2A All-Idaho football team: The best of the best from a loaded classification

Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman hosts the vote and publishes the results.

2A ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tayson Neal, Bear Lake

The 6-foot, 155-pound senior quarterback lifted the Bears to the first state title in program history, and few could find the end zone like him. He completed 65% of his passes for 1,905 yards and 26 TDs. He also found scores on defense, returning two of his three interceptions for TDs.

“Tayson was an absolute threat on every play to score,” Soda Springs coach Colter Evans said. “You could see him move through his reads and make every throw in the book.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ryan Messerly, Bear Lake

After a season-opening loss, he guided the Bears to 10 straight wins and their first state championship.

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

QB: Riply Luna, Kellogg

Many colleges are after the 6-2, 205-pound senior who threw for 2,540 yards and 36 TDs with 670 rushing yards and six TDs.

RB: Brody Beck, Aberdeen

The senior tore up defenses with 1,395 yards and 20 TDs. He also stepped in at QB, throwing for 486 yards and four TDs.

RB: Parker Moser, West Side

Defenses had trouble bringing down the shifty, 5-7 junior, who combined for 1,782 all-purpose yards and 23 TDs.

WR: Kolby Luna, Kellogg

Montana and San Diego have offered the 6-2, 200-pound senior with 94 catches, 1,753 yards and 21 TDs.

WR: Alex Vasquez, Firth

The Cougars’ leader and security blanket, the 5-9 senior with blazing speed hauled in 57 passes for 766 yards.

WR: Noah West-Barranco, Melba

The 6-4 junior broke school records in receiving yards (1,001) and TDs (10). He’ll return to break them again next year.

OL: Mario Lizzarraga, Firth

The three-year starter and 275-pound senior has the footwork to get to the second level and move people at will.

OL: Emmanuel Carrillo, Aberdeen

The 6-foot, 260-pound senior center and two-year starter led the Tigers with a 95% blocking grade.

OL: Cody Dickard, Melba

The 6-1, 270-pound senior and Montana Tech commit averaged 5.5 pancakes a game for an offense that averaged 46 points.

OL: Shad Groll, West Side

The Pirates’ offense lived and died with the 5-7, 185-pound senior, who blew open holes as a pulling guard.

OL: Jacob Bellas, North Fremont

A second straight first-team All-Idaho pick, the 6-2, 270-pound senior paved the way for 287 rushing yards per game.

K: Easton Shurtliff, West Side

The senior fullback with 1,046 all-purpose yards and 13 TDs converted 27-of-37 PATs and drilled 29 touchbacks.

DEFENSE

DL: Aaron McDaniel, West Side

The 6-foot, 240-pound junior was usually double teamed. But he still had 51 tackles, six sacks and a safety.

DL: Matyus McLain, Priest River

The 6-4, 225-pound senior racked up 112 tackles and seven sacks. He’s committed to a full ride from Idaho.

DL: Hank Richardson, North Fremont

His athleticism led the 6-2, 195-pound senior to another first-team All-Idaho honor after 55 tackles and 10 sacks.

LB: Wyatt Nelson, Firth

The 6-3, 225-pound senior moved from the D-line to linebacker to rack up 107 tackles, 17 TFLs and four forced fumbles.

LB: Brody Beck, Aberdeen

A blend of strength and speed, he totaled 96 tackles and three INTs for first-team honors on both sides of the ball.

LB: Kyle Jacobsen, Firth

A 5-11, 210-pound senior who’s tough as nails, he led the Cougars’ defense with 109 tackles and 21 tackles for loss.

LB: Varick Meredith, Kellogg

A host of small colleges are interested in the 6-3, 220-pound senior with 130 tackles, two INTs and three sacks.

DB: Alex Vasquez, Firth

The 5-9 senior has the football IQ and speed to shut down offensive threats, posting 78 tackles and seven INTs.

DB: Kolby Luna, Kellogg

The two-way first-team selection finished with 44 tackles, seven interceptions and four forced fumbles on defense.

DB: Colby Bowles, West Side

The senior missed the past two seasons due to injury. He returned as a shutdown corner with 37 tackles and eight pass breakups.

DB: Burton Park, Firth

The 6-foot senior moved around from corner to safety to outside linebacker, finishing with four picks and 53 tackles.

P: Michael Torres, Wendell

The senior averaged 40.3 yards per punt while playing both ways and for the state runner-up soccer team.