Republic placed 11 players on the All-COC West football teams after a 9-3 season in which the Tigers gained 4,488 total yards, including 4,088 rushing yards and 61 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Preston McCracken, lineman Landon Harper, kicker/punter Elijah Phiri, linebacker Kaleb Norman, linebacker Ethan Montiel, and defensive back/receiver Keiran Govan all earned first-team recognition.
First-Team Offense
Landon Harper – Offensive Line
Senior
Harper was selected first-team offensive line after starting up front for an offense that averaged 340.7 rushing yards per game and 7.20 yards per carry. He has signed to continue his football career at Central Michigan University.
Preston McCracken – Athlete
Senior
McCracken was named first-team athlete. He led Republic in both rushing and passing, finishing with 1,365 rushing yards on 172 carries (7.94 yards per carry) and 20 rushing touchdowns. He added 400 passing yards, completing 25 of 59 attempts with six touchdowns.
Elijah Phiri – Kicker
Senior
Phiri earned first-team honors at kicker. He was 1-for-1 on field goals from a school-record 45 yards out, and he converted 58 of 66 extra-point attempts (87.88%), finishing with 61 kicking points. He also routinely kicked the ball into the end zone for touchbacks on kickoffs.
First-Team Defense
Kaleb Norman – Inside Linebacker
Senior
Norman was selected first-team inside linebacker. He led the Tigers with 100 total tackles, including 78 solo tackles, 22 assists, two sacks, and 10 tackles for loss.
Ethan Montiel – Outside Linebacker
Junior
Montiel received first-team recognition at outside linebacker. He finished with 70 total tackles (49 solo), seven sacks, and 18 tackles for loss, along with one interception.
Keiran Govan – Defensive Back
Junior
Govan was selected first-team defensive back. He recorded 57 tackles (47 solo), three tackles for loss, and four interceptions with 169 return yards and one defensive touchdown. He returned one interception 106 yards for a touchdown, setting a new school record. On offense, he caught 10 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns.
Second-Team Offense
Chance Gimlin – Offensive Line
Senior
This was Gimlin’s third year on varsity. He started on the right side of the line alongside Harper and was a consistent contributor in the running game.
Braxton Lundberg – Tight End
Senior
Lundberg was named second-team tight end. Though he finished with two catches for 29 yards, he was valued as a blocker and was frequently described by coaches as part of the offensive line.
Second-Team Defense and Specialists
Cooper White – Defensive Line
Senior
White returned from a knee injury after a year of rehab to rejoin the lineup and earn second-team recognition. He totaled 27 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Grayson Hart – Defensive End
Senior
Hart recorded 51 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Gavin Lawhon – Defensive Back
Senior
Lawhon finished with 29 tackles and three tackles for loss. Offensively, he contributed four receptions for 58 yards and two rushing attempts for 39 yards.
Elijah Phiri – Punter
Senior
Phiri was also named second-team punter. He averaged 40.25 yards on 12 punts, with three inside the 20-yard line.
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