A fine season by Fremont Ross’ football team is now being formally recognized by the Three Rivers Athletic Conference’s head coaches. The TRAC released the names of its postseason all-conference teams and more than a dozen Little Giants were recognized.
Roger Burling
“Head coaches met on last Sunday and we did the voting,” Ross coach Chad Long said. “It was definitely nice to know we, as coaches, respect everyone, and one another and they respect our kids, obviously. I want to say this is most we’ve had since being in the TRAC, as far as first or second teamers.”
Leading the honors for Ross is senior receiver and defensive back Roger Burling, who earned first-team honors on both sides of the ball. Burling caught 38 passes for 745 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver.
“Roger was a unanimous selection,” Long said. “I think he led the conference in receiving yards – not bad for only playing eight-and-a-half games, right? He was well-respected by the coaches and they had to gameplan around him, which is why he was first team offense and defense.”
Joining Burling on first team was his quarterback, junior Hayden Lehmann, whose 2,170 passing yards led the conference.
Senior defensive lineman Shawn Newsome also earned first-team recognition as well, earning high praise from the league’s coaches, said Long.
“All the coaches could say is ‘That kid’s a machine,’” Long said. “He hustles and runs through the ball. That’s exactly what you get out of Shawn.”
Hayden Lehmann
Shawn Newsome
The special teams unit was also recognized, as junior punter Noah Hotz earned his second-straight first team honor averaging 36.6 yards per punt.
Junior offensive lineman Mike Thomas earned second-team honors as did all three levels of Ross’ defense. Sophomore defensive lineman Dontrez Brown, junior linebacker Caleb Wood and Hotz, a defensive back, all earned second team status.
“The great thing was seeing Dontrez, only being a sophomore, get second team,” Long said.
“Looking at the numbers, we have the most returning first- of second-team league players coming back (next year),” Long said. “We have six and Whitmer has six as well. It’s nice to see the future for next year is looking pretty bright.”
Noah Hotz
Seven Little Giants were also given honorable mentions: kicker Mikey Contreras, lineman Seth Harder, wide receiver/defensive back Devyn Jagodzinski, lineman Tanner King, running back/defensive back Chrystjan Mancini, linebacker Ben Rozzell and linebacker Garrett Schneider.
Long said the depth of talent in TRAC is indicative by how so many of Ross’ key players were only able to get honorable mentions.
“I wish I could say Garrett Schneider should have at least got second team, but I can’t say that because Caleb, he got second team but everyone on that first team at linebacker, are all D-I committed athletes. That’s the nature of the beast, I guess, with the conference we play in.”