DARLINGTON — With its third straight SWAL conference title, Darlington had 13 players named all-conference members. Carter Murray and Reagan Jackson were named Defensive Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, while Travis Winkers received Coach of the Year.

Carter Murray recorded 38 tackles in nine games. Ten of those tackles were for loss, including three sacks.  He also recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Jackson tallied 64 tackles in 10 games. Fifteen of those tackles were for a loss, including two sacks. He also forced three fumbles, recovered one and intercepted two passes.

At Darlington, Winkers has compiled a 48-17 record, which includes three conference titles. This is his second SWAL Coach of the Year honor, as his first came in 2021. 

The Redbirds had another seven players make first team, including Maddox Goebel and Talan Crist who was first team on  offense and defense.

Tye Crist led the conference with 757 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 75.7 yards per game. Maddox Goebel tallied 343 yards with nine touchdowns. Tight end Will Murray led the team with 289 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The offensive yards gained were thanks to first-team all-conference linemen Talan Crist and Gage Banfield.

Defensively, Talan Crist tallied 29 tackles with a team best 5.5 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles, one of which was brought back for a touchdown. Maddox Goebel recorded 47 tackles with nine of them for loss. He was second on the team with 3.5 sacks. Like Talan Crist, Maddox Goebel had a defensive touchdown. Brady Long was one of nine defenders to haul in an interception, too.

Denilo Ramos-Godoy was the final first-team all-conference selection at kicker. He was 2-for-3 on field goals and 35-for-37 on extra points. 

Belleville had eight players receive all-conference recognition, led by senior Ryker Swenson who earned second team offense and defense.

Parkview-Albany had two players make all conference — Nil Calvo and Nick Stokstad.

Darlington won its third straight conference title and earned a No. 1 seed in the WIAA Division 6 playoff bracket. The Redbirds knocked off a pair of SWAL rivals in their first two rounds — Belleville in Level 1, 49-14 and Mineral Point in Level 2, 7-0. Belleville finished conference 3-4, while Parkview-Albany went 0-7 and did not qualify for playoffs.