Blueboys Collect Numerous All-Midwest Conference Honors
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Illinois College football team won the 2023 Midwest Conference title and that success was reflected in the annual conference post season awards, it was announced by the league today.
The Blueboys had two players earn positional Most Valuable Player honors in junior quarterback Destin Chance and senior linebacker Charlie Patterson who both hail from Auburn, Ill. Chance was named the conference's Offensive Skill MVP while Patterson won the same award on the defensive side of the ball.
Head coach Ray DeFrisco was named the league's Coach of the Year in leading the Blueboys to the conference title and a berth in the postseason.
The Blueboys had eight players earn first team all-conference honors and four more made the second team.
Along with Chance, the four additional first team selections on offense were wide receiver Collin Brunstein, running back Thomas Little and linemen Evan Henley and Collier McPherson. On the defensive side, Patterson was joined by lineman Garrett Bearden and back Cory Walbert.
IC was represented on the second team by offensive lineman Chandler Brown as well as defensive lineman Drew Gognat, defensive back Keane Shaw and kicker Toby McTamney.
The honors also came from success off the field. Senior tight end Blake Bratt was named the conference's Elite 20 Award recipient which goes to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average, participating in his or her respective sport's culminating championship. The award recognizes the commitment of the student-athlete toward the pursuit of excellence in both the athletic and academic realms as measured by reaching the pinnacle of competition within the league, while also achieving the highest academic standard among peers.
The Blueboys finished the season 9-1 overall and 8-1 in the Midwest Conference. IC will make the school's second-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Playoffs on Saturday when it travels to third-ranked Wartburg for a Noon kickoff.
Illinois College All-Midwest Conference Selections
First Team Offense
Collin Brunstein, WR
Destin Chance, QB
Evan Henley, OL
Thomas Little, RB
Collier McPherson, OL
First Team Defense
Garrett Bearden, DL
Charlie Patterson, LB
Cory Walbert, DB
Second Team Offense
Chandler Brown, OL
Second Team Defense
Drew Gognat, DL
Keane Shaw, DB
Second Team Specialist
Toby McTamney, K
Elite 20 Award
Blake Bratt
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