Former New Palestine standout Maxen Hook, a sophomore safety at Toledo, was named first-team All-MAC.
The University of Toledo
Former New Palestine all-stater Maxen Hook was one of 10 Toledo Rockets football players to earn All-Mid-American Conference honors.
A sophomore safety, Hook was named first team All-MAC.
It’s the second straight season Hook earned all-conference honors. He was a third team choice last year.
For the Rockets, Hook is third on the team with 66 tackles and has two interceptions and four pass breakups.
Toledo (7-5) plays for the Mid-American Conference championship today at Detroit’s Ford Field against Ohio (9-3). The game starts at noon and will be televised by ESPN.
Cole named to MVFC second team
Rylan Cole, a former standout at Mt. Vernon High School, and a sophomore defensive back at Indiana State University, was named second team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.
In the team’s season-opener, Cole had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, and two interceptions in a win against North Alabama.
The sophomore rode the momentum into becoming one of the premier tacklers in the MVFC this season. The McCordsville native finished tied for sixth in the MVFC in total tackles (84), while adding 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 11 total passes defended. He posted a career-high 18-tackle effort against North Dakota State and was a two-time MVFC Defensive Player of the Week selection in 2022.
Slunaker named Freshman of the Year
Gehrig Slunaker, a freshman quarterback at Georgetown College, was named the Mid-South Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year.
The former Mt. Vernon all-star threw for 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for three touchdowns.
Against Thomas More, he threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others to lead the Tigers to a 35-0 victory. His best passing day came in a 24-23 loss to Cumberlands. Slunaker threw for 397 yards and three touchdowns.
Luker, Roudebush, Sotelo part of HCAC teams
Hanover’s Brody Luker and Eric Roudebush and Anderson’s Cayden Sotelo were selected to All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference football teams.
Luker and Roudebush are former players at New Palestine High School. Sotelo played at Eastern Hancock.
As a defensive back, Luker was named to the All-HCAC second team. Roudebush, as a punter, and Sotelo, as a defensive back, were named honorable mention.
Luker was also selected to the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-District squad. A junior, the former Dragon had 61 tackles, including 36 solos and four interceptions.
Roudebush, a junior who was also one of the Panthers top receivers, had four 50-plus yard punts and three touchbacks.
Sotelo, a sophomore, had 50 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Hockett named honorable mention
Taylor linebacker Jacob Hockett, who prepped at New Palestine High School, was named honorable mention Mid-States Football Association All-Mideast League.
Hockett closed his junior season ranked second in the NAIA with 122.0 total tackles. The linebacker averaged 11.1 stops per outing and also led the Trojans with 15 hits behind the line of scrimmage.
