Announcement of the 2024 Michigan Sports Writers All-State Team for 8-Player Football
The 2024 Michigan Sports Writers All-State Team for 8-player football has been officially announced, and the selection was made by a dedicated panel of ten sports writers from across the state.
Player of the Year
This year’s Player of the Year is Hunter Garza from Deckerville, a senior who has demonstrated exceptional skill on the field.
First Team All-State Selection
Highlighting the First Team All-State selections are:
– Quarterbacks: Hunter Garza (Deckerville, Sr.) and Tommy Storey (Pickford, Sr.)
– Running Backs: Owen Gorham (Mendon, Jr.) and Lane Gorzinski (Powers North Central, Sr.)
– Wide Receivers: Owen Baij (Norway, Jr.) and Ethan Mattson (Merrill, Sr.)
– Offensive Linemen: Carter Bell (Gobles, Sr.), Kevin Giuliani (Crystal Falls Forest Park, Sr.), and Haydn Rader (Pickford, Sr.)
– Defensive Linemen: Preston Holman (Deckerville, Sr.), Matthew Showers (Crystal Falls Forest Park, Sr.), and Travis Smith (Morrice, Sr.)
– Linebackers: Eli MacDonald (Pickford, Sr.) and Brandon Salowitz (Deckerville, So.)
– Defensive Backs: Wyatt Valentine (Morrice, So.) and Chase VanMiddlesworth (Climax-Scotts, Sr.)
– Athletes: Aidan Fenstermaker (Indian River Inland Lakes, Sr.) and Matthew Rahilly (Newberry, Sr.)
– Kicker: Dietrich Rasner (Crystal Falls Forest Park, So.)
– Punter: Luke Bradford (Onekama, Jr.).
Coach of the Year
The title of Coach of the Year has been awarded to Erik Johnson of Britton Deerfield.
Second Team All-State Roster
The Second Team All-State includes:
– Quarterbacks: Cole Baij (Norway, Sr.) and Garrett Somers (Alcona, Sr.)
– Running Backs: Joel Fisher (Morrice, Sr.) and Mason Mansfield (Gobles, Sr.)
– Wide Receivers: Caden Besonen (Ontonagon, Sr.) and Tegan Williams (Pittsford, Sr.)
– Offensive Linemen: Wes Bennett (Cedarville, Sr.), Talan Buchanan (Mendon, Sr.), and Spencer Willa (Powers North Central, Sr.)
– Defensive Linemen: Arden Bradford (Onekama, Sr.), Cody Omo (Montabella, Jr.), and James Williams (Marion, Sr.)
– Linebackers: Carter Deatsman (Munising, Sr.) and Daniel Jacobson (Gaylord St. Mary, Sr.)
– Defensive Backs: Andre Bradford (Indian River Inland Lakes, Jr.) and Aidyn Burton (Powers North Central, Sr.)
– Athletes: Wade Haskins (Bridgman, Sr.), Luke Lawrence (Climax-Scotts, Sr.), and Gavin Meyers (Martin, Sr.)
– Kicker: Nate Siler (Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, So.).
Coaching honors in the second team were shared among Bill Brown (Deckerville) and Brian Fabbri (Crystal Falls Forest Park).
Honorable Mentions
A number of players received Honorable Mentions, reflecting their strong performances throughout the season:
– Quarterbacks: Jake Drawe (Pittsford), Chuck Pagel (Bridgman), Carter Zeien (Au Gres)
– Running Backs: Wyatt Cartier (Morrice), Cole Meyer (Marion), Luke Wiser (Britton Deerfield)
– Wide Receiver: Tyler Zaherniak (Au Gres)
– Defensive Lineman: James Jager (Martin)
– Linebackers: Haylen Buell (Martin), Colt Myers (Battle Creek St. Philip), Liem Roe (Britton Deerfield), Brady Trabalka (Grandville Calvin Christian), Jack Wetters (Bay City All Saints)
– Defensive Backs: Zane Cherfan (Adrian Lenawee Christian), Lawson Cooper (Brown City), Drake Koepke (Bellaire), Trey Most (Breckenridge), Nick Stiver (Mendon), Collin Stockero (Coleman)
– Athlete: Brenner Powers (Adrian Lenawee Christian).
Additionally, Coach Jeff Hebden (Bellaire) is also recognized for his contributions to the sport.
The selection process involved a voting panel that included prominent sports writers from various local media outlets throughout Michigan, ensuring a thorough and fair evaluation of each athlete’s contributions this season.
