LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champion Kutztown University football team claimed three major award winners and placed a program-record 18 student-athletes on all-conference teams, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
Jim Clements received his sixth PSAC East Coach of the Year honor and third in a row after leading the Golden Bears to a second straight 11-0 unbeaten regular season. Kutztown is ranked No. 3 in both the AFCA and D2Football.com national polls –tying its highest-ever ranking—and won its third consecutive PSAC Championship Game with last Saturday's 28-23 victory over IUP. The Golden Bears own NCAA Division II's longest active regular season winning streak at 31 games. Now in his 11^th season at KU, Clements recently reached the 100-win mark with the program. He's 101-29 (.777) with the Golden Bears and 167-53 (.759) in 19 seasons between Delaware Valley and KU.
 
Quarterback Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) earned Offensive Athlete of the Year and All-PSAC East First Team accolades for the first time in his career. The redshirt junior has completed 158-of-237 passes for 2,296 yards, 19 touchdowns and no interceptions, while also running for 213 yards and two TDs. He leads the PSAC and ranks third in DII in passing efficiency (174.5), and also ranks in the top five of the conference in yards per pass attempt (first, 9.7), completion percentage (second, 66.7%), yards per completion (third, 14.5), passing TDs (fourth), passing yards (fifth) and total offense (fifth, 228.1 ypg).
 
The Manheim, Pa., native previously earned All-PSAC East Second Team honors in 2023 and 2024. He is sixth Golden Bear to earn PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year recognition since the conference started honoring an Offensive and Defensive Athlete of the Year beginning with the 1996 season.
 
Senior linebacker Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove) was tabbed PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year for the first time. Hile has been a constant presence and leader for one of the top defenses in NCAA Division II during his career. This season, he's racked up team-highs of 48 tackles and 29 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, four pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. Hile is a first-time All-PSAC East selection and the sixth PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year in program history. Hile, from Winfield, Pa., is the third Golden Bear in a row to be honored with the DAOTY award, following Tyler Whary in 2023 and Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) in 2024.
 
Representing KU on the All-PSAC East Offensive First Team were Novak, running back Steven Burkhardt (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City), guard Billy Everitt (Abington, Pa./Abington) and tackle Ryan Schernecke (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland). All-PSAC East Defensive honors went to Hile, defensive lineman Kyree Butler (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin), defensive back Lee Coleman (Salem, N.J./Salem), defensive lineman Mikey Gray (York, Pa./William Penn) and defensive lineman Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown).
 
All-PSAC East Offensive Second Team members included guard Adam Conklin (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North), center CJ Conti (Sea Isle City, N.J./Ocean City), tackle Shane Hartman (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge), wide receiver Noah Kracyla (Townsend, Del./Middletown), tight end Luke Maxwell (Estell Manor, N.J./Delsea Regional) and running back Jaedyn Stewart (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional). All-PSAC Defensive Second Team choices were defensive back Jhaisir Harden (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro), linebacker Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin) and linebacker Brandon Strausser (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin).
 

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 2025 KUTZTOWN ALL-PSAC EAST FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
 
OFFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
 
Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central)

• First Team Quarterback
• Offensive Athlete of the Year

 
Novak, from Manheim, Pa., directed the KU offense to a PSAC-best 41.7 points per game and a second consecutive 11-0 regular season. Since taking the reins as the Golden Bears' starting quarterback prior to the second game of the 2023 season, Novak owns a 34-3 record. This year, he's produced a PSAC-best 174.5 quarterback rating while completing 158-of-237 passes (66.7%) for 2,296 yards, 19 touchdowns and no interceptions. Novak is a three-time All-PSAC pick, earning Second Team honors in 2023 and 2024.
 
Steven Burkhardt (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City)

• First Team Running Back

 
Burkhardt is enjoying a career year with 922 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He's also contributed 16 catches for 130 yards and three TDs out of the backfield. The Gloucester City, N.J., native has found the end zone in eight of Kutztown's 11 games and has topped 100 yards rushing in four contests. He ran for a career-high 146 yards and two TDs in a win over Shippensburg, Oct. 4. Burkhardt tied a career-high with 22 carries for 107 yards and a TD in KU's PSAC Championship Game victory over IUP, Nov. 15. A first-time All-PSAC selection, Burkhardt ranks fourth in the league in yards per carry (6.5), fourth in total TDs (12), fifth in rushing yards and fifth in rushing TDs.
 
Billy Everitt (Abington, Pa./Abington)

• First Team Offensive Guard

 
Everitt, from Abington, Pa., is a repeat All-PSAC First Team pick from 2024 and a three-time all-conference selection overall (Second Team, 2023). The redshirt senior started all 11 games on an offensive line that has helped the Golden Bears post the top scoring offense (41.7 ppg) and second-best total offense (429.2 ypg) in the league. KU also ranks second in the PSAC in rushing offense (209.5 ypg) and has allowed a PSAC-low 0.82 sacks per game.
 
Ryan Schernecke (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland)

• First Team Offensive Tackle

 
Schernecke joins Everitt as a repeat All-PSAC First Team selection on the offensive line. The redshirt senior from Hatboro, Pa., has been instrumental in keeping Novak upright, protecting his blind side from his position at left tackle. Schernecke and the offensive line are allowing a league-low 0.82 sacks per game. Kutztown leads the PSAC in scoring and ranks second in rushing and total offense. Schernecke also earned All-PSAC Second Team honors in 2022 before missing the most of the 2023 season due to injury.
 

