×

9 Mifflin County players named GEFA all-stars

LEWISTOWN — Nine Mifflin County Tomahawks made the 2017 Great Eastern Football Association Mountain Conference All-Star team selected last week.

Quarterback Leshawn Brown, wide receivers Jordan Bell and Tim Beck, tight end Kevin Grenoble, and linemen Jason Schultz and Tony Shearer made the offensive squad. Mason Sweitzer (tackle) and corners Matt Short and Jon Bell were defensive selections. Shearer can’t make it to the all-star game; his replacement is teammate Brady Specht, an alternate.

“It’s the first time we ever had nine make the all-star team. It’s an honor and a symbol on how hard they’ve worked. If you ask all nine of these guys they will tell you they made all-stars because the guy next to them did their job,” Mifflin County coach Brian Rodgers said. “That makes them very easy to coach and a credit to assistant coaches Doug Weaver, Charles Pent and even Jesse (Rodgers), who helped out this year. They got these guys coached up. We did more individual drills and refining their talent in the offseason than we ever have. The hard work paid off and we’re very proud of the honor.”

Brown threw for 48 touchdowns and 1,453 yards in the regular season. On the ground, he rushed for 327 yards and three scores. Bell had a league-leading 23 TD receptions to go with 43 catches, while Beck collected 30 catches for 302 yards and nine scores. Grenoble snared 14 balls for 164 yards and three TDs.

“Kevin doesn’t have the greatest numbers, but when he’s on the field, you know our offensive unit is better. He’s able to pick up blitzes, trap and do a lot of different things. He’s a game-changer,” Rodgers said. “Leshawn has been outstanding for us and we are lucky to have him. Jordan Bell is Mr. Offense for us. We are a different team without him. Timmy does everything for us. He has heart and gives 110 percent every game. He plays his guts out and deserves to be an all-star.”

Shearer and Schultz anchored an O-Line that gave up only one sack all season. The Tomahawk running attack averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 93 yards a game. In the playoffs, Mifflin County has 255 yards rushing with ten touchdowns.

“Tony’s been with us three years. He was a defensive lineman and we switched him over to offense. He’s done a terrific job for us,” Rodgers said. “Brady’s lost weight and is much quicker this year. He’s come a long way. Jason was a dark horse for us. He tried out two years ago, didn’t make the first cut, had another tryout and we kept him for depth. Now look, where would we be without him?”

Sweitzer ended the regular season with 36 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles. Short and Jon Bell (10 sacks) tied for the league lead in interceptions with 11.

“Mason had a phenomenal year. He transformed from an individual player into a team player and once he bought into the team concept, he became a beast at his position,” Rodgers said. “The DBs have a lot of pressure on them with the way we play defense. They stepped up to the plate in a big way.”

Mifflin County (12-0) faces Mount Joy (11-0) in the Keystone Bowl Saturday at Shippensburg High School. The GEFA All-Star Game is at 1 p.m. July 1 in Dickson City with the Mountain Conference stars meeting the Valley Conference stars.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today