Seven Chosen for D3football.com All-Region 4 Team

Hope leads the MIAA in all-region selections in back-to-back seasons

For the second consecutive season, the Hope College football team leads the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in D3football.com All-Region selections.

The Flying Dutchmen placed seven on this year's Region 4 list, equaling Adrian College.

Three from Hope are first-team honorees: defensive lineman Liam Danitz, safety Owen Graham and defensive tackle Caleb Paarlberg. Cornerback Austin Harvey and H-back Seth Luhmann earned All-Region Second Team accolades. Kicker Caden Balkon and center Rob MacAleese made the All-Region Third Team.

All-Region teams are selected in balloting by sports information directors in each region and D3football.com staff. Region 4 includes schools from the MIAA, Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, North Coast Athletic Conference and Ohio Athletic Conference.

All players nominated for All-Region are eligible for consideration for the D3football.com All-America Team, which is scheduled to be announced Monday, Dec. 22.

Danitz (West Branch, Michigan / Ogemaw Heights) earned his first All-Region honor after posting one of the top seasons by a Division III defensive lineman. The senior exercise science major was one of four players with at least 13 sacks during the 10-game regular season. He finished with career highs in total tackles (46), solo tackles (25), tackles for loss (21) and sacks (15). He was named MIAA Defensive MVP and made the All-MIAA First Team for the first time.

Graham (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia) claimed his first All-Region recognition after setting career highs in total tackles (32), solo tackles (19), passes defended (seven) and interceptions (six). The senior social studies composite secondary education major is one of 15 Division III players to record at least six interceptions during the regular season.

Paarlberg (Caledonia, Michigan / Caledonia) received his first All-Region accolade after a dominant season up front. The senior business major posted career highs in total tackles (48), solo tackles (27), tackles for loss (10) and sacks (two).

Harvey (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) repeated as an All-Region honoree after earning third-team recognition in 2024. The junior business major recorded career highs in total tackles (37), solo tackles (26), passes defended (six) and interceptions (two).

Luhmann (Rochester, Michigan / Stoney Creek) earned his first All-Region nod after providing powerful blocking for a rushing attack that averaged 244.6 yards per game. The junior exercise science and religion major is also a two-time All-MIAA selection.

Balkon (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center) received his first All-Region honor after making a career-high six field goals and matching his career-high 79 points, including 61 PATs. The senior political science major was an All-MIAA First Team selection and is Hope's career leader in PATs made with 165.

MacAleese (Brownstown, Michigan / Oscar A. Carlson) claimed his first All-Region accolade after anchoring the protection and run blocking for the MIAA's top-scoring and total offense. The senior civil engineering major also earned All-MIAA First Team honors.

Hope finished the season with a 9-2 record after reaching the NCAA Division III playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

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Players Mentioned

#30 Caden Balkon: K/P; 5' 11"; Senior; Political Science

#0 Liam Danitz: DL; 6' 5"; Senior; Exercise Science

#42 Owen Graham: S; 5' 11"; Senior; Social Studies Composite

#13 Austin Harvey: CB; 6' 0"; Junior; Business

#40 Seth Luhmann: TE/H; 6' 0"; Junior; Exercise Science and Religion

#59 Rob MacAleese: OL; 6' 1"; Senior; Civil Engineering

#11 Caleb Paarlberg: DL; 6' 2"; Senior; Business

Players Mentioned

#30 Caden Balkon
: 5' 11"; Senior; Political Science
: K/P

#0 Liam Danitz
: 6' 5"; Senior; Exercise Science
: DL

#42 Owen Graham
: 5' 11"; Senior; Social Studies Composite
: S

#13 Austin Harvey
: 6' 0"; Junior; Business
: CB

#40 Seth Luhmann
: 6' 0"; Junior; Exercise Science and Religion
: TE/H

#59 Rob MacAleese
: 6' 1"; Senior; Civil Engineering
: OL

#11 Caleb Paarlberg
: 6' 2"; Senior; Business
: DL