My awards

J's World, by Jeremiah Bartz

Now that the 2002 Alaska prep football season is almost over, the players' accomplishments are beginning to be awarded.

Last week the All-Northern Railbelt Conference awards were handed out. When I initially looked at the list, I was a bit surprised about a few of the awards given. I could not figure out how the Fairbanks schools could sweep all the major player awards (MVP, offensive MVP, etc.) despite the fact that the Valley schools owned a 12-0 record against their northern foes and the

Valley schools finished in the top three positions in the conference.

Then simple math answered all my questions.

Four is more than three.

There are four votes from the Fairbanks schools and three votes from the Valley schools.

So now it is understood why a few Valley players got the shaft in the balloting.

To solve this problem, I should have just been allowed to vote. That would give the Valley four votes and make things even. Since that didn't happen, I have decided to make my own awards.

I am proud to introduce the All-J team. It seems that everyone has their own awards these days. Madden has his own team, Phil Simms has his own team and countless magazines, including the ones on the top shelf of Walden Books, have their own teams, so it is my turn.

Unfortunately due to a small budget in the sports department, there will be no awards ceremony this year and no trophies.

A trophy for next year could be in the plans, depending on whether or not my columns boost circulation by about 5,000 -- but ya never know!

Just picture a big golden J with a football, pretty nice huh?

Actually these awards are more of a prestige thing. I am just giving the kids something more to put on their resume for college. I am a saint, arn't I?

You laugh, but a spot on the All-J team could be the difference between U of F (Florida) and UAF.

First of all, there are a few requirements you have to meet to qualify for the awards. The player needs to be a student-athlete from the Valley and fifth-year seniors are automatically disqualified (sorry Joe Reza).

For the plays of the year, I must have witnessed them, so if there is a particular play that was unjustly left out, it was either in a game away from the Valley, or I was not paying attention.

With out further adieu, here are the awards….

First is the All-J team. I chose a handful of players that stood out to me on a consistent basis this year. Many of these players make the squad due to factors that do not show up in the box score. They do the little things that win ball games.

Quarterback: Charlie Bentti- Palmer, With each game, you can see Bentti become more polished at the position. He runs the option very well and fakes the ball to the fullback as well as any high school quarterback I have seen. Running back and linebacker: Ali Larijani-Palmer, all-around best player in the conference. Abe Salmon-Wasilla, Has a nose for the end zone on offense and an eye for the ball. Auggie Manelick-Colony, The heart and soul of the Knights. Jed Martinson-Houston, One of the toughest players in the Valley. Constantly fought off injury, while leading his team to a conference title. Wide receiver: Taylor Richey- Houston, The best hands at the 3A level. Dustin Eley- Palmer, The best blocking wide receiver I have seen this year. Cody Schierman- Wasilla, A legitimate college prospect. Lineman: Junior Aumavae and Nick Pilch- Palmer, Best set of guards in a conference that is loaded with quality guards. They are only juniors also. Should be among the best in the state next season. Sam Widmer and Josh Nelson- Wasilla, Another great set of guards in the Valley, but they are better on the defensive side of the ball. The duo basically won the Colony game for Wasilla. As for Widmer, you got to like a player that shares a name with a brewing company. Dominic Bellotte- Colony, Best center in the conference and he is only a sophomore! College clubs are going to be salivating over this kid in a year or two. If he hits the weight room he could play for a major Division II school or even Division I. Shane Omer- Palmer, Smart kid. Works hard, makes good decisions and his team is rewarded with his big plays.

Defensive backs: Preston Pickett- Colony, He had a good season at quarterback, but a great season in the defensive backfield. Very few high school quarterbacks are good enough on defense to gamble with by playing them on both sides of the ball. He has good instincts and is a solid hitter. Cody Schierman, Wasilla- Height, speed and quickness make him a legitimate college prospect.

Lineman of the year: Junior Aumavae- Palmer, This kid is a beast on both sides of the ball. He dominated in games against Colony and Wasilla. Should have gotten the nod over Ben Clooten of Lathrop in the All-NRC vote.

Offensive player of the year: Abe Salmon- Wasilla. Jon Rogers is a great athlete and is deserving of an all-conference nod, but if you take away Rogers, Eielson is still 1-6. If you take Salmon away from Wasilla, the Warriors could possibly be 1-6. Salmon carried the Warriors this year and is the best offensive player in the conference. Over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns on a team that advanced to the playoffs.

Defensive player of the year: Sam Widmer- Wasilla. He can dominate a game and change the outcome of a game from his nose guard position, enough said.

Player of the year: Ali Larijani- Palmer. He has won games for the Moose on offense, defense and special teams. Not only did he total over 1,000 yards rushing and reach the end zone 17 times, but he is a devastating tackler and blocker. Should be a candidate for the state's player of the year.

Coach of the year award: I was happy to see the selection of Tom Lincoln as the Northern Railbelt Coach of the Year. He is very deserving in his second year at the helm of the Knights. I have decided to give an honorary coach of the year award to Palmer coach and trainer Kay Omer. This is Omer's last season on the bench of the Moose. He has been a staple of the Palmer program for years, assisting the Moose with all their athletic training needs.

Run of the year: Abe Salmon- Wasilla vs. Lathrop. Salmon carried a pair of Lathrop defensive backs for the final five yards of his game winning 17-yard touchdown against the Malemutes. Honorable mentions: Abe Salmon- Wasilla vs. Lathrop. Salmon notched a 90-yard touchdown run, the longest in the Valley this season, to help the Warriors in a come-from-behind win over Lathrop. Ali Larijani vs. Wasilla. Larijani capped off a 241-yard performance with a 45-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the Potato Bowl. The score gave Palmer a 21-0 win and the Moose a first-round home playoff game.

Catch of the year: Taylor Richie vs. Seward. Richie streaked down the Houston sidelines and made a perfect one-handed grab before going 60 yards for the touchdown. Honorable mention: Dustin Eley vs. West Valley. Caught an 18-yard Charlie Bentti touchdown pass as time expired in the first half. Play was more clutch that anything.

Special teams play of the year: Ali Larijani- Palmer vs. Wasilla. Larijani blocked a punt on the Wasilla 5-yard line. They play was the key moment in Palmer's 15-8 come-from-behind win over the Warriors. Honorable mentions: David Craig- Colony vs. North Pole. Craig ignited a 31-point Colony second half by returning the opening kick of the third quarter 70 yards for the touchdown. Auggie Manelick- Colony vs. Eielson. The Knights pooched a kick off and Manelick hustled down more than 20 yards to recover the ball and give Colony possession. The play gave the Knights momentum for the remainder of the game.

Loudest coaching staff of the year: The Houston Hawks coaching staff. Every coach on the Hawk sidelines is vocal, showing great intensity as they bark out calls, and yelling to their defense pass or run. Everyone from Big Lake to Willow knows when the Houston opponents are going to pass.

Most intense coach: Brad Hansen-Palmer. The Moose offensive coordinator is at points the definition of intensity, firing up his team from the sidelines. There are times when I think he is just moments from grabbing a set of pads and running the ball himself.

I would also like to recognize a group which I like to call the Valley's "Super Sophomores." These players made an impact on the varsity level this season as underclassman. In two years each of these players will be legitimate all-state candidates.

All-J Super Sophomores: Dominic Bellotte and Rhett Magner- Colony, Aaron Lopez- Palmer, Ricky Cunningham- Wasilla and Andrew Kapler- Houston.

Jeremiah Bartz is the sports

editor for the Frontiersman.