Football
2023 ACAC Regular Season Awards
Team of the Year: Adams Central (9-0)
A no-brainer here. A third straight season atop the ACAC, and a second straight undefeated regular season. The Flying Jets scored over 42 points per game, and allowed a ridiculous five points per game. Sheer dominance from the Monroe Monsters.
Most Improved Team: Heritage (8-1)
Led by star dual-threat QB Kobe Meyer, Heritage went from 6-4 in 2022 to an impressive one-loss season this year. An 18.2 average point spread, two shutouts, and six wins by 20+ points. Great work by Casey Kolkman and this Patriots squad in just his fourth season as head coach of the program.
Coach of the Year: Brent Kunkel, Bluffton
After expereicning his best season in 2020 (8-2), a lot of people chalked that up a COVID fluke after the Tigers went 12-11 in the next two years. But this season–highlighted by a stellar group of upperclassmen–that narrative was swiftly put to bed with a nightlight on. A six-game win streak to start the season, outscoring those first six opponents 247 to 30. With a winnable sectional in front of the Tigers, the ACAC can’t wait to see how far Brent Kunkel and his Bluffton team can go.
Game of the Year: Heritage 27, Bluffton 21
Heading into this one, everyone and their mother knew it would be a gutsy performance from both teams. Heritage came into the game 5-1, and Bluffton came in undefeated ranked #1 in Class 2A. Heritage bounced out to an early 14-0, but Bluffton battled back to keep it close. The Tigers controlled time of possession (28:38 to 18:28), had more first downs (17 to 11), more plays (60 to 47), and had less penalties (five to nine) but Heritage overcame all of that to stun the Tigers and deny them a shot at a Top-2 finish in the conference.
Upset of the Year: Jay County 34, Woodlan 29
After losing all nine of their previous meetings with Woodlan, Jay County finally got the job done this season to defeat the Warriors on their own turf. The goose egg is gone from the all-time series record.
Newcomer of the Year: Cooper Craig, Bluffton
Cooper Craig, how do you do? As a freshman on the varsity squad, Craig had two 100-yard performances in a season with 577 total yards and 12 tocuhdowns. Great stuff from a player with three season to go in his high school career.
HIM Award: AJ Myers, Jay County
After only getting 21 carries his sophomore year, Myers exploded onto the stage this season to finish 3rd in rushing with 901 yards, 112 yards per game, and 11 touchdowns. You can look to his production on offense as one of the major reasons for Jay County’s elevated level of success this season. As a junior, he’ll have another season next year to show his skills, and Patriot nation can’t wait.
Mr. SCS Award: Kobe Meyer, Heritage
As a dual-threat senior quarterback, Kobe Meyer was the guy this year. To finish first in the conference in passing yards (1,039) and second in rushing yards (927) is just beserk. Not to mention 29 total touchdowns for a Heritage team amidst their best season since 2006. What a way to end his high school career, and it isn’t over yet as sectional play is just around the corner.
