Nine named all-state

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

PALMER - Nine Mat-Su Valley players were named to the 4A all-state squads by the Alaska State Football Coaches Association in its annual meeting on Sunday.

A pair of Palmer Moose players earned spots on the first team. Senior center Paul Eckman was named first-team offense, while senior linebacker Jake Heun was named first-team defense.

Palmer seniors Steel Tubbs (linebacker) and Keith Aumavae (defensive end) were named to the second team on defense.

Colony junior Justin Beauchamp, the 2005 Railbelt Conference Lineman of the Year, was named to the first team as a defensive tackle. Four of his Knight teammates were named to the second team.

Wide receiver Austin Manelick, offensive lineman Derek Mosely, defensive end George Percak-Dennet and punter Tim Egger each earned second team honors.

The offensive and defensive players of the year each came from the Railbelt Conference. Juneau-Douglas quarterback Chris Hinkley set the state single season mark for passing yards, and was named the top offensive player in the state. Juneau's Josh Lehauli was named the defensive player of the year.

Juneau also swept the coaching categories. In his first year in the position, Bill Chalmers was named head coach of the year, while Rich Sjoroos was the assistant of the year. See page A14 for the complete list of all-state

selections.