, Christian Shonk, Cooper Smith, Aiden Sparks, Gage Sullivan, Ashton White
Marshall — Will Crumrin, Gabe Deckard, Lucca Giannavola, Liam Keim, Hank Orman, Trey Scott, Madix Weddle
Monrovia — Noah Breeden, Brody Clampitt, Connor Denault, Parker Hale, Bentley McClellan, Korbin Monroe
North Central — Josh Helton, Malakai Urbain, Tucker Mitchell
North Putnam — Chase Abdon, Jesse Bryan, Neal Bryan, Braden Glaze, Caiden Hankins, Brody Kinkead, Christian Kramer, Braxston Mitchell, Wes Murphy, Paxton O'Brien, Evan Polley, Braxton Woodall
Northview — Kale Allen, Varzidy Batchelor, Kyle Cottee, Jace Deakins, Carter Kumpf, Peyton Lear, DaMarius McLawyer, Avery Perry, Memphis Rice, Harmen Singh, Kenny Smith, Aiden Swearingen, Luke Whitman
Olney — Brayden Beard, Reid Brown, Jack Colwell, James Daniel, Zach Fritchley, Evan Gilreath, Bobby Graves, Mack Graves, Xander Holtz, Gavin Jennings, Ryan Kirby, Reed Klingler, Logan McDonald, Ian Pianfetti, Nolen Seals, Casey Thomann, Aiden Weidner, Brandon Wenger, Xavior Zuber
Parke Heritage — Tucker Conley, Carson Crowder, Caleb Rector, Lucas Rhoads, Carson Rolison
Riverton Parke — Jonathan Harper, Kyle Price, Jake Roderick, Collett Sanders, Sean Vester
South Vermillion — Dylan Conder, Dylan Hill, Aaron Kersey, Alex Shryock, Dakota Spivey, Wyatt Whitley
Sullivan — Peyton Carlson, Gauge Case, Zane Catlin, Camryn Farmer, Sam Fathauer, Blake Fraker, D.J. Gaines, Ethan Garrett, Ty Hamilton, Layton Huff, Sam Jackson, Logan Ketterer, Seth Pirtle, Camden Singer, Jackson Trimble, Eli Van Ness, Jon Wiley
Terre Haute South — Coy Bender, Chase Brown, Ty'Ree Cuffle, Chris Herrin, Isaac Johnson, Jesus Lopez, Chase Maxwell, Adam Mohamed, Sean Murphy, Brandon Pearman, Griffin Runyan, Caelan Vandentop, A.J. Watkins, Landon Wilkinson, Brady Wilson, Nic Yatsko
West Vigo — Jeffery Brown, Ryan Cobb, Hunter Davis, Landon Fields, Andrew Kidwell, Gabe Skelton, Connor Wallace, Wyatt Walters