2024 G-MAC Football All-Conference Teams

A strong finish to the season for the Hillsdale College football team has been recognized in a big way by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference on Thursday afternoon.

The Chargers won or shared two of the G-MAC's nine major awards for football and had nine total players earn All-G-MAC honors, the conference office announced today.

A record-setting season by sophomore Shea Ruddy saw the wide receiver earn Great Midwest Special Teams Player of the Year honors, as well as first-team All-G-MAC honors. Ruddy set a new G-MAC single-season record with 33.3 yards per kickoff return, and was the only G-MAC player with multiple kickoff return touchdowns, including a G-MAC long 95 yard return against Walsh. Ruddy's 732 kickoff return yards led the G-MAC and was second nationally, and his 1,779 all-purpose yards also led the G-MAC and ranked in the top five nationally. A gifted receiver as well as a return man, Ruddy led the Chargers with 680 yards and led the G-MAC with 28.3 yards per catch while also finishing with eight touchdowns.

Senior Nick Affholter joined Ruddy as a major G-MAC award winner and capped his career by earning G-MAC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, as well as first-team All-G-MAC honors for the second-straight season. A three-time All-G-MAC honoree in total, Affholter didn't miss a game in five seasons as a Charger and as center, was a critical player up front for the G-MAC's top rushing attack at 163.2 yards per game. That elite season came after a 2023 campaign as a junior where Affholter helped pave the way for the record-setting season of Harlon Hill finalist tailback Michael Herzog, who is now in the Canadian Football League.

Two more players joined Ruddy and Affholter on the All-G-MAC first team, both first-time honorees. Junior Hunter Sperling was the heart of a dominant defensive line and Defensive Lineman of the Year for the Chargers at defensive tackle, recording 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss while spearheading a run defense that held Hillsdale's final three opponents to under 40 yards rushing in all three contests, with all three Hillsdale victories. 

Sophomore Jacob Vance also received first team honors after leading Hillsdale in tackles despite missing almost all of two contests due to injury. The Chargers' Linebacker of the Year for the second-straight season, Vance finished with a team-high 57 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, ranking in the top 10 in the G-MAC in tackles for loss. Vance also added 4.5 sacks, including 2.5 sacks in Hillsdale's dominant 28-6 victory over Ohio Dominican to end the season.

In addition, five Chargers earned second-team All-G-MAC recognition. Senior captain Logan VanEnkevort was a second team running back for the Chargers despite missing a game and only playing seven games at tailback. VanEnkevort rushed for 765 yards and four touchdowns in his seven starts, including five games of 100 or more yards on the ground in his final six contests to help Hillsdale finish with a winning record and lead the G-MAC in rushing. 

Fellow senior offensive lineman Eli Haidamous was a repeat second-team honoree, starting all 11 games for Hillsdale at guard and teaming with Affholter and VanEnkevort to help the Chargers put forth the top rushing attack in the G-MAC at 163.2 yards per game.

Redshirt freshman Andrew Konieczny earned second-team All-G-MAC honors after a breakout season at tight end for the Chargers, finishing second on the team with 23 receptions and 252 yards while also providing excellent run and pass blocking for the Chargers all season long.

Two graduating players who played in Hillsdale's back seven defensively also each earned second-team All-G-MAC honors for Hillsdale. Cornerback Matt Soderdahl was recognized after leading Hillsdale in interceptions (three) and pass breakups (eight) while returning one of those interceptions for a touchdown and recording 36 tackles. 

Joining him on the second team is fellow graduating player Vince Francescone, who plays Hillsdale's hybrid STAR position. The versatile Francescone was second on the team in tackles (51) with eight tackles for loss, while also finishing second behind Soderdahl in interceptions (two) and pass breakups (seven) in an impressive final season.

Hillsdale finished the 2024 campaign on a five game winning streak to post a 6-5 overall and record and a 6-3 mark in G-MAC play. It's the second-straight winning record for the Chargers and Hillsdale's eighth .500 or better record in the last nine seasons.