Five local football players earn MHSFCA All Region honors
BRANCH COUNTY – The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) recently announced their honorees for 2023 All Regional teams, and five players from Branch County were honored for their work on the gridiron this season.
The teams were selected exclusively by a panel of MHSFCA member coaches representing each region in the state, with honorees being named from all eight 11-player divisions and both 8-player divisions.
The Union City Chargers saw four players earn recognition from the MHSFCA by earning Division 7, Region 2 All-Regional honors.
On offense the Chargers were represented by first year starting center, junior Gavin Kelly. Kelly quickly became the centerpiece to the Union City offensive line and earned All-Conference honors as a center this season. The stout and solid Kelly proved to be a force on both sides of the ball for Union City in his first year at the varsity level.
On defense Union City had three players recognized for their efforts during the 2023 season, as linebacker Owen Jackson, defensive lineman Caden Hughes, and defensive back Riley Laird were all recognized.
Jackson had a season for the ages, leading all area defenders in tackles from his middle linebacker spot. Jackson’s efforts on the gridiron this season led to the gritty senior earning the vote as the Big 8 Conference Most Valuable Player thanks to his efforts at both middle linebacker and on the offensive line. Jackson was undoubtedly the captain of a very stout Union City defense where he served as a starter for three years.
Hughes, a junior, showcased his athleticism and speed on the end for the Charger defense and led all of Branch County in sacks and tackles for a loss. Hughes also earned Big 8 All Conference First Team honors for his work on defense in his second season at the varsity level.
As for Laird, a senior, the Charger speedster led the area in interceptions and proved to not only be a dynamic ball carrier on offense, but a shutdown corner and safety on defense. Laird earned All-Conference First Team honors for his work in the secondary for a stout Union City defense this season, his second straight All Big 8 honor. This was Laird’s third season at the varsity level for Union City football.
More: Union City gives No.1 North Muskegon all it can handle, Chargers fall in D7 football playoffs
In Division 6 it was Quincy senior lineman Max Barve earning All Region honors, being named to the Division 6, Region 2 team. Barve was voted as the preseason Football Player of the Year by the readers of The Daily Reporter and did not disappoint, turning in a dominant season in the trenches, serving as the centerpiece of the Oriole offensive and defensive line. Barve earned Big 8 All Conference First Team honors along the offensive line this season and will leave behind a big hole upon graduation this season.
Other honorees of note from the Big 8 conference included Tayshawn Bester of Reading who earned Division 8, Region 2 honors as an Athlete while Concord’s Rollen Smith (OL), Mekhi Wingfield (WR), Gavin Riske (QB), and Collin Thompson (DL) all earned 8-player Division 1, Region 2 honors.
For the full list of the MHSBCA All Regional honorees from all eight 11-player divisions as well as both 8-player divisions, visit https://www.mhsfca.com/.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Five Branch County football players named to MHSFCA All Regional teams
