Mifflin grads Eden Johnson, Brandon Strausser earn PSAC honors
Governor Mifflin grads Eden Johnson and Brandon Strausser are among a program-record 18 Kutztown University football players to selected for all-conference honors.
Johnson, a redshirt junior, and Strausser, a redshirt senior, were second-team picks.
Golden Bears coach Jim Clements received his sixth PSAC East Coach of the Year honor and third in a row after leading the Golden Bears to a second straight 11-0 unbeaten regular season.
Quarterback Judd Novak, a Manheim Central grad, was named East Offensive Athlete of the Year. Senior linebacker Brandon Hile, of Selinsgrove, was tabbed East Defensive Athlete of the Year.
Johnson is a two-time All-PSAC East performer; he earned first team honors last season. The linebacker started all 11 games, recording 45 tackles (15 solo, 30 assisted), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. He ranks third on the team in tackles and is tied for fourth in tackles for loss.
Strausser has started 10-of-11 games, tallying 47 tackles (22 solo, 25 assisted), 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. He ranks second on the team in tackles.
Other first-team picks include: running back Steven Burkhardt, of Gloucester City, N.J.; guard Billy Everitt, of Abington; tackle Ryan Schernecke, of Upper Moreland); defensive lineman Kyree Butler, of Upper Dublin; defensive back Lee Coleman, of Salem, N.J.; defensive lineman Mikey Gray, a York High grad; and defensive lineman Freddie Retter, of Quakertown.
Second-team picks include: guard Adam Conklin, of Middletown, N.J.; center CJ Conti, of Sea Isle City, N.J.; tackle Shane Hartman, of Father Judge; wide receiver Noah Kracyla, of Townsend, Del.; tight end Luke Maxwell, of Estell Manor, N.J.; running back Jaedyn Stewart, of Newfield, N.J.; and defensive back Jhaisir Harden, of Glassboro, N.J.
Novak and All-PSAC East First Team accolades for the first time in his career. The redshirt junior has completed 158-of-237 passes for 2,296 yards, 19 touchdowns and no interceptions, while also running for 213 yards and two TDs. He leads the PSAC and ranks third in DII in passing efficiency (174.5),
Hile has been a constant presence and leader for one of the top defenses in NCAA Division II during his career. This season, he’s racked up team-highs of 48 tackles and 29 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, four pass breakups and four quarterback hurries.
Kutztown is ranked No. 3 in both the AFCA and D2Football.com national polls — tying its highest-ever ranking — and won its third consecutive PSAC Championship Saturday’s 28-23 over IUP.
The Golden Bears own NCAA Division II’s longest active regular season winning streak at 31 games.
Now in his 11th season at KU, Clements is 101-29 (.777) with the Golden Bears and 167-53 (.759) in 19 seasons, including Delaware Valley.
