Football

MIAA Reveals 2025 Football All-Conference Award Winners

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced its 2025 Football All-MIAA award recipients, highlighting exceptional performances and leadership from standout student-athletes across the league. This year’s major honors include Alma College running back Eddie Williams as the Most Valuable Offensive Player, Hope College defensive lineman Liam Danitz as the Most Valuable Defensive Player, and Alma quarterback Carter St. John as the Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award winner.

Most Valuable Offensive Player - Eddie Williams, Alma

Alma senior running back Eddie Williams has been named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Offensive Player after leading the Scots to an undefeated 7-0 regular-season conference record and the 2025 MIAA title. A four-time All-MIAA honoree, including three First Team selections, Williams earned two MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week honors this season and dominated nearly every major statistical category in league play.

In conference games alone, Williams led the MIAA with 144.1 rushing yards per game, 145 rushing attempts, 1,009 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 17.1 points per game, 20 total touchdowns, 120 points, 1,243 all-purpose yards, and 177.6 all-purpose yards per game. His production fueled Alma’s offensive success and solidified his place among the conference’s most impactful running backs of the modern era.

Most Valuable Defensive Player - Liam Danitz, Hope

Hope senior defensive lineman Liam Danitz has been named the MIAA's Most Valuable Defensive Player after guiding the Flying Dutchmen to a 6-1 conference finish and second place in the MIAA standings. Danitz earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the first time in his career and was selected as the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week on October 6.

During conference play, Danitz led the league with 1.29 sacks per game, nine total sacks, seven solo sacks, four sack assists, and 53 sack yards, while also recovering two fumbles. His disruptive presence at the line of scrimmage consistently set the tone for a Hope defense that emerged as one of the conference’s most formidable units.

Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award - Carter St. John, Alma

Alma senior quarterback Carter St. John has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, presented annually since 2001 in honor of Alma alumnus and legendary Albion coach Pete Schmidt. A standout performer on the field, St. John pairs his athletic success with a 3.73 cumulative GPA and an extraordinary commitment to serving others.

St. John founded QBs vs. Cancer following the 2023 season, creating a national nonprofit in which college quarterbacks teach young players and direct their registration donations toward cancer charities. The initiative grew significantly in 2024, with 42 quarterbacks participating nationwide, hundreds of youth athletes receiving instruction, and thousands of dollars raised for cancer-related causes. Even more quarterbacks have joined the effort in 2025.

His impact extends deeply into the local community as well. When a nearby elementary school sought positive role models for a group of energetic students, St. John immediately volunteered, spending time playing football with them and helping redirect their energy in a meaningful way. The school’s coordinator praised his influence, noting that St. John’s guidance and mentorship would leave a lasting mark.

St. John also dedicates personal time to assisting with the local Special Olympics basketball team, helping plan drills, motivating athletes, and encouraging his football teammates to support Special Olympics events. His leadership and compassion reflect the spirit of the Pete Schmidt Award and the values of Division III athletics.


2025 MIAA Most Valuable Offensive Player:

Eddie Williams, Alma

2025 MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Player:

Liam Danitz, Hope

2025 Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award:

Carter St. John, Alma


2025 Football All-MIAA First Team

Offense:

QB - Noah Beaudrie, Adrian

RB - Cortaveon Barnett, Trine

RB - Eddie Williams, Alma (4)

WR - Ethan Abberger, Adrian

WR - Zach Poff, Alma

WR - Braiden Whitaker, Adrian

H - Seth Luhmann, Hope (2)

OL - JB Couch, Alma (3)

OL - Owen Denk, Alma (2)

OL - Jelani Harbor, Olivet (2)

OL - Rob MacAleese, Hope

OL - Joe Pruchnic, Adrian

Defense:

DL - Jack Anderson, Alma

DL - Liam Danitz, Hope

DL - Caleb Paarlberg, Hope (2)

DL - Andrew VanDyke, Adrian

LB - Liam Karry, Adrian

LB - Jett King, Alma (2)

LB - Carson Schnurstein, Calvin

OLB - Carlton Freeman, Olivet

CB - Austin Harvey, Hope (2)

CB - Mar'Sean Massenburg, Alma (2)

S - Ethan Burrows, Adrian

S - Owen Graham, Hope

Special Teams:

K - Caden Balkon, Hope

P - Cooper Tracy, Adrian

RS - Rashawn Street, Trine


2025 Football All-MIAA Second Team

Offense:

QB - Carter St. John, Alma (4)

QB - Alex Thole, Hope

RB - Hunter Hogan, Calvin

WR - Tristan Burrus, Trine (2)

WR - Lucas Hanifan, Kalamazoo (3)

WR - Jonny Rohen-Blanton, Hope

TE - Miles Haggart, Alma

OL - Jaiden Boykin, Trine

OL - Jackson Buckler, Albion

OL - Maddox Mozal, Alma (2)

OL - Isaiah Simon, Adrian (2)

OL - Brayden Steinbacher, Calvin

Defense:

DL - Chris Jackson, Adrian

DL - Nolan Jannenga, Kalamazoo

DL - Matt Oswald, Alma

DL - CJ Sheets, Calvin

LB - Ridge Howard, Trine

LB - Adam Mills, Albion

LB - Colton Schreur, Hope

OLB - Bryce Debri, Hope

OLB - Alex Olenik, Albion (2)

OLB - Maddox Woods, Adrian

S - Brock Beaudrie, Alma

S - Preston Marlatt, Alma

Special Teams:

K - Bryce Hufford, Trine

P - Brice Kempf, Alma (2)

RS - Lucas Hanifan, Kalamazoo (3)