Crestview's Caleb Cunningham named Firelands Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year
MANSFIELD — Crestview senior Caleb Cunningham was a cheat code for the Cougars.
The senior offensive and defensive lineman earned first team All-Firelands Conference on both sides of the ball for his 2023 season and was tabbed as the FC Defensive Lineman of the Year to boot. The award comes a year after earning Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022.
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During the 2023 season, Cunningham recorded 102 tackles, eight sacks, 32 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback pressures to go with a force fumble, a fumble recover and a blocked punt. On offense, he had a 96% blocking percentage with 36 pancakes and no sacks allowed as the starting left tackle for an offense that produced 3,429 yards of total offense.
"Caleb is a three-year starter and captain for us," Crestview coach Steve Haverdill said. "He was our MVP as we would run our offense behind him when we needed big yards and most teams would check and run away from him on defense. He is a dominant player on both sides of the ball. Deservingly, he is getting recruited by some D1 schools and a plethora of D2 schools."
Crestview's Tyson Ringler earned first team All-FC at wide receiver while Gavin Barker took the same honors at center and inside linebacker and was also the second team punter. Ayden Reymer was a second team running back selection while Karter Goon was a second team tight end. Brice Perkins earned second team honors as a defensive back while Liam Kuhn was an honorable mention quarterback, Nolan Moore was an honorable mention receiver and Jack Hedrick was an honorable mention outside linebacker/defensive end.
Plymouth's Layne Bushey took second team honors at running back for the Big Red while Gunner Huston was an honorable mention guard, Nolan Branham was an honorable mention tackle and both were honorable mention defensive linemen.
Here is the complete list of All-Firelands Conference football players.
2023 All-Firelands Conference Football Teams
Firelands Conference Offensive Back of the Year: Connor Dawson, Western Reserve.
Firelands Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year: Braxton Balog, Western Reserve.
Firelands Conference Defensive Back of the Year: Evan Benfer, Monroeville.
Firelands Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year: Caleb Cunningham, Crestview.
Firelands Conference Coach of the Year: Tylor Nester, Monroeville.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Evan Benfer, Monroeville.
Running backs: Josh Pocos, St. Paul; Connor Dawson, Western Reserve; Landon Roeder, Monroeville.
Wide Receivers: Blake Schaub, Monroeville; Tyson Ringler, Crestview; Cole Frankart, South Central.
Center: Ben Rospert, St. Paul; Gavin Barker, Crestview.
Guard: Tristan Nickoli, St. Paul; Braxton Balog, Western Reserve.
Tackle: Caleb Cunningham, Crestview; Isaac Clingman, Monroeville.
Tight End: Ashton Stang, St. Paul.
Kicker: Landon Stein, Monroeville.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive line: Tristan Nickoli, St. Paul; Caleb Cunningham, Crestview; Rylee Supeck, Western Reserve.
Inside Linebackers: Gavin Barker, Crestview; Isaac Clingman, Monroeville; Braxton Balog, Western Reserve.
Defensive end/Outside linebackers: Josh Pocos, St. Paul; Mark Miller, Mapleton.
Defensive Back: Drew Kuhnle, St. Paul; Kollin Cline, Mapleton; Evan Benfer, Monroeville; Connor Dawson, Western Reserve.
Punter: Blake Schaub, Monroeville.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Kollin Cline, Mapleton.
Running backs: Ben Burger, St. Paul; Ayden Reymer, Crestview; Layne Bushey, Plymouth.
Guard: Kole Ackerman, Monroeville; Brycen Dunlap, Monroeville.
Tackle: Tyler Baxter, St. Paul; Tyler Delosh, Mapleton.
Tight End: Rylee Supek, Western Reserve; Karter Goon, Crestview.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Patrick O'Brien, St. Paul; Kole Ackerman, Monroeville; Brycen Dunlap, Monroeville.
Inside Linebacker: Xavier Smith, St. Paul; Jack Stieber, St. Paul; Mason Kinney, Western Reserve.
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Landon Roeder, Monroeville; Nate Lowe, Western Reserve.
Defensive Back: Brady Daley, St. Paul; Landon Fries, St. Paul; Brice Perkins, Crestview; Aaron Hauler, South Central.
Punter: Gavin Barker, Crestview.
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
Quarterback: Liam Kuhn, Crestview; Hayden Keith, Western Reserve.
Running backs: Luke Pryor, Mapleton; Gunner Ray, South Central.
Wide Receivers: Nolan Moore, Crestview.
Guard: Evan Wangler, St. Paul; Mason Kinney, Western Reserve; Gunner Huston, Plymouth; Ajay Workman, Mapleton.
Tackle: Ben Blum, St. Paul; Jaxson Hedrick, Monroeville; Nolan Branham, Plymouth; Travis French, Western Reserve; Landon Gamble, South Central.
Tight End: Levi Stegaman, Monroeville.
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Casper Caizzo, St. Paul; Noah Robinson, Plymouth; Nolan Branham, Plymouth; Clayton Meagrow, Western Reserve.
Inside Linebackers: Colton Wittman, Mapleton; Landon Hersiser, Monroeville; Brantley Ellis, South Central.
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Jack Hedrick, Crestview.
Defensive Back: Brock Houck, St. Paul; Diton Farnsworth, South Central; Colt Clark, Monroeville.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Crestview's Caleb Cunningham named Firelands Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year
