All-Northern Railbelt teams named

The Northern Railbelt Conference selected their all-conference team this week.

Thirty-six of the first team and second team selections on the all-conference squads were from the Valley.

Colony head coach Tom Lincoln was named the conference's coach of the year and Knight defensive coordinator Jamie Mayo was named the assistant coach of the year.

"It is a big honor. I appreciate the nomination from my assistant coach Jamie Mayo and I am honored that my fellow coaches think that highly of me," Lincoln said.

Lincoln wins the award in just his second season as head coach of the Knight program.

Colony led the conference with 14 selections on the team. Senior Auggie Manelick was named first team defense and special teams and second team offense. Junior David Craig was named first team defense and second team

offense, sophomore Rhett Magner was named second team defense and first team special teams, and sophomore Dominic Bellotte was named first team offense and second team defense.

The Palmer Moose placed 13 selections on the list led by Junior Amavae, who was named first team offense and defense.

Amavae, also a candidate for lineman of the year, was one of five players and the lone athlete from the Valley to be named to both the first team offense and defense.

Senior Ali Larijani was named first team offense and second team defense, and Mike Weber and Dustin Eley were each named

second team offense and second team special teams.

Wasilla had eight selections on the team, led by Abe Salmon who garnered first team offense and

second team defense honors. Cody Schierman was named second team offense and second team defense. Sam Widmer was named to the first team for Wasilla and Jed Wade earned a spot on the second team.

Warrior long snapper, punt returner and kick returner Jeramy Walker was named first team as a special teams player.

Despite finishing 12-0 against the Fairbanks schools, Lincoln and Mayo were the only major award winners from the Valley.

Salmon was overlooked as the conference's offensive player of the year despite the fact he leads the conference in scoring.