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Brookfield's football season ended on a sour note with last Friday night's district semifinal loss to undefeated East Buchanan; however, the Bulldogs have reason to be proud. The 'Dogs knocked off Marceline, 14-0, to capture their second consecutive Bell Game victory and their third straight win against the rival Tigers. After a rocky 1-3 start, the Bulldogs reeled off six wins in their next seven contests, including shutouts of Macon and Highland and a first-round district playoff win against Lawson. Brookfield finished the season with a 4-3 mark in the Clarence Cannon Conference and 6-5 overall, enjoying its first winning season since 2015. Colton Parn, Peyton Parn, Devan Parn and John Walgren garnered CCC All-Conference honors for their outstanding individual performances.

Led by Junior Offensive Lineman Devan Parn (CCC 1st Team OL), Senior running back Colton Parn (CCC 2nd Team RB) rushed for 875 yards on 158 carries (5.53 yards per carry) and four touchdowns, while adding 19 receptions for 322 yards and two TDs and tossing for another 627 yards on 43 of 78 passes and seven TDs. Colton, who contributed for 1,824 yards of total offense, also set the new school career passing mark with 3,389 yards, eclipsing the previous record of 2,957 yards set by Luke Austin.
Junior running back Kendrell Carter rushed for 536 yards on 94 totes, averaging a team-high 5.7 ypc, and three TDs and and had 25 catches for 237 yards and a TD.
Junior quarterback Trayce Switzer passed for 1,267 yards and 13 TDs on 95 of 182 passes and had eight receptions for 71 yards and a TD. Trayce became the ninth Bulldog to pass for over 1,000 yards on the year and could be the first to do it twice next season.
Junior wide receiver Peyton Parn (CCC 2nd Team WR) collected 50 receptions for 803 yards and 11 TDs. Be on the lookout for Peyton to become the third wideout in school history to record 1,000 receiving yards next season and break the school record of 1,092 yards. Senior WR John Walgren had 15 catches for 215 yards and three TDs;
Senior Tight End Shady McCormick had eight catches for 172 yards and a score; and Junior wideout Hayden DeJong had five catches for 44 yards and a TD.

Peyton Parn (CCC 1st Team Defensive Back) led the Bulldogs with 77.5 tackles, including four for loss, and had two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and five pass break-ups. Devan Parn (CCC 2nd Team Defensive Lineman) collected 56.5 tackles (11 TFL), two sacks, five QB hurries, one forced fumble, and two blocked punts. Colton Parn (CCC 2nd Team Defensive End) had 48.5 tackles (team-high 14.5 TFL), a team-high seven sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble, a QB hurry, a blocked PAT, and scored three defensive TDs. Senior DB John Walgren (CCC Honorable Mention DB) recorded 22 tackles (1 TFL), two interceptions and nine pass break-ups.
Junior DL Jake Gladback was second with 60 .5 tackles (7 TFL, 1 FF, 0.5 Sack); Senior LB Shady McCormick had 56 tackles (5.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 1 FR, 1 INT, 2 FF, 2 PBUs, 2 QBH); Sophomore Safety Kameron Perry had 54 tackles (5.5 TFL, 8 PBU, 1 INT), Sophomore Linebacker Cooper Holland had 51.5 tackles (7.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 5 QBH, 1 FF, 1 FR); Senior DB Xavier Sada had 31.5 tackles (0.5 TFL, 2 INT); Junior DB Trayce Switzer had 29.5 tackles (team-high 10 PBU, 2 INT, 3 FF, 2 FR); Sophomore DL Deven Norman had 24.5 tackles (6.5 TFL, 0.5 Sack, 1 FR); and Junior DB Lucky Poston had 11 tackles (1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PBU, 1 QBH).

The Bulldogs will miss seniors Jesse Blaker, Cole Weaver, Xavier Sada, Shady McCormick, John Walgren and Colton Parn; however, the future looks bright for Coach Cory Luke and the Bulldogs, as they prepare to embark on a new conference next season with a remaining group of talented players. Eight players return on offense, and seven returnes remain on defense, with both offensive and defensive lines intact. Next season begins this upcoming spring!

-Dennis Hughes