Hawks, Huskies earn all-conference honors

The Houston Hawks are preparing for their state title bout with Homer. Days ahead of the Division III state championship game, slated for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Service High School in Anchorage, numerous Hawks received All-Mid Alaska Conference honors.

A pair of players and a pair of coaches also earned major awards.

Keldin Nicoll was named the Mid Alaska Defensive Player of the Year, Josiah Bowman was tabbed the MAC Lineman of the Year, and Hawks co-head coaches Charles Whittington and Jared Barrett were both named a MAC Coach of the Year.

The Hawks improved to 8-0 overall with a 40-0 win over Barrow in the Division III semifinals last week. Houston also notched its fifth shutout of the season. The Hawks have outscored opponents 336-29 this year. Houston clinched its spot in the final game for the third time since 2019 the win over Barrow. The Hawks won their first state football title in school history in 2019, and finished as the runner-up to rival Redington last year.

Houston’s Mark Kudryn earned first-team all-conference honors at four different positions — running back, outside linebacker, kicker and punter, Nicoll (tight end and defensive line) and Bowman (center and defensive line) were named to the first team on both offense and defense. Trenton Hawes (fullback), Parker Bethel (outside linebacker) and Brandon Hina (return specialist) were also named to the first team for the Hawks.

Bryce Murdock and Wyatt Milnes led Redington with a pair of spots in the first team. Murdock was named first-team all-conference at wide receiver and defensive back, and Milnes earned first-team honors at long snapper and utility player.

Houston’s Hayden Howard (wide receiver, defensive back) and Noah Whitted (defensive back) were named to the second team.

Redington’s Trevor Lawrence (running back), Sean Todd (offensive tackle), Richard Bernal (center), Zach Martel (defensive line), Brody Mocan (outside linebacker), Wyatt Pinard (inside linebacker) and Hayden Kearney (punter) earned second-team honors.

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