DANVILLE — Josh Byers kept Danville’s streak alive.
A senior linebacker, Byers was selected the Division VII Defensive Player of the Year when the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association unveiled its All-Central District team.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Byers is the third straight Blue Devil to claim the honor. He joins Levi Lyons, who captured the award in 2022, and 2023 winner Walker Weckesser.
The Blue Devils (11-2) will play for the Region 27 championship and a berth in the Division VII Final Four thanks in no small part to Byers. He has 183 tackles on the season.
He was joined on the All-Central District first team by defensive linemen Caleb Lucas and Greg Wilson, offensive lineman Blake Colopy and running back Aidan Burke. Owen Gronberg, Jacob Hackman, Wesley Payne, Carson Proper and Cyren Wallace were special/honorable mention selections.
Division II
Mount Vernon’s Luke Hubbard, Gabe Montoya and Alex Taylor were second-team picks in Division II. Hubbard got the nod as a receiver, while Montoya was recognized as a kicker and Taylor as a defensive lineman.
Anthony Roenker and Nolan White were special-mention picks. Jake Taylor was an honorable mention selection.
Division V
The playoff-qualifying Fredericktown Freddies were well-represented in Division V.
Quarterback Blake Sipes earned a spot on the first team, while receiver Gavin Tooms, offensive lineman Jonathan Burns, defensive back Carter Mull and linebacker Elijah Roush were second-teamers. Cirk Parker and Devon Whitt were honorable-mention picks.
Division VI
Centerburg and East Knox both put players on the first team in Division VI.
Centerburg’s Chris Marshall was a first-team pick as a defensive back, while East Knox’s Blake Elliott was a first-teamer at linebacker.
Centerburg quarterback Blane Ball, running back Miles Marshall, receiver Trevin Harris and tight end Jackson Ballinger were second-team picks. Lane Johnston was a special-mention selection, while Aiden Gray, Tommy Hause and Daniel LeMaster were honorable-mention picks.
Jaxon Lester was a second-team pick as a defensive back for East Knox. Landon Dawson, Shane Gardnerr and Parker Kimball were special-mention honorees and Rush Beatty and Logan Clark were honorable-mention selections.