5A All-Idaho football team: The top awards for the classification’s top 49 players
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
5A ALL-IDAHO FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tyson Sweetwood, Hillcrest
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior dual-threat quarterback accounted for 3,655 total yards, including going 220-for-354 passing for 2,660 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also rushed for 995 yards with 16 more scores as the Knights won their first state title since 2018.
“He was a dual-threat QB with amazing arm talent and the ability to run and make people miss. He’s a nightmare to prepare for,” Blackfoot coach Josh Stewart said.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brennon Mossholder, Hillcrest
He led the Knights to a 10-3 record and their first state championship since 2018, their third overall.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: CarMyne Garcia, Skyline
In 13 games for the state runner-up, the 6-3 senior passed for 2,301 yards and 27 TDs and rushed for four more scores.
RB: Preston Sonner-Cranney, Minico
The senior averaged 6.3 yards per carry and finished the season with 2,216 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns.
RB: Kage Weil, Lakeland
The Inland Empire League offensive player of the year racked up 1,945 yards and 31 touchdowns on 189 carries.
WR: Zyan Crockett, Skyline
Dangerous as a receiver with 52 catches for 943 yards and 10 TDs, the junior also rushed for 742 yards and 13 TDs.
WR: Jace Judy, Hillcrest
The top target for the state champs hauled in 60 catches for 780 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games.
WR: Kendrix Knobbe, Burley
Often facing double coverage, the 6-0, 185-pound senior totaled 52 receptions for 946 yards and nine TDs.
OL: Michael McCartney, Hillcrest
The 6-3, 250-pound senior left tackle did not allow a sack for a Knights team that rushed for more than 2,500 yards.
OL: Carter Vanek, Lakeland
The 6-3, 293-pound senior guard and Big Sky recruit recorded 26 pancake blocks and allowed just one sack.
OL: Sam Buck, Emmett
Registering 40 pancake blocks, the 6-2, 250-pound senior guard helped the Huskies rush for more than 2,500 yards.
OL: Daxton Perkins, Skyline
A three-year starter at tackle, the 6-6, 240-pound senior helped the Grizzlies amass more than 4,300 total yards.
OL: Austin Reeves, Hillcrest
The 6-2, 245-pound junior center made 25 pancake blocks and allowed just one sack for the state champs.
K: Rylan Borgman, Hillcrest
He went 7-for-8 on field goals, with a long of 47 yards, and made 44-of-48 PATs while booting 61 touchbacks.
DEFENSE
DL: Kaesen Smith, Skyline
He amassed 73 tackles, 16 sacks, seven tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.
DL: Damien Simmons, Hillcrest
Tough to contain at 6-5 and 210 pounds, the junior totaled 65 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and one pass breakup.
DL: Mason Krahn, Skyview
The four-year starter switched from LB to DE this season, collecting 39 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and two sacks.
DL: Reed Martin, Bishop Kelly
The 6-2, 220-pound senior tackle contributed 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
LB: Daxon Sargent, Hillcrest
Captain of the state champion defense, the 5-11, 180-pound junior recorded 100 tackles and 12 tackles for loss.
LB: Will Sachse, Bishop Kelly
The 5A SIC defensive player of the year totaled 108 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an INT.
LB: Will Neilson, Minico
The 6-2, 185-pound senior had a nose for the ball, racking up 158.5 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
LB: Bennett Southwick, Skyline
With 122 total tackles, the 5-11, 225-pound senior also had seven tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
DB: Mason Saunders, Hillcrest
Opponents threw away from the 6-2, 170-pound senior, who had 29 tackles, two tackles for loss and two INTs.
DB: Nathan King, Lewiston
The 6-0, 170-pound senior corner recorded 40 tackles with two tackles for loss, six INTs and one forced fumble.
DB: Parker Allumbaugh, Bishop Kelly
With two interceptions, seven pass breakups, five tackles for loss and 47 tackles, the senior stood out.
P: Hunter Cordell, Pocatello
The 6-5 junior could flip the field, averaging 49 yards per punt, including 20 downed inside the 20-yard line.
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 12:00 PM.
