By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Four area running backs were named honorable mention All-State recently by the Associated Press.
Niles' Ben Brandstatter, Buchanan's Marquis Hall, Dowagiac's Jamie Simpson and Cassopolis' DaShaun Curtis were all named honorable mention.
Brandstatter and Simpson were selected for the Divisions 3-4 squad, while Hall and Curtis were picked among the Division 5-6 and Division 7-8 schools respectively.
Brandstatter helped lead Niles to a 4-5 overall record, an improvement of three games from the previous season.
He led the four local players honored with more than 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Hall rushed for more than 1,500 yards and scored 25 touchdowns as he helped Buchanan reach the Division 5 district title game.
The Bucks were eliminated by state-runner Jackson Lumen Christi.
Curtis also rushed for over 1,500 yards this season.
The talented Ranger sophomore scored 25 touchdowns as well as Cassopolis reached the Division 7 district title game.
The Rangers were eliminated by eventual state champion Mendon.
Simpson, despite missing the first game of the season and only playing half of the second game of the year, rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.
Simpson helped lead Doagiac to a third straight playoff appearance. The Chieftains reached the Division 4 district title game before being eliminated by Comstock.
Southwest Michigan did not have a player named to the first team of any squads, however, St. Joseph coach Elliot Uzelac was selected as the Coach of the Year in Division 3-4.
St. Joseph was eliminated by eventual state champion East Grand Rapids.