NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Hanover Panthers' remarkable 2025 season came to an end on a snowy Saturday afternoon with a 38-6 loss to top-ranked North Central in the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Hanover concluded their campaign 9-3 overall and winners of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference title with a perfect 5-0 mark.
 
The Hanover defense was key in the contest as they held the high-power Cardinal offense to just 10 total points in the first half. Despite producing 231 total yards of offense, the Panthers struggled to find a consistent rhythm amongst a snowy battle that had them scoreless till the fourth quarter. HCAC Offensive Player of the Year junior Eian Roudebush was key, finishing the season with 2,868 passing yards and an impressive 410 yards on the ground, helping lead Hanover to their lone score in the contest.
 
Hanover broke through late in the fourth quarter when running back freshman Josh Williams capped a Panther 70-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown run.
 
Defensively, HCAC Defensive Player of the Year sophomore Brian Wall recorded nine total tackles, with five solo stops. The sophomore also saw action on offense, helping provide blocking for the Panther attack. Freshman Cole Shively had seven tackles while senior Ashton Schuetter tallied six.
 
SEASON IN REVIEW
Despite falling to top ranked North Central, the 2025 season will go down as one for the record books. Just one week earlier, Hanover defeated Grove City 23-15 in the opening round of the NCAA Playoffs-the program's first home Playoff win, and just second all-time during the NCAA Playoff era.
 
Under Coordinator of the Year, Chase Burton, the Panther offense ranked among the best in the nation. Hanover finished in the top 30 in several categories including passing yards and yards per game.
 
Defensively, Hanover ranked in the top 20 in yards allowed per game, as well as fewest yards per play.
Head Coach of the Year, Matt Theobald led the Panthers to their third NCAA post season appearance in just eight seasons.
 
Special Teams Player of the Year, senior Clint Hearne tied a program and career long field goal of 52-yards, ranking him fourth nationally.
 
Hanover set a record number of All-HCAC performers, getting 21 in total.

Hanover All-Conference Honorees
First Team Honorees
Clint Hearne, Senior
Garron Jenkins, Senior
Aidan Jochem, Senior
Scotty Johnson, Junior
George Marten, Junior
Jett Massey, Senior
Saadiq Pasha, Junior
Ben Purciful, Junior
Eian Roudebush, Junior
Ashton Schuetter, Senior
Curbrian Shelby, Junior
Bryce Shepherd, Senior
Brian Wall, Sophomore
 
Second Team Honorees
David Holloway, Sophomore
Joshua Jones, Freshman
Jack Pennington, Sophomore
Kane Powell-Smith, Freshman
 
Honorable Mention Honorees
Cannon Brunes, Sophomore
Nick Stoner, Freshman