1A All-Idaho football team: The best players from the state’s smallest schools
Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by a vote of the state’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman publishes the results.
1A ALL-IDAHO FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Preston Wood, Carey
Even with limited action because of blowout wins, the 6-2, 185-pound senior made an impact in all three phases. Wood completed 78-of-111 passes for 1,374 yards and 29 TDs with just one interception. He ran for 1,194 yards and 22 TDs, made 44 tackles with 17 pass breakups, and averaged 35 yards per punt.
“Having a guy like that who can break the game open on offense, and shut it down on defense, is a luxury few teams get,” Deary coach Tim Olson said.
COACH OF THE YEAR
John Saili, Carey
He guided the top-seeded Panthers to their eighth state championship in program history and an 11-1 record.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Connor Perkins, Dietrich
The 5-10, 150-pound senior passed for 1,379 yards and 29 TDs and rushed for 1,628 yards and 32 more scores.
RB: Craig Yost, North Gem
A rare combination of speed and power, the 5-8, 180-pound junior rushed for 1,834 yards and 23 touchdowns.
RB: Trevor Corn, Garden Valley
The 6-0, 230-pound senior was a four-year starter, collecting 957 rushing yards, 266 receiving yards and 15 total TDs.
WR: Aidan Radford, Rockland
At 5-4 and 120 pounds, the senior stood out for his heart and grit, totaling 1,080 receiving yards with 12 TDs.
WR: Maxon Yearsley, Garden Valley
The 5-11, 150-pound junior had 1,267 total yards, including 784 yards receiving, and 18 total touchdowns.
OL: Chris Ruiz, Carey
The 5-11, 218-pound senior cleared the way for the state champions to rack up more than 4,500 total yards.
OL: Wade Vining, Council
Making 45 pancake blocks without allowing a sack, the 6-0, 230-pound senior helped the Lumberjacks rush for 3,040 yards.
OL: Luke Aquistapace, Carey
Playing center for the state champs, the 6-0, 200-pound senior was part of a line that gave up just three sacks.
K: Angel Alvarado, Dietrich
The 5-11, 200-pound senior converted 28 touchbacks, made a 33-yard field goal and went 6-for-11 on PATs.
DEFENSE
DL: Rusty Hatch, North Gem
The 6-1, 200-pound senior had 106 tackles, five forced fumbles, three tackles for loss and an interception.
DL: Gabe Saili, Carey
He put pressure on opposing QBs with seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss, totaling 73 tackles plus two fumble recoveries.
DL: Angel Alvarado, Dietrich
Playing as many as five positions, the 5-11, 200-pound senior recorded 81 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.
LB: Brody Torgerson, Dietrich
The 6-1, 210-pound senior was a prolific tackler, amassing 152 stops, 16 tackles for loss and three interceptions.
LB: Trevor Corn, Garden Valley
The Long Pin defensive player of the year racked up 142 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
LB: Jace Waggoner, Tri-Valley
The 5-6, 155-pound junior scored three defensive TDs while collecting 102 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six INTs.
DB: Connor Perkins, Dietrich
Another two-way first-teamer, the 5-10, 150-pound senior made 90 tackles with four INTs and 24 pass breakups.
DB: Maxon Yearsley, Garden Valley
The 5-11, 150-pound junior safety contributed 89 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
P: Connor Perkins, Dietrich
A game-changer in all three phases, the senior averaged 38 yards per punt, including a long of 56 yards.
