Standing out

Greyson Linkerhof (75) leads the way for running back Ayden Corbett (3) during a game against Franklin at War Memorial Field. Linkerhof, a junior, was voted a Region 6 Second Team All-Star on both the offensive and defensive lines. Corbett, a freshman, along with three other Warren underclassmen, was also named a region all-star.
File Photo by Mark Evans

It’s no surprise that with 52 underclassmen on a 54-man roster, all five Dragons named to the All-Region 6 Second Team are either freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.

Despite an 0-10 season, Warren all-stars — by a vote of Region 6 coaches — include freshman running back Ayden Corbett, sophomore all-purpose back Charlie Blum, sophomore linebacker Noah Bleech, junior defensive back Payton Hammerbeck, and junior Greyson Linkerhof on both the offensive and defensive lines.

“Each of them should be proud of their achievements and hard work,” said Warren coach Cody Bupp. “In a tough region, they should be proud to be recognized by other coaches for their accomplishments and what they bring to the game. Every one of them comes back next season.

“Noah Bleech (who led Warren in tackles with 48, including seven for loss and one forced fumble) came on as the season went along,” said Bupp, “and was named Defensive Player of the Year by his teammates last week at the banquet.

“Greyson Linkerhof (27 tackles, including two for loss and a sack), a two-way player, didn’t have the statistics defensively, but was number one on everyone’s game plan on who to stop,” said Bupp. “He took on a ton of double teams on the interior of the line, and was also voted Lineman of the Year by his teammates.

“It’s rare to see a freshman make the list, but speaks to the respect and hard work (Ayden Corbett) has earned,” said Bupp. “We have a young talented backfield that will look to him to be a leader for years to come.”

Corbett led Warren with 453 yards rushing and was also the team leader in all-purpose yards after taking on the uniform number (3) of his older brother, Johnny.

“I was disappointed to see (Charlie Blum, 88 yards rushing with two touchdowns and 46 receiving) didn’t get a special teams award,” said Bupp, “but he came on as a threat for us offensively halfway through the year. Another athlete that is learning the game and a new position.

“Payton Hammerbeck is a talented player that started to put it together this season,” said Bupp. “He was finally healthy and was routinely matched up 1v1 on the opposing team’s best wide receiver.”

Hammerbeck was second on the team with 37 tackles and added a sack and seven passes defended.

Led by twin senior stars in quarterback Isaac Zietz and wide receiver Jacob Zietz, General McLane re-wrote its offensive record book in 2024 and won the program’s first District 10 championship in 18 years.

Isaac Zietz will graduate as McLane’s (8-3) all-time leading passer.

Jacob was named the Region 6 Player of the Year after breaking the school’s all-time receiving record. He finished 2024 with 1,193 receiving yards on 64 catches, including 16 touchdowns for the region champs.

Region 6 All-Stars

FIRST TEAM

Offense

Caiden Holler – General McLane – 10 – TE

Jacob Zietz – General McLane – 12 – WR

DeVaughn Griffin – Oil City – 12 – WR

Amari Grenaway – Meadville – 12 – WR

Isaac Zietz – General McLane – 12 – QB

Teige Berger – General McLane – 12 – RB

Jordan Lawrence – Meadville – 11 – RB

Jared Corwin – General McLane – 11 – AP

Jacoby Thompson – Meadville – 11 – AP

Mason Sayers – General McLane – 12 – OL

Tanner Kightlinger – Oil City – 12 – OL

Dan Topel – General McLane – 12 – OL

Owen Eisert – General McLane – 12 – OL

Jeremy Cunningham – Franklin – 12 – OL

Landon Plyler – Meadville – 11 – OL

Special teams

Simon Farrelly-Jackson – Meadville – 12 – K

Simon Farrelly-Jackson – Meadville – 12 – P

Defense

Mason Sayers – General McLane – 12 – DL

Mason Hoke – Meadville – 12 – DL

Tanner Kightlinger – Oil City – 12 – DL

Noah Lucarelli – Oil City – 10 – DL

Jeremy Cunningham – Franklin – 12 – DL

Jordan Lawrence – Meadville – 11 – LB

Danny DeLong – Oil City – 12 – LB

Matt Caro – General McLane – 11 – LB

Ben Garland – Oil City – 12 – LB

Jacob Zietz – General McLane – 12 – DB

Jacoby Thompson – Meadville – 11 – DB

Hank Lockhart – Oil City – 12 – DB

Logan Squires – General McLane – 11 – DB

Cole Findlay – Oil City – 11 – DB

SECOND TEAM

Offense

Jackson Kiser – General McLane – 11 – WR

Tymir Phillips – Meadville – 11 – WR

Cole Findlay – Oil City – 11 – QB

Caiden Mincer – Franklin – 10 – RB

Ayden Corbett – Warren – 9 – RB

Charlie Blum – Warren – 10 – AP

Jesse Frost – General McLane – 12 – OL

Tim Walentoski – Oil City – 12 – OL

Bryce Mulligan – General McLane – 12 – OL

Ryan Fabian – Meadville – 10 – OL

Lucas Conley – Meadville – 11 – OL

AJ Bucholz – Oil City – 12 – OL

Greyson Linkerhof – Warren – 11 – OL

Special teams

McCall Eichner – General McLane – 12 – K

Isaac Zietz – General McLane – 12 – P

Hank Lockhart – Oil City – 12 – P

Defense

Keaton Williams – General McLane – 12 – DL

Kam Reagle – Oil City – 12 – DL

Corey Weber – General McLane – 11 – DL

Jared Corwin – General McLane – 11 – DL

Ryan Fabian – Meadville – 10 – DL

Greyson Linkerhof – Warren – 11 – DL

PJ Mitchell – General McLane – 10 – LB

Cameron Weber – General McLane – 12 – LB

Zach Carr – Meadville – 11 – LB

Noah Bleech – Warren – 10 – LB

Landon Carter – Meadville – 11 – DB

Cohen Beachly – General McLane – 11 – DB

Stephen Heise – Oil City – 11 – DB

Payton Hammerbeck – Warren – 11 – DB

Lane Marquis – General McLane – 12 – DB

Region champion – General McLane

Region player of the year – Jacob Zietz, General McLane