FREELAND, MICH.-- Headlined by MIAA Offensive Most Valuable Player Taylor Masiewicz, nine members of the Trine football team earned recognition on the All-MIAA teams.
Masiewicz (Belmont, Mich./Rockford) highlights the First-Team Offense after leading the conference in total offense in league games. Joining Masiewicz on the First Team Offense is tight end Zachary Hess (Eagle, Mich./Grand Ledge) and offensive tackle Dalton Raper (Richmond, Ind./Richmond). Defensive end Ryan Hogan (Vine Grove, Ky./Meade County) was named the First-Team Defense, while kicker Joel Lopshire (Angola, Ind./Angola) was named to the First-Team Special Teams. Wide receiver Anthony Yoder (Goshen, Ind/Concord) was named to the Second-Team Offense, while linebacker Taylor James (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte) and safeties Tyler Guzy (Coldwater, Mich./Coldwater) and Michael Spears (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) were named to the Second-Team Defense.
Masiewicz becomes Trine's fourth MIAA Offensive MVP since joining the conference in 2004, and the second in the last three years. The junior averaged a school record 283.3 yards of total offense per game, eclipsing the old mark by a fraction under 20 yards per contest. He completed 58.5 percent (165-of-282) of his passes for 2,225 and 14 touchdowns. He led all quarterbacks in the conference with 608 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs, which came on 147 carries. Masiewicz was a two-time MIAA Offensive Player of the Week this season. The All-MIAA honor is the first of his Trine career.
Hess wrapped up his Trine career with his first career all-conference honor. The senior caught 13 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. His blocking role in the rushing attack helped the Thunder average 214.8 rushing yards per game. Hess concludes his career with 41 receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns.
Raper anchored an offensive line that helped produce the second-best rushing attack in the MIAA at 214.8 yards per contest. The Thunder produced the third-most yards per game on the ground in school history this year. The junior becomes the latest in a line of great offensive lineman at the school, as the Thunder have produced a First-Team offensive line performer every year since 2008. The All-MIAA honor is the first of his career.
Hogan set a school-record with 11 sacks this season, a mark that tied for the conference lead and ranked ninth in the nation. The senior notched 18.5 tackles for loss, which ranked second in the conference and were the fourth-highest in a single-season in Trine history. That mark was also 24th-best nationally. He concludes his career as Trine's all-time sack king with 20 career sacks. Hogan notched 65 tackles (26 solo) and recovered three fumbles this season on his way to his first All-MIAA honor.
Lopshire provided a valuable weapon on special teams for Trine this year, as he connected on 9-of-11 field goal attempts. His .818 field goal percentage ranked 11th in the nation and led the conference. The senior was the only MIAA kicker with over 10 attempts to make all of his PATs this season. Included among Lopshire's season highlights were a game-winning field goal in the second overtime against Alma, and two MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He is a first-time All-MIAA honoree.
Yoder earned his first career all-conference honor by becoming a deep threat in the Thunder passing game. The senior caught 46 passes for 826 yards and nine touchdowns, which tied for third in the conference. He finished second in the league in receiving yards, and third in yards per catch (18.0). He concluded his Trine career with a 16.14 yards per catch average, the second-highest in team history. Yoder earned MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honors in week eight this season.
James made an impact at linebacker in his first season as a member of the Thunder. The sophomore recovered from knee injuries to notch 71 tackles, which ranked second on the team and tied for 12th in the conference. James played a big role in stopping the run for the second-best rushing defense in the conference. James also forced a fumble and broke up two passes. The all-conference honor is the first of his career.
Guzy picked up Second-Team honors for the second time in his Trine career. The senior picked off four passes, the fourth-best total in the conference. Guzy concluded his career with 10 interceptions, tied for fourth in team history. He picked up one of his two career MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors for a two-interception performance in a double-OT win over Alma. Guzy notched 61 tackles, broke up seven passes and forced two fumbles this year.
Spears stepped right into a full-time starting role in a big way this season to earn his first career All-MIAA honors. The junior safety led the team with 79 tackles, a mark that ranked eighth in the conference. He picked off two passes and broke up seven more. Spears led the team in tackles in five games, and notched 10 or more tackles three times.
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Trine concluded the season 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA. The Thunder placed second in the conference.