The Monroe Central Seminoles might've stood at the head of the pack when it came to Pioneer Valley Conference football this fall, but they didn't stand there without a challenge.

Five of the seven schools in the PVC posted winning marks on the gridiron this fall and two of those schools, Caldwell and Monroe, made it into the playoffs while Frontier wasn't edged out until the final day of the season.

A late season loss to the Shenandoah Zeps ended Fort Frye's playoff aspirations but all told the five area teams combined to post a record of 36-14 this fall for a .720 winning percentage.

The success those five teams enjoyed earned 28 players all-league honors from the PVC.

Monroe Central, which finished the season 9-1 and undefeated in league play, led all schools with seven All-PVC selections while head coach Jay Circosta was named the PVC Coach of the Year.

Quarterback Derek-London Dierkes, running backs Jesse Headley, Tyler Kinchen and Kole Hogue and lineman Adam Masters and Hogan Hamilton were all given All-PVC recognition for their work on the gridiron this fall.

Kinchen led the balanced Monroe Central ground game with 637 yards on 99 carries with 10 touchdowns heading into the 'Noles playoff game with Wheelersburg while Dierkes had picked up 570 yards and eight scores on 71 tries.

Hogue added 439 yards rushing on 60 carries and also had 10 touchdowns.

Finishing second in league play with a 4-2 PVC mark the Caldwell Redskins had six players earn all-league honors, led by senior linebacker Seth Todd.

Todd was named the East District defensive Player of the Year and compiled 124 tackles, six sacks and 16 tackles for loss this past season. For his career Todd had 341 tackles and 14 sacks.

Todd was joined on the All-PVC team by Caldwell teammates Bobby Snodgrass, Tyler Schockling, Dylan Sayre, Cody Morris and Michael Smith.

Posting one of the area's top turn arounds the Frontier Cougars finished the season with a 7-3 mark with two of their losses to the playoff bound Redskins and 'Noles.

Frontier was not mathematically eliminated from the playoff chase until Fort Frye lost to Bishop Rosecrans on the final day of the regular season.

Earning all-league honors for the Cougars were senior wide outs Brandan Murphy and Tyler Binegar along with lineman Ryan Haessly and juniors Corey Fickiesen and Reid Tilton.

Fickiesen was the Cougars' primary offensive threat, and he was well protected by Haessly, as the lanky quarterback accounted for more than 2,000 yards of total offense.

The Frontier QB completed 121-of-206 passes for 1,555 yards and 14 scores while rushing for 611 yards and nine scores on 129 attempts.

Murphy was Fickiesen's primary target and the Cougars' big play receiver, catching 36 passes for 609 yards and eight scores. Binegar caught 34 passes for 418 yards.

Tilton provided some balance to keep teams from focusing on Fickiesen as he rushed for 711 yards and 12 scores on 116 attempts.

Fort Frye's Cadets began the season without a loss until meeting Monroe Central in Week 5 and also had five players earn league honors.

Seniors Greg Heldman, Justin Ellis and David Rabourn were honored by the PVC as the trio was part of five four year starters on this year's team. The other two Cadet four-year starters were derailed by injury.

Juniors Colten Skinner and Matthew Klinger completed the honorees for the Cadets.

All-PVC honorees for the Shenandoah Zeps included five seniors in John Hronec, Logan Michel, Dalton Pritchard, Wes Rataiczak and Cody Farmer.

In volleyball the PVC also had a little bit of success though it wasn't nearly to the same degree as the football teams.

Frontier and Monroe Central finished in a tie for second in the PVC behind Buckeye Trail and had a trio of girls receive league honors.

For Monroe, senior Christina Parden, junior Alex Kuhn and sophomore Kayley Stephens were All-PVC.

Frontier's honorees were Lexie Hoff, Ashley Kimble and Hilary Thacker.

Kimble had more than 200 kills and 80 blocks on the court this fall while Hoff posted around 180 kills for Frontier.

Shenandoah, Fort Frye and Caldwell each had two girls receive All-PVC honors.

Audra Schroeder and Emily Long were honored for the Lady Zeps while Madison Thieman and Kelsey Hanson received league honors for Fort Frye. Caldwell had Lizzy Nau and Stacey Mugrage receive All-PVC recognition.