BRANCH COUNTY - For the third straight season the Big 8 Conference football championship went through Charger country, as Union City secured its third straight Big 8 crown with a 7-0 record.
Not far behind the Chargers was the resurgent Bronson Vikings, who under first year head coach Tony Myers, finished in second place at 6-1 while also qualifying for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) postseason.
Springport finished in third place at 5-2, followed by Reading at 4-3, Sand Creek at 3-4, Stockbridge at 2-5, Maple Valley at 1-6, and Quincy at 0-7.
WIth the season now in the rearview mirror the Big 8 has released its All-Conference honors and the trio of Branch County teams are well represented.
Both Union City and Bronson placed five on the Big 8 All Conference first team, Quincy's Pearson also earns first team honors
The Big 8 champion Chargers placed five on the first team, including running back Dylon MacDonald, offensive linemen Reed Goodwin and Taylor Curtis, defensive end Caden Hughes, and linebacker Aiden Decker.
Bronson also saw five all-conference first team honorees including senior Kam Brackett who earned first team honors on both offense and defense, earning honors at wide receiver and defensive back. Also hailing from Bronson was offensive lineman Sam Tappenden, defensive lineman Lance Salek, and linebacker Karson Scare.
Quincy had one first team selection as linebacker Ethan Pearson earned all-conference honors.
Reading's Lukas Strine was named Big 8 Most Valuable Player for the 2024 season after earning first team honors on both offense and defense. On offense Strine put up over 1,200 yards rushing while adding over 100 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
Quarterback- Gibson Overweg, Springport
Running Back- Lukas Strine, Reading and Dylon MacDonald, Union City;
Wide Receivers- Kam Brackett, Bronson; Brock Rochow, Stockbridge; Jake Kregal, Springport
Offensive Line- Payton Green, Reading; Reed Goodwin, Union City; Taylor Curtis, Union City; Foster Pybus, Stockbridge; Sam Tappenden, Bronson
Kicker- Kelvin Davis, Maple Valley
Defensive Line- Reid Hullet, Sand Creek; Caden Hughes, Union City; Lance Salek, Bronson
Linebacker- Aiden Decker, Union City; Lukas Strine, Reading; Brandon Barrett, Springport; Ethan Pearson, Quincy; and Karsen Scare, Bronson
Defensive Back- Kam Brackett, Bronson; Stone Overweg, Springport; Jakeb McDonald, Maple Valley
Punter- Cameron Wheeler, Reading
Union City nets six second team honors, Bronson places four, Quincy's Dickey honored
Union City had six second team honors, including running back Brendan Labar, wide receiver Rick Austin, offensive lineman Gavin Kelly, defensive end Carson Danke, linebacker Alex Boyer, and defensive back Kelub Miller.
Bronson honorees included quarterback Spencer Losinski, offensive lineman Lance Salek, defensive lineman Colin York, and defensive back Ben Stevens.
Quincy offensive lineman Rylen Dickey was also honored for his work for the Orioles this season.
Quarterback- Spencer Losinski, Bronson
Running Back- Brandon Hamlett, Stockbridge; Ivan Wilkinson, Sand Creek; Brendan Labar, Union City
Wide Receiver- Rick Austin, Union City and Ben Curtis, Springport
Offensive Line- Rylen Dickey, Quincy; Drew Elder, Reading; Brandon Ruff, Sand Creek; Lance Salek, Bronson; Gavin Kelly, Union City; and Joel Kiselica, Springport
Defensive Line- Stephen Anderson, Reading; Carson Danke, Union City; Tyler Thompson, Sand Creek; and Colin York, Bronson
Linebacker- Alex Boyer, Union City; Gavin Marks, Sand Creek; and Chris Mock, Maple Valley
Defensive Back- Ben Stevens, Bronson; RJ Gervacio, Sand Creek; Kelub Miller, Union City; and Gibson Overweg, Springport
More: Missed opportunities, dominant Hudson run game ends Union City's special season