6A All-Idaho football team: The top 49 players from the state’s toughest division
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
6A ALL-IDAHO FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Feki Pouha, Rigby
Lauded for his intelligence, drive and versatility, the 6-foot, 280-pound senior anchored both lines for the state champs as their center and nose tackle. The four-year starter racked up 78 pancake blocks on offense, and he posted 28 tackles, four sacks and six tackles for loss on defense.
“You can tell from how players responded to him that his leadership skills were a driving force for their success,” Highland coach Nick Sorrell said.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Armando Gonzalez, Rigby
He led the Trojans on an 11-game winning streak to capture their fourth state title in the past six years.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Austin Rovig, Rocky Mountain
The senior quickly established himself as a leader, finishing the season with 2,477 passing yards and 25 TDs.
RB: Amani Morel, Rigby
An all-state pick at Skyline last year, the 6-foot, 225-pound junior ran for 1,113 yards and 17 TDs in a two-headed backfield.
RB: Noah Burnham, Eagle
The junior is a repeat first-team pick after rushing for 1,236 yards and nine TDs despite missing two games.
WR: Kai Wheeler, Coeur d’Alene
Opponents never found a way to cover the 6-3, 205-pound senior, who hauled in 66 catches for 1,211 yards and 15 TDs.
WR: Hudson Lewis, Timberline
A touchdown threat on every down, the explosive junior with Big Sky offers had 57 catches for 775 yards and 14 TDs.
WR: Jeff Thompson, Rocky Mountain
The do-it-all senior racked up 1,286 all-purpose yards and 10 TDs, averaging 13.7 yards per touch.
OL: Jax Tanner, Rocky Mountain
The state’s all-class Gatorade Player of the Year and a three-star recruit racked up 115 pancake blocks as a junior.
OL: Sione Perkins, Eagle
The 6-foot-8, 295-pound senior locked down one side of the Mustangs’ line. The three-star recruit signed with Iowa State.
OL: Dallyn Grimes, Middleton
Idaho’s top recruit this season and a three-year starter, the 6-4, 260-pound senior tackle signed with Boise State.
OL: Nic Maloff, Meridian
The 6-4, 305-pound left tackle didn’t allow a single sack this season. The two-year captain signed with Montana State.
OL: Carter Apelu, Madison
The 6-4, 290-pound junior guard paved the way for 6A’s top run game (255 yards per game) with 20 pancake blocks.
K: Gannon Miller, Centennial
The senior holds an offer from Air Force after converting 6-of-10 field goals, including a 53-yarder.
DEFENSE
DL: Rowan Rupp, Rocky Mountain
Several Mountain West teams have offered the junior tackle with 78 stops, 10 sacks and 14 tackles for loss this fall.
DL: Nate Williams, Eagle
The 6-4, 245-pound Idaho signee used his nonstop motor to disrupt opponents with 16 tackles for loss and six sacks.
DL: Markell Bowens, Highland
A quick first step made the 6-5, 220-pound senior a force on the edge and earned him offers from Boise State and Utah Tech.
DL: Austin Flaherty, Borah
The senior defensive end signed with Idaho after posting 63 tackles, seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
LB: Isaiah Reed, Rocky Mountain
After playing all over the field, the Nevada signee ended his career at linebacker with 96 tackles and 13 tackles for loss this season.
LB: Jack Giannini, Eagle
The Idaho signee made plays from sideline to sideline, finishing with 72 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles.
LB: Gage Haws, Owyhee
The Washington baseball commit and four-year starter makes the all-state first team for a second time with 98 tackles.
LB: Drew Holman, Middleton
The two-way force led 6A with 148 tackles as a junior, adding 5.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and four interceptions.
DB: Kaiden Kimble-Turner, Rocky Mountain
The Grizzlies used the senior all over the field. But the Wyoming signee stood out as a shutdown corner.
DB: Parker Graham, Rigby
The Idaho State signee served as the state champion’s best athlete, taking on the toughest assignments each week.
DB: Kai Wheeler, Coeur d’Alene
The 6A division’s only offensive and defensive all-state pick racked up 45 tackles and five INTs as a corner.
P: Gannon Miller, Centennial
He swept the first-team specialist awards after averaging 44.3 yards per punt and downing 12 inside the 20.
