2A All-Idaho football team: See who made the exclusive list of the state’s top talent
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
2A ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cage Brokens, West Side
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior carried the Pirates to another title as a two-way force. He ran for 1,174 yards and 21 TDs at a 9.2-yards-per-carry clip. And he added 84 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker.
“(He) was without a doubt the most complete player at the 2A level,” Firth coach Jordan Bartlett said. “Offensively, it would take multiple players to tackle him. And defensively, he could single-handedly ruin an offense.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tyson Moser, West Side
He led the Pirates to the first three-peat at the 2A level, going 33-1 during that stretch, with 32 straight victories.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Jordan Lenz, North Fremont
An All-Idaho pick at his third offensive position, the versatile senior was a dual threat with 1,727 total yards and 22 touchdowns.
RB: Sam Park, Firth
A hard-nosed runner with a mix of shiftiness and power, the 5-9, 160-pound senior ran for 1,426 yards and 29 TDs for the state runner-up.
RB: Derek Matthews, Declo
The senior, three-year starter and Northern Colorado wrestling signee ran for 974 yards and 14 TDs in just nine games.
WR: Bryler Shurtliff, West Side
A three-time first-team wide receiver, the 6-3 senior has committed to Idaho State after 34 catches for 602 yards and 11 TDs.
WR: Dillon Stosich, Melba
The 6-2, 170-pound senior moves up from the second team after hauling in 33 passes for 884 yards and 10 TDs.
WR: Austin Jacobsen, Firth
The Cougars didn’t turn to the 5-10, 160-pound senior often. But he always delivered in the clutch (24 catches, 438 yards, five TDs).
OL: Fielding Mumford, West Side
The 5-11, 175-pound senior center paved the way for the Pirates’ dominant run game (7.5 yards per carry) with 77 pancake blocks.
OL: Jacob Bellas, North Fremont
The Huskies ran for 336 yards per game in their power option behind the 6-1, 260-pound right tackle.
OL: Alex Ortiz, Firth
A repeat first-team selection, the 6-0, 235-pound senior stabilized and led an offense that averaged 358 yards per game.
OL: Teyson Gunnell, North Fremont
The sophomore was often undersized at 5-8, 180 pounds. But his relentlessness, discipline and technical skills allowed him to dominate.
OL: Jovani Gomez, Declo
The 6-1, 230-pound senior made the first team again at the head of a running attack that averaged 211 yards per game.
K: Bryler Shurliff, West Side
The senior made the first team at an unheard-of three positions for the second straight year as an automatic touchback weapon.
DEFENSE
DL: Jacob Stokes, West Side
The senior may be undersized (5-11, 185). But he never missed a snap and never stopped producing (60 tackles, three TFLs, three sacks).
DL: Athan Blonquist, Firth
The 6-1, 220-pound senior led the class in sacks (14) again and added 79 tackles to make the first team in back-to-back seasons.
DL: Hank Richardson, North Fremont
A sure tackler who played his defensive end role to a T, the 6-2, 185-pound junior had 55 tackles and four sacks.
LB: Derek Matthews, Declo
The first-team running back made 133 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks as the anchor of the Hornets’ defense.
LB: Parker Henderson, West Side
His speed made the 5-9, 175-pound senior a tackling machine in open space. He had 90 tackles, including 14 in the championship game.
LB: AJ Hill, North Fremont
His superior instincts made the 6-0, 190-pound senior a two-time first-team selection with 57 tackles and three forced fumbles.
LB: Kyle Jacobsen, Firth
The junior’s size (6-2, 210) and athleticism allowed him to dominate as a run stopper and in pass coverage.
DB: Bryler Shurtliff, West Side
The senior made four interceptions, including one he returned for a TD, to make the first team for a third time on defense, too.
DB: Jordan Lenz, North Fremont
The senior racked up six interceptions, giving him 15 in a career that saw him make the first team three times as a defensive back.
DB: Alex Vasquez, Firth
The 5-10, 160-pound junior’s combination of athleticism and intelligence allowed the Cougars to mix and match coverages by situation.
DB: Burton Park, Firth
The 6-foot, ball-hawking junior led the 2A ranks with eight interceptions — even as a shutdown corner few teams tested.
P: Landon Cheney, Nampa Christian
The senior and second-team quarterback had a net punting average of 43 yards, with three downed inside the 5-yard line.
