Huskies named all-conference

WASILLA —Redington capped a historic prep football season with a handful of Huskies earning all-conference accolades.

Tight end Brian Amirault, running back Kyler Rumfelt, guard Isaac Acheryok, defensive back Aiden Norris and linebacker Eli Benson were all named first-team All-Peninsula Conference during the annual coaches meeting last week.

“We’re really ecstatic about it,” Redington head coach Tony Brooke said. “It’s nice that only being a second-year varsity program, third-year overall program, that we’re already getting some recognition for the work these guys are putting in. Think about it. A lot of these schools have been playing football a lot longer than my guys. For them to put in the work and get the recognition, I feel extremely happy for them.”

Redington finished 4-4 overall, but suffered tough losses during its final two games of the season. Brooke said he was excited to deliver the news.

“(The season) ended on some really positive notes in that regard,” Brooke said.

Quarterback Sam Reed, center Lucas Kirn, defensive lineman Isaac Carliou-Hamo, linebacker Tommy Long, punter Seth Mueller and utility player Rhiley Spott earned second-team honors. Benson was also named second-team at both offensive tackle and long snapper.

Redington fell short of a playoff berth with the loss to Homer in Week 7 and was beaten by rival Houston during the final weekend of the regular season. But as the Huskies begin to look back on the 2017 season, Brooke said he’s proud of the progress of the program.

“We did a lot of good things this year. To dwell on the final two weeks wouldn’t do our season justice,” Brooke said.

After finishing 0-4 as a junior varsity program in 2015 and 0-8 as a varsity team last year, Redington jumped to 4-4 this year. The Huskies scored their first overall victory and first conference win, and earned wins both at home and on the road.

“Baby steps,” Brooke said. “We talked about the last three years, building the foundation, putting up the walls. Now we’re working on the second floor.”

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