5A All-Idaho football team: Best of the best from the state’s second-largest class
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
Ben Avella, Bishop Kelly
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior quarterback led the Knights to a state championship, completing 168-of-248 passes for 2,624 yards and 36 TDs while also rushing for 426 yards and five more scores. Avella, a Carroll College commit, threw just six interceptions.
“Ben Avella’s combination of size, arm strength and composure make him a great competitor,” Nampa coach Ty Thomas said. “He elevates their offense through his poise and decision-making.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Chris Culig, Bishop Kelly
Guided the Knights to a 13-0 record and their second state championship in the past three seasons.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Tyson Sweetwood, Hillcrest
The 2024 5A Player of the Year accounted for 3,390 total yards and 41 TDs with just four interceptions.
RB: Jackson Cheslak, Columbia
He led the Wildcats to just their third playoff appearance in program history, rushing for 1,408 yards and 24 TDs.
RB: Ryan Arellano, Bishop Kelly
The leading rusher for the state champions amassed 838 yards and 11 touchdowns on 149 carries (5.6 YPC).
WR: Zyan Crockett, Skyline
The dynamic playmaker totaled 1,667 yards (831 receiving, 836 rushing) and 24 total touchdowns.
WR: Brock Yarbrough, Sandpoint
Known as “Mr. Reliable,” he caught 84 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns — an average of 12.5 YPC.
WR: Dominic Wolthuis, Bishop Kelly
The University of Idaho signee hauled in 46 receptions for 748 yards and 15 TDs for the state champions.
OL: Austin Reeves, Hillcrest
The 6-4, 260-pound senior center helped the state runner-up rack up 3,103 rushing yards and 2,202 passing yards.
OL: Brandon Root, Bishop Kelly
The 6-0, 210-pound junior center didn’t allow a sack as the Knights totaled 2,321 rushing yards and 2,814 passing yards.
OL: Brody Hale, Bishop Kelly
Delivering 20 pancake blocks, the 6-3, 270-pound junior helped the Knights average 42.2 points per game.
OL: Dillon Spenser, Twin Falls
The Bruins averaged 37 points per game and totaled more than 4,700 yards behind the 6-3, 240-pound guard.
OL: Wyatt Cox, Skyline
The 6-2, 240-pound guard totaled 22 pancake blocks and helped the Grizzlies amass nearly 4,000 total yards.
K: Rylan Borgman, Hillcrest
He nailed a 52-yard field goal and went 33-of-36 on PATs with 28 touchbacks for the state runner-up Knights.
DEFENSE
DL: Jack Henderson, Bishop Kelly
The 6-3, 235-pound end recorded 55 total tackles, plus 9 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
DL: Evert Eells, Vallivue
The 5A SIC Defensive Player of the Year racked up 92 tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss, 15.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
DL: Damien Simmons, Hillcrest
The