4A All-Idaho football team loaded with talent all over the state. See who made the cut
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2017 All-Idaho high school football teams
One was one of the country’s most sought-after recruits. Another led his team to new heights. And another racked up nearly 4,000 all-purpose yards this fall. But they all share one accolade — an All-Idaho Football Player of the Year honor. Here are the players and coaches of the year and full first and second teams.
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Larry Vega, Minico
The do-it-all running back led the Spartans to their first state title game. The senior amassed 1,807 yards and 14 TDs on the ground, averaging 9 yards a carry. He also set school records with 383 yards and seven TDs in a game.
“He ran hard and low, and was difficult to take down on first or even second contact,” Century coach Travis Hobson said. “We had to specifically game plan for him and he still made us pay.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Scott Berger, Skyline
A back-to-back state champion, Berger is the back-to-back choice as the 4A coach of the year.
[Related: 5A All-Idaho team | 3A All-Idaho team | 2A All-Idaho team | 1A Division I All-Idaho team | 1A Division II All-Idaho team]
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Wyatt Storer, Skyview
The junior completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 3,238 yards and 37 TDs with just nine INTs.
RB: Kyler Morgan, Skyline
A three-year starter, the senior was a threat on the ground and in the air with 1,462 total yards and 20 TDs.
RB: Michael Walker, Emmett
The 6-1, 210-pound senior carried a load through the tackles, finishing with 1,169 rushing yards and 10 TDs.
WR: DeMonte Horton, Skyview
The stats — 103 catches, 1,391 yards, 12 TDs — are eye-popping. And that’s with double and triple coverage.
WR: Nicky Caldera, Minico
The senior set program records for catches (60) and yards (1,158) in a season, and for career yards (1,601).
WR: Hayden Smith, Middleton
The 6-3 senior caught a TD in each game to finish with 52 receptions, 1,103 yards and 15 TDs.
OL: Daniel Helsley, Skyline
A three-year starter at left guard, the 6-1, 282-pound senior anchored the line for two state title teams.
OL: Dylan Kaasa, Skyline
The Grizzlies’ three-year starting left tackle didn’t surrender a sack all year and was a pulling weapon.
OL: Juan Ruiz, Minico
Minico ran behind the 6-5, 330-pound senior over and over again, daring opponents to stop him. None could.
OL: Max Murphy, Bishop Kelly
A starter on the Knights’ offensive and defensive line, the senior grinded out the tough yards for BK.
OL: Scott Rudder, Skyview
The 6-1, 285-pound senior anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 4A’s top offense (40.8 ppg).
K: Taylor Koth, Wood River
The senior repeats as a first-teamer as he made a 40-yard field goal and turned every kickoff into a touchback.
DEFENSE
DL: Joel Cortez, Skyline
Opponents double-teamed the 5-11, 300-pound junior. He shed them to make big plays week after week.
DL: Ben Rosenhoover, Century
A two-gap lineman, the 220-pound senior collected 71 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles.
DL: Tim Miller, Minico
A run-stuffing force, the senior also ran in the winning TD and two-point conversion in the state semifinals.
LB: Carter Josephson, Skyline
The 6-2, 215-pound senior anchored the state champs’ defense, roaming from sideline to sideline for 117 tackles.
LB: Spencer Keene, Emmett
The 6-foot, 225-pound senior and SIC Defensive Player of the Year made 11 tackles per game.
LB: Logan Hibbs, Bishop Kelly
A weapon on offense and on special teams, the senior moved from the secondary to outside linebacker this fall.
LB: Tyler Crowe, Skyview
The Hawks’ top running back (1,043 yards, 14 TDs) also anchored the defense with 94 tackles.
DB: Rex Irby, Bishop Kelly
A repeat first-team pick, the three-year starter was the eraser and safety valve of BK’s defense with 106 tackles.
DB: Mitch Beitia, Middleton
The three-year starter moves up from the second team to the first team as a senior after four INTs.
DB: Nick Fox, Vallivue
The senior broke big plays on both sides of the ball. He picked off eight passes, including two pick-sixes.
DB: Jaden Landes, Skyline
The 5-11, 160-pound senior stepped up in the playoffs with four interceptions in three games.
P: Kam Dailami, Century
A soccer player recruited to the football team in Week 3, the junior averaged 48.8 yards per punt.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Player | Year | School | |
QB: | John Perrigot | Sr. | Minico |
RB: | Cameron Conrad | Jr. | Idaho Falls |
RB: | Nick Fox | Sr. | Vallivue |
WR: | Coleton Adamson | Sr. | Century |
WR: | Caleb Mayes | Sr. | Skyline |
WR: | Brock Snow | Sr. | Pocatello |
OL: | Josh Mertz | Sr. | Middleton |
OL: | Hudson Klundt | Jr. | Twin Falls |
OL: | Josh Sheffeild | Sr. | Middleton |
OL: | Dreyton Lugo | Sr. | Century |
OL: | Marley Garcia | Sr. | Skyline |
K: | Neal Weber | Jr. | Middleton |
DEFENSE
Player | Year | School | |
DL: | Timmer Verhaegh | Sr. | Bishop Kelly |
DL: | Landon Van Hooser | Sr. | Skyview |
DL: | Connor Bradley | Sr. | Twin Falls |
LB: | Talon Haskett | Sr. | Pocatello |
LB: | Daniel Webb | Sr. | Skyline |
LB: | Gabe Childs | Sr. | Vallivue |
LB: | Michael Walker | Sr. | Emmett |
DB: | Colter May | Jr. | Minico |
DB: | DJ Crump | Sr. | Emmett |
DB: | Jesse Mark | Jr. | Canyon Ridge |
DB: | Ben Ditton | Sr. | Century |
P: | Neal Weber | Jr. | Middleton |
How are the All-Idaho teams chosen?
The Idaho Statesman polls every high school football coach in the state, asking them to nominate players for their classification’s All-Idaho team. Every coach is then sent a ballot for his classification. The Idaho Statesman compiles and publishes the results.
This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 9:31 PM with the headline "4A All-Idaho football team loaded with talent all over the state. See who made the cut."