Todd Rose | Daily Press North Central’s Luke Gorzinski (11) primes to fire a pass down the field Nov. 13 in Powers.

IRONWOOD — The North Central football team received good news on two fronts Friday as the MHSAA decided on a restart date for the football playoffs languishing in limbo (Jan. 2) and the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association released the All-U.P. Eight-Player awards.

The Jets earned 11 spots, along with four for Rapid River and two for Superior Central.

Following the footsteps of the Jets’ Noah Gorzinksi last year, Jets sophomore and quarterback Luke Gorzinski was honored unanimously by voters with the Offensive Player of the Year award.

“He didn’t take a second-half snap this year,” Jets coach Leo Gorzinski said. “Luke’s athleticism, field vision and decision making allow him to play at a different speed. His heart and determination is what makes him the leader.”

Despite the lack of snaps, Luke accumulated 1,253 passing yards and 20 touchdowns through the air with a completion rate of 72% and no interceptions. In addition, he racked up 811 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs, finishing with 9.9 yards per carry. Along with Offensive Player of the Year, Luke also made the Dream Team at quarterback.

Luke is joined on the Dream Team Offense by North Central seniors Fabian Chartier on the line and Ian Gorzinksi as a wide receiver.

Rapid River seniors Max Lenaker and Bryce Lundquist joined them at wide receiver and Athlete respectively.

An All-Great Lakes Eight West election, Chartier helped propel the undefeated Jets into the playoffs.

“Offseason work propelled him into our best offensive lineman,” coach Gorzinski said. “Fabe’s fast feet and hands allow him to reach, scoop, trap and pull block for us. It’s been his ability to get to the second level that allowed this offense to amass over 3,000 yards, 489 points and allow three backs to average 10 yards a carry. With his pass protection, we’ve thrown for over 1,300 yards and 20 TDs.”

Ian, an AGLEW wideout and defensive back appointee, notched 500 yards receiving, seven TDs through the air, 100 rush yards, three TDs on the ground, 24 tackles and four interceptions.

“Ian is our biggest asset at the wide receiver position,” coach Gorzinski said. “His ability to get behind a defense is what allowed the rest of the guys spacing. Ian’s focus and soft hands make him a secure target, no matter the weather or coverage.”

Lenaker was elected to the All-Great Lakes Eight East list and pulled in 35 receptions on his way to 581 yards receiving. He also collected nine TDs and eight two-point conversions despite playing much of the year injured.

Lundquist was another flexible weapon in the pocket of the Rockets — able to run or pass as they liked — on their way to a 6-2 record that ended in the regional semifinals against Cedarville (28-20).

The 6-foot QB went 85 for 144 and accumulated 1,441 yards and 19 TDs. He fought for 41 carries for 155 yards and seven TDs on the ground and collected 16 two-point conversions while throwing only six interceptions.

Jets senior Carter Eichmeier was the sole local appointee on the Dream Team Defense. The AGLEW defensive lineman is currently up to 30 tackles — 10 for a loss, three sacks, two TDs and four fumble recoveries.

“Carter is the emotional leader of the team,” coach Gorzinski said. “He plays both sides of the line. His ability to use technique and play long, paired with relentless style made him an ultimate disrupter. He was a key player on D-line that only allowed four TDs this season.”

The Jets filled out two of the three Dream Team Special Teams slots — senior Daniel Dani as kicker and junior Alex Naser as return specialist.

“His kickoffs consistently land inside the 15,” coach Gorzinski said of Dani.

Naser, another AGLEW honoree, averages 42.9 yards per carry and notched three TDs on returns just in the playoffs. Naser was also elected to the First Team Offense as a running back.

Clearing two more of the special awards were Leo Gorzinksi who was awarded Coach of the Year and North Central as a whole, which earned the Team of the Year award unanimously.

In his third year as head coach, Leo Gorzinski advanced from an 8-2 season and loss in the first playoff game in 2018 to a 10-1 season in 2019 where they fell in the regional final to Pickford (22-14) to an undefeated 9-0 season where he’s waiting to enter the state semifinals against Marion.

Superior Central senior Kyle Frusti was named First Team Athlete. The St. Norbert prospect collected 1,249 yards and 11 TDs and was also awarded a second First Team spot as punter.

“He’s a victim of being on an inexperienced team in the toughest conference in the state,” Superior Central coach Sam Eggleston said.

Selected to First Team Defense were Jets junior Wyatt Raab to the line and Rapid River seniors Parker Dausey at defensive end and Griffin Flath at linebacker.

On a defense that only allowed four TDs all season, Raab collected 25 tackles and two sacks.

“He’s a big part of the defense,” coach Gorzinski said. “Wyatt has been able to combine his tremendous lower body strength and a fast first step to become a dominant force at the nose position.”

Dausey, selected to the AGLEE list, finished with 11 sacks and 29 tackles — 15 for a loss.

Flath was likewise honored with a position on the AGLEE list at linebacker and accumulated 71 tackles — 10 for a loss, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He averaged more than 10 tackles per game.

“Griffin came up big in the big games,” Rockets coach Steve Ostrenga said. “He played close with the top teams, and he played toe-to-toe with Cedarville.”

Earning Honorable Mentions were Carney-Nadeau’s Michael Flanagan and Brayden Kakuk, Rapid River’s Damyn Smith and Ben Lenaker, and Superior Central’s Parker Maki and James Maki.