Bellotte leads large school all-staters

What is one word that describes Colony High School senior Dominick Bellotte?

"Intensity," CHS head football coach Randy Magner said.

"His motor goes 100 miles per hour all the time. He keeps going and going and going."

Bellotte, arguably the top lineman in the state this season and among the best to play the position during his three years on the Knight varsity squad, built a reputation of pushing toward an opponent's backfield and pushing opponents away from his own backfield. And again his play has been recognized by the state's coaches. Earlier this week Bellotte was named first-team all-state on the offensive and defensive line. He was one of just three players to earn the honor on both offense and defense.

Though undersized -- barely topping the 6-foot, 230-pound marks -- Bellotte still dominates lineman of all shapes and sizes, even those who have a four-inch, 50-pound advantage. Magner said it is Bellotte's outstanding technique and preparation that allow him to have the success he does. Though he is the smallest lineman on the all-state squad, Magner said, Bellotte uses quickness -- quick hands and quick feet -- as a strength.

"He's worked hard on technique and developed what has really worked well for him. He learned how to use his hands and feet," Magner said.

Bellotte earned first-team offense honors for the second straight season. As a junior Bellotte was named first-team offensive guard and second-team defensive lineman. He earned second-team honors as a center following his sophomore campaign.

Fellow three-year Knight starter Rhett Magner was also honored multiple times. Magner was a legitimate contender for the Gatorade Player of the Year, after being named first-team defensive back, first-team kick returner and second-team quarterback. Randy Magner said the clincher for a player of the year award for Rhett may have been first-team honors at quarterback. If Rhett was able to sweep first-team honors on offense, defense and special teams -- something virtually unheard of -- Rhett should have been considered for the award, Randy Magner said. But all hope for the trifecta was spoiled when Chugiak signal caller Cory Wardrope earned first-team honors. Randy Magner said he was disappointed by the lack of Railbelt Conference voters at the selection meeting.

"All the Anchorage coaches showed up and only three from the Railbelt. Automatically Rhett loses some of those votes," Randy Magner said. "First-team offense, first-team defense, first-team special teams, we would have had a case."

The always athletic Magner prospered in the quarterback position his senior season, throwing for 1,147 yards with an amazing 19-to-2, touchdown-to-interception ratio. Though Wardrope had more yards passing (1,431), Rhett Magner threw three fewer interceptions with the same amount of touchdowns and posted a higher completion percentage.

"I thought (Rhett) was the best I saw," Randy Magner said. "His arm really developed. He got to be a better passer -- his reads, his decision making, he got to be very effective."

Colony senior Justin Schwartzbauer earned first-team honors at wide receiver.

"That wasn't real hard to sell," Randy Magner said.

Schwartzbauer led the state with 31 receptions and 12 touchdowns.

Also named to the first-team for Colony was senior linebacker Kyle Coffman. Coffman shattered his own school record with 213 tackles during the 2004 season.

"To run that 4-3 defense we run, the middle linebacker has to be an animal," Randy Magner said.

Coffman averaged 21 tackles per game and notched 24 in Colony's semifinal loss to West. Last year Coffman set the prior mark for tackles in a season with 174.

Also recognized for Colony were Shawn Olivera, Austin Manelick and Tim Egger. Olivera earned second-team honors at running back, Manelick was named second-team linebacker and Egger earned a spot as the second-team punter.

Palmer and Wasilla each had to players on the second team. Devon Conroy (running back) and Steel Tubbs (linebacker) earned second-team honors for the Moose, while Matt Crane (defensive back) and Chris Johnson (defensive line) earned second-team honors for the Warriros.