1A Division I All-Idaho football team: The top talent in Idaho’s top 8-man division
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
1A DIVISION I ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brody Westergard, Butte County
The ultimate “slash” player, the 6-2, 165-pound senior did it all for the Pirates. As a receiver he racked up 1,670 yards and 34 TDs on 139 offensive touches. As a defensive back he made 59 tackles and had four interceptions. He also took snaps at quarterback, returned kicks, punted and came up with big play after big play whenever his team needed one.
“Brody is a game changer on both sides of the ball, and I didn’t see anyone who had an answer for him,” Valley coach Brian Ayers said.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Sam Thorngren, Butte County
The veteran coach ended Oakley’s dynasty and led the Pirates to the first state championship in program history.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Jack Driskill, Logos
The senior completed 66% of his passes and racked up 3,792 total yards and 58 TDs to lead the third-year program to the semifinals.
RB: Bry Severe, Oakley
The explosive senior ran for 1,438 yards and 21 TDs. He also returned three kickoffs for scores and had three receiving TDs.
RB: Jr Benites, Murtaugh
A big play waiting to happen, the 6-foot, 190-pound senior finished the year with 1,693 yards of offense and 23 touchdowns.
WR: Jack deJong, Lighthouse Christian
The 6-4 senior faced constant double teams. He still hauled in 44 catches for 990 yards and 16 TDs for a repeat spot on the first team.
WR: Ahlius Yearout, Lapwai
The 6-2 senior and second-team linebacker racked up 1,459 total yards and 23 TDs on just 91 offensive touches.
OL: Braxton Gamett, Butte County
A former running back who volunteered to play on the line, the 5-11, 200-pound senior paved the way for 50.8 points and 373 yards per game.
OL: Porter Whipple, Kamiah
A two-way, first-team selection for the second straight year, the 6-3, 235-pound senior had 20 pancake blocks while giving up zero sacks.
OL: Kai Clegg, Grace
The 6-4, 220-pound senior center served as the brains of the Grizzlies’ line, orchestrating the calls while providing secure snaps.
K: Levi Hendricks, Butte County
The junior delivered 10 touchbacks, but his biggest weapon was his onside kicks. Butte County recovered eight of them.
DEFENSE
DL: Porter Whipple, Kamiah
The senior nose tackle demanded double and triple teams. They rarely worked as he had 101 tackles and an all-class leading 35 TFLs.
DL: Bry Severe, Oakley
The first-team running back was also a “violent tackler.” He finished with 76 tackles and 20 tackles for loss.
DL: Kai Clegg, Grace
A first-team selection on both lines, the senior defensive end racked up 100 tackles, 28 TFLs and 15.5 sacks.
LB: Kooper Beck, Oakley
The 6-1, 185-pound senior stood as the heart of the Hornets’ defense with 103 tackles, 16 TFLs and three interceptions.
LB: Braxton Gamett, Butte County
The first-team offensive lineman also delivered plenty of big hits on defense. He made 100 tackles and forced six fumbles.
LB: Wyatt Cutler, Grace
The 6-foot, 180-pound senior middle linebacker led the classification with 138 tackles, adding 29 TFLs and six forced fumbles.
DB: Isaac Cranney, Oakley
The senior made the all-state team at three positions for the second straight year after 77 tackles and three interceptions.
DB: David Kludt, Kamiah
The 6-5 junior has an offer to play basketball at Carroll. But he grabbed six interceptions to make the first team in football for a second time.
P: Ronaldo Gomez, Rimrock
The junior did it all for the Raiders, including averaging 42.1 yards per punt to move up from the second team a year ago.
