Five Monroe County players earn D7-8 All-State football honors
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The Monroe County Region did very well on the Michigan Sportswriters Division 7-8 All-State Football team.
Four players made the first team and one was included on the second team.
Brock Cousino and Brady Hines made it for St. Mary Catholic Central and Mason DeBarr, Nolan Walker and Brek Ruddy of Whiteford were honored.
Here is a look at all five players.
Lukas Linzell of SMCC received honorable mention.
Brock Cousino
School: St. Mary Catholic Central.
Age: 17.
Year: Senior.
Size: 6-4, 220.
Honor: Michigan Sportswriters All-State Football Division 7-8 first-team linebacker.
Statistics: 67 total tackles, 1 sack. 8 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 7 pass breakups.
What his coach Adam Kipf said: “His older brother was All-State as well and he had heard his fair share of comments about it. I told him after our last game that he left quite the legacy himself and to be proud of everything he accomplished.”
Parents: Donn and Stevie Cousino.
Siblings: Sam (23), Audrey (21), Heidi (15), John (13).
Person I most admire: My Brother.
Person (living or dead) I would most like to meet: Kobe Bryant.
Favorite movie: Interstellar
Favorite book: Outsiders.
Favorite music: Country
Favorite class: Government.
The best thing about my school: The Tradition.
If I could change one thing about my school: Facilities.
The person most influential in helping me become a successful athlete: My brother.
My greatest asset as an athlete: Cerebralness.
The moment I realized I could excel in sports: Getting pulled up to varsity freshman year.
Favorite athlete or team: LeBron James.
I’m happiest when I’m: At home Saturday after a win.
Biggest thrill in sports: Winning at home.
Biggest disappointment in sports: Losing in the state championship game.
Best Christmas gift I ever received: PlayStation.
Favorite place I have visited: Smokey Mountains.
Place I would like to visit: Greece.
Hobbies: Lifting weights.
Future plans: Play college football.
In 10 years, I see myself: With a wife and kid.
People would be most surprised to learn that: Love history.
Can’t live without: Music.
Best coaching advice I ever got: Sop false stepping.
What sports taught me about life: Get back up when your down.
What role can athletes take in making our schools feel safer and more inclusive: Leadership role.
Mason DeBarr
School: Whiteford.
Age: 17.
Year: Senior.
Size: 6-3, 180.
Honor: Michigan Sportswriters All-State Football Division 7-8 first-team defensive line.
Statistics: 86 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 8 quarterback sacks, returned an interception for touchdown, 17 tackles against Harbor Beach in Week 2.
What his coach Todd Thieken said: “Most than anything, he is a tremendous kid. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached. He is an example of a quiet leader. He’s a humble kid. The success he had was because of his work ethic.”
Parents: John and Rachael DeBarr.
Siblings: McKenna 21, Hunter 19, Sierra 16.
Person I most admire: My parents. They’ve raised me to be the person I am today..
Person (living or dead) I would most like to meet: Jesus.
Favorite movie: Gladiator.
Favorite book: “No Easy Day” by Mark Owens.
Favorite music: Rock.
Favorite class: Strength training.
The best thing about my school: Football program.
If I could change one thing about my school: More electives.
The person most influential in helping me become a successful athlete: My head coach Todd Thieken.
My greatest asset as an athlete: My religion.
The moment I realized I could excel in sports: When my coaches pushed me to my limits and everything they taught me worked.
Favorite athlete or team: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers.
I’m happiest when I’m: Playing football, farming, and hunting.
Biggest thrill in sports: Beating a team no one thought you could.
Biggest disappointment in sports: Losing a game that should have never been close. Poor execution.
Best Christmas gift I ever received: A dirt bike when I was younger.
Favorite place I have visited: Missoula, Montana.
Place I would like to visit: Europe.
Hobbies: Hunting, lifting, farming.
Future plans: Attend a four-year university then commissioning into the USAF as an officer.
In 10 years, I see myself: In the USAF serving my country.
People would be most surprised to learn that: I have 30-plus first cousins.
Can’t live without: God.
Best coaching advice I ever got: “Do the little things right.”
What sports taught me about life: Determination, hard work, commitment, and responsibility. Sports have shaped me into who I am today.
What role can athletes take in making our schools feel safer and more inclusive: Be open to new people, make people feel welcomed. Converse with others outside of your friend zone.
Brady Hines
School: St. Mary Catholic Central.
Age: 17.
Year: Senior.
Size: 6-2, 215.
Honor: Michigan Sportswriters All-State Football Division 7-8 first-team defensive lline.
Statistics: 58 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 deflected pass.
What his coach Adam Kipf said: “Brady is a tremendous player. He did some things over the last few years that I don’t know if we will ever have again at our school. He is a special player. He went from a quarterback and safety as a freshman to a running back and defensive end. Wherever he ends up at the next level is going to have a special player. He has exhibited a great motor over the years.”
Parents: Tom and Lauri Hines.
Sibling: Finley Hines (15).
Person I most admire: Baker Mayfield.
Person I would most like to meet: Ray Lewis
Favorite movie: Star Wars Revenge of the Sith.
Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.
Favorite music: Alternative Rock.
Favorite class: Art.
The best thing about my school: Hanging out with my friends.
If I could change one thing about my school: Get a better game field.
The person most influential in helping me become a successful athlete: Kyle Bausman.
My greatest asset as an athlete: My energy.
The moment I realized I could excel in sports: Freshman year football.
Favorite athlete or team: Michigan State.
I’m happiest when I’m: Playing football.
Biggest thrill in sports: Going to Ford Field.
Biggest disappointment in sports: Losing second round of playoffs my senior year.
Best Christmas gift I ever received: Ninja turtle play set.
Favorite place I have visited: Bahamas.
Place I would like to visit: Universal Studios.
Hobbies: Playing guitar and video games.
Future plans: Play college football.
In 10 years, I see myself: Playing NFL football.
People would be most surprised to learn that: I’m running track this year.
Can’t live without: My family.
Best coaching advice I ever got: If you ever think about taking a rep off, there’s someone else out there that’s doing that extra rep and getting better than you.
What sports taught me about life: Don’t compare yourself to others, just keep working.
What role can athletes take in making our schools feel safer and more inclusive: Be friends with as many people as you can.
Brek Ruddy
School: Whiteford.
Age: 16.
Year: Junior.
Size: 6-2, 185.
Honor: Michigan Sportswriters All-State Football Division 7-8 second-team running back.
Statistics: 1,112 rushing yards, averaged 14.8 yards per carry and 111.2 yards per game, 21 touchdowns, 15 2-point conversions, 156 total points, 1,296 all-purpose yards.
What his coach Todd Thieken said: “We knew at one point he would be good. Last year as a sophomore, he was still young and immature. He really worked his way into it. Physically, he’s strong and you could tell in the way he ran the ball.”
Parents: Kevin and Buffy Ruddy.
Siblings: Ty (21), Shea (20), Ryin (10), Drew (18).
Person I most admire: Grandpa Williams.
Person I would most like to meet: Jesus Christ.
Favorite movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Favorite book: The Bible.
Favorite music: Frankie James is the best artist.
Favorite class: Physics.
The best thing about my school: Everyone knows each other.
If I could change one thing about my school: Shorter school days.
The person most influential in helping me become a successful athlete: My Dad.
My greatest asset as an athlete: Physicality.
The moment I realized I could excel in sports: Freshman year.
Favorite athlete or team: Isaac Teslaa, Detroit Lions.
I’m happiest when I’m: Not hungry.
Biggest thrill in sports: Making a big play in a close game.
Biggest disappointment in sports: Losing to a team you should have beaten.
Best Christmas gift I ever received: Snowboard.
Favorite place I have visited: Washington, D.C.
Place I would like to visit: Italy.
Hobbies: Sports, guitar, singing.
Future plans: Become an engineer and play college football.
In 10 years, I see myself: Married with children and living in a decent house.
Can’t live without: My family.
Best coaching advice I ever got: “Force = mass x acceleration.”
What sports taught me about life: How to live with discipline, integrity and be a leader.
What role can athletes take in making our schools feel safer and more inclusive: No matter how much success they have, be humble and make themselves servants to others.
Nolan Walker
School: Whiteford.
Age: 18
Year: Senior.
Size: 6-3, 235.
Honor: Michigan Sportswriters All-State Football Division 7-8 first-team offensive line.
Statistics: Anchored offensive line that cleared the way for 3,453 yards rushing.
What his coach Todd Thieken said: “A three-year starter. His sophomore and junior year, he battled through injuries. He knew this was his last chance. He did all the right things in the weight room. It was nice to see him get healthy.”
Parents: Dan and Natasza Walker.
Siblings: Nate 25, Lauren 25, Lindsey 24
Person I most admire: My dad.
Favorite book: The Bible.
Favorite music: Country and rock.
Favorite class: Math.
The best thing about my school: Small so you get to know everyone.
If I could change one thing about my school: Have more fun classes.
The person most influential in helping me become a successful athlete: Coach Teeks.
My greatest asset as an athlete: My size and strength.
The moment I realized I could excel in sports: When I gave starting linemen problems on scout team.
Favorite athlete or team: Aidan Hutchinson.
I’m happiest when I’m: Hunting or working.
Biggest thrill in sports: Making a big play when your team is counting on you.
Biggest disappointment in sports: Not being able to get my buddy his last game.
Best Christmas gift I ever received: My first gun.
Favorite place I have visited: Montana.
Place I would like to visit: Alaska.
Hobbies: Hunting, work and hanging out with friends.
Future plans: Join local 8-electricians.
In 10 years, I see myself: being a journeyman and starting my own business.
Can’t live without: My mom’s cooking.
Best coaching advice I ever got: “I want you on the wall with your buddies.”
What sports taught me about life: Stuff is not always going to go your way but there’s ways to tough it out and get through it.
What role can athletes take in making our schools feel safer and more inclusive: Include others.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County lands five players on D7-8 All-State football list
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