Offense
LANDYN NORMAN | Taylor: Improvement from the previous two seasons was made on the field over at Taylor thanks in part to a strong season from quarterback Landyn Norman. One of the more true dynamic dual-threat signal-callers in the entire local area, Norman compiled nearly as many rushing yards (1,012) as he did through the air (1,047) in nine games. The senior for the Griffins finished with 18 total touchdowns.
JOEL SCULLY | Flat Rock: Big shoes needed to be filled at Flat Rock following the graduation of former two-time first-team all-News-Herald quarterback Graham Junge. But Joel Scully more than held his own in getting the Rams back into the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Despite missing three games due to injury, the junior finished with 1,668 passing yards, close to 300 yards rushing, and 26 total touchdowns.
EVERETT ROBERTS | Romulus Summit Academy North: Should the team at Summit continue its steady run as of late, they will be leaning on a strong senior season from Everett Roberts come 2026. An all-Charter Conference and all-region honoree, Roberts as the lead tailback for the Dragons finished with almost 900 scrimmage yards, most of which came on the ground, along with 14 touchdowns. The junior also logged almost 50 tackles on defense.
PARKER SACHES | Trenton: When quarterback and second-team all-News-Herald recipient AJ Hawkins wasn’t carrying the rock himself, it was Parker Saches as the primary ball carrier for Trenton during the season. Still only a sophomore this school year, Saches earned all-Downriver League honors after piling up just over 700 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 11 passes for 163 yards out of the backfield.
ROCCO CAPPELLINO | Grosse Ile: No strangers to airing it out in the traditionally run-heavy Huron League, Grosse Ile often turned to Rocco Cappellino for its big-play potential. The leading receiver for the Red Devils back in the fall, Cappellino “provided a deep threat” according to head coach John Bodner. The junior racked up almost 600 yard receiving and six touchdowns, averaging over 18 yards per catch.
JACE CETNAR | Allen Park Cabrini: Something of a do-everything athlete, Jace Cetnar settled into his more traditional wide receiver role in his final season at Cabrini this past year. Another big-play performer, Cetnar finished with 531 yards and eight touchdowns on just 29 grabs. The senior and all-Catholic performer in the Catholic League also picked up 32 tackles and four interceptions on defense for the Monarchs.
ALEX BEAUDRIE | Flat Rock: Described as a “versatile playmaker” by head coach Brandon Reaume, the value that Alex Beaudrie provided for Flat Rock went well beyond his pass-catching duties. In addition to his 255 yards and three touchdowns receiving, the junior Beaudrie gave the Rams “advantages in run game with his blocking ability.”
CALEB PEREZ | Brownstown Woodhaven: Few local teams were as stacked up in the trenches as the one over at Woodhaven this past fall. A literal big reason for their way to control games at the line of scrimmage was the play of Caleb Perez on both sides of the ball. A three-year starter for the Warriors, the “powerful and dominant” junior for the Warriors received all-DRL honors at season’s end.
JAHLEL DUNSON | Ecorse: Another local program who controlled the line of scrimmage most times out was Ecorse, and at the “heart and soul” of it all was Jahlel Dunson. In addition to “clogging up the middle” on defense as well, the senior Dunson was a staple on the offensive line for a run-heavy Red Raiders team that averaged over 20 points per game in the Charter Conference.
KANE DODD | Riverview: Speaking of run-heavy programs, few local programs if any do it as much as Riverview has in recent history. The Pirates have had no shortage of big-time linemen to help facilitate that offense and Kane Dodd was one of many just this past season. The senior, who also played on the defensive line also, was named all-Huron League at season’s end.
BEN DEMMER | Wyandotte Roosevelt: While they will see second-team all-area honoree Donovan Stone eventually graduate and move on, Roosevelt appears to have a viable replacement come 2026 in Ben Demmer. Praised for being “strong and quick up front” by head coach Jakob Zanski, Demmer also lined up as a linebacker on defense for the Bears. The junior was named all-Downriver League after posting a team-high 44 tackles.
EVAN RAITHEL | Grosse Ile: Another offensive lineman who also dabbled at linebacker on defense, Evan Raithel “brought great intensity” to the Grosse Ile offensive line according to Coach Bodner. A two-year starter at the guard position, Raithel received all-Huron League status thanks to his part on both sides of the ball for the Devils. In addition to his strong presence on offense, the senior logged 80 tackles on defense.
Defense
ADDISON STURGILL | Flat Rock: Not only did Addison Sturgill help patrol the secondary for Flat Rock, he was also the “quarterback of the defense” according to Coach Reaume. An MHSFCA all-region recipient, Sturgill in his senior season with the Rams finished with 57 tackles, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and subsequent recovery, and an interception.
DIJON WILSON | River Rouge: Another elite athlete with a knack for making plays in the defensive backfield, DiJon Wilson’s value extended to both sides of the football for Rouge this past season. A high-level wrestler as well at Rouge, finished his senior season with 50 tackles and seven pass break-ups as a defensive back. He also was a big-play pass-catching option on offense with 275 yards and a pair of scores on just 15 grabs.
