Colony, Palmer players named All-State

MAT-SU - A handful of Valley athletes were named first-team all-state by the Alaska Coaches Assocation during their annual meeting on Sunday.

Colony was represented with three first-team selections. Senior offensive tackle Matt Packa was the lone Valley athlete to be recognized on the offensive side of the ball. Senior defensive end Chris Krieg and senior defensive back Collin Murphy were also named first-team.

Palmer placed a pair of players on the first team. Senior middle linebacker J.D. Mitchell and junior kick returner Johnny Daly each garnered first-team honors.

2008 Large-Schools All-State Football Team

Individual Awards

Alaska State Football Coaches Association Player of the Year — Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau. Offensive Player of the Year — Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau. Defensive Player of the Year — Leo Aukusitino, Service. Lineman of the Year — Jackson Collins, North Pole. Utility Player of the Year — Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau. Assistant Coaches of the Year — Numi Ilalio Jr. and Tim Davis, Service. Coach of the Year — Richard Henert, North Pole.

First Team Offense

Center — Joe Sokimi, Service. Guard — Anu Poleo, East; Michael Perkins, South; Matt Lehrbach, Juneau. Tackle — Matt Packa, Colony; Jack Perkins, Juneau; Clay Tidwell, North Pole. Tight End — Patxi Colbern, South. Wide Receiver — Mathew Weedman, Service; Max Harvey, Eagle River. Quarterback — Colin Graham, South. Fullback — Jamal Hale, Bartlett; Taylor Lewis, North Pole. Running Back — Marcus Mendez, Bartlett; Leo Aukusitino, Service; Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau; Dane Ebanez, North Pole.

Second Team Offense

Center — Balin Babcock, Colony. Guard — Richard Faaaliga, Service; Mike Sewell, North Pole; Daniel Contini, Palmer. Tackle — Alex Lutton, Dimond; Kendall Nickson, Bartlett; Corey Lindamood, Service. Tight End — Tim Orr, Wasilla. Wide Receiver — Mitch Swetzof, Palmer; Tim Jaronik, Colony. Quarterback — Collin Murphy, Colony. Running Back — Marcus Spencer, South; Gibson Scanlan, Dimond; Chris Crane, Wasilla; Brennan Bohman, Palmer.

First Team Defense

Defensive End — Patxi Colbern, South; Chris Krieg, Colony. Interior Linemen — Anu Poleo, East; Greg Howard, Chugiak; Jackson Collins, North Pole; Enoch Fifita, Juneau. Linebacker — Brown Faaaliga, Service; Matt Higgins, South; JD Mitchell, Palmer; Jack Perkins, Juneau; Kevin Ward, North Pole; Lee Jones, North Pole. Defensive Back — Leo Aukusitino, Service; Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau; Collin Murphy, Colony; Steve Wright, North Pole.

Second Team Defense

Defensive End — Zac Carey, Service; Phillip Warwick, North Pole. Interior Linemen — Anthony Ainsworth, Dimond; Troy Masalosalo, Bartlett; Kevin Priestley, Palmer; Matt Craft, West Valley. Linebacker — Gabe Diaz, Dimond; Jeremy Elliot, East; Gene Ghramm, Chugiak; Trevor Hash, Bartlett; Lincoln Maka, Juneau; Casey Katchinska, Wasilla. Defensive Back — Christopher Tuohy, South; Caleb Holly, East; Jordan Blount, Bartlett; Vic Wisel, West Valley.

First Team Specialists

Kicker — Amanda Dotten, Service. Punter — Kyle Dotson, Dimond; Dane Ebanez, North Pole. Kick Returner — John Daly, Palmer. Long Snapper — Ryan Holta, Dimond.

Second Team Specialists

Kicker — Zach Zegzdryn, Palmer. Kick Returner — Neil Miyaoka, Service. Long Snapper — Aaron Mabee, Lathrop.