The 2024 Michigan Sports Writers Division 1-2 All-State football team, which was selected by a panel of 11 sports writers, and as usual, Macomb County is well represented.
Dakota led all teams with six all-state selections, starting with first team defensive selections Logan Criteser and DiMari Malone. Criteser set a new program record this season with 16 sacks to go with 23 TFLs and 37 tackles while Malone, a Michigan State signee, pulled down 53 tackles, 11 TFL and three sacks plus six pass breakups. Fellow future Spartan Justin Bell was a second team offensive lineman, while OL Nick Battaglia, DL Tyler Torey and LB Brady Hamby each earned honorable mentions.
Four De La Salle Pilots were recognized for their work with defensive lineman Jacob Tur and athlete Anthony Bitonti both earning first team all-state nods. Tur, a GVSU commit, had 87 tackles, 18.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks, and Bitonti had a laundry list of stats on both sides of the ball including 14 scrimmage touchdowns on offense and 64 tackles, nine TFL and four sacks on defense. Offensive lineman Jacob Hoffman and linebacker Dalton Drogosh were named second teamers.
Roseville had three players honored by the media, starting with Illinois commit Desmond Straughton, who was named one of the four best running backs in the class behind nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards and 29 touchdowns. Defensive lineman Elizah Jolly is a second team honoree with 47 tackles, 13 TFL and 12 sacks. Quarterback Jordan Simes was an honorable mention.
Warren Mott’s Wesley Gilmore was honored as a second team selection at wide receiver after hauling in 62 receptions for 1,119 yards and 17 touchdowns — all of which were tops in the county this season.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bryce Underwood, Belleville
ALL-STATE
• Jonathan Pittman, Mona Shores, Sr.
• Tommy Carr, Saline, Jr.Running Back
• Jayden (Tank) Terry, Grandville, Jr.
• Desmond Straughton, Roseville, Sr.
• Jace Clarizo, East Lansing, Sr.
• Justin Jones, Howell, Sr.
Receiver
• Lincoln Keyes, Saline, Jr.
• Elijah Dotson, Belleville, Sr.
• Samson Gash, Detroit Catholic Central, Jr.
• Charles Britton, Belleville, Soph.
• Connor O’Rourke, Mattawan, Sr.
Offensive Line
• Khalief Canty, Detroit Cass Tech, Jr.
• Avery Gach, Birmingham Groves, Sr.
• N-Kye-Wynn, Muskegon, Sr.
• Ben Nichols, Davison, Jr.
• Danilo Guberinich, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr.
• Cam Clark, Dexter, Sr.
• Gregory Patrick, Portage Northern, Jr.
• Shawn Turpin, Howell, Sr.
Defensive Line
• Lamar Fairfax, Belleville, Sr.
• Bobby Kanka, Howell
• Logan Criteser, Macomb Dakota, Sr.
• Jalen Oosting, Hudsonville, Sr.
• Jack McHugh, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr.
• Logan Howell, Detroit Cass Tech, Sr.
• Isaiah Harris, Saline, Jr.
• Ja’Mari Taylor, Mona Shores, Sr.
• Jacob Tur, Warren De La Salle, Sr.
• Ryan Harrington, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Linebacker
• Nathan Gersh, Dexter, Jr.
• Lincoln Watkins, Port Huron Northern, Jr.
• Darekeo Speech, Muskegon, Sr.
• Dimari Malone, Macomb Dakota, Sr.
Defensive Back
• Corey Sadler, Detroit Cass Tech, Jr.
• Alex Graham, Detroit Cass Tech, Sr.
• Drew Esper, Traverse City West, Jr.
• Chris Coates, Orchard Lake St Mary’s, Sr.
Kicker/Specialist
• Aidan O’Neill, Clarkston, Jr.
Punter
• Cooper Clark, Forest Hills Northern, Sr.
Athlete
• Bryson Williams, Orchard Lake St. Mary, Sr.
• Isaac Poot, Rockford, Sr.
• Anthony Bitonti, Warren De La Salle, Sr.
Coach of the Year
• Brent Sandee, Hudsonville
SECOND TEAM
(Nominees receiving at least two votes)
Quarterback
• Lawrence Wells, Brighton
• Jake Morrow, Grand Blanc
Running Back
• Jaden Pydyn, Detroit Catholic Central
• AJ Hill, Davison
• Ronny Johnson, Dexter
• Andrew Willemsen, Grand Haven
• Tomarion Steward, Mona Shores
• Luke Johnson, Oxford
Receiver
• Wesley Gilmore, Warren Mott
• Col Novarra, Dexter
• Elisha Durham, West Bloomfield
Offensive Line
• Nolan Miller, Rockford
• Jacob Hoffman, Warren De La Salle
• Travis Robertson, West Bloomfield
• Antonio Johnson, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
• Justin Bell, Macomb Dakota
Defensive Line
• Talon Smith, Marquette
• Zashon Arnold, Kalamazoo Loy Norrid
• Elizah Jolly, Roseville
Linebacker
• Andre Thomas, Belleville
• Connor Brintnall, Hudsonville
• Colter Mahabir, Midland
• Lex Willson, Grosse Pointe South
• Charlie Jilek, Portage Central
• Dalton Drogosh, Warren De La Salle
• Charles DJ White, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Kellen Payne, Byron Center
Defensive Back
• Amir Morelan, Port Huron Northern
• Derrick Jackson, Detroit Cass Tech
• Chris Little, Birmingham Groves
• Grant Glossinger, White Lake Lakeland
Kicker/Specialist
• Jack Decker, Temperance Bedford
Punter
• Julian Allaire, Okemos
Athlete
• Owen Pittenger, Livonia Franklin
Coach
• Marvin Rushing, Cass Tech
Tony Patritto, Rochester Adams
HONORABLE MENTION
Quarterback
• Jordan Simes, Roseville
• Joe Krolak, Gibraltar Carlson
Running Back
• Kayden Forbes, West Ottawa
• Vaughnzell Tyus, Portage Northern
• Suna Chami, Dearborn
Offensive Line
• Ethan Kraatz, Saginaw Heritage
• Nick Battaglia, Macomb Dakota
• Spencer Beckeman, Stoney Creek
Defensive Line
• Kharon Turnley, Lansing Everett
• Jackson Gallagher, Traverse City West
• Tyler Torey, Macomb Dakota
• Brendon Rice, North Farmington
• Connor VanDam, Kalamazoo Central
• Jaiden Mabins, Livonia Franklin
Linebacker
• Brady Hamby, Macomb Dakota
• Dominic Beccari, Rochester Adams
• Carter Hamilton, North Farmington
Defensive Back
• Trenton Naber, Hudsonville
• Nolan Klein, Saline
• Darryle Geter, East Lansing
Kicker/Specialist
• Isiaiah Armstrong, East Lansing
• Sean Meyers, Portage Hills Central
Athlete
• Nizjai Davison, Everett