Courtesy: Newberry News
The 2025 Great Lakes 8 East All-Conference football teams were announced this week, highlighting a season defined by strong performances, tough defenses, and breakout stars across the Upper Peninsula’s small-school gridirons. Norway emerged as the league’s dominant force, sweeping the top honors and earning Team of the Year recognition after a remarkable campaign.
Norway’s Owen Baij was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Caden Chromy of Pickford earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Norway head coach Andy Mendina was recognized as Coach of the Year, capping a season where the Knights’ balance and discipline set them apart from the competition.
First Team
Offense
QB — Caden Lester, St. Ignace
RB — Gunner Bennin, Pickford
RB — Grady Gauthier, Ishpeming
WR — Evan Arnold, St. Ignace
Hybrid — Garret Lewicki, Newberry
Hybrid — Kaleb Lapine, Norway
OL — Keith Burcar, Norway
OL — Avery Murk, Munising
OL — Kaleb Stocker, Rudyard
Defense
DE — Josh Schiltz, Norway
DE — Garret Lewicki, Newberry
DT — Keith Burcar, Norway
DT — Avery Murk, Munising
LB — Landon Roos, Norway
LB — Kaden Wiltfong, Pickford
DB — Elliot Kraemer, Norway
DB — Grady Gauthier, Ishpeming
DB — Gunner Bennin, Pickford
Hybrid — Cameron Varta, Norway
Special Teams
K — Steven Kirschner, Rudyard
P — Cameron Varta, Norway
RET — Gunner Bennin, Pickford
Second Team
Offense
QB — Kyle Postma, Rudyard
RB — Josh Schiltz, Norway
RB — Matthew Luebkert, Newberry
WR — Colt Fettig, St. Ignace
WR — Jaxon Clark, Rudyard
WR — Cameron Varta, Norway
Hybrid — Kaden Wiltfong, Pickford
OL — Caden Chromy, Pickford
OL — Dylan Shepard, St. Ignace
OL — Landon Ross, Norway
Defense
DE — Carter Rye, Pickford
DE — Kyle Postma, Rudyard
DT — Cam Rau, Rudyard
DT — Jonas Rivers, Pickford
LB — Brody Johns, Munising
LB — Josh Wojie, Ishpeming
DB — Jaxon Clark, Rudyard
DB — Colt Fettig, St. Ignace
Hybrid — Kadin Kellogg, Newberry
Special Teams
K — Matthew Luebkert, Newberry
P — Mason Andrzejak, Pickford
RET — Jaxon Clark, Rudyard
Honorable Mention
RB — Chase Seeley, St. Ignace
DL — Sully Smith, St. Ignace
OL — Chase Moraska, Norway
DB — Caleb Lapine, Norway
LB — Luke Luebkert, Newberry
OL — Logan Lusk, Newberry
OL — Levi Mayer, Rudyard
DB — Ty Lalone, Rudyard
OL — Jonas Rivers, Pickford
Hybrid — Carter Rye, Pickford
WR — Dylan Adkinson, Munising
DE — Ethan Petersen, Munising
DL — Davis Hyatt, Ishpeming
OL — Xavier Bannister, Ishpeming
