Ishpeming's Preston Gauthier, center, looks for a running lane while escorted by blocker Logan Hurkmans, right, as the Hematites' Dawson Beauchamp, second from left, engages Westwood defender Spencer Harvala during their high school football game played Sept. 17 at the Ishpeming Playgrounds. All three Hematites players earned West PAC Iron Division honors. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)

By Journal Sports Staff

IRON MOUNTAIN — During a difficult season where four of the five teams were involved in at least one forfeit, win or lose, the Iron Division of the West PAC honored its best players recently.

As for the three Superiorland area teams, each of them — Ishpeming, Gwinn and Manistique — earned seven awards each.

While Bark River-Harris won the division title with a perfect 4-0 division record — and was the only team able to play all nine games on its schedule — the Hematites were runners-up at 3-1, Emeralds third at 2-2, Modeltowners fourth at 1-3 and West Iron County in fifth at 0-4.

The only players honored multiple times among the three area teams, though, was Ishpeming senior Dawson Delongchamp. He earned one of the division’s “major” awards — Defensive Player of the Year — along with making the First Team at both linebacker on defense and running back on offense.

Among the five major awards, the Hematites snagged another one as sophomore Hunter Smith was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

One other Ishpeming player made a First Team — junior Aidan Rajala at offensive tackle.

The Hematites had a pair of honorable mentions with junior Preston Gauthier at running back and junior Logan Hurkmans at wide receiver.

Gwinn had seven players earn its seven awards.

Six made a First Team — senior Carl Peterson at running back, senior Levi Dupras at center, senior Caleb Stieler at tight end, senior Nate Chiles at punter, senior Keven Noble at linebacker and junior Dylan Derouin at defensive end.

The Modeltowners’ honorable mention was sophomore Conner Dupras at quarterback.

Manistique also had seven players honored.

Four made a First Team as senior McKabe Swanson was heralded that way at guard, senior JT Mackie at linebacker, junior Ross Pugh at defensive lineman and sophomore Wyatt Demers at defensive back.

Honorable mentions went to senior Cale Dykes at linebacker, sophomore Parker Graphos at running back and sophomore Michael Bouche at guard.

BR-H swept the other three major awards as senior Trevor Lippens was named Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore Charlie Guenette as Lineman of the Year and Al Stenberg as Coach of the Year.

In addition, the Broncos’ Corbin Lafave was named an honorable mention for Defensive Player of the Year.

Here are the other position award winners with school and year:

OFFENSE — Quarterback: 1st Team, Ethan Ives, BR-H, soph. Running back: Honorable mention, Noah Gagne, BR-H, soph. Fullback: 1st, Trevor Lippens, BR-H, sr. Guard: 1st, Jacob Wandahsega, BR-H, sr. Tackle: 1st, Austin Mosher, BR-H, jr. HM, Brennan Horton, West Iron County, jr. Tight end: Kavin Frederick, BR-H, jr. Wide receiver: Logan Getzloff, BR-H, sr.

DEFENSE — Line: 1st, Quenten Johnson, BR-H, sr. HM, Luke Hiverski, BR-H, jr. End: Charlie Guenette, BR-H, soph. Linebacker: 1st, Corbin Lafave, BR-H, jr. HM, Spencer Kegley, WIC, sr. Back: 1st, Josiah Javurek, BR-H, jr.; 1st, Trevor Lippens, BR-H, sr.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.