ConVal defensive back Sammy Davis made first-team All-State for Division III for his exploits during the 2023 season.

The sophomore strong safety tallied 87 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as the “quarterback of the defense” according to head coach Matt Harris.

Senior defensive tackle and captain Francisco Jaimes and junior cornerbaqck Kai Reitnauer earned second-team defensive honors. Jaimes anchored the defensive line and was the second-leading tackler on the team with 81. Reitnauer regularly was matched up against the top receivers of opposing teams.

On offense, junior running back Elliot “ET” Featherstone, junior receiver Kendrick Edwards and junior captain and offensive tackle Bishop Benham all were named to the second team.

Featherstone got the majority of carries for the team, scoring six touchdowns, and gaining 800 yards in only his second year playing football. Edwards caught five touchdowns and tallied 450 yards receiving, while Benham led the offensive line.

Honorable mention All-State honors went to junior James Healey, junior captain Roman Cadwallader, senior JJ Way and junior Keith Bush for their contributions on both sides of the ball.

ConVal finished the season 3-6, its first multiple-win season since 2017, when the Cougars went 4-4 at the Division II level, and a three-game improvement over the 1-8 record in 2022.

Conval lost three games by a touchdown or less and two games by two touchdowns or less, compared to multiple defeats by more than 50 points the season before. The Cougars allowed 160 points and scored 114 points, a vast improvement from the 343 points the prior year.

ConVal will return to Division II in 2024, and will be eligible for the playoffs, which they had not been after petitioning down to compete in Division III.