The All-SAC conference teams came out last weekend, which honored some of the players in the league this season. This is voted on every season by the coaches. Just like any voting system when it comes to all-conference recognition, it’s subjective.
There is a First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention announced every year. Essentially, Honorable Mention feels like it is the best of the rest or hard workers from their respective teams.
This year there are five players who stood out as snub, those who should have received All-SAC recognition and didn’t get it.
I’d like to highlight them and explain why.
1. Luke Hayworth, Concordia, EDGE
Honestly, I don’t understand how he got left off. Hayworth has more tackles than some other defensive lineman on the First and Second teams with 56 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and six sacks (10th in Class 3A). Was he overlooked because he plays for a struggling Concordia program? That’s not fair, especially considering one of his best performances this season was against Carroll (two sacks). This is a real head-scratcher.
2. Caleb Hollingsworth, Homestead, S
Another head scratcher on how someone who got Honorable Mention recognition last season and improved this year was snubbed. While stats are some of the argument, it should not be the end-all, be-all. He was likely hurt with his one interception this season and 47 total tackles, but what doesn’t show on the stat sheet is when those tackles were. I watched this young man against North Side and his pursuit of the football was quickly something that stood out. He’s also been a bit banged up, but has played through injury. At the very least, he deserved Honorable Mention as one of the best safeties in the area. A huge miss here.
3. Cole Baumgartner, Snider, LB
Snider got a lot more love this season on All-SAC with its improved play, and rightfully so. But to leave off Baumgartner, who completes arguably the best linebacker corps in the SAC, was shocking. It is tough to gauge for some coaches since Snider stats aren’t the easiest to come by publicly. But once you check them out on the team website, you’ll see he has 12 more total tackles than his teammate who made All-SAC Second Team. Again, stats aren’t everything, but this one makes you scratch your head and wonder what you’re missing. He also has two sacks and four tackles for a loss. He’s not a household name that everyone in the area knows, but maybe they should? A huge miss here for the SAC.
4. Dallas Mata, Bishop Luers, LB
Mata likely didn’t make the list because he missed a couple of games due to injury, but he still finished with 48 total tackles, five tackles for a loss and a sack at linebacker for the Knights. He played in eight games on a hyperextended knee and fractured AC joint since Week 2 and broke his hand, yet still put up those numbers. Sounds like a kid that’s not only dedicated to the program, but dedicated to the game. When he returned, he instantly brought back a spark that was missing on defense for Bishop Luers that was missing those few weeks he was out. With the combination of his perseverance, determination, and numbers, he deserved at the very least Honorable Mention.
5. Mike Henley Jr., Concordia, WR
Henley Jr. proved his was amongst the best wide receivers in the area every time he stepped on the field. He also was a little banged up this season, but still finished with nearly 500 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. He has more yards than multiple receivers who are on this list, but because he plays for Concordia he’s punished? Again, not fair. His yardage ranks in the top six among wideouts in the SAC and was tied for second in the conference in receiving touchdowns (tied with Jayvon Irby and only less than Harrison Scheele). Not even Honorable Mention? This, my friends, is the biggest snub of 2026.
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