HAYS – Central Plains graduate Myles Menges earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the fourth Tiger to earn the honor.

The Bushton, Kansas native recorded 27 tackles, a team-high 5.5 sacks, and 6.5 tackles for loss. Menges had a big year batting down passes at the line, recording 11 pass breakups for the season, tied for third-most in the MIAA and most among defensive linemen. He recorded one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

He helped the Tigers to the second-best defense in the MIAA (330 ypg) and the best scoring defense (17 ppg). Menges is the first MIAA Defensive Player of the Year for the Tigers since LB Jose Delgado (2018).

Menges is a four-time All-MIAA honoree, capping the run of selections as a unanimous first team selection on the defensive line. Menges earned honorable mention, third team and second team honors the past three years.

Larned's Mason Perez earned first-team defensive back honors for his third consecutive All-MIAA honor. Perez ranked second in tackles (69) while leading the Tigers with seven tackles for loss.

Perez had five pass breakups and a forced fumble. Perez blocked two kicks. He accounted for 212 tackles in four seasons.