1A All-Idaho football team: The cream of the crop from the 8-man ranks

KOLTEN HITT, RAFT RIVER

Why he is Player of the Year: The senior made life a nightmare for opponents on both sides of the ball. As a quarterback, he threw for 2,941 yards and 38 TDs with four interceptions and ran for 792 yards and 13 TDs. And as a corner, he made 30 tackles and picked off seven passes en route to a perfect season.

Coach’s comment: “He was our team leader and was our kicker, punter, quarterback and defensive back,” Raft River coach Brian Poole said.

What others are saying: “Nobody found an answer for him all year,” Rockland coach Andrew Nelson said.

5A All-Idaho football team: The elite 49 high school football players in the state

4A All-Idaho football team: Only a select few can make the cut

3A All-Idaho football team honors top 49 players, best coach in its classification

2A All-Idaho football team celebrates the most dominant players at its level

BRIAN POOLE, RAFT RIVER

He led the Trojans (12-0) to the 1A Division I title.

QB: Kody Arellano, Glenns Ferry

The big-play senior tallied 1,123 yards and 20 TDs passing with 1,225 yards and 18 TDs on the ground.

RB: Canyon Harper, Salmon River

The explosive sophomore ran for 1,836 yards and 24 TDs, adding another 523 yards and five TDs receiving.

RB: Garrett Astle, Dietrich

Despite double and triple teams, the senior had 1,566 all-purpose yards and 24 TDs to move up to first team.

RB: Bridger Cranney, Oakley

The senior racked up 2,031 yards of offense and 22 TDs despite injuries limiting him early in the year.

WR/TE: Kayden Hitt, Raft River

The twin of the 1A Player of the Year caught 77 passes for 1,469 yards and 19 TDs as the champs’ go-to guy.

WR/TE: Kendall Leighton, Lapwai

The 6-2 sophomore became a starter after an injury, finishing with 40 catches for 906 yards and 13 TDs.

WR/TE: Eric Silva, Lighthouse Christian

The four-year starter filled multiple positions due to injuries, turning 28 catches into 1,050 yards and 18 TDs.

OL: Braxton Poole, Raft River

The 5-11, 220-pound junior was the leader on a line that helped the Trojans average 54 points a game.

OL: Joe Fredrickson, Salmon River

Salmon River’s biggest lineman (5-11, 250) used his feet and strength to blow open holes.

OL: Jake Nyman, Oakley

The 6-5, 260-pound junior tallied 26 pancake blocks on a team that ran for an average of 415 yards per game.

OL: Jack Burton, Valley

The Vikings ran for 2,500 yards behind the 6-0, 205-pound senior, who didn’t give up a sack all season.

K: Rasmus Dinesen, Castleford

The senior from Denmark nailed a 51-yard field goal and sent 95 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks.

DL: Gabe Gonzalez, Salmon River

DL: Bryton Cooper, Oakley

The senior nose tackle lived on the other side of the line with 92 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.

DL: Ivory Miles-Williams, Lapwai

The 6-4, 200-pound senior defensive end had 19 tackles for loss and seven INTs, returning three for TDs.

DL: Hayden Deeds, Kendrick

An imposing 6-6, 225 pounds, the junior defensive end controlled his edge and harassed QBs with 17 sacks.

LB: JT Mahon, Council

As a four-year starter, he diagnosed plays instantly to make 139 tackles and intercept six passes.

LB: Brady Turner, Glenns Ferry

LB: Canyon Harper, Salmon River

A first-team pick on both sides of the ball, the sophomore could stuff the run and keep up with receivers.

LB: Wacey Holtman, Raft River

The 6-1, 190-pound senior battled injuries all year but still produced with 80 tackles and five sacks.

DB: Tucker Boyd, Salmon River

The senior patrolled the secondary for the 1A Division II champs and led them in tackles with 104.

DB: Clayton Shepherd, Salmon River

Opponents knew not to throw deep on the senior, whose quick reactions and instincts led to three INTs.

DB: Lucas Wemhoff, Prairie

The senior corner racked up 49.5 tackles and broke up 39 passes headed his direction.

P: Joel Nunes, Oakley

The Hornets didn’t need him much. But when they did, he averaged 46 yards per punt, dropping five inside the 20.

This story was originally published December 15, 2016 at 12:26 PM with the headline "1A All-Idaho football team: The cream of the crop from the 8-man ranks."