Panthers lead way on All-Union defense

Mt. Pleasant leads charge on the 2025-26 All-Union defensive team. Six Panthers were selected after a strong season on defense special teams culminated in a trip to the Class 3A playoffs.

Washington had four players named to the All-Union defense. Cardinal, Mid-Prairie and Sigourney Keota each had two selections. New London had a special teams contributor recognized after a shortened season.

Here is the full All-Union defense team.

DL: Isaiah Lange, Mt. Pleasant, sophomore

Lange broke out in a major way this season, leading Class 3A in sacks with 13. He also finished second on MP in tackles with 41, including 18.5 for loss.

The sophomore was recognized with Defensive Line MVP and first-team All-District honors. He figures to be a major component of a dominant Mt. Pleasant defense next season.

DL: Brady Krantz, Washington, junior

Krantz finished a productive junior year for the Demons with 33 tackles, including 17.5 for loss and a team-high six sacks.

The junior joined Lange on the All-3A-4 first team this season.

DL: Ryan Henry, Mid-Prairie, sophomore

Henry ranked third on the Golden Hawks with 38 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. He also also accounted for three of the team’s 21 sacks.

After helping Mid-Prairie reach the 2A quarterfinals for a second straight season, Henry is poised to be a standout returner in 2026.

LB: Blaine Rees, Washington, junior

Rees ranked No. 5 among 3A players this season with 84.5 tackles. He tallied 43 solo tackles, six TFL and forced a fumble.

Washington’s junior linebacker earned All-state second-team honors from the Iowa Football Coaches Association as an offensive lineman and was named to the second team at linebacker by Iowa Grandstand Sports. Rees was also a first-team All-District selection.

LB: Clayton Evans, Washington, sophomore

Evans was second only to Rees on Washington and in 3A-4 for tackles. The sophomore finished with 75, including 40 solo and 5.5 for loss.

Evans also had a forced fumble and an interception. He was named second-team All-District after a tone-setting season for the future of Washington’s defense.

LB: Max Sloat, Mt. Pleasant, senior

Sloat led a balanced and deep Panthers defense with 60 tackles. The senior finished with 41 solo tackles, 9.5 TFL and contributed to Mt. Pleasant’s outstanding pass rush with 6.5 sacks.

The senior earned first-team All-District honors after propelling Mt. Pleasant to the playoffs. Sloat also had 5-yard scoop-and-score to cap off a memorable senior campaign.

LB: Zach Luedtke, Cardinal, junior

Luedtke paced the Comets on defense with 80.5 tackles, 62 solo and two for loss. His total tackles were the second most in Class 1A District 6.

Luedtke also had a solid season on offense and special teams. He had a rushing touchdown and punted 25 times for 978 yards.

DB: Jack Newman, Mt. Pleasant, senior

One of Mt. Pleasant’s most productive defenders, Newman ranked third on the team with 35.5 tackles, including 31 solo.

Newman also three interceptions for MP. He was named first-team All-District for his defensive output.

DB: Lathan Novak-Watson, Mt. Pleasant, senior

Novak-Watson matched Newman’s output of three interceptions. Two of those came against Keokuk, including a pick-6 to help the Panthers escape with a 35-34 victory.

The senior also tallied 19.5 tackles for the Panthers.

DB: Carson Humphrey, Mid-Prairie, junior

Humphrey was an explosive play machine in Mid-Prairie secondary. The junior led the team with four interceptions, including a 74-yard pick-6 against Mediapolis on Oct. 10.

Humphrey added three pass deflections, recovered a fumble and had eight tackles. He also caught eight touchdowns on offense.

DB: Brady Johnson, Cardinal, sophomore

The second addition from Cardinal’s defense, Johnson had four interceptions, tied for the second most in 1A-6.

Johnson also racked up 35 tackles, including 27 solo and had three pass deflections.

K: Dylan White, Mt. Pleasant, senior

White made the second most field goals among 3A players, going 7 of 11 with a long of 43 yards. He also missed just one extra point, connecting on 33 of 34 PATs.

The Panthers senior earned Specialist MVP honors and was named first-team All-District for his kicking production.

P: Chase Clarahan, Sigourney Keota, junior

Clarahan booted 22 punts for 861 yards with a 39.1-yard average this season. His average was tied for third among 1A players with at least 20 attempts.

Clarahan also had a productive season on defense with 49.5 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and a forced fumble.

KR: Griffen Jones, Mt. Pleasant, sophomore

Jones added to a strong cast of specialists for the Panthers, emerging as the team’s primary punt returner. He totaled 18 returns for 493 yards and two touchdowns.

The sophomore’s production earned Jones first-team All-District honors.

PR: Cale Westerbeck, New London, senior

New London’s season was cut short after four games, but that didn’t stop Westerbeck from making an impact as a return specialist.

On just eight returns, Westerbeck had 114 yards and a touchdown with a 14.2-yard average and a long of 79.

UTL: Kael Williams, Washington, senior

Washington’s quarterback also had an outstanding season on defense. Williams ranked third on the team with 39 tackles, including 28 solo and 5.5 for loss. He also had three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Williams was recognized for his ability on both sides of the ball with a first-team All-District selection as a utility player.

UTL: John Berg, Sigourney Keota, senior

Berg was second only to Clarahan for the Cobras with 44.5 tackles, including 1.5 TFL. He also led the team with three interceptions.

The senior paired his defensive output with two receiving touchdowns, helping SK go 4-1 in district play this season.