Graef named Peninsula Conference’s top defensive player

Logan Graef, a senior linebacker from Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, is the 2023 defensive player of the year for the Peninsula Conference all-conference football team.

Named to the first team defense were Graef along with teammate Colt Miller, a sophomore playing defensive lineman.

Second-team defensive honors were earned by: Lena/STAA junior Ty Shallow, defensive back; Gillett junior LaVonnzell Smith, linebacker; Suring senior Trent Van Den Elzen, linebacker; Lena/STAA sophomore Lucas Heimke, defensive lineman; and Suring junior Michael Bailey, punter.

Earning honorable mention awards were: Lena/STAA sophomore Max Peterson, linebacker; and Suring junior Blake Laluzerne, defensive lineman.

Named to the first team on offense were Gillett senior Brandon DeBauch, offensive end, and Lena/STAA Anthony Seefeldt, offensive lineman.

Second-team offensive honors were awarded to: Gillett junior Jesse DeBauch, quarterback; Lena/STAA juniors Calvin Peters and Shallow, running backs; Gillett senior Ben Matczak, offensive end; Gillett senior Tyler Slatky, offensive lineman; and Lena/STAA senior Colton Skrobel, offensive lineman.

Earning honorable mention status were: Gillett senior Jackson Pecha, running back; Graef, running back; Suring senior Trent Thomson, running back; Suring sophomore Jake Cornell, offensive end; Van Den Elzen, offensive end; Smith, offensive lineman; Lena/STAA junior Tug Paidl, offensive lineman; and Suring senior Carter Whisman, offensive lineman.