3A All-Idaho football team: These were the best of the best from around the state
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
3A ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brett Spencer, Weiser
The senior created magic on both sides of the ball, carrying the Wolverines to their first state title since 1997. He threw for 2,229 yards and 27 TDs, and ran for another 825 yards and 12 TDs. He dominated as a defensive back too, racking up 82 tackles and eight interceptions, including four for touchdowns.
“Spencer reminds me of Patrick Mahomes,” Snake River coach Jeb Harrison said. “He runs around, makes phenomenal plays, throws it sidearm, behind his back. And his ability to improvise was just incredible.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tom Harrison, Weiser
The legendary coach won his 11th state title at his fourth different school. The next closest coach has eight rings.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Riply Luna, Kellogg
The 6-2 junior and 4.0 student threw for 2,597 yards, completing 62% of his passes with 37 TDs and just six interceptions.
RB: Hayden Kincheloe, Homedale
The defending state player of the year, the 5-11, 210-pound senior ran for 1,646 yards and 22 TDs in just nine games.
RB: Willie Shirts, Weiser
A second-team selection last year, the senior moves up to the first team after running for 1,267 yards and 14 TDs for the state champs.
WR: Gatlin Bair, Kimberly
Despite constant double teams, the 6-2 sophomore still dominated, hauling in 56 catches for 987 yards and 18 touchdowns.
WR: Brock Spencer, Weiser
The 5-11 sophomore was a big play waiting to happen. He turned just 29 catches into 908 yards and 14 touchdowns.
TE: Colston Loveland, Gooding
The Michigan commit and Gatorade player of the year played up to five positions offensively, finishing with 1,348 total yards and 18 TDs.
OL: Cooper Pavkov, Gooding
The 6-1, 275-pound senior didn’t allow a single sack, and the Senators always ran behind the left tackle when they needed yards.
OL: Rylee Willet, Weiser
A repeat first-team selection and four-year starter, the 6-0, 230-pound senior averaged three pancake blocks per game.
OL: Garisen Madsen, Sugar-Salem
The 6-1, 215-pound senior tackle’s size and speed were crucial to the Diggers making another run to the state finals.
OL: Obed Palacios, Homedale
The Trojans’ left tackle the past two years, the 6-0, 260-pound senior was a force as a run and pass blocker.
OL: Ryken Clay, Sugar-Salem
The 5-10, 170-pound senior paved the way for the Diggers as a pulling lineman who could make the difficult blocks in space.
K: Ricardo Contreras, Sugar-Salem
The senior and 3A state soccer player of the year drilled three field goals (long of 40) and turned 42 kickoffs into 29 touchbacks (69%).
DEFENSE
DL: Boyd Sorensen, Sugar-Salem
The 6-4, 225-pound senior made the first team again after racking up 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
DL: Willy Haun, Homedale
The senior made plays from sideline to sideline, finishing with 51 tackles, nine TFLs and three sacks.
DL: Willie Shirts, Weiser
Described as “cowboy tough,” Shirts made the first team on both sides of the ball with 82 tackles, seven TFLs and six sacks.
LB: Rylee Willet, Weiser
Another two-way selection, he racked up 110 tackles, 12 TFLs, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions and scored two defensive TDs.
LB: Ryan Harris, Sugar-Salem
After missing the first four games, the 5-11, 175-pound senior led the Diggers’ late-season run to repeat as a first-team linebacker.
LB: Colston Loveland, Gooding
A three-time first-team pick on offense, he earned his first defensive honor after 66 tackles, 18 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions.
LB: Michael Belnap, Marsh Valley
The 5-11, 180-pound senior moves up from the second team, using his innate instincts to finish with 80 tackles and two interceptions.
DB: Cooper Butikofer, Sugar-Salem
The senior’s size (6-3, 185) and athleticism made him a weapon in run and pass situations. He made 47 tackles with five interceptions.
DB: Payton Howe, Marsh Valley
The 5-10 senior picked off eight passes, using his leaping ability to high point balls and snatch them away from opponents.
DB: Kaimen Peebles, South Fremont
A two-time All-Idaho QB, the 6-2, 195-pound senior made 75 tackles and five TFLs to earn the Mountain Rivers Conference MVP award.
DB: Eli Heck, Homedale
A second-team pick last year, the 5-8, 175-pound senior locked down opponents, made four picks and returned two for TDs.
P: Cole Gilbert, Snake River
The senior and Southeast Idaho MVP could deliver coffin corners and produced a net average of 41 yards per punt.
