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2023 NKFCA Top 26

Dixie Heights RB/LB Brach Rice (photo by Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)

The Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association announced its Top 26 for 2023 last week. The team is comprised of 18 seniors, five juniors and three sophomores.

Here is a look at the 2023 NKFCA Top 26 and some of the year’s best performances:

Brach Rice, Dixie Heights, Sr., RB/LB – The defensive beast of NKY in 2023. Rice recorded 182 total tackles (102 solo), had 13.0 sacks, 32.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on his way to being named NKFCA Top 26 for a second straight year. Rice, a Miami (OH) commit, also racked up 400 yards from scrimmage (270 rush, 130 rec) with nine touchdowns (seven rush, tow rec) on offense. He ends his career as a Colonel with 236 total tackles, 22.0 sacks, 48.5 tackles for losses, 926 yards rushing, 24 receptions for 458 yards and 21 touchdowns (15 rush, five pass, one PR).

Jack Lonaker, Cooper, Sr., LB – The senior was named NKFCA Top 26 for a second straight year. Lonaker, a tackling machine, was in on 166 total tackles (95 solo), had four sacks, three forced fumbles and four takeaways (two FRs, two INTs) helping the Jaguars to a 12-3 record and a Class 5A state runner-up finish. He ends his career with a school best 456 total tackles.

Aba Selm, Simon Kenton, Sr., OL/DL – Already one of the top offensive linemen in the Bluegrass State, Selm emerged as a defensive force in 2023. The University of Kentucky commit tallied 59 total tackles, had six sacks and 15.0 tackles for losses for the Pioneers.

Simon Kenton OL/DL Aba Selm (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Xavier Campbell, Beechwood, Sr., OL/LB – Moved from defensive line to linebacker and flourished in his final season as a Tiger. Beechwood won three state titles, was state runner-up once and state semifinalist once in his five years as a starter. Campbell had more than 30 sacks, five fumble recoveries and three interceptions including two pick-sixes (as a senior), in his career.

Nate Smith, Campbell County, Sr., QB – One of Northern Kentucky’s most under-appreciated players the past two seasons. As a senior, Smith threw for 1,575 yards, ran for 841 yards and accounted for 27 touchdowns (16 rush, 11 pass). Th Camels star finishes his career with 2,858 yards passing, 1,803 yards rushing, 14 touchdown passes and 33 rushing scores.

Campbell County ATH Nathan Smith (photo by James Bates/TriStateFootball.com)

Evan Pitzer, Covington Catholic, Sr., QB – The senior rebounded nicely from and injury-plagued 2022 campaign. Pitzer helped guide Covington Catholic (14-1) to and undefeated regular season and Class 4A state runner-up finish throwing for 2,592 yards, running for 637 yards and accounting for 43 yards (32 pass, 11 rush). Pitzer leaves CovCath having thrown for 3,926 yards with 1,002 yards rushing and 59 touchdowns accounted for (44 pass, 15 rush).

Willie Rodriguez, Covington Catholic, Sr., TE/DE – Played like a man against boys in 2023. The Kentucky commit saw 12 of his 29 receptions (for 488 yards) go for touchdowns. Rodriguez was also in on 39 total tackles, had three sacks and a fumble recovery. He ends his career with 43 catches for 738 yards, 17 touchdowns receptions,61 total tackles, for seven sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Covington Catholic TE/DE Willie Rodriguez (photo by Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)

Brody Benke, Highlands, Sr., QB – No one could corral Benke in 2023. The senior accounted for 54 touchdowns (26 rush, 22 pass, six rec), threw for 1,849, ran for 1,176 yards and had 14 catches for another 206 yards as Highlands went 12-2 and finished as a Class 5A state semifinalist. His efforts also earned him KFCA Class 5A, District 6 Player of the Year honors. Benke ends his career with 4,496 yards passing, 1,431 yards rushing, 23 receptions, 272 yards receiving and 95 touchdowns (55 pass, 31 rush, nine rec).

Demetrick Welch, Newport Central Catholic, Sr., RB/LB – The honors continue to pile up for Welch. The senior was also named the KFCA Class 1A, District 3 Player of the Year after running for 1,125 RuYds, reeling in 18 receptions for 239 yards, tallying 44 total tackles with seven tackles for losses and 27 touchdowns (22 rush, three rec, one PR, one KR). Welch finishes his career as a Thoroughbred with 3,267 yards rushing, 48 receptions for 628 yards, 128 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for losses, five takeaways (two FRs, three INTs) and 61 trips to the end zone (51 rush).

Avander Abrams, Lloyd, Sr., RB/DL – A vital cog in Lloyd’s back-to-back 10 wins seasons. Abrams had 158 total tackles, 21.5 sacks and six fumble recoveries in a Juggernauts uniform.

Armani Gregg, Dixie Heights, Jr., QB – Became a legitimate dual-threat as a junior. Gregg threw for 1,776 yards, ran for 878 yards, had 22 touchdown passes and 12 more touchdowns on the ground. The Colonels signal-caller heads into his final year with 2,691 yards passing, 1,478 yards rushing, and 47 touchdowns accounted for (30 pass, 17 rush).  

Kyle Lee, Newport, Jr., QB – The junior aired it out for 2,534 yards with 24 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns as the Wildcats posted an 8-4 mark. Lee heads into his senior campaign with 4,262 yards passing, 39 touchdown tosses and 11 scores on the ground.

Landon Lorms, Ryle, Jr., WR – The Ryle junior had a breakout campaign with 91 receptions for 1,013 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lorms heads into his senior campaign with 126 catches, 1374 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

Jacob Savage, Ryle, So., LB – One of the state’s rising stars in the Class of 2026. Savage was a workhorse on both sides of the ball for the Raiders. Defensively, he recorded 163 total tackles, had a sack and six-and-a-half tackles for losses. On offense, Savage ran for 380 yards, had 22 receptions for 232 yards and found the end zone nine times (seven rush, two rec).

Ethan Powell, Ludlow, So., RB/LB – The future is bright a Ludlow with Powell as one of the Panthers centerpieces over the next two years. Powell registered 99 total tackles for second straight season. He added three sacks, 10.0 tackles for losses, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, a scoop-and-score and a pick six as a sophomore. Powell also ran for 1,251 yards, had 22 receptions for 263 yards and found the end zone on 19 occasions (14 rush, three rec, One FR, one IR).

Luke Schneider, Highlands, Sr., TE/DL

Zach Chalfin, Holy Cross, Sr., OL/DL

Dylan Schulkers, Campbell County, Sr., OL

Tommy Plymesser, Lloyd, Sr., OL/DL

Aaron Johnson, Holmes, Sr., OL/DL

Deangelo Jiminez, Dayton, Sr., RB/LB

Dylan Giffen, Scott, Sr., WR/DB

Ben Fay, Conner, Sr., LB

Mason Hessling, Boone County, Jr., DB

Nathan Heck, Bishop Brossart, Jr., OL/DL

Jordan Pendleton, Bellevue, So., RB/DB

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