NATE MATSOS | New Boston Huron: Another standout talent on the wrestling mat, Nate Matsos has arguably been the best and most consistent performer for Huron each of the last two football seasons. An all-News-Herald honoree a season ago as well, the team captain for the Chiefs finished his senior year with over 41 tackles and two picks of opposing quarterbacks, good enough to earn all-Huron League honors.
KOLTON BODNER | Grosse Ile: Much like his fellow wide receiver teammate Cappellino, Kolton Bodner was regularly making plays deep downfield for Grosse Ile, on both sides of the ball. An all-Huron League performer, Bodner logged over 70 tackles out of the safety position for the islanders. The junior also figures to be a go-to target in the passing game come next season after picking up 267 yards receiving.
DONAVAN EWING | Romulus Summit Academy North: The program at Summit has had some veteran pillars to help stabilize the program in recent years and Donavan Ewing has arguably been the best of the bunch. Primarily a linebacker on defense, Ewing provided the Dragons immene value on both sides of the ball. The senior received both all-Charter Conference and all-region honors after posting 76 tackles and three sacks, along with 260 scrimmage yards on offense.
STEVEN MAURITHIO | Riverview Gabriel Richard: Another Class of 2026 linebacker with a natural ability to stop plays, Steven Maruithio was that and then some for a Gabriel Richard team that reached the playoffs for a tenth time in 12 years. An all-conference honoree out of the Catholic League, Maurithio finished with nearly 80 tackles and one forced fumble for the Pioneers.
NOAH ROMAN | Allen Park Cabrini: While they will see some big-time performers graduate, Cabrini can go into next season knowing they return one of the best local linebackers in Noah Roman. An all-Catholic honoree, Roman was a reliable safety valve on both sides of the ball for the Monarchs. The junior had almost 60 tackles on defense while also logging almost 800 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns on offense.
TAHJ FERGUSON | Brownstown Woodhaven: One area linebacker who found a way to regularly make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage was Woodhaven’s Tahj Ferguson. Praised for his “hustle” and “highlight plays” by head coach Dave Mifsud, Ferguson racked up an incredible 10 sacks as part of his 63-tackle effort on the season. The senior also picked off opposing signal-callers three times.
BLAINE DEMYAN | Flat Rock: Whether it was on the offensive or defensive line, Blaine Demyan “took on many double teams to free up teammates” throughout the season for Flat Rock. Demyan, though, often found a way to get home and make plays himself for the Rams. The senior was named all-region after finishing with 44 tackles.
NIKO PAPADOPOULOS | Riverview: After appearing in only seven games as a junior the year prior, Niko Papadopoulos took on an elevated role for Riverview and consistently delivered each week. Following a 15-tackle effort in 2025, Papadopoulos tripled that output this past season in all 10 games for the Pirates. The senior was rewarded with all-Huron League recognition at season’s end.
SEAN DOYLE | Allen Park: Despite being limited to just six games on the defensive side of the ball, Sean Doyle was arguably the most impactful lineman in the trenches for Allen Park. An all-Downriver League performer, Doyle finished his final season with the Jags by logging 33 tackles, five of which were for a loss of yards, as well as one sack.
Special Teams / Athletes
LILA MEGYESI | Brownstown Woodhaven: When they needed a big kick, Woodhaven turned to multi-sport talent Lila Megyesi. A standout for the girls basketball program at the school, Megyesi showcased her elite soccer prowess as the Warriors’ primary kicker on point-after tries. The junior converted on all but one of her 55 PATs and was 2-for-3 in field goal attempts, including a 43-yarder in their Week 7 matchup vs Gibraltar Carlson.
ZAYNE WHITSON | Southgate Anderson: A wide receiver by trade, Zayne Whitson did a little bit of everything for Anderson in his final season of high school ball. In addition to his near 300 yards and three touchdowns receiving, Whitson also scored one rushing touchdown and racked up 50 tackles and five pass break-ups on defense for the Titans. He even tallied a pair of return scores on special teams.
JAYDEN MCGRATH | Ecorse: The “glue that kept our offense together.” Those were the words of Ecorse head coach Larry Johnson when describing Jayden McGrath. Traditionally a running back, McGrath scored 18 total touchdowns three different ways for the Raiders this past season. The sophomore ran for nearly 1,200 yards and 11 scores on the ground, but also had three receiving touchdowns and even four passing touchdowns.
Honorable Mention
Allen Park: Ben Klos (QB), Marcus Buchanan (LB)
Brownstown Woodhaven: Jordan Jackson (WR)
Flat Rock: Jordan Godfrey (WR), David Riddle (DB/WR)
Grosse Ile: Tanner Symons (QB), Will Weise (OL/DL)
New Boston Huron: Jamil Brown (RB), Noah Herron (LB)
Riverview: Magnus Geiger (DL/TE)
Romulus Summit Academy North: Omari Smith (DT)
Taylor: Dorian Hollis (OL/DL)
Trenton: Harrison McMillan (TE), Tyler Crook (DB/RB)
Wyandotte Roosevelt: Jack Halberstadt (QB/RB/TE/DE)
