Football Wednesday, November 19, 2025 NWC Athletic Communications

Football All-Conference Teams Released; Voss Named Defensive Player of the Year

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced its football all-conference teams, with 10 Raiders receiving All-GPAC distinction. Trystin Voss was recognized as the GPAC Defensive Player of the Year, and four Raiders received First Team honors.

Trystin Voss – GPAC Defensive Player of the Year; First Team (Defensive Line)
Northwestern's fourth consecutive GPAC Player of the Year, Voss drew plenty of attention on the defensive line in his senior season. He totaled 25 tackles with 7.5 for loss on the year. Voss also picked up five sacks for losses of 36 yards on the year and led the Raiders with 15 QB hurries. He rose to the challenge midseason, filling in on the offensive line while still holding down his position on defense. In the four games that Voss played on both sides of the ball, he totaled 309 snaps.

"Our defense was again one of the best units in the country and Trystin played a huge part in the success of our defense," head coach Matt McCarty said. "He was a disruptive force on the defensive line and also played a key role on our offensive line for the last half of the season."

Tanner Schouten – First Team (Wide Receiver)
Earning his first career All-GPAC honor, Schouten bounced back from an early injury to have a career year. The Raiders' top wideout had career highs in receiving yards (666), receptions (35), and touchdowns (6). Schouten's breakout game this season came at Briar Cliff, when the senior hauled in six catches for 211 yards and three scores.

"Tanner had an awesome year. He was a dynamic playmaker for us as the season went on and made some huge plays for us."

Jacob Dragstra – First Team (Defensive Line)
A four-time All-GPAC selection, Dragstra bolstered one of the top defenses in the country with 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The senior defensive lineman was second on the team with nine QB hurries and broke up two passes at the line.

"Jacob set the tone for us defensively. He was great against the run and got after the quarterback in big games."

Kylar Fritz – First Team (Defensive Back)
Fritz earns his first career All-GPAC honor after leading the defensive backs, sitting third on the team with 49 tackles. The junior from Sioux Center, Iowa also picked off a pass and led the team with nine breakups.

"Kylar did a great job commanding the back end of the defense for us. Teams had to recognize where he was every snap."

Jackson Smythe – Second Team (Linebacker)
Northwestern's tackling leader with 72 stops, Smythe had a breakout sophomore season at linebacker. The Tea, South Dakota product had five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on the year.

"Jackson stepped into a big role for us and became a playmaker at LB for us."

Ben Egli – Second Team (Linebacker)
Receiving All-GPAC honors for the third time in his career, Egli was a versatile defender, sitting second on the team with 50 tackles. The senior from Fort Dodge, Iowa also had a tackle for loss, two interceptions, and three deflections.

"Ben has been a steady performer in our defense throughout his career. He plays with great consistency".

Jordan Carter – Second Team (Defensive Back)
Carter was a ball hawk for the Raider defense in his redshirt freshman season, sitting second in the GPAC with four interceptions. Two of Carter's picks were taken to the house, while one was in the end zone to stop a crucial drive in October 18's win over Morningside. Carter also broke up five passes, made eight tackles, and had a tackle for loss.

"Jordan made some of the biggest plays of the year for us in the biggest games of the year. He is going to be an outstanding DB for us."

Korver Hupke – Honorable Mention (Offensive Line)
Hupke was a leader on the Raiders' offensive line, earning All-GPAC honors for the second consecutive year. Northwestern's offensive line worked in the trenches, averaging 119.0 rush yards per game.

"Korver was a leader for us up front this year. He did a great job playing both guard and filling in at tackle when needed."

Gianna Bennett – Honorable Mention (Kicker)
Bennett was automatic on special teams, making 25 of 28 extra point attempts and converting on eight field goal attempts this season. In eight of her nine appearances this season, Bennett made every extra point attempt, including a 5-for-5 outing in the season opener against Waldorf and a 7-for-7 day in November 8's win over Doane.

"Gianna was extremely consistent this year. She is an outstanding kicker and a great weapon for us."

Colby Duncan – Honorable Mention (Quarterback)
Duncan was a dual threat in his first full season at QB1, throwing for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns while also leading the Raider rushing attack with 529 yards and five scores. The sophomore from Papillion, Nebraska threw for 300+ yards in two games this season, throwing for 307 yards and three touchdowns at Briar Cliff and 335 yards and five touchdowns against Doane. In the win over Doane, Duncan totaled 384 yards and six touchdowns.

"Colby played his best football as the season went on. He is an outstanding competitor and sparked us to finish strong this season."

In addition to Voss' Defensive Player of the Year award, Morningside's Drew Sellon was named the GPAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Dordt's Joel Penner was named Coach of the Year.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#10 Gianna Bennett: K; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#1 Jordan Carter: DB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#9 Jacob Dragstra: DL; 6' 0"; Senior

#2 Colby Duncan: QB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#34 Ben Egli: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

#0 Kylar Fritz: DB; 6' 2"; Junior

#77 Korver Hupke: OL; 6' 3"; Junior

#8 Tanner Schouten: WR; 6' 4"; Senior

#27 Jackson Smythe: LB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#5 Trystin Voss: DL; 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Gianna Bennett
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: K

#1 Jordan Carter
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

#9 Jacob Dragstra
: 6' 0"; Senior
: DL

#2 Colby Duncan
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: QB

#34 Ben Egli
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB

#0 Kylar Fritz
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DB

#77 Korver Hupke
: 6' 3"; Junior
: OL

#8 Tanner Schouten
: 6' 4"; Senior
: WR

#27 Jackson Smythe
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: LB

#5 Trystin Voss
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DL