5A All-Idaho football team: The cream of the crop from the state’s top division
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
Jackson Riddle, Highland
The senior running back carried the Rams to a 5A state title as an explosive weapon in and out of the backfield. He racked up 1,950 total yards and 21 touchdowns, and he holds offers from Navy, Presbyterian and Colgate.
“He is a special player and a main reason that Highland made a state championship run,” Thunder Ridge coach Michael Berger said. “He had the ability to make something out of nothing, and had multiple explosive plays that changed the momentum of games.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Nick Sorrell, Highland
The second-year coach guided the Rams to their 12th state championship, the most for any Idaho football program.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Drew Hymas, Highland
A second-team pick last year, the senior threw for 1,448 yards and 18 TDs and ran for 567 yards and six TDs for the state champs.
RB: Jevon Nelson, Borah
The Lions’ senior workhorse never went down on first contact, finishing with 1,413 rushing yards and 18 TDs.
RB: Noah Burnham, Eagle
The sophomore burst onto the scene with a physical style and game-breaking speed to run for 1,448 yards and 18 TDs.
WR: Cooper Smith, Boise
The senior led Boise to its best season in decades, setting school records in catches (71) and total TDs (22).
WR: Brody Call, Capital
The senior played every snap on defense, returned kicks and hauled in 41 catches for 633 yards and five TDs before a season-ending injury.
TE: Asher Bowie, Post Falls
The 6-4, 220-pound Eastern Washington commit and team captain hauled in 43 catches for 529 yards and six TDs.
OL: Bruce Galo, Highland
The Rams could rely on their 6-2, 302-pound senior guard to lock down the pass rush and serve as a punishing weapon on traps.
OL: Leon Evans, Eagle
The 6-4, 240-pound senior guard has played football for only three years, but he’s a quick learner and has committed to Idaho.
OL: Feki Pouha, Rigby
Already a three-year starter at center, the 6-1, 275-pound junior played on both lines during the Trojans’ stretch run.
OL: Jax Tanner, Rocky Mountain
After starting every game as a freshman, the 6-3, 265-pound sophomore started both ways this year and racked up 79 pancake blocks.
OL: Bryson Muckenthaler, Coeur d’Alene
The 6-4, 275-pound senior gave the Vikings the flexibility to play both guard and tackle en route to a state runner-up trophy.
K: Martin Connington, Mountain View
The Oregon State commit repeated as a first-team all-state kicker. He drilled 50- and 52-yard field goals this season.
DEFENSE
DL: Seth Brock, Eagle
The 6-3, 220-pound Montana State commit was a force at both tight end and defensive end, finishing with 47 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
DL: Trevor McKenna, Borah
The 6-6, 260-pound senior defensive end and Boise State commit totaled 90 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.
DL: Camden DeGraw, Coeur d’Alene
An injury sidelined the Washington State commit for three games. But the 6-5, 220-pound senior still had 42 tackles and seven TFLs.
LB: Colton George, Highland
A three-year starter, the 6-foot, 200-pound senior racked up 102 tackles to finish second all-time in career tackles at Highland.
LB: Shea Robertson, Coeur d’Alene
The all-class leader in tackles (173), the 6-1, 215-pound Eastern Washington commit also made 26 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
LB: Brody Swearhart, Rocky Mountain
The 6-2, 215-pound senior posted 96 tackles and posed a threat with the ball, running back two interceptions and an onside kick for TDs.
LB: Gage Haws, Owyhee
An all-state catcher last spring, the 6-1, 200-pound junior was a sideline-to-sideline wrecking ball with 129 tackles and seven forced fumbles.
DB: Kai Callen, Highland
The junior already holds multiple Big Sky offers. A second-team pick in ‘22, the corner locked down receivers, and had 46 tackles and two INTs.
DB: Hayden Thompson, Rocky Mountain
Described as a hammer playing free safety, the junior made 82 tackles and erased tons of space in the secondary.
DB: Makeo Sneddon, Eagle
The senior safety did it all for the Mustangs, making 38 tackles while erasing passing lanes, delivering big hits and returning kicks.
DB: Owen McBride, Mountain View
A second-team selection last year, the senior corner’s elite speed, form tackles and competitive fire moved him up to the first team.
P: Drew Hymas, Highland
The first-team quarterback averaged 45 yards per punt, the best mark in Highland history, and had 11 kicks downed inside the 20.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
