5A All-Idaho football team: The best players from the state’s toughest classification
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
5A ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tiger Adolpho, Rigby
The Weber State commit led the Trojans to the finals for the second straight year, capturing the title and finishing 21-2 as a starter. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior threw for 2,578 yards and 26 TDs with five interceptions. He also ran for 622 yards and 12 more scores.
“Tiger is the complete package,” Capital coach Todd Simis said. “He has a whip for an arm with a lightning-quick release. When plays needed to be made, he took care of business with his head, feet and arms.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Armando Gonzalez, Rigby
He has quickly built the state’s top 5A program, making the finals three years in a row while winning two state championships.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Max Clark, Capital
The 5-11, 165-pound senior broke Jake Plummer’s school record with 30 TD passes. He completed 69% of his passes for 3,039 yards and had eight interceptions.
RB: Zheik Falevai, Rigby
The state champs’ workhorse in and out of the backfield, the 6-1, 210-pound senior ran for 1,114 yards and 18 TDs.
RB: Atonio Fifita, Skyview
The 5-11, 180-pound senior was an iron man. He racked up 1,371 total yards and 11 TDs while also starring at linebacker.
WR: Ian Duarte, Eagle
Four Division I programs have already offered the 5-9, 160-pound junior, who turned 69 catches into 1,169 yards and eight TDs (16.9 yards per catch).
WR: Taylor Freeman, Rigby
The senior played everything from quarterback to receiver to safety, finishing with 54 catches for 916 yards and 12 TDs despite a broken arm.
TE: Kody Walk, Capital
The 6-5, 225-pound senior with four FCS offers caught 64 passes for 837 yards and nine TDs, and proved a threat as a Wildcat QB.
OL: Talin Togiai, Rigby
The three-star prospect and BYU commit anchored the state champs’ offense with his size (6-4, 290) and athleticism.
OL: Jackson Fullmer, Rocky Mountain
Boise State and Kansas State have offered the 6-4, 260-pound junior, who racked up a staggering 78 pancake blocks.
OL: Jaxson Washington, Coeur d’Alene
The 6-foot, 250-pound senior and two-year starter separated himself from the pack with his strength and physicality.
OL: Kyler Williams, Highland
The Rams ran for 6.3 yards per carry thanks to the 6-1, 250-pound senior’s ability to get out into and finish blocks in space.
OL: Austin Schultsmeier, Mountain View
The 6-3, 255-pound senior and three-year starter paved the way for 5A’s top rushing offense (231 yards per game).
K: Ian Hershey, Highland
The senior hit two game-winning field goals in the playoffs, finished 19-of-23 and nailed three field goals of longer than 50 yards to make the first team for the third time.
DEFENSE
DL: Cameren Cope, Coeur d’Alene
The Weber State commit battled injuries all year and still finished with 80 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and five sacks to repeat on the first team.
DL: Damien Walker, Rigby
The 6-3, 220-pound senior lived in the backfield, racking up 54 tackles, 24 TFLs and three sacks while playing all across the line.
DL: Kody Walk, Capital
A rare two-way first-team pick, the senior led the 5A ranks with 19 sacks and added 24 TFLs and four forced fumbles.
LB: Brayden Garrison, Mountain View
The 5-10, 185-pound senior was one of the state’s leading tacklers again, finishing with 92 stops, 10 TFLs and two picks.
LB: Nathan Reynolds, Meridian
The 6-4, 220-pound junior anchored the Warriors’ defense with 77 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
LB: Mason Jacobsen, Rocky Mountain
A position change allowed the 6-2, 235-pound senior to shine with 58 tackles and four sacks as the heart of the Grizzlies’ defense.
LB: Logan Fredericksen, Rigby
A “raging bull on the field,” the Montana State commit overcame a potential season-ending knee injury to lead the Trojans’ playoff run.
DB: Gage Jones, Eagle
A second-team pick last year, the 6-2 senior made 107 tackles and four interceptions. He has offers from four Division I programs.
DB: Isaiah Griffin, Coeur d’Alene
Another second-teamer graduating to the first team, the 5-10 senior has silenced No. 1 receivers two years in a row.
DB: Adam Jones, Highland
The 5-9 senior could lock down speedy receivers. But he was also a physical tackler, finishing with 75 stops, including 47 unassisted tackles.
DB: Ryder Thompson, Rigby
The 6-2 senior stepped into a starring role as injuries thinned Rigby, making three interceptions, including two in the state finals.
P: Skyler Olsen, Idaho Falls
A senior with a booming leg, he averaged 47.1 yards per punt in his first season at the position.
