Houston seniors lead All-Aurora squad

HOUSTON — Houston Hawks senior Tony Pule flew into the 2015 season under the radar. But it didn’t take long before everyone in the conference knew exactly who Pule is.

Pule, a Houston standout lineman, has been named the Aurora Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

“We’re pretty excited,” Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said. “He was pretty devastating in the interior (of the defensive line) all year long.”

Pule, who played only two seasons of high school football, quickly became an impact player from his defensive line spot.

“We saw some potential as a sophomore, thought (he) could be a player,” Nelson said of Pule, who missed his junior year of football. “He surpassed every expectation.”

Nelson said the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Pule brought a unique skill set to the position. Nelson called Pule one of the faster players in the Houston program, and an athlete who put up staggering numbers in the weight room.

“He’s an ox in the weight room,” Nelson said.

Nelson said Pule’s skills allowed Houston to use the senior as both a one-gap and two-gap defensive lineman.

Pule is one of two Hawks to earn first-team All-Aurora Conference honors. Senior Ben Pelesasa was named first-team at running back. Much like Pule, Pelesasa came into the season as a relative unknown, but Nelson said Pelesasa also made a big impact.

“He caught the (opposing) coaches’ attention,” Nelson said.

Two of Pelesasa’s four best rushing performances of his senior season came against the two teams competing for a small-schools state championship. Pelesasa rushed for 97 yards against defending state champion Eielson, and had 72 against Nikiski. Pelesasa topped the 100-yard mark twice as a senior, and led Houston with 447 yards rushing.

Senior fullback Noah Griffeth was one of three Hawks to earn second-team honors. Griffeth finished second on the team with 441 yard rushing, and led Houston with eight total touchdowns.

Center John Koeneman and defensive lineman Reed Graham also earned second-team honors for the Hawks. Defensive lineman Wyatt Mulhaney was named an honorable mention.

Houston finished 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play during its first season in the small-schools Aurora Conference. Nelson said he’s happy to see his Hawks recognized by their new conference.

“It says a lot about our team. It says a lot about the kids we have coming through our program,” Nelson said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

2015 All Aurora Conference football team

Offensive Player of the Year: Kalib Dunlap, Eielson.

Defensive Player of the Year: Tony Pule, Houston.

Lineman of the Year: Austin Edson, Eielson.

Coach of the Year: David DeVaughn, Eielson.

Assistant Coach of the Year: Don Fry, Eielson.

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Travis Adams, Barrow; Running back — Ben Pelesasa, Houston; Caleb Velez, Eielson; Fullback — Kalib Dunlap, Eielson; Wide receiver — Sione Tuifua, Barrow; Tight end — Dillon Scarbaro, Eielson; Tackle — Quinten Bujan, Valdez; Matt Gustafson, Eielson; Guard — Austin Edson, Eielson; Ray Atos, Barrow; Center — Chris Kilpatrick, Eielson.

First-team defense:

Defensive line — Tony Pule, Houston; Chris Kilpatrick, Eielson; Austin Edson, Eielson; Dillon Scarboro, Eielson; Inside linebacker — Caleb Dunlap, Eielson; Grant Olson, Monroe; Outside linebacker — Josh Grey, Monroe; Andrew North, Eielson; Defensive back — Caleb Velez, Eielson Brenden Maines, Monroe; Preston Fifarek, Valdez.

First-team special teams:

Kicker — Aitkan Fa’alologo, Barrow; Punter — Brendan Maines, Monroe; Return specialist — Divon Davis, Monroe; Long snapper — Peter Button, Monroe; Utility player — Brian Meyers, Monroe.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Antonio Griffith, Eielson; Running back — Grant Olson, Monroe; Divon Davis, Monroe; Fullback — Noah Griffeth, Houston; Tight end — Connor Verfallie, Valdez; Guard — David Kipar, Valdez; Taylor Benjamin, Eielson; Center — John Koeneman, Houston.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Reed Graham, Houston; Matt Gustafson, Eielson; Tevita Vehikita, Barrow; Aitkan Fa’alologo, Barrow; Tua Mila, Barrow; Inside linebacker — Connor Verfallie, Valdez; Louden Stockton, Barrow; Defensive back — Antonio Griffith, Eielson; Josh Banner, Valdez; Aiden Hinkle, Valdez;

Second-team special teams:

Kicker — Zachary Paul, Eielson; Punter — David Matthews III, Barrow; Utility player — David Matthews III, Barrow.

Honorable mention offense:

Running back — Jonah Coates Roger, Valdez; Kyle Sodergren, Valdez; Fullback — Josh Grey, Monroe; Center — Peter Button, Monroe; Tua Mila, Barrow.

Honorable mention defense:

Defensive line — Wyatt Mulhaney, Houston; Inside linebacker — Jonah Coates Roger, Valdez.

Honorable mention special teams:

Kicker — Preston Fifarek, Valdez;