Palmer senior named NLC’s top lineman

PALMER — The Palmer Moose rushed for more than 2,000 yards during the regular season, averaging nearly seven yards per carry. On defense, Palmer allowed only a dozen points per game in Northern Lights Conference play. Part of the credit goes to the front line on both sides of the ball. And the leader of that group has been recognized by the conference.

Palmer senior Lucas Santana was named the NLC Lineman of the Year.

“He’s really deserving of the award,” Palmer head coach Rod Christiansen said. “He’s an impact player, making big plays.”

Even though it stands as an individual award for Santana, a three-year starter for the Moose, Christiansen said it also recognizes what the Moose were able to do as a whole this season.

“It’s a reward for our team,” Christiansen said.

Santana earned first-team honors on both sides of the ball, offensive guard and defensive tackle.

“A big guy like that, the best thing he does is down block, and get after it,” Christiansen said. “But he has also developed himself as a technician.”

Christiansen said Santana has the potential to play beyond the high school level.

“There’s a lot of growth he can do if he wants to go and play (in college),” Christiansen said.

Santana was one of five Moose named first-team all-conference. Senior Larry Cutsforth earned first-team honors at both running back and kicker. Offensive tackle Jacob White, linebacker Ben Kruzich and defensive back Jeff Glynn were also recognized on the first team. Christiansen was named the NLC Coach of the Year.

Quarterback Luke Guggenmos, fullback and linebacker Duston Corbin, wide receiver Matt Daniels, return specialist Patric Dickens, long snapper Levi Farris, linebacker Parker Smith, defensive back Leif Mumma, defensive lineman Travis Tardiff and utility player Dylan Myers were named to the second team.

Those honored helped lead Palmer into the Division II state title game for the second straight year. Soldotna earned its sixth straight state title with a 21-0 win over the Moose in the title game. Following the loss, Christiansen expressed how proud he is of his squad.

“We’ve come a long way,” Christiansen said. “We’ve got some really good football players and some that learned to be really good football players. As the season went on, I thought they really came together.”

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

2017 Northern Lights All-Conference Awards

Offensive Player of the Year — Brenner Furlong, Soldotna.

Defensive Player of the Year — Wendell Tuisuala, Soldotna.

Lineman of the Year — Lucas Santana, Palmer.

Coach of the Year — Rod Christiansen, Palmer.

Assistant Coach of the Year — Eric Pomerleau, Soldotna.

2017 Northern Lights Conference First-Team Offense

Quarterback — Brandon Crowder, Soldotna.

Halfback — Aaron Faletoi, Soldotna; Larry Cutsforth, Palmer.

Fullback — Brenner Furlong, Soldotna.

Receiver — Zack Tuttle, Kenai; Joel Francisco, Kodiak.

Tight End — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna.

Tackle — Jake Marcuson, Soldotna; Jacob White, Palmer.

Guard — Wendell Tuisuala, Soldotna; Seth Kruse, Kenai; Lucas Santana, Palmer.

Center — Josh Smith, Kodiak.

Return specialist — Luke Trammell, Soldotna.

Long snapper — Logan Baker, Kenai.

Kicker — Larry Cutsforth, Palmer.

2017 Northern Lights Conference First-Team Defense

Outside linebacker — Rykker Riddall, Kenai; Brenner Furlong, Soldotna.

Inside linebacker — Tyrone McEnerney, Kenai; Wendell Tuisuala, Soldotna; Ben Kruzich, Palmer.

Defensive back — Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna; Zack Tuttle, Kenai; Jeff Glynn, Palmer; Isaiah Galindez, Kodiak.

Interior lineman — John Grossl, Kenai; Lucas Santana, Palmer; Levi Benner, Soldotna; Josh Smith, Kodiak; Aaron Faletoi, Soldotna.

Punter — Shaun Walton, Kodiak.

Utility player — Cody Quelland, Soldotna.

2017 Northern Lights Conference Second-Team Offense

Quarterback — Luke Guggenmos, Palmer.

Halfback — Kaleb Finley, Kodiak; Rykker Riddall, Kenai.

Fullback — Duston Corbin, Palmer.

Receiver — Mason Piper, Eagle River; Matt Daniels, Palmer.

Tight End — Bryson Rollman, Eagle River.

Tackle — Micah Stafford, Eagle River; Riley Atwood, Kenai; Micah Bartel, Kodiak.

Guard — Arjay Fangonilo, Kodiak; Ben Hamilton, Eagle River.

Center — Eli Lovelace, Soldotna; Jacob Grant, Kenai.

Return specialist — Patric Dickens, Palmer.

Long snapper — Levi Farris, Palmer; Galen Brantley III, Soldotna.

Kicker — Jovani Peneda, Kodiak.

2017 Northern Lights Conference Second-Team Defense

Outside linebacker — Kaleb Finley, Kodiak; Duston Corbin, Palmer.

Inside linebacker — Tyrone McEnerney, Kenai; Derrick Rastopsoff, Kodiak; Parker Smith, Palmer.

Defensive back — Brandon Crowder, Soldotna; Ryan Adkins, Eagle River; JT Adams, Eagle River; Titus Riddall, Kenai; Leif Mumma, Palmer; Shaun Walton, Kodiak.

Interior lineman — Jarrett Wilson, Kenai; Travis Tardiff, Palmer; Orazio Ramos, Eagle River.

Punter — Ryan Adkins, Eagle River.

Utility player — Dylan Meyers, Palmer.

2017 Northern Lights Conference Honorable Mention Offense

Quarterback — Connor Felchle, Kenai.

Halfback — Kameron Williams, Eagle River; Jeff Glynn, Palmer.

Fullback — Michael Cayood, Eagle River.

Tackle — Levi Benner, Soldotna.

Kicker — Eli Sheridan, Soldotna; Thad Heagy, Eagle River.

2017 Northern Lights Conference Honorable Mention Defense

Defensive Back — Cy Updike, Soldotna; Mason Piper, Eagle River; Nathan Reeves, Palmer.

Interior Lineman — Jake Marcuson, Soldotna; Micah Bartel, Kodiak; Micah Stafford, Eagle River.

Punter — Skyler Hale, Palmer.