Valley football players earn all-state honors

PALMER — Offense. Defense. Special teams.

Colony High’s Julian McPhail stood out in each facet of the game during his senior season for the Knights, and he has been recognized for his efforts. McPhail has been named the Division I Utility Player of the Year.

The wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner finished with 11 total touchdowns as a senior. McPhail, who was also named first-team all-state at both running back and kick returner, finished with nearly 600 yards of total offense. As a wide receiver, McPhail caught 27 passes for 475 yards and five scores. He finished with 115 yards rushing and a touchdown. McPhail also returned four kickoffs for a touchdown and an interception for a score.

He averaged 17.6 yards per catch and 8.1 yards per run.

McPhail, who helped lead Colony to the Division I semifinals, was one of six Knights to earn first-team honors. Senior Noah Krozel was named the state’s top kicker. Seniors Eric Christy (quarterback), Ethan Connaker (guard), Zane Vrvilo (linebacker) and John Kelsey (linebacker) were also named to the first team.

Connaker helped pave the way for Christy, who finished with nearly 1,700 yards of total offense. Christy finished with 902 yards passing and nine touchdowns and 784 yards rushing and eight scores.

Vrvilo and Kelsey led a Colony defense that shutout three straight opponents at the end of the regular season and beginning of the postseason.

Offensive tackle Sam Germain represented Colony on the second team.

Wasilla placed five players on the second team. The list includes running back Jordan Quenga, offensive tackle Malachi Siavalua, defensive end Isaac Faraci, linebacker Colton Lindquist and defensive back Junior Matthews.

Quenga was among the top running backs in the Chugach Conference with 817 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.

Division II

A trio of Palmer players earned multiple spots on the Division II all-state team.

Seniors Levi Farris and Parker Smith, and junior Duston Corbin were named to the first-team and second-team lists. Farris was named the division’s top long snapper. He also earned second-team honors at linebacker. Smith earned first-team honors at offensive guard and second-team honors at linebacker. Corbin was a first-team fullback and second-team linebacker.

Quarterback Luke Guggenmos, running back Chase Bruesch, tackle Tyler Linder, defensive lineman Micah Natwick and utility player Jayden Christiansen were all named to the second team.

Guggenmos is the first Palmer quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in a season since 2010. Bruesch finished with 689 yards rushing.

Division III

A pair of Houston players were named both first-team offense and first-team defense on the Division III list.

Houston senior Shawn Graham was recognized at both center and defensive line. Apete Sasiu was named first-team at running back and defensive back.

The pair were among five Hawks who earned first-team honors. Tackle Jack Sasiu, guard Wakefield Kremer and lienbacker Owen Mulhaney were also named to the first-team list.

Redington placed a pair of players on the first team. Long snapper Eli Benson and punter Rhiley Spott also earned first-team honors.

Houston’s Kennedy Fono was named to the second team at both fullback and linebacker. Gavin Mulhaney also earned second-team honors at linebacker.

Contact Frontiersman editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Alaska Football Coaches Association All-State Teams

Division I

Offensive Player of the Year: Colton Herman, East

Defensive Player of the Year: Hale Siulua, East

Lineman of the Year: Thomas Sio, Bartlett

Utility Player of the Year: Julian McPhail, Colony

Coach of the Year: Kahlil Boling, Service

Assistant Coach of the Year: Don Powell, East

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Eric Christy, Colony; Jason Villanueva-Kaeo, Service; Running back — Elijah Lear, Bartlett; Hunter Cargill, Bartlett; Colton Herman, East; Tight end — Aiden Williams, East; Wide receiver — Henry Helgeson, Service; Jonah Gladney, West; Julian McPhail, Colony; Tackle — Noah Johnson, East; Su’a Asi, West; Guard — Ethan Connaker, Colony; Thomas Sio, Bartlett; Center — Max Schuster, Bartlett.

First-team defense:

Defensive tackle — Daryl Delaguion, East; Poe Vaafuti, West; Defensive end — Hunter Pounds, Service; Leroy Manogiamanu, Bartlett; Kymani Vaivai, East; Inside linebacker — Zane Vrvilo, Colony; Hale Siulua, East; Nate Tilo, West; Outside linebacker — John Kelsey, Colony; Dhar Montalbo, West; Defensive back — Michael Levu, Dimond; Colton Herman, East; Jacob Oshesky, Chugiak; RJ Cavasos, Dimond.

First-team special teams:

Kicker — Noah Krozel, Colony; Punter — Noah Winsor, South; Long snapper — Stephen Blakenship, Service; Return specialist — Julian McPhail, Colony.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Spencer Martin, South; Running back — Ben Faulkner, Service; Jordan Quenga, Wasilla; Tight end — Kristian Lauofo, Bartlett; Wide receiver — Max Wheat, Juneau; Jayden Heartwell-McKoy, South; Tackle — Sam Germain, Colony; Malachi Siavalua, Wasilla; Guard — Kevin Marshall, Chugiak.

Second-team defense:

Defensive tackle — Henry Saafi, South; Fia Faalata, West; Defensive end — Isaac Faraci, Wasilla; Dawson Ingram, South; Puna Toutaiolepo, Juneau; Inside linebacker — Tyler Huffer, Chugiak; Kahn Mavaega, Bartlett; Christian Beesing, Chugiak; Outside linebacker — Colton Lindquist, Wasilla; Defensive back — Hansel Hickel, Juneau; Junior Matthews, Wasilla; Alandre McKnight, Dimond.

