Valley football players earn all-state honors

After enjoying a historic senior season, Nolan Garner received a top honor.

The Palmer senior quarterback was recently named the Division II Co-Player of the Year.

Garner broke the program’s single-season passing record, which stood for nearly 40 years. Garner threw for 1,527 yards, topping the prior mark of 1,444 yards set by Alfred Starr in 1986. Garner also threw for 22 touchdowns, with only four interceptions.

Garner’s fellow senior, Reed Craner, also earned a top award. The all-around standout was named the Division II Dynamic Player of the Year. Craner stood out in all three phases of the game as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner.

On offense, Craner finished with 30 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns. It stands as one of the best seasons for a Moose receiver in school history.

Craner was also named first-team all-state at wide receiver and defensive back, and second-team return specialist.

Palmer defensive coordinator Keith Garner was named the Division II Assistant Coach of the Year.

Palmer senior Corbin Gerkin earned first-team all-state honors at running back and outside linebacker. On offense, Gerkin finished with 1,520 yards on the ground and 15 rushing touchdowns. His rushing yards are third-most in a single season in Palmer history.

The senior trio led Palmer to a 7-2 mark in 2025 and a spot in the Division II semifinals.

Senior offensive tackle Isaiah Harris was also named first-team for the Moose. Senior defensive lineman Chandler Coman, senior outside linebacker Jayden Hartman and senior defensive back Lee Kirby represent Palmer on the second team.

Wasilla senior Adam Cornelliussen was named to the second team at wide receiver and defensive back.

All of the Palmer and Wasilla players on the all-state squad were also named first-team All-Railbelt Conference.

Palmer junior wide receiver and inside linebacker Evan Denoncour, offensive tackle Eli Finley, senior offensive guard Chandler Coman, senior defensive lineman Isaiah Harris, senior inside linebacker Luke Sena and sophomore kicker Lila Pettit; and Wasilla junior offensive tackle Alex Barksdale, senior offensive tackle Kamoori Moore, center Noah Malone, inside linebacker Dylan Reddick, senior outside linebacker Zorn Allen, senior defensive back Brandon Wadleigh and senior utility player Conner Zundel were named second-team all-conference.

Redington’s Ikaia Flores led Valley players on the Division III all-state squad, with three spots on the first team. Flores was named first-team all-state at outside linebacker, long snapper and utility player.

Wide receiver Jake Murdock, defensive lineman Triston Charley and defensive back Cayden Ingraham were also named to the first team for the Huskies.

Running back Elias Johnson, defensive back Blake Baskett and center Kolton Mills represented Houston on the Division III first team.

Redington tight end Caydon Ingraham, outside linebacker and kicker Corbin O’Mary, offensive tackle Kelly O’Brien, offensive tackle Julian Cortes-Arrieta, offensive guard Triston Charley, fullback Ikaia Flores, center Peter Kanz, defensive lineman Natan Reed and wide receiver Kaedon Saxton were named to the second team for Redington.

Quarterback and punter Blake Basket, outside linebacker Koko Su’a, inside linebacker Kolton Mills, defensive lineman Owen Hunter, wide receiver Bair Iverson, long snapper Clayton Mathias and utility player Tatum O’Conner earned spots on the second team for Houston.

Colony’s Treyvon Lott was named the top kick returner at the Division I level. Senior Keoni Pili was named a first-team fullback. Senior offensive lineman Jackson Weller earned second-team honors.

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