Pirate Worcester named top district defender

9 other Pirate football players honored

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – Bluffton High School senior linebacker Landen Worcester was recently named one of three Div. VI All-Northwest District Defensive Players of the Year for football by a local Ohio Prep Sportswriter Association media panel.

The 5-11, 201-pound Worcester was also named first team all-district after leading the Pirates to a 12-1 record (6-1 Northwest Conference) and their second straight regional final playoff appearance.

Cody Depweg of Coldwater and Grant Smith of Patrick Henry shared the Defensive District Div. VI Player of the Year honor with Worcester. ▶︎

Big-play speedster senior Griffin Stackhouse was named to the first team offense at wide receiver.

Junior Xavier Diller was also tabbed to the first team offensive line.

Senior defensive back Quinn Eachus earned first team all-defense honors.

Sophomore quarterback Tayte Giesige was voted to the second team all-district offense.

Pirate sophomore Mason Shank was named second team all-district on the offensive line.

Senior defensive back Carson Kruse was also tabbed to the all-district second team defensive unit.

Defender Evan Grothause and Hunter Betts were both voted honorable mention all-district.

Kicker Jackson Brauen was named honorable mention all-district.

Bluffton plays Patrick Henry in the region 22 playoff finals Friday, November 22 at Findlay.