CCC football champion Monroe City stockpiles all-conference honors

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Monroe City football team received three unanimous all-conference selections, nine first-team picks and the Defensive Player of the Year after winning its first Clarence Cannon Conference championship since 2017.

The Panthers went 6-1, a season highlighted by a smack-you-in-the-face defense.

Junior middle linebacker Ceaton Pennewell was named the CCC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team pick, while senior outside linebacker Joshua Talton also was a unanimous first-team selection. Senior defensive backs Josiah Talton and Kyle Hays were first-team picks.

Junior defensive lineman Landan Holland was a second-team pick, and junior linebacker Landon Utterback received honorable mention.

Offensively, Joshua Talton was a unanimous first-team running back, Pennewell was a first-team fullback, senior Deion White was a first-team tight end, sophomore Waylon DeGrave was a first-team wide receiver and senior Bo Patterson was a first-team lineman.

Second-team selections were senior Cade Chapman at tight end and senior Blake Yager along the line. Hays received honorable mention at quarterback.

Panthers coach David Kirby was named the CCC Coach of the Year.

Palmyra had three unanimous All-CCC selections — senior Luke Triplett along the offensive line, senior Brayden Madden along the defensive line and senior Landyn Smith at defensive back. Smith also received first-team all-conference honors at kicker and punter.

Triplett was a first-team selection at defensive line, and senior Noah Getz was a first-team pick at outside linebacker/defensive end. Second-team selections with junior Collin Arch at all-purpose back, junior Jose Juarez at offensive line and senior Alex Wilson at linebacker.

Christian Johnson received honorable mention at defensive back.

Highland had four players receive first-team honors — senior quarterback Drew Mallett, senior offensive lineman Blake Kaylor and senior Robert Goehl at both running back and linebacker. Senior Cameron Bringer was a second-team pick at wide receiver and defensive back and junior Toby O’Brien at outside linebacker/defensive end.

Junior Devin Stutsman received honorable mention at wide receiver and sophomore Zander Johnson was an honorable mention kicker.

Centralia all-purpose back Beau Gordon was named the CCC Offensive Player of the Year.