Colony senior earns top honor

PALMER — Matt Jaronik didn’t spend much time off the field during his senior season. And more often than not, the Colony senior was somewhere around the ball, if not holding right on to it.

Jaronik accounted for more than 1,300 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns. He was seen as one of the top defensive backs in the state, and a constant threat on special teams.

On Sunday, Jaronik was appropriately named the large-schools utility player of the year by the Alaska State Football Coaches Association.

“He’s doing it in all three phases,” Colony head coach Jamie Mayo said during the 2009 season. “He’s doing a great job on special teams, a great job at quarterback, and he’s the last line on defense.”

In addition to being tabbed as the top utility player in the state, Jaronik was also named to the first team at both defensive back and punt returner.

From his spot in the defensive backfield, Jaronik helped lead a Colony defense that allowed only 55.8 passing yards per game, and a state-low 9.9 points per game during the regular season.

On special teams, Jaronik’s highlights included a school-record 92-yard punt return for a touchdown during a win over Kodiak.

As the leader of the Colony offense, the Knights put the ball in Jaronik’s hands during 56 percent of their offensive plays. The quarterback carried the ball 143 times for 589 yards and four touchdowns, and completed 53 of 129 throws for 830 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Jaronik was one of two Colony Knights named to the first team, and five recognized by the ASFCA.

Senior Ben McGraw, another staple on one of the state’s top defenses, was named first-team at linebacker.

Offensive guard Dakota Wainright, offensive tackle Trey Farber and linebacker JD Mayo were each named to the second team.

Palmer’s utility player, senior Brennan Bohman, earned a first-team nod at both running back and punter.

Bohman led the state in rushing during the regular season, and finished his senior year with 1,127 yards.

Senior offensive tackle was also named first-team for the Moose, who also landed senior linebacker Coleman Ahrens and junior defensive back Jim McCall on the second team.

Senior wide receiver Cody Pfeifer and junior defensive lineman David Green represented the Wasilla Warriors with spots on the second team.

West Anchorage head coach and Juneau-Douglas interim head coach Rich Sjoroos shared coach of the year honors. James Watson, of North Pole, was named the assistant of the year.

Linebacker Junior Tufaga, who helped Bartlett earn a large-schools state title with a win over Chugiak last Saturday, was named the defensive player of the year.

West Anchorage quarterback Justin Kauffman earned offensive player of the year honors, while South Anchorage center Dylan Short was voted the lineman of the year.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

2009 Alaska State Football Coaches Association All-State Team

Offensive player of the year: Justin Kauffman, West Anchorage

Defensive player of the year: Junior Tufuga, Bartlett

Lineman of the year: Dylan Short, South Anchorage

Utility player of the year: Matt Jaronik, Colony

Assistant coach of the year: James Watson, North Pole

Coach of the year: Tim Davis, West Anchorage; Rich Sjoroos, Juneau-Douglas.

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Lee Jones, North Pole; Running back — Brennan Bohman, Palmer; Cyrus Chenault, Bartlett; Greg Ghramm, Chugiak; Mathew Maka, Juneau; Fullback — Jamal Hale, Bartlett; Wide receiver — Michael Sharp, West; Caleb Holley, East; Tight end — Lawrence Fenumiai, Juneau; Center — Dylan Short, South; Guard — Jacob Wert, Chugiak; Chris Wentland, North Pole; Eric Sele, Juneau; Tackle — Jake Eisses, West; Wes Jansen, Palmer; Buzzy Hotch, Juneau.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Jeff Debril, East; Justin Kauffman, West; Elliot Bauer, South; Eric Antesberger, North Pole; Brandon Comeau, West Valley; Fullback — Matt Higgins, South; Jack Perkins, Juneau; Wide receiver — Lucas Cosgriff, Service; Cody Pfeifer, Wasilla; Josh Hollett, North Pole; Darrius Horton, Eagle River; Center — Ray Shoemaker, West Valley; Guard — Jared Kinney, Chugiak; Tyler Dennan, South; Dakota Wainwright, Colony; Tackle — Shawn George, Service; Ben Kozak, Eagle River; Stephen Bezousek, South; Trey Farber, Colony.

First-team defense:

Defensive end — Lyndon Tulimasaelii, West; Lawrence Fenumiai, Juneau; Defensive line — PJ Tito, West; Troy Masalosalo, Bartlett; Shane Duque, Colony; Buzzy Hotch, Juneau; Linebacker — Wes Rabung, Chugiak; David Solomona, West; Joseph Sokimi, Service; Junior Tufaga, Bartlett; Ben McGraw, Colony; Jack Perkins, Juneau; Defensive back — Jordan Blount O’Connor, Bartlett; Erik Moore, Chugiak; Jared Isaacson, North Pole; Matt Jaronik, Colony; Kicker — Bryan Maley, Chugiak; Punter — Brennan Bohman, Palmer; Kick returner — Lucas Cosgriff, Service; Punt returner — Matt Jaronik, Colony; Long snapper — Blake Mitchell, Lathrop.

Second-team defense:

Defensive end — Ishmael Agae, West Valley; Defensive line — Andy Enz, Service; David Green, Wasilla; Aaron McCauley, West Valley; Linebacker — Trevor Romo, Dimond; Justin Kauffman, West; Kasen Lehman, Eagle River; Jacob Yates, Bartlett; Matt Higgins, South; Siaosi Sila, West; Alex Innes, North Pole; JD Mayo, Colony; Coleman Ahrens, Palmer; Lee Jones, North Pole; Defensive back — Jim McCall, Palmer; Mathew Maka, Juneau; Kicker — Chris Hoffman, Juneau; Punter — Kyle Dodson, Dimond; Kick returner — Frankie Anderson, North Pole; Long snapper — Matt Culp, Bartlett.