Introducing The Daily Reporter 2023 Football Dream Team
With the 2023 high school football season here in Branch County firmly in our rear view mirror, it is time to take a few moments and reflect on the season that was.
The Union City Chargers were the lone Branch County team to earn a bid in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) playoffs with a 6-3 regular season record, a record that included an undefeated 4-0 mark in the Big 8 conference, giving the Chargers their second straight Big 8 crown.
The Bronson Vikings finished the season at 3-6 overall, boasting wins over Prairie Heights and Loy Norrix, along with a win over rival Quincy in week three by the score of 34-8. Bronson finished their Big 8 schedule with a record of 1-3, placing them in a tie for fifth place with Reading.
The Quincy Orioles finished the 2023 season at 2-7 overall, with wins over Reading and Springport, placing the Orioles in a tie for second place in the conference. Quincy’s key moment on the season came in week two when the Orioles defeated their rivals from Reading 18-12 in the Battle for the Bell, giving the orange and black the traveling trophy for the first time since 2016.
The Coldwater Cardinals battled through a very tough schedule and showed progress each time on the field, however they were unable to secure a win throughout the season, finishing 0-9 overall on the year. Coldwater’s tightest game came in a heart breaking one point loss to Northwest by the score of 7-6, as the Cardinals put together a solid all-around game but came up just short in the end.
The Tekonsha Indians had to replace nearly every key offensive skill player from last year’s team and did so under new management. The Indians finished the season at 4-5 overall in 8-person football, boasting wins over Waldron, North Adams, Athens, and Burr Oak.
With the season now officially over we here at The Daily Reporter have taken the time to reflect on the season that was as we announce our annual football awards.
Each season we here at The Daily Reporter release an All-Area team we have called the Dream Team, those area players that we believe have shown great ability, leadership, and drive. Those athletes chosen are athletes who finished out the season in good standing with their respective teams and showed integrity and hard work all season long. Coaches were consulted in the choosing of these teams.
Speaking of coaches, The Daily Reporter would like to congratulate Union City head coach Doug Counterman who was named The Daily Reporter Football Dream Team Coach of the Year for the second straight season. Counterman just finished his second full season as head of the Charger football program and led the team to its second straight Big 8 conference title and third straight MHSAA playoff appearance. Counterman will return a solid core group of players next season and looks to add a third straight conference crown in the process.
Every good coach needs a good team, so, without further ado, ladies, and gentlemen, introducing we are proud to introduce the 2023 The Daily Reporter Football Dream Team.
(Editor’s Note: Many of the players chosen here would have been chosen for their work on both sides of the ball, however in the spirit of recognizing all those from Branch County who deserve to be honored, players were limited to just one side of the ball, despite deserving the honor on both sides.)
Offense
QB- Zach Coffing, Coldwater; Eli Payne, Union City; Brennen Allman, Quincy
RB- Dylon MacDonald, Union City; Seth Withington, Bronson; Noah Pearson, Quincy;
WR- Rick Austin Union City; Joe Smith, Quincy; Jeremy Zehr, Union City
OL- Blake Griffith, Tekonsha; Max Barve, Quincy; Gavin Kelly, Union City; Dylan Griffith, Tekonsha; Jace Hoard, Bronson; Lincoln Sims, Quincy; Miles Losinski, Bronson
Kicker- Jason Shoop, Union City
Defense
DL- Caden Hughes, Union City; Ethan Copas, Quincy; Hunter Gillies, Union City ; Dylan Lilly, Bronson; Josh Bailey, Tekonsha
LB- Owen Jackson, Union City Most Valuable Player; Nash Fitton, Quincy; Jackson Reilly, Coldwater; Ryan Zweng, Union City; Ben Mead, Tekonsha; Carson Norton, Bronson; Aiden Decker, Union City; Jack Ruden, Coldwater
DB- Riley Laird, Union City; Ryan Kempter, Quincy; Tyson Roby, Coldwater; Landyn Crance, Union City; Evan Porter, Coldwater
Punter- Marcos Sanchez, Tekonsha
For any questions, comments, or concerns regarding The Daily Reporter Dream Team, please contact sports editor Troy Tennyson via email at ttennyson@thedailyreporter.com. Follow Troy on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ttennysonTDR or follow The Daily Reporter on Facebook for up-to-date stats, news, scores, and more.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Meet the 2023 The Daily Reporter Football Dream Team