Division II

Offensive Player of the Year: Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna

Defensive Player of the Year: Deondric Henderson, Lathrop

Lineman of the Year: Levi Benner, Soldotna

Coach of the Year: Bob Adkins, Eagle River

Assistant Coach of the Year: Eric Pomerleau, Soldotna

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna; Running back — Aaron Faletoi, Soldotna; Brendyn Maschmeier, Lathrop; Fullback — Duston Corbin, Palmer; Wide receiver — Juan Mendez, Lathrop; Mason Piper, Eagle River; Tight end — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna; Tackle — Levi Benner, Soldotna; Corbin Tomaszewski, Lathrop; Guard — Danny Panama, Lathrop; Parker Smith, Palmer; Center — Joe Kimbrough, West Valley.

First-team defense:

Defensive line — Levi Benner, Soldotna; Aaron Faletoi, Soldotna; Corbin Tomaszewski, Lathrop; Jarett Wilson, Kenai; Outside linebacker — Deondric Henderson, Lathrop; Hudson Metcalf, Soldotna; Inside linebacker — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna; Jace Henry, Lathrop; Defensive back — Ryan Adkins, Eagle River; Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna; Avery Weston, West Valley; Michael Zandra, Lathrop.

First-team special teams:

Kicker — Ethan Raygor, West Valley; Punter — Jace Henry, Lathrop; Long snapper — Levi Farris, Palmer; Return specialist — Avery Weston, West Valley; Utility player — Zach Hanson, Soldotna.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Ryan Adkins, Eagle River; Luke Guggenmos, Palmer; Jaden Littell, Lathrop; Running back — Chase Bruesch, Palmer; Titus Riddall, Kenai; Isiah Warner, West Valley; Fullback — Micah Bartel, Kodiak; Wide receiver — Quinard Cox, Eagle River; Avery Weston, West Valley; Tackle — Tyler Linder, Palmer; Jarrett Wilson, Kenai; Guard — Orazio Ramos, Eagle River; Brennan Werner, Soldotna; Center — Matt Bellman, Eagle River.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Michael Cayword, Eagle River; Micah Natwick, Palmer; Merrick Stacey, West Valley; Brock Weatherspoon, North Pole; Outside linebacker — Duston Corbin, Palmer; Levi Farris, Palmer; Tim Pennington, Eagle River; Inside linebacker — Joe Kimbrough, West Valley; Orazio Ramos, Eagle River; Parker Smith, Palmer; Defensive back — Preston Damario, West Valley; Piper Mason, Eagle River; Wyatt Medcoff, Soldotna; Juan Mendez, Lathrop.

Second-team specialist

Kicker — Kaden McKibben, Kenai; Punter — Ryan Adkins, Eagle River; Long snapper — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna; Return specialist — Cy Updike, Soldotna; Utility player — Jayden Christiansen, Palmer.

Division III

Offensive Player of the Year: Jayden Manibusan, Eielson

Defensive Player of the Year: Ryan Armour, Eielson

Lineman of the Year: Scott Fry, Eielson

Coach of the Year: Dave DeVaughn, Eielson

Assistant Coach of the Year: Don Fry, Eielson

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Brendan Wang, Ketchikan; Running back — Jayden Manibusan, Eielson; Apete Sasiu, Houston; Fullback — Ryan Armour, Eielson; Tight end — Brock Renson, Eielson; Wide receiver — Isaac Minema, Monroe; CJ Jasper, Ketchikan; Tackle — Jack Sasiu, Houston; Guard — Scott Fry, Eielson; Wakefield Kremer, Houston; Center — Shawn Graham, Houston.

First-team defense:

Defensive line — Stevie Byron, Ketchikan; Shawn Graham, Houston; Scott Fry, Eielson; Brock Renson, Eielson; Inside linebacker — Josh Gray, Monroe; Ben Heather, Barrow; Outside linebacker — Ryan Armour, Eielson; Owen Mulhaney, Houston; Defensive back — Isaac Minnema, Monroe; Jayden Manibusan, Eielson; Apete Sasiu.

First-team special teams:

Kicker — Jordan Higbee, Monroe; Punter — Rhiley Spott, Redington; Return specialist — CJ Jasper, Ketchikan; Long snapper — Eli Benson, Redington; Utility player — Anthony Fruean, Barrow.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Payton DeVaughn, Eielson; Running back — Josh Gray, Monroe; Beau Freiberg, Seward; Fullback — Kennedy Fono, Houston; Tight end — Brandon Wieber, Ketchikan; Wide receiver — Jordan Higbee, Monroe; Christopher Carlson, Ketchikan; Tackle — Mason Johnson, Eielson; Sebastian Sia, Barrow; Jadin Mann, Homer; Guard — Joey Rodriguez, Eielson; Dustin Mullins, Nikiski; Center — Brian Filipo, Barrow.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Joe McLeod, Nikiski; Steven Harshman, Seward; Joey Rodriguez, Eielson; Brian Filipo, Barrow; Inside linebacker — Kennedy Fono, Houston; Josh Manwiller, Homer; Outside linebacker — Isaac Garcia, Monroe; Gavin Mulhaney, Houston; Defensive back — Jordan Higbee, Monroe; CJ Jasper, Ketchikan; Chris Kingsland, Seward.