Warriors Celebrate Elite 8 Season, Honor Seniors at 2025 Football Awards Banquet
Featured Photo Caption: Members of the Warrior football team selected for Little Illini All-Conference honors gather for a photo. —photo by Terri Cox
CASEY — The Casey-Westfield Warrior football team gathered on December 17 at Richards Farm Restaurant to close the book on a successful 2025 campaign. Celebrating a 9-3 record and an Elite 8 finish, players, coaches, and families honored individual achievements and the collective effort of the program during the annual Awards Banquet.
Following a dinner service, the coaching staff took the podium to recap a memorable season and highlight player accomplishments.
Coach Cody Strange commended the Frosh/Soph-JV squad for their impressive 7-1 record, noting their only defeat came on the road against Tuscola. Strange emphasized the unit’s evolution throughout the fall, specifically highlighting a defense that snagged 20 interceptions in just eight games. Kyler Ratliff led the opportunistic unit with 10 picks, followed closely by Hunter Schackmann with eight.
Varsity Head Coach Jeff Fritchtnitch expressed gratitude for his Warriors, the coaching staff, and the broader football community, acknowledging the unwavering support received from the school district and personnel throughout the year. The varsity team concluded the 2025 campaign with a 9-3 record and a deep playoff run to the Elite 8.
The evening culminated with the presentation of individual accolades, ranging from team-voted awards to All-State recognition.
2025 Season Honors
IHFCA All-State Team
-
1st Team Linebacker & Running Back: Luke Karras
-
Honorable Mention Defensive Line: Freddy Thomas
Little Illini All-Conference Selections
-
Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Karras
-
1st Team: Fred Thomas (OL & DL), Kellen Sullivan (DB), Luke Karras (RB & LB).
-
2nd Team: Lucas Weinberger (OL), Will Moore (DL), Wyatt Erickson (DL), Daryn Hupp (LB), Nolan Clement (DB & Punter).
-
All-Academic: Nolan Clement
Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association Awards
-
All-Wabash Valley Team: Niah Honselman (OL), Brody Smith (OL), Lucas Weinberger (OL), Freddy Thomas (DL), Kai Davis (DL), Kellen Sullivan (DB), Nolan Clement (DB), Jack Julius (S), Nick Fouty (S), Luke Karras (LB & RB), Daryn Hupp (LB).
-
2026 All-Star Game Participants: Niah Honselman, Brody Smith, Kellen Sullivan, Nolan Clement.
Team Awards
-
Gene Vidoni Tomahawk Award: Luke Karras
-
Alex Lovell Interior Lineman of the Year: Niah Honselman
-
Keith Sinclair Offensive Player of the Year: Brody Smith
-
Brandon Brewer 12th Man on the Field: Class of 2026
-
Harris Good Citizenship Award: Nolan Clement
-
Co-Offensive MVPs: Nolan Clement and Kellen Sullivan
-
Co-Defensive MVPs: Luke Karras and Freddy Thomas
-
Co-Special Teams Players of the Year: Jack Julius and Wyatt Erickson
-
Varsity Most Improved: Brody Smith (Offense), Kai Davis (Defense)
-
JV Most Improved: Logan Yates
-
Scout Team MVPs: Carter Stinson (Offense), Bryce Hanley (Defense)
2025 Team Roster
(Asterisk denotes Letterwinner, Hash denotes Captain)
-
Seniors: Nolan Clement*#, Luke Karras*#, Kellen Sullivan*#, Fred Thomas*#, Daryn Hupp*, Jack Julius*, Niah Honselman*, Brody Smith*, Drew Stutesman*
-
Juniors: Will Moore*, Landon Rohr*, Korbyn Bennett*, Riley Phillips*, Ronald Simmons, Hudson Rhoads*, Gio Santillan*, Nick Fouty*, Wyatt Erickson*, Tyson Edwards*, Cash Briggs*, Kai Davis*, Lucas Weinberger*, Brycen Ridge*, Owen Tate*
-
Sophomores: Weston Hupp*, Jett Self*, Aiden Colman, Baylor Sharp, Kyler Ratliff*, Kian Davis*, EJ Truelove
-
Freshmen: Ayden Spittler*, Drew Sherwood, Hunter Schackmann, Carter Stinson, Blake Garner, Clay Honselman, Jett Simmons, Noah Ramsey, Bryce Hanley*, Logan Yates, Grady Smith, RJ Simmons*, Briar Henderson, Otto Cox
-
Managers: Will Cochonour*, Gylly Gilbert*, Gaige Nacke*
Game Summary
(Note: As this is a season-ending banquet report, traditional scoring drives and quarterly scores are not applicable. Below is a summary of the season records.)
Final Season Records
| Level | Record | Note |
| Varsity | 9-3 | Elite 8 Finish |
| JV | 7-1 | Only loss to Tuscola |
Individual Statistics (JV Highlights)
-
INTERCEPTIONS: Kyler Ratliff (10), Hunter Schackmann (8).
-
TOTAL TEAM INTERCEPTIONS: 20 (in 8 games).
Brody Smith accepted the award for Varsity Most Improved Offense, while Kai Davis was named Varsity Most Improved Defense. —photo by Terri Cox
The future looks bright with these underclassmen award winners: Bryce Hanley (Scout Team Defensive MVP), Carter Stinson (Scout Team Offensive MVP), and Logan Yates (JV Most Improved). —photo by Terri Cox
Senior Brody Smith was honored with the Keith Sinclair Offensive Player of the Year Award. —photo by Terri Cox
The Warriors boasted state-level recognition with Freddy Thomas earning IHFCA Honorable Mention (Defensive Line) and Luke Karras named to the 1st Team All-State as both Linebacker and Running Back. —photo by Terri Cox
Senior captain Nolan Clement received the Harris Good Citizenship Award, an honor voted on by the faculty. —photo by Terri Cox
Luke Karras took home the prestigious Gene Vidoni Tomahawk Award. —photo by Terri Cox
Seniors Nolan Clement and Kellen Sullivan shared honors as Co-Offensive MVPs. —photo by Terri Cox
Anchoring the defense, Freddy Thomas and Luke Karras were named Co-Defensive MVPs. —photo by Terri Cox
The Class of 2026 was collectively recognized with the Brandon Brewer 12th Man on the Field Award. —photo by Terri Cox
Several Warriors were recognized for their outstanding play with selections to the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association All-Wabash Valley Team. —photo by Terri Cox
Senior Niah Honselman received the Alex Lovell Interior Lineman of the Year Award. —photo by Terri Cox
Wyatt Erickson and Jack Julius were recognized as the Co-Special Teams Players of the Year. —photo by Terri Cox
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for June 26, 2025
Judge expands restraining order against ‘Beto’ O’Rourke, adds ActBlue
Reversing Biden’s precedent, students complete FAFSA in minutes at beta-testing event
Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Monday in steps toward peace with Russia
Casey Library Reports High Turnout for Summer Reading and Imagination Library Programs
Possible ‘agreement’ reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely
WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law
Feds sue California over emission standards for trucks
Illinois quick hits: ‘Lawsuit inferno’ bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday
WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional
Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit
