1A Division II All-Idaho football team: The state’s top players from its smallest schools
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
1A DIVISION II ALL-IDAHO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ty Koepp, Kendrick
The senior quarterback is the first repeat 8-man player of the year since 2018. He completed 65% of his passes this year for 2,440 yards and 40 TDs, with just three interceptions. He also ran for 269 yards and 11 more touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a third straight state title.
“He truly has been an elite quarterback at the 8-man level,” Dietrich coach Brody Astle said. “His poise and leadership spreads throughout his team.”
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COACH OF THE YEAR
Zane Hobart, Kendrick
He built one of the state’s all-time 8-man teams. The Tigers won by an average of 60.4 points per game this fall.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Teague Matthews, Rockland
The two-time basketball player of the year wrapped up his football career with 3,897 total yards, 64 TDs and a semifinal appearance.
RB: Troy Smith, Camas County
The senior led the Mushers to the state finals for the first time since 1981, running for 1,335 yards and 22 touchdowns.
RB: Sawyer Hewett, Kendrick
The junior was a home-run threat no matter where he got his hands on the ball, finishing with 1,544 total yards and 23 TDs.
WR: Hunter Taylor, Kendrick
An efficient touchdown machine, the senior turned 26 catches into 762 yards and 15 TDs. He also returned three punts for scores.
WR: Ky Kendall, Hagerman
The junior played everything from quarterback to fullback to tailback to wide receiver to put up 2,505 total yards and 30 TDs.
OL: Dallas Morgan, Kendrick
The 6-3, 265-pound senior returned from a knee injury to become a two-way, first-team All-Idaho pick for the third time.
OL: Brock Boyer, Kendrick
The junior center added 30 pounds in the offseason to weigh in at 6-2, 220 pounds and provide another force alongside Morgan.
OL: Kelby Cox, Camas County
The Mushers averaged 56.2 points and 359 yards per game thanks in large part to the 6-2, 200-pound junior guard.
K: Thimo Benzinger, Garden Valley
The German foreign exchange student played football for the first time this fall, sinking 29-of-35 PATs and a 28-yard field goal.
DEFENSE
DL: Dallas Morgan, Kendrick
The senior nose tackle lived in the backfield if he wasn’t double teamed. If he was, he ate up both blockers and freed up a teammate.
DL: Brock Boyer, Kendrick
The junior defensive end was an athletic 220 pounds, shedding blockers, making tackles and slicing into the backfield.
DL: Cache Keetch, Castleford
The emotional and instructional leader for the Wolves, the 6-3, 185-pound senior had 90 tackles, 19 TFLs and 16 sacks.
LB: Troy Smith, Camas County
The first-team running back also anchored the state runner-up’s defense, making 111 tackles and forcing four fumbles.
LB: Lane Clemenhagen, Kendrick
The Tigers moved the senior to linebacker early in the season, using his speed and physicality to become an elite run stopper.
LB: Teague Matthews, Rockland
The 6-4, 220-pound senior middle linebacker is drawing interest from Division I programs after making 82 tackles this fall.
DB: Jayme Ramos, Castleford
A second-team pick last year, the senior safety moves up to the first team after racking up 92 tackles and seven interceptions.
DB: Tyson Tupper, Camas County
The lifelong linebacker moved to corner this year. The senior took to it like a fish to water with 95 tackles and three interceptions.
P: Sam Huerta, Hansen
This was the senior’s first season as a punter. He averaged 40.1 yards per kick and downed four inside the 20.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
