Hawks named All-NLC

HOUSTON — Junior running back Waylon Soptick and senior fullback Hunter Smith were central to Houston’s success on offense in 2012.

The duo combined for more than 1,200 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, and accounted for more than 60 percent of the Hawks total yards.

Now, the pair has been rewarded for their success. Soptick and Smith were among a half-dozen Hawks recognized by the Northern Lights Conference recently. Soptick was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference at running back. Smith was recognized as a second-team fullback.

“I’m really happy. I think we have a couple of backs that did really well,” Houston head coach Todd Whitehurst said.

Soptick led Houston with 706 yards and five touchdowns. Smith added 506 yards rushing and five scores. Both totals were in only seven games.

“(Waylon) and Hunter naturally bonded in the backfield,” Whitehurst said. “I’m glad to see both of them recognized.”

Soptick was one of three Houston players named to the first team. Defensive lineman Allen Reeder and punter Tyler Forto were also named to the first team.

“He’s a solid player and just made incredible plays,” Whitehurst said of Reeder.

Whitehurst recalled one of Reeder’s highlights, a play against Kodiak. Whitehurst said Reeder virtually flew over the line, and was able to grab the Kodiak quarterback with one arm and the running back with his other arm before the handoff was complete.

“He was exciting to watch,” Whitehurst said.

Tyler Forto was a first-year football player for the Hawks, but the senior quickly found his role as the team’s punter, and was rewarded by being named first-team all-conference. Another first-year player, Tim Davis, was one of three Houston players to receive honorable mention. Davis was recognized at offensive tackle.

“He really grew a lot,” Whitehurst said of Davis.

Center Doug Hepler and defensive lineman Lai Saechao also received honorable mention.

Houston finished 2-5 overall in 2012, scoring wins over Valdez and Skyview.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and find him by searching Valley Sports Huddle on Facebook.

2012 All-Northern Lights Conference

Lineman of the Year: Duncan Brewer, Kenai.

Offensive Player of the Year: Noah Fowler, Soldotna.

Defensive Player of the Year: Zane Miller, Soldotna.

Coach of the Year: Cam Wyatt, Homer.

Assistant Coach of the Year: Phil Leck, Soldotna.

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Noah Fowler, Soldotna; Running back — Waylon Soptick, Houston; Colton Young, Soldotna; Fullback — Grayden Mendenhall, Kenai; Wide receiver — Tyler Howell, Skyview; Fredy Sorto, Kodiak; Tight end — Zane Miller, Soldotna; Offensive tackle — Jonathon Alexander, Soldotna; Daniel Rosin, Soldotna; Guard — Duncan Brewer, Kenai; Jarrett Urban, Soldotna; Center — Gavin Larson, Soldotna; Long snapper — Brad Smithwick, Kenai.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback— Josh Yavorsky, Kodiak; Running back — Jason Daniels, Kenai; Mark McGregor, Homer; Konstanin Reutov, Homer; Fullback — Hunter Smith, Houston; Wide receiver — Quinn Daugharty, Homer; Tight end — Tommy Bowe, Homer; Offensive tackle — Sam Deatherage, Skyview; Zach Fraley, Homer; Guard — Jake Lawson, Skyview; Patrick Rainwater, Homer; Brad Smithwick, Kenai; Center — Gabe Holley, Skyview; Jingo Olaes, Kodiak.

Honorable mention offense:

Running back — Drew Gibbs, Soldotna; Fullback — Tommy Bowe, Homer; Offensive tackle — Tim Davis, Houston; Chris Lawson, Kenai; Center — Gabe Flyum, Homer; Doug Hepler, Houston; Trei Royals, Kenai.

First-team defense:

Defensive line — Jonathon Alexander, Soldotna; Duncan Brewer, Kenai; Allen Reeder, Houston; DJ Tourtelot, Skyview; Outside linebacker — Zach Fraley, Homer; Troy Streiff, Soldotna; Inside linebacker — Grayden Mendenhall, Kenai; Zane Miller, Soldotna; Defensive back — DJ Collier, Skyview; Noah Fowler, Soldotna; Colton Young, Soldotna.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Jingo Olaes, Kodiak; Daniel Rosin, Soldotna; Dylan Smith, Soldotna; Seth Starr, Kodiak; Steven Young, Kenai; Outside linebacker — Tommy Bowe, Homer; Jason Daniels, Kenai; Inside linebacker — Marcus Thornborough, Skyview; Dokota Wibbe, Kodiak; Defensive back — Eddy Burris, Kodiak; Mark McGregor, Homer; TJ Wagoner, Kenai;

Honorable mention defense:

Defensive line — Juan Rodrguez, Skyivew; Lai Saechao, Houston; Outside linebacker — Kyle Foree, Kenai; Inside linebacker — Hunter Harris, Homer; Jake Kooly, Soldotna; Brad Smithwick, Kenai; Defensive back — Joseph Cardoza, Homer; Noah Swenson, Homer.

First-team special teams:

Punter — Tyler Forto, Houston; Kicker — Cameron Grothe, Soldotna; Return specialist — Colton Young, Soldotna; Utility player — Reid Schmelzenback, Soldotna; Long snapper — Brad Smithwick, Kenai.

Second-team special teams:

Punter — TJ Wagoner, Kenai; Colton Young, Soldotna; Kicker — Cameron Grothe, Soldotna; Utility player — Sheldon Hutt, Homer; Long snapper — Z. Miller, Soldotna.

Honorable mention special teams:

Punter — Justin West, Skyview; Utility player — Kyle Zimmerman, Skyview.