(10-26-26) The Northwest Conference has announced its 2026 football all-conference teams, and Bluffton stands at the top of the honors list.
Bluffton swept the offensive awards: quarterback Tayte Giesige and running back Parker Lovell were named Offensive Co-Players of the Year. Columbus Grove’s Brady Basinger was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Lima Central Catholic’s Colin Stolly was named NWC Coach of the Year.
In all, 76 players were honored across the first team, second team and honorable mention on offense and defense.
1st Team Offense: Line — Mason Shank (12, Bluffton), Dom McKee (12, LCC), Jayden Williams (12, LCC), Michael Thompson (11, Columbus Grove), Lucas Warmbrod (12, Columbus Grove); Tight End — Brady Basinger (12, Columbus Grove); Receiver — Gavin Baxter (11, Columbus Grove), Tanner Eilerman (10, Fort Loramie), Michael Quatman (12, LCC); Running Back — Parker Lovell (12, Bluffton), Miles McDorman (12, Allen East); Quarterback — Tayte Giesige (12, Bluffton); Specialist — Brevan Stolly (12, LCC).
2nd Team Offense: Line — Ben Hawkins (11, Allen East), Dylan Meyer (12, Fort Loramie), Will Sheets (12, Crestview), Sawyer Bowling (11, Bluffton), Kale Lichtensteiger (12, Crestview); Tight End — Blayne Hill (12, Bluffton); Receiver — Lleyton Miller (12, Bluffton), Lausen Flores (12, LCC), Kellen Brotherwood (12, Delphos Jefferson); Running Back — Brody McCluer (11, Columbus Grove), Carter Lester (11, LCC); Quarterback — Brady Parker (12, LCC); Specialist — Ethan Hershberger (12, Allen East).
Honorable Mention Offense: Line — Brady Garlock (11, LCC), Easton Poling (10, Allen East), Shawn Hauter (11, Delphos Jefferson), Brady Miller (12, Delphos Jefferson), Parker Rahrig (11, Spencerville); Tight End — Xavier Pernell (LCC); Running Back — Heath Schnipke (11, Delphos Jefferson), Wyatt Holthaus (10, Fort Loramie); Receiver — Cam Smith (11, Allen East), Alex Meyer (11, Columbus Grove), Beau Lichtensteiger (9, Crestview); Quarterback — Keagan Jones (12, Allen East); Specialist — Blayne Hill (12, Bluffton), Caleb Ricker (10, Columbus Grove).
1st Team Defense: Line — Gavin Baxter (11, Columbus Grove), Mason Shank (12, Bluffton), Jayden Williams (12, LCC), Will Sheets (12, Crestview); Linebackers — Brady Basinger (12, Columbus Grove), G’Vonte Davis (12, LCC), Xavier Pernell (12, LCC), Dylan Painter (12, Bluffton); Def. Backs — Michael Quatman (12, LCC), Tayte Giesige (12, Bluffton), Alex Meyer (11, Columbus Grove), Dominic Burkett (11, Allen East).
2nd Team Defense: Line — Lane Paxson (11, Allen East), Baylee Maag (10, Columbus Grove), Carter Lester (11, LCC), Braylon Paxson (12, LCC); Linebackers — Brody McCluer (11, Columbus Grove), Ethan Hershberger (12, Allen East), Zayden Morales (11, Bluffton), Colton Rose (12, Fort Loramie); Def. Backs — Jaxon White (12, LCC), Trent Wynkoop (12, Columbus Grove), Blayne Hill (12, Bluffton), Lleyton Miller (12, Bluffton).
Honorable Mention Defense: Line — Drew Bergman (11, Fort Loramie), Dalton Wills (12, Delphos Jefferson), Landon Flores (11, Columbus Grove), Hayden Lehmkuhl (12, Fort Loramie); Linebackers — Eddie White (11, LCC), Kizer Young (12, Bluffton), Keaton Jacobs (11, Spencerville), Brady Miller (12, Delphos Jefferson); Def. Backs — Jordan Neal (12, LCC), Lucas Brandewie (12, Fort Loramie), Nelson Miller (11, Delphos Jefferson), Jack Siefker (11, Columbus Grove).
One small note: the source list shows Xavier Pernell’s year as “16” on the offensive honorable mention line, which looks like a typo for 12 (he’s listed as a senior on defense), so I left the year off his name there.
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