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DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
 
Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove)

• First Team Linebacker
• Defensive Athlete of the Year

 
Hile is the third consecutive PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year from Kutztown. The senior linebacker out of Winfield, Pa., leads the defensive unit with 48 total tackles (29 solo, 19 assisted). He's started all 11 games and is tied for the team lead with four quarterback hurries. Hile has also posted 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. Hile is a first-time All-PSAC pick.
 
Kyree Butler (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin)

• First Team Defensive Line (Defensive Tackle)

 
Butler, a junior from Ambler, Pa., currently has 29 total tackles (14 solo, 15 assisted), three sacks, four QB hurries and six tackles for loss, which rank second on the team. Butler, who has started all 11 games, is a first-time all-conference honoree.
 
Lee Coleman (Salem, N.J./Salem)

• First Team Defensive Back (Cornerback)

 
Coleman, from Salem, N.J., is All-PSAC for the first time as a senior. He has started in all 11 games, amassing 31 tackles (23 solo, 8 assisted), along with a team-high five pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
 
Mikey Gray (York, Pa./William Penn)

• First Team Defensive Line (Defensive Tackle)

 
Gray started all 11 games to date and has recorded 20 total tackles (10 solo and 10 assisted), 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. A redshirt sophomore and York, Pa., native, Gray is appearing on his first all-conference team.
 
Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown)

• First Team Defensive Line (Defensive End)

 
Retter earned All-PSAC First Team recognition for the second straight season. Last year's PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year battled injuries early in the season that limited his snap count. In nine games this season, the Quakertown, Pa., native has totaled 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assisted), 4.0 TFL and two sacks, along with a fumble recovery.
 

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OFFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
 
Adam Conklin (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North)

• Second Team Offensive Guard

 
A redshirt junior from Middletown, N.J., Conklin has started and played in 9-of-11 games for the Maroon and Gold this season. He's a first-time All-PSAC choice after helping KU pace the league in scoring and rank second in rushing and total offense. Behind Conklin's work on the line, KU is the least sacked team in the PSAC and has allowed the second-fewest tackles for loss.
 
CJ Conti (Sea Isle City, N.J./Ocean City)

• Second Team Offensive Center

 
Conti is another first-time All-PSAC selection in his first year as the starting center. He's played in all 11 games, aiding the Golden Bears' PSAC-best scoring offense and second-ranked rushing and total offense. The redshirt junior from Sea Isle City, N.J., has also helped Kutztown allow a league-low 0.82 sacks per game.
 
Shane Hartman (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge)

• Second Team Offensive Tackle

 
Along with Conklin and Conti on the Second Team, and Everitt and Schernecke on the First Team, Hartman ensures all five starting offensive linemen are on one of the two all-conference teams. It's a rightful honor as Kutztown has been so dominant in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Hartman, from Philadelphia, is a first-year starter at right tackle and a first-time All-PSAC pick. KU leads the PSAC in scoring offense, ranks second in rushing and total offense and is allowing the fewest sacks in the conference.
 
Noah Kracyla (Townsend, Del./Middletown)

• Second Team Wide Receiver

 
Kracyla leads the Golden Bears with 34 catches and 600 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns. The redshirt sophomore from Townsend, Del., has surpassed 80 yards receiving in five games, including a career-high six-catch, 141-yard performance against East Stroudsburg, Nov. 1. Kracyla has also served as the team's primary punt returner, totaling 221 yards and a TD on 19 attempts.
 
Luke Maxwell (Estell Manor, N.J./Delsea Regional)

• Second Team Tight End

 
Maxwell is having a breakout season as a tight end/fullback hybrid that creates mismatches for opposing teams. The Estell Manor, N.J., native has appeared in all 11 games, rushing for 118 yards and nine touchdowns. He's also caught 14 passes for 140 yards and a score. His nine rushing TDs are tied for most on the team. Maxwell topped 100 total yards in a win at Bloomsburg, Nov. 8, rushing twice for 50 yards and two TDs, and catching four passes for 58 yards.
 
Jaedyn Stewart (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional)

• Second Team Running Back

 
Stewart has been limited to six games by injury but has been a huge part of the team's offensive production when he's in the lineup. The 2024 PSAC Championship Game MVP is a repeat All-PSAC Second Team selection. Stewart, from Newfield, N.J., rushed for 456 yards and nine TDs on 51 carries.
 

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DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
 
Jhaisir Harden (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro)

• Second Team Defensive Back (Safety)

 
Harden, a redshirt sophomore has started all 11 games at safety, contributing 29 tackles (22 solo, 7 assisted), 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a pass breakup. The Glassboro, N.J., native had interceptions in consecutive games against West Chester and East Stroudsburg. He recorded his first career pick six (44 yards) in the win over ESU. Harden is a first-time All-PSAC pick.
 
Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin)

• Second Team Linebacker

 
Johnson is a two-time All-PSAC East performer after earning First Team honors last season. The linebacker started all 11 games, recording 45 tackles (15 solo, 30 assisted), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. The redshirt junior from Philadelphia ranks third on the team in tackles and tied for fourth in TFL.
 
Brandon Strausser (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin)

• Second Team Linebacker

 
Strausser is all-conference for the first time in his career. The senior has started and played in 10-of-11 games, tallying 47 tackles (22 solo, 25 assisted), 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. The Berks County native (Reading, Pa.) ranks second on the team in tackles.