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Now it's time to reveal some postseason honors. It was a fantastic year for many area athletes who strung together multiple strong performances on the football field. Many area athletes displayed their skills in a variety aspects. With that being said, here are my selections for the 2026 All-Sentinel Football Team.
All names on the 2026 All-Sentinel Football Team and Honorable Mentions are listed alphabetically. The All-Sentinel Football Player of the Year will be announced in Saturday’s edition of The Sentinel.
Aaron Becker, So., Linebacker, Fairmont
Fairmont's defense completely changed once Aaron Becker stepped on the field. Becker, who missed the first three games of the season, returned to play after suffering a knee injury. Once healthy, he made an immediate impact. Becker finished the fall with 48 tackles. 16 of those tackles were for a loss of yards, while four were sacks of the opponent’s quarterback. Becker's presence following his return helped Fairmont's defense allow just over 13 points per game to finish the season.
Bowan Sill, Jr., Quarterback, Defensive Back, GHEC/T
It was Bowan Sill's first year starting at quarterback for Granada Huntley East Chain/Truman. Reagan Emmert was gone. Right away, fans of the Jaguars could tell that Sill had some special abilities. In Sill's season debut, the junior notched 124 passing yards, 66 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns against Westbrook-Walnut-Grove. Sill finished 2026 with 627 passing yards, 566 rushing yards, and 19 total touchdowns. Even as the focal point of GHEC/T's offense, Sill continued to make plays on the ground and in the air. Sill also racked up 37 tackles and an interception at defensive back.
Brayden Williamson, Sr., Wide Receiver, Defensive Back, Fairmont
Brayden Williamson was a sparkplug for Fairmont in 2026. A player who truly had an impact in all three phases of the game. Offensively, the senior led the Cardinals in receiving yards with 489 while snatching six touchdowns. He accounted for two more scores on defense and special teams. One of Williamson's three interceptions was returned for a 60-yard touchdown in Fairmont's section quarterfinal matchup against Tri-City United. Williamson also returned a punt for 55 yards against Austin in Week 4.
Carson Crouch, Jr., Running Back, Defensive Back, North Union
The North Union backfield had big shoes to fill entering the fall. Nearly 60% of the Warriors’ rushing yards were leaving with Draven Keller's graduation, 1,231 yards and 19 touchdowns to be exact. North Union head coach Matt Ernster trusted Carson Crouch to be that next anchor. After 194 carries, the junior showed his value with the ball in his hands. Crouch accumulated 1,545 rushing yards, averaging eight yards per rush, and 23 touchdowns. On special teams, Crouch netted 446 yards and three touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns. He also threw a passing touchdown, recorded 39 tackles, and nabbed an interception.
Greyson Colegrove, Sr., Quarterback, Defensive Back, North Union
Greyson Colegrove was entering his third year as North Union's starting quarterback. Ernster had big expectations for his now-senior play caller, saying before the season started that he could see Colegrove finish 2026 with over 1,000 passing and rushing yards. While that goal is lofty for some, Colegrove passed it after the Warriors’ season-ending defeat to Audubon in the 8-Player Quarterfinals. Colegrove finished with 1,001 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 1,217 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. The preseason goal was complete. Colegrove was also fourth on the team in tackles and tallied three interceptions.
Hank Olson, Sr., Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Martin County West
Martin County West's running attack was essential to their 8-2 finish this season. Over 2,300 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns back that claim. Helping anchor the Maverick ground game was Hank Olson on the offensive line. Olson helped lead an improved Martin County West offensive line with physicality, making it a group head coach Tom Elliot could rely on in crucial offensive possessions. Olson was just as steady on the opposite side of the ball. He finished second on the Mavericks in tackles with 45 while piling up four sacks and six tackles for a loss.
Jensen Livesay, Sr., Quarterback, Fairmont
Jensen Livesay joined the Fairmont football team this season. He hadn't played football or the quarterback position in two years. By the fall's end, however, Livesay's impact on Fairmont's success was visibly seen. The senior finished his campaign with 1,159 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, both through the air and on the ground. Fairmont's 4-3 finish to end the year saw Livesay make multiple plays to help his team succeed, including four- and three-touchdown performances against Tri-City United and Belle Plaine in the regular season.
Lixon Forsberg, Sr., Wide Receiver, Defensive Back, Martin County West
After missing a majority of the 2025 season, Lixon Forsberg's addition to Martin County West this fall played a huge role in its success. He impacted all phases of the game. At wide receiver, Forsberg notched 432 yards and six touchdowns on 21 catches. He was given the toughest test consistently at defensive back and tallied 24 tackles. Forsberg additionally became a force on punt and kick returns, gathering 360 yards and two touchdowns.
Maddex Faber, Sr., Quarterback, Linebacker, Martin County West
Maddex Faber ended his Martin County West football career etched in its record books. Faber now sits as the all-time career tackles leader and is second in career passing yards. This latest season was just another example of how he left his mark on the program. On offense, Faber finished the year with 1,108 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He also scampered for 214 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Faber led the Mavericks in tackles at linebacker. He racked up 76 tackles and two sacks, while catching two interceptions and forcing a fumble.
Max Merrill, Sr., Offensive Line, Linebacker, North Union
Offensive line and linebacker positions are crucial in 8-Player football. Max Merrill did both at a high level. Many opponents North Union faced threw odd fronts at the Warriors. It made Merrill's excellent solo blocking ability even more important. At linebacker, Merrill led North Union in tackles with 65, had 6.5 tackles for a loss, and one sack. He also had three fumble recoveries and an interception that ended up as a 52-yard score the other way.
Pierce Rohman, Sr., Running Back, Utility, Martin County West
Pierce Rohman was a playmaker in 2026. It's as simple as that. Rohman's final year with the Mavericks was a success, being a key contributor in everything Martin County West did. At running back, Rohman finished with 1,365 yards and 19 touchdowns on a staggering 206 carries. He tacked on 437 yards and two touchdowns on punt and kick returns. Defensively, Rohman was easily moved all across the field. He netted 36 tackles with five sacks, which was good for second on the team.
Honorable Mentions
Cooper Hoye, Sr., Tight End, Utility, North Union: (557 yards, 12 TDs, 52 tackles, 9.5 TFLs)
Jacob Mattson, So., Wide Reciver, Defensive Back, GHEC/T: (377 total yards, 2 offensive TDs, 56 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 defensive TDs)
Mason Bicknase, Sr., Fullback, Running Back, Linebacker, Fairmont: (58 tackles, 340 total yards, 1 TD)
Preston Cepress, Sr., Wide Reciver, Safety, Martin County West: (465 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs)