Five area football players earned selection to the Michigan Sports Writers all-state Division 5-6 team, including two first-teamers.
Kalkaska defensive back Hunter Wilkinson and Traverse City St. Francis offensive lineman Garrett Russell were on the first team, with Kingsley senior linebacker Colton Goethals and Grayling receiver Austin Schwartz second team and Stags running back Gavin Lewis honorable mention.
Russell, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound junior right tackle, graded out at 94% on the season.
Wilkinson did a bit of everything for the Blazers, playing quarterback, safety, kicker, punter and returned kicks and punts. He posted 95 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 pass break-ups on defense. Ran for 811 yards and 11 TDs, threw for 450 yards and three TDs, averaged 38.8 yards on punts and 37.3 yards on punt returns (one for a TD).
Goethals, a Grand Valley commit, had a pick six and forced and recovered fumble that prevented a Kent City TD in the state semifinals. Led Kingsley with 420 receiving yards and 8 TDs. Defensively, he had 99 tackles on the season, with six tackles and a forced fumble in state finals. He returned two of three interceptions this season for touchdowns.
Schwartz put up good receiving numbers despite frequent double coverage, with 51 catches for 866 yards and eight TDs.
Lewis helped lead Kingsley to the state finals with 1,226 rushing yards and 14 TDs, even though he missed several games early in the year with an injury. Added 290 receiving yards and 3 TDs, including one in the state final, where he also ran for 117 yards.