Valley football players named all-state

PALMER — Throughout the 2016 season, the Colony coaching staff saw senior Cade Havel as a top player on both sides of the ball. Coaches throughout the state agree.

Havel was named first-team all-state at both running back and linebacker by the Alaska Football Coaches Association.

“He’s the heart and soul of this team,” Colony head coach Rhett Magner said after Havel was named the Railbelt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Havel also scored 17 touchdowns on offense, and led the Knights with 919 yards rushing.

Havel was one of four Knights to earn first-team honors. Senior Cooper Sant was named first-team along the offensive line. Juniors Parker Kizer (quarterback) and Jon Pomreneke (defensive back) were also recognized.

Seniors Dawson Nash (linebacker) and Caleb Bailey (defensive back) were recognized on the second team.

The six players noted helped Colony finish 6-3 overall, and notch a second-place finish in the Railbelt Conference standings.

A group of Wasilla Warriors earned second-team honors. Running backs Nick Alexander and Aeron Milliron, offensive linemen Chase Minnick and Troy Michael-Brooks, and linebacker Caleb Drumm each represented Wasilla on the second team.

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

Alaska Football Coaches Association

All-State Team

Large schools

Offensive Player of the Year: Derryk Snell, Chugiak

Defensive Player of the Year: Allen Ala, East

Lineman of the Year: Jerome Afe, Bartlett

Coach of the Year: Jeff Trotter, East

Assistant Coach of the Year: Joshua Garcia, West

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Parker Kizer, Colony; Xavier Harris, Service; Running back — Cade Havel, Colony; Derryk Snell, Chugiak

Josh Cummings, West Valley; Jontay Edwards, Bartlett; Josh Malnoske, East; Justin Tovio, West; Wide receiver —Ricardo Henry, Lathrop; Nathan Fromm, Service; Turek Taylor, West; Offensive line — Cody Bailey, Chugiak; Jordy Smith, Lathrop; Cooper Sant, Colony; John Semeatu, Bartlett; Thomas Sio, Bartlett; Taylor Dintzer, Dimond

First-team defense:

Defensive line — Ji Danel Jeong, Lathrop; Jerome Afe, Bartlett; Rapi Sotoa, West; Inside linebacker — Merrick Johnson, Chugiak; Nigel Pagofie, Bartlett; Allen Ala, East; Hunter Fanning, Service; Derryk Snell, Chugiak; Outside linebacker — Cade Havel, Colony; Ryna Green, East; Blake Despain, West; Defensive back — Jon Pomrenke, Colony; LaTraviaus Kingsland, Bartlett; Sam Logoleo, East; Josh Malnoske, East; Lazono Martin, West.

First-team special teams:

Utility Player — Sam Logoleo, East; Kicker — Carson Reed, East; Punter — Wil Troxel, West; Long Snapper — Dontae Brown, Lathrop; Return specialist — Ricardo Henry, Lathrop

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Dylan Tufaga, Dimond; Hunter Harr, Chugiak; Running back — Karletty Faamatuainu, Chugiak; Nick Alexander, Wasilla; Aeron Miliron, Wasilla; Dominik Norman, Service; Markus Sagatu, Bartlett; Wide receiver — A.J. Su’esu’e, West; Zach Kosa, Lathrop; Offensive line — Cole Jungwirth, South; Gideon Cole, West Valley; Chase Minnick, Wasilla; Troy Michael-Brooks, Wasilla; Forney Ingram, South.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Peter Mrugala, Chugiak; Cody Bailey, Chugiak; Ralph Toleafoa, East; Inside linebacker — Jonas Post, West Valley; Miles McCauley, South; Caleb Drumm, Wasilla; Tyrell Fereti, Dimond; Enrique Agnew, West Valley; Outside linebacker — Dawson Nash, Colony; Dak Paulsen, East; Defensive back — Ashonte Williams, Lathrop; Mark Hogan, Service; Caleb Bailey, Colony; Wyatt Story, Lathrop.