Kutztown University's Golden Bears shine with an unprecedented five All-America honors, a testament to their remarkable 2025 season! But who are these gridiron heroes? Let's dive in.
The Dynamic Duo: Brandon Hile and Ryan Schernecke, both from Pennsylvania, are the stars of this story. Hile, a senior linebacker, and Schernecke, a redshirt senior offensive tackle, were unanimously named to the All-America Second Team by three prestigious organizations: the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), and Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). This is a rare feat, as these organizations often have differing opinions, but they all agreed on the talent of these two players.
The Stats Don't Lie: Hile, the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, led the team with an impressive 66 tackles, including 37 solo tackles, and contributed 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and an interception. He was a key player in the Golden Bears' success, helping them win three consecutive conference titles and reach the national semifinals in 2023 and 2025. Schernecke, a national finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, started all 15 games for the Golden Bears, who ranked highly in several offensive categories. His performance included a 2-yard touchdown run, showcasing his versatility.
The Quarterback Sensation: Judd Novak, a redshirt junior, led the team to a record-breaking season with 14 consecutive victories and 645 points scored. He completed over 65% of his passes for 3,070 yards and an incredible 31 touchdowns, with just one interception. Novak's rushing abilities were also on display, as he ran for 547 yards and 7 touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot as a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy for DII Player of the Year.
The Unsung Heroes: Billy Everitt, a redshirt senior offensive guard, and Freddie Retter, a redshirt junior defensive end, were also recognized. Everitt was a stalwart on the offensive line, starting 42 consecutive games over three seasons. He played a crucial role in the team's offensive success. Retter, despite an early-season injury, returned with a vengeance in the playoffs, recording multiple sacks and tackles for loss in each postseason game. His performance solidified his status as a two-time All-PSAC East and D2CCA All-SR1 First Team selection.
Breaking Records: Kutztown's five All-Americans in a single season is a new program record, surpassing the previous mark of four from 2011. Hile and Schernecke are the first AFCA All-Americans since 2021, and the first AP All-Americans since 2019 for the Golden Bears. The D2CCA selections are the program's first since 2007, making this achievement even more remarkable.
This team's success is a testament to the hard work and talent of these student-athletes. But here's where it gets controversial: are individual awards more important than team success? Do these honors truly reflect the best players, or is there an element of subjectivity at play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
