See which Northern Kentucky football players won postseason awards

James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer
·8 min read
CovCath senior Aiden Jones and Beechwood senior Mitchell Berger both racked up postseason honors in Northern Kentucky football.
CovCath senior Aiden Jones and Beechwood senior Mitchell Berger both racked up postseason honors in Northern Kentucky football.
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The top players on four of Northern Kentucky’s best football teams have been given multiple awards recently as end-of-season honors roll out as voted by football coaches.

The Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association released its season-ending all-region awards last week, and the Kentucky Football Coaches Association named a player and coach of the year for each of the state’s 48 districts.

The Northern Kentucky coaches released an all-region first and second team for both offense and defense, as well as their overall recipients for the Top 26 Awards, annually one of the most prestigious local honors. For the Top 26, each of the 20 teams in the association select one player to receive an award and the coaches vote on six additional players to be honored for outstanding seasons.

In addition, the association released an all-class team for each Kentucky High School Athletic Association class that has local teams in it. The coaches consolidate Class 2A teams with 4A, which has two local schools in it, Holmes and Scott.

In Class 2A, Beechwood senior Mitchell Berger racked up honors despite being injured in the eighth game of the regular season, which ended his senior year.

Berger rushed for 1,191 yards and 21 touchdowns in eight games, averaging 140 yards on the ground per game. He was also a leader on defense at linebacker for the Tigers, who do not publish tackling statistics. He was also the placekicker and punter for the Tigers, who will play for their third Class 2A state title in as many years Friday against Mayfield.

Berger was named first team all-NKY as running back and linebacker. He was one of two Beechwood selections for the Top 26 list. He was named the all-region 2A/4A player of the year as well as the 2A, District 6 player of the year by the KFCA.

Berger is one of Northern Kentucky’s leading contenders for the two Mr. Football honors that will be given out after the season, one by the KFCA that is usually given out sometime in December and the long-running Associated Press honor that will be given out in early 2023. Berger is looking to be Beechwood’s second Mr. Football in three years after Cameron Hergott won it in 2020, but the fact Berger is unable to play in the playoffs will likely cost him some votes.

Simon Kenton quarterback Chase Crone (11) and Ryle defensive back Kaden Gardner (14) both collected multiple all-region football honors.
Simon Kenton quarterback Chase Crone (11) and Ryle defensive back Kaden Gardner (14) both collected multiple all-region football honors.

In 1A, Newport Central Catholic senior Luke Runyon won several awards as he led the Thoroughbreds to the 1A state semifinals, where they lost to Pikeville last week.

Runyon was first team all-region at defensive back and a Top 26 honoree. He was the 1A player of the year by the local coaches and the 1A, District 4 player of the year by the KFCA.

Runyon scored 21 touchdowns this season, 16 on the ground, three receiving and two on kickoff returns. He was NCC’s leading tackler on defense with 130, more than nine per game, with two sacks.

Highlands senior Charlie Noon was also a Top 26 honoree. He was second team all-region as an athlete. He was named the local 5A player of the year and the 5A, District 5 player of the year by the KFCA.

Noon led the Bluebirds to a 9-3 record and the second round of the playoffs. He had 53 catches for 797 yards and eight touchdowns, and also had a punt and a kick return for scores.

Simon Kenton senior quarterback Chase Crone was a Top 26 honoree and first team all-region at quarterback. He was named the local 6A player of the year and 6A, District 6 player of the year by the KFCA.

Crone threw for 1,387 yards and 13 touchdowns this season and rushed for 971 and 19 TDs for the Pioneers, who finished 8-4 and lost to Trinity in the second round of the 6A playoffs. Crone became SK’s all-time leader in career passing yards.

First team offense

Quarterback: Chase Crone (Simon Kenton).

Running backs: Mitchell Berger (Beechwood), Demetrick Welch (Newport Central Catholic).

Linemen: Adam Bowman (Highlands), Joe Cooley (Lloyd), Drew Dickerson (Ryle), Konner Huljak (Beechwood), Aiden Jones (Covington Catholic), Thomas Schramm (Covington Catholic), Aba Selm (Simon Kenton).

Tight end: Willie Rodriquez (Covington Catholic).

Wide receivers: Isaiah Johnson (Cooper), Liam McCormack (Beechwood), Braylon Miller (Covington Catholic), Sam Willike (Brossart), Chase Williams (Simon Kenton).  

Kicker: Tyler Smith (Brossart). Athlete: Curtez Hill (Holmes).

Charlie Noon of Highlands collected several prestigious all-region football honors, including the local 5A player of the year.
Charlie Noon of Highlands collected several prestigious all-region football honors, including the local 5A player of the year.

First team defense

Linemen: Austin Alexander (Cooper), Xavier Campbell (Beechwood), Aidan Harris (Simon Kenton), Max Lawrie (Covington Catholic), Ben Reeves (Covington Catholic).

Linebackers: Mitchell Berger (Beechwood), Josh Bowling (Simon Kenton), Jack Lonaker (Cooper), Brach Rice (Dixie Heights).

Defensive backs: Adam Dunn (Highlands), Kaden Gardner (Ryle), Braylon Miller (Covington Catholic), Luke Runyon (Newport Central Catholic), Luke Schieber (Simon Kenton).

Punters: Carson Class (Highlands), Mason Meyer (Brossart).

Brossart's Sam Willike was first team all-region in leading the Mustangs to a 9-3 record
Brossart's Sam Willike was first team all-region in leading the Mustangs to a 9-3 record

Second team offense

Quarterback: Kolton Smith (NewCath).

Running backs: Jayden Lawson (Simon Kenton), Owen Leen (CovCath).

Lineman: Jake Harmeyer (Cooper), Jake Putthoff (Simon Kenton), Grant Reece (Conner), Dylan Schulkers (Campbell County), Austin Waddell (Beechwood).

Tight end: Torin O’Shea (Beechwood).

Wide receivers: Trey Barnette (Dixie Heights), Jaidan Combs (Campbell County), Thomas King (Ludlow).

Kicker: Andrew Petty (Simon Kenton).

Athlete: Charlie Noon (Highlands).

Cooper's Isaiah Johnson (13) and Ryle's Lukas Colemire (1) both won all-region honors.
Cooper's Isaiah Johnson (13) and Ryle's Lukas Colemire (1) both won all-region honors.

Second team defense

Linemen: Avander Abrams (Lloyd), Torin O’Shea (Beechwood), Thomas Plymesser (Lloyd).

Linebackers: Emauryon Arnold (Holmes), Aiden Jones (CovCath), Amari Riley (Lloyd), Sam Robinson (Highlands), Jacob Savage (Ryle).

Defensive backs: Lukas Colemire (Ryle), Carson Craycraft (Beechwood), Jaxson Rice (Ludlow), Antonio Robinson (Beechwood).

Top 26

Beechwood: Mitchell Berger, Austin Waddell. Bellevue: James Long. Boone County: Braden McCarty. Brossart: Eli Twehues. Campbell County: Mitch McElroy. Conner: Grant Reece. Cooper: Jake Harmeyer, Jayce Hotchkiss. Covington Catholic: Aiden Jones. Dayton: Landyn Hopper. Dixie Heights: Brach Rice. Highlands: Charlie Noon, Adam Bowman. Holmes: Damarcus Winn. Holy Cross: Donovan Ambrocio. Lloyd: Amari Riley, Joe Cooley. Ludlow: Jaxson Rice. Newport Central Catholic: Luke Runyon. Newport: Quincy Barber. Ryle: Kaden Gardner, Logan Verax. Scott: Nolan Hunter. Simon Kenton: Chase Crone, Josh Bowling.

Newport Central Catholic senior Luke Runyon (4) was local 1A player of the year in addition to getting a spot in the Top 26 as he led NCC to the 1A state semifinals.
Newport Central Catholic senior Luke Runyon (4) was local 1A player of the year in addition to getting a spot in the Top 26 as he led NCC to the 1A state semifinals.

KFCA player, coach of the year

The Kentucky Football Coaches Association player and coach of the year for each district.

1A, District 4: Player of the Year – Luke Runyon (NCC); Coach of the Year – Steve Lickert (NCC).

2A, District 5: Coach of the Year – Jeff Barth (Walton-Verona).

2A, District 6: Player of the Year – Mitchell Berger (Beechwood); Coach of the Year – Ryan Hahn (Newport).

5A, District 5: Player of the Year – Charlie Noon (Highlands); Coach of the Year – Eddie Eviston (Covington Catholic).

6A, District 6: Player of the Year – Chase Crone (Simon Kenton); Coach of the Year – Roy Lucas Jr. (Simon Kenton).

1A all-star team

Offensive linemen: James Long (Bellevue), Danny Richardson (Ludlow), Eli Twehues (Brossart), Joe Powers (Dayton), Grant Powell (NCC), Eli Morgan (NCC); Quarterback: Kolton Smith (NCC); Running back: Demetrick Welch (NCC), Landyn Hopper (Dayton); Wide receiver: Thomas King (Ludlow), Sam Willike (Brossart), Matthew Landrum (NCC); Tight end: Chad Atkins (NCC); Kicker: Tyler Smith (Brossart); Defensive line: DeAngelo Jimenez (Dayton), Austin Schadler (Brossart), Nic Shafer (NCC), C.J. Gavin (NCC); Linebackers: Jaylen Bridges (Ludlow), Andrew Kendall (Ludlow), Dylan Davis (Dayton), Evan Orth (Brossart); Defensive backs: Jaxson Rice (Ludlow), Eric Simpson (Dayton), Mitchell Doeker (NCC), Luke Runyon (NCC); Athlete: Luke Runyon (NCC); Punter: Mason Meyer (Brossart).

Lloyd Memorial captains Amari Riley (21), Joe Cooley (74), Avander Abrams (5) and Kaiden Zulager (25) all won multiple all-region honors and led Lloyd to the 2A state semifinals for the first time since 2003.
Lloyd Memorial captains Amari Riley (21), Joe Cooley (74), Avander Abrams (5) and Kaiden Zulager (25) all won multiple all-region honors and led Lloyd to the 2A state semifinals for the first time since 2003.

2A/4A all-star team

Offensive linemen: Joe Cooley (Lloyd), Trevon Brown (Scott), Zach Chalfin (Holy Cross), Konner Huljak (Beechwood), Austin Waddell (Beechwood), Damarcus Winn (Holmes); Quarterback: Clay Hayden (Beechwood); Running back: Mitchell Berger (Beechwood), Kaiden Zulager (Lloyd Memorial), Bennie Hill (Scott); Wide receiver: Nolan Hunter (Scott), Liam McCormack (Beechwood), Landyn Phillips (Holy Cross); Tight end: Torin O’Shea (Beechwood); Kicker: Elijah Westwood (Lloyd); Defensive line: Xavier Campbell (Beechwood), Avander Abrams (Lloyd), Emmanuel Mills (Scott), Javon Buck (Newport), Thomas Plymesser (Lloyd); Linebackers: Amari Riley (Lloyd), Donovan Ambrocio (Holy Cross), Austin Waddell (Beechwood), Mitchell Berger (Beechwood); Defensive back: Dasani Lane (Scott), John Crim (Lloyd), Antonio Robinson, Jr. (Beechwood), Rodvion Thompson (Newport), Carson Craycraft (Beechwood); Punter: Andrew Bales (Holy Cross): Athlete: Curtez Hill (Holmes), Quincy Barger (Newport); Players of the Year: Mitchell Berger (Beechwood), Joe Cooley (Lloyd).

Conner's Grant Reece was a Top 26 and all-region honoree.
Conner's Grant Reece was a Top 26 and all-region honoree.

5A all-star team

Player of the Year: Charlie Noon (Highlands); Offensive line: Carson Raines (Boone County), Aiden Jones (CovCath), Thomas Schramm (CovCath), Grant Reece (Conner), Jake Harmeyer (Cooper), Adam Bowman (Highlands), Carson Schwalbach (Highlands); Quarterback: Evan Pitzer (CovCath); Running backs: Eli White (Cooper), Owen Leen (CovCath); Wide receivers: Isaiah Johnson (Cooper), Braylon Miller (CovCath), Tyler Whipple (Boone County); Tight end: Willie Rodriguez (CovCath); Kicker: Andrew Herron (Conner), Davis Burleigh (Highlands); Defensive line: Austin Alexander (Cooper), Ben Reeves (CovCath), Max Lawrie (CovCath), Grant Reece (Conner); Linebackers: Jack Lonaker (Cooper), Aiden Jones (CovCath), Oliver Bent (CovCath), Sam Robinson (Highlands), Noah Hodge (Highlands); Defensive backs: Jayce Hotchkiss (Cooper), Adam Dunn (Highlands), Noah Johnson (CovCath), Braylon Miller (CovCath); Athlete: Charlie Noon (Highlands); Punter: Trent Wilson (Cooper), Carson Class (Highlands).

Covington Catholic linebacker Willie Rodriguez (10) and Dixie Heights wide receiver Trey Barnette (3) both won multiple all-region honors.
Covington Catholic linebacker Willie Rodriguez (10) and Dixie Heights wide receiver Trey Barnette (3) both won multiple all-region honors.

6A all-star team

Player of the Year: Chase Crone (Simon Kenton); Offensive line: Aba Selm (Simon Kenton), Jake Putthoff (Simon Kenton), Dylan Schulkers (Campbell County), Joey Schultz (Dixie Heights), Drew Dickerson (Ryle), Mutaz Al-Ramahi (Ryle); Quarterback: Chase Crone (SK); Running back: Jayden Lawson (SK), Nate Smith (Campbell County); Wide receivers: Jaidan Combs (Campbell County), Trey Barnette (Dixie Heights), Chase Williams (SK); Tight end: Grady Reynolds (Ryle); Kicker: Andrew Kohls (Dixie Heights), Andrew Petty (SK); Defensive line: Aiden Harris (SK), Luke Zimmerman (Ryle), Luke Roaden (Dixie Heights), Logan McNabb (Campbell); Linebackers: Josh Bowling (SK), Brach Rice (Dixie), Mitch McElroy (Campbell), Jacob Savage (Ryle); Defensive backs: Kaden Gardner (Ryle), Lukas Colemire (Ryle), Miguel Rodriguez (Dixie), Luke Schieber (SK), Brayden Ross (SK); Athlete: Logan Verax (Ryle); Punter: Andrew Petty (SK).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: See who won all-region honors in Northern Kentucky prep football