A Midwest Conference title in just his second year at the helm has earned Monmouth College head coach Chad Braun the MWC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year in a vote of the league's coaches who also named 16 Fighting Scots to the All-Midwest Conference team, including four Player of the Year awards.

      Ranked 17th in the nation by the AFCA and 21st in the D3Football.com poll, Braun led the Scots to their sixth unbeaten regular season in the 124-year history of the program and the first since 2009 en route to claiming their fifth league title since 2005. Heading into the first round of the NCAA playoffs, Braun has turned in a two-year career record of 18-2. His .900 success rate is Monmouth's best since Clifford Bell posted a .947 winning percentage from 1905-06.

      Monmouth's defensive line nearly swept first team honors, claiming three of the five positions including the Defensive Lineman of the Year for sophomore Thomas Lesniewski (Algonquin, Ill./Marian Central). Seniors Ben Ketchum (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin) and Logan Gigl (Clifton, Ill./Central) joined Lesniewski as the Scots' defensive lineman selections. Senior linebacker Matt Barnes (Colfax, Ill./Ridgeview), who was named the Defensive Skill Player of the Year, and junior defensive back Micam Smith (Annawan, Ill./Annawan) rounded out the first team defensive selections.

      The Scots' offensive line also had multiple selections after Offensive Lineman of the Year honoree senior Kolton Koch (Chebanse, Ill./Central) and junior Devon Brooks (Orange Park, Fla./Orange Park) were voted to the first team. Senior quarterback Tanner Matlick (Reynolds, Ill./Mercer County) – the league's Offensive Skill Player of the Year – senior wide receiver Brock Thoms (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield North) and sophomore running back DeAndre Wright (DeKalb, Ill./Momence) gave Monmouth 10 first team selections.

      Second team honorees included senior offensive linemen C.J. Van Petten (St. Charles, Ill./North) and Derrick Romano (Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington), sophomore wide receiver Yansay Williams (Normal, Ill./West), freshman defensive lineman Lamar Watson (Pembroke Township, Ill./Momence), junior linebacker Kyle Schultz (Heyworth, Ill./Heyworth) and senior defensive back Nyle Stevens (Milan, Ill./Rockridge).

      Lesniewksi, a 6-1, 230-pound pass-rusher, earned his second straight all-league honor and recorded a team-high nine sacks this season, despite missing a pair of games due to an injury. He also tied for the team lead with 14.5 tackles for loss. Lesniewski is a political science major and the son of Jreneusz and Joanna Lesniewski.

      Ketchum, at 6-2 and 250 pounds, wrapped up his regular season career as a defensive lineman with 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. It is his second straight all-MWC honor. A wellness major, Ketchum is the son of Michael and Janet Ketchum.

      Gigl earned his first all-conference selection. The 6-3, 235-pounder who recorded 41 total tackles, tied for the team lead with 14.5 tackles for loss and turned in seven sacks – second on the team. A business major, he is the son of Randy and Tracy Gigl.

      Barnes, a three-time all-league honoree, recorded a team- and career-high 108 tackles. The linebacker also turned in 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. A business and Spanish double major, Barnes is the son of Robert and Kathleen Barnes.

      Smith was honored with all-MWC status for the second straight year after making 33 tackles – 20 solos. A business major, Smith is the son of Amy Rieder.

      Koch and Brooks each earned their first all-conference awards. The offensive line tandem helped the Scots average nearly 49 points per game which ranks fourth in the nation. The team also ranks 12th nationally averaging more than 510 yards per game. A business major, Koch is the son of Rob and Beth Koch. Brooks, a kinesiology major, is the son of Christina Brooks.

      Matlick claimed his second straight all-league status at quarterback. He led the nation with a 206.8 pass efficiency rating while throwing for 2,322 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also added another 277 yards rushing with six TDs. A business major, Matlick is the son of Kyle and Tina Matlick.

      Thoms laid claim to his first all-Midwest Conference honor. The Scots' leading receiver hauled in 43 passes for 749 yards – both team highs – and added seven touchdowns. A wellness administration major, Thoms is the son of Theresa Tevsh and Scott Thoms.

      Wright earned his second all-league honor in as many years. The running back led the team with 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging more than 111 yards per game and eight yards per carry. An exercise science major, he is the son of Umeka Wright.

      Van Petten, a 6-2, 275-pound offensive lineman, earned his first award and Romano, a 6-3, 320-pounder, picked up his second. The pair helped the Scots rush for nearly 250 yards per game and score 34 rushing TDs. They were also part of the unit which allowed just eight sacks on the season. A business major, Van Petten is the son of Jim and Karen Van Petten. Romano is an exercise science major and the son of Lisa Romano and Anthony Romano.

      Williams was named all-league for the first time. The wide receiver wrapped up the regular season scoring a school-record four TDs in a single game. He recorded a receiving corps-best eight touchdowns this season and caught 29 passes for 585 yards. A wellness administration major, Williams is the son of Fred Owens and Pennie Williams.

      Watson – a defensive lineman – claimed his first all-MWC award. He was sixth on the team with 37 tackles while recording eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. A business major, Watson is the son of Lorre Autman.

      Schultz picked up his first all-league honor. The linebacker was the Scots' No. 2 tackler with 67 stops, nearly half of which were unassisted. An accounting major, his is the son of Anthony and Daria Schultz.

      Stevens earned his second all-MWC award. The defensive back recorded 12 solos tackles and intercepted two passes. An accounting and business major, Stevens is the son of Kelly and Sandy Stevens.

      Monmouth's 16 all-conference selections are the most since the team landed 15 players on the squad in 2011, the year of the Scots' last conference championship.