The Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) revealed its end-of-season 2025 high school football awards Monday, Nov 24. Taking home the top honor was South Bend Washington senior Jaydon Lineberry, who won NIC Player of the Year.
More: Vote for the South Bend Tribune November 17-22 Athlete of the Week
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn offense as a receiver, Lineberry put up 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns on 58 receptions in 10 games. On defense as a defensive back, Lineberry amassed five interceptions, 43 tackles and three tackles for loss.
Jaydon Lineberry, a South Bend Washington senior, is named Northern Indiana Conference Football Player of the Year.Penn head coach Pete Riordan was named the NIC Coach of the Year after leading the Kingsmen to an undefeated 7-0 conference record, an undefeated regular season and a sectional championship before ending the season at 11-1 with a regional championship loss.
More: Penn football's season ends with IHSAA regional championship loss to Fort Wayne Carroll
It was Penn football's best overall season since 2017 and best regular season since 2016.
Pete Riordan was named the 2025 Northern Indiana Conference Coach of the Year, effective November 24.Below is a list of those named to an All-NIC First Team, Second Team or Honorable Mention sorted first by class order then alphabetical order by school.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll-NIC First Team Offense
Quarterback: Reed Robinson, New Prairie senior
Running Back: Alfonzo Newbern, Elkhart senior
Running Back: Carson Bryce, South Bend Adams junior
Tight End: Austin Ratigan, South Bend Saint Joseph senior
Wide Receiver: Jaydon Lineberry, Washington senior
Wide Receiver: Brayson Hurley, Penn junior
Offensive Lineman: Patrick Conery, Penn senior
Offensive Lineman: Aaron Burton, South Bend Riley senior
Offensive Lineman: Nick Ortiz, Saint Joseph senior
Offensive Lineman: Cooper Goddard, Adams junior
Center: AJ Needham, Penn junior
At Large: Frankie Willis, Elkhart junior
All-NIC First Team Defense
Defensive Back: Chase Bussard, Elkhart senior
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefensive Back: Colden Hernandez, Penn senior
Defensive Back: Nick Washington, Riley senior
Defensive Lineman: Quinn Watson, Penn senior
Defensive Lineman: Kobby Addo, Saint Joseph senior
Defensive Lineman: Elijah Lax, Washington senior
Defensive Lineman: Adin Norton, Riley junior
Linebacker: Wrigley Hull, Penn senior
Linebacker: Mason Kazmierzak, Saint Joseph senior
Linebacker: Kros Jones, Elkhart junior
Strong Safety: Vinny Freeman, Penn senior
At Large: Bryce Verse, Washington senior
All-NIC First Team Special Teams
Kicker: Harris Stipp, Penn senior
Punter: Eric Garcialazo, Adams senior
All-NIC Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Elijah Young, Washington senior
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementQuarterback: Micah Jarrell, Elkhart junior
Quarterback: Landon Hall, Penn junior
Tight End: Bradford Washington, Riley junior
Wide Receiver: Tayshon Bardo, Elkhart senior
Wide Receiver: Terrance Lane, Mishawaka Marian senior
Wide Receiver: Dallas Downey, Saint Joseph senior
Wide Receiver: Mason Biernacki, Penn sophomore
Offensive Lineman: Prescott Horvath, Marian senior
Offensive Lineman: Chuck Henning, Penn senior
Offensive Lineman: Sy'iir Neely, Washington senior
Offensive Lineman: Tyler Pranger, New Prairie junior
All-NIC Second Team Defense
Defensive Back: Parker Mrozinski, Marian junior
Defensive Back: Cole Bell, Elkhart sophomore
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefensive Lineman: Seth Kirzeder, Marian senior
Defensive Lineman: Christian Bonner, Penn senior
Defensive Lineman: Charlie Grewe, Saint Joseph senior
Defensive Lineman: Lamarr Shaw, Adams junior
Linebacker: Leighton Prezbindowski, Adams junior
Linebacker: Muri Jackson, Riley junior
Linebacker: Noah Wallis, Penn sophomore
Strong Safety: James Criniti, Saint Joseph junior
All-NIC Honorable Mention Offense and Defense
Kyle Sommer, Elkhart senior offensive lineman; Nate Franklin, Elkhart senior center; Kayden Lee, Marian senior defensive lineman; John White, Penn senior defensive lineman; Cleal Kimbrough, Adams senior wide receiver; Braxton Shines, Riley senior wide receiver; Teon Wadley, Riley senior running back; Ryan Ruszkowski, Saint Joseph senior defensive back; Jalil Neely, Washington senior defensive lineman; Luis Cruz, New Prairie junior defensive lineman; Adrien Brown, Penn junior offensive lineman; John Bond, Adams junior linebacker.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected] or follow him on X @KyleSmedley03.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: See who was honored in the 2025 NIC high school football awards
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