Eight Named to All-MIAA Football Team on Defense; Cole Luhmann Selected as MVP

Eight Hope College football standouts from the MIAA's stingiest defense have received all-league honors, including six first-team selections and two second-team accolades.

Senior linebacker Cole Luhmann (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek HS) headlines the All-MIAA First Team Defense recipients as the Most Valuable Player.

Hope swept MIAA MVP honors for the second time in program history with senior running back Chance Strickland receiving the top offensive accolade. Six earned All-MIAA honors on offense.

MIAA coaches have selected a Most Valuable Player on offense and defense since 1984 and one Most Valuable honoree before that. In 2019, quarterback Mason Opple and linebacker Mason Dekker accomplished the feat.

Luhmann is joined on the All-MIAA First Team by senior safety Sam Cochran (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East), senior linebacker Andrew Debri (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt), sophomore defensive back Austin Harvey (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford), sophomore linebacker Brad Raredon (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) and freshman defensive lineman Jack Lamancusa (Comstock Park, Michigan / Rockford).

Senior Oatis Ackermann (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) and junior defensive lineman Caleb Paarlberg (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia) both were second-team honorees.

The 6-0, 220-pound Luhmann received MIAA MVP and All-MIAA honors after leading the Flying Dutchmen defense that allowed only 10.0 points per game to league opponents.

A mathematics major, Luhmann collected 52 tackles, including eight for loss during seven MIAA games this season.

The 6-3, 201-pound Cochran made the All-MIAA First Team for the first time. The business and communication major posted 22 tackles, including 11 solos, two interceptions and two pass breakups against seven MIAA opponents.

The 5-11, 202-pound Debri received All-MIAA accolades for the first time after recording 21 tackles, including nine solos, during seven league games. A biology major, Debri excelled after missing last season due to injury.

The 5-10, 184-pound Harvey earned All-MIAA recognition for the first time by totaling 11 tackles and three pass breakups against seven MIAA opponents.

The 6-4, 202-pound Raredon claimed All-MIAA honors for the first time after finishing with 23 tackles, including 4 ½ for loss, during seven league games.

The 6-2, 250-pound Lamancusa recorded 24 tackles, including eight for loss, and 2 ½ tackles against MIAA opponents this season.

The 6-2, 246-pound Ackermann collected his second All-MIAA Second Team award by finishing with 21 tackles during seven MIAA games this season. The communication major had 5 ½ tackles for loss against league foes.

The 6-1, 270-pound Paarlberg earned All-MIAA honors for the first time after totaling 23 tackles, including seven solo, and three sacks against seven MIAA opponents.

Two Hope football players pose for portraits.