By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

Dowagiac’s Cody Cox and Niles’ Kyle Miller have both been selected honorable mention Academic All-State by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.

“We are proud of Cody, he carries the same work ethic in the classroom as he does on the field and court,” Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said. “As a team we have been Academic All-State two out of the last four years. It is important because usually if you team takes care of business in the classroom they prepare themselves mentally for the game on Friday night.”

Niles also earned Academic All-State as a team with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.9
St. Joseph was also an Academic All-State team in Division 3 with a GPA of 3.732.

In Division 6, Berrien Springs was honored (3.42), while in Division 7 it was Lake Michigan Catholic (3.637) and in Division 8 it was Michigan Lutheran (3.572).
Berrien Springs’ Jonathan Holbert was a first team Academic All-State selection. No other player earned that status.

There were no second team picks from southwest lower Michigan.

St. Joseph’s Jason Gambrell earned honorable mention status for the Bears.

Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger was named the Regional Coach of the Year along with Three Rivers’ J.J. Wagner, Bronson’s Jeff Gallup and Saugatuck’s William Dunn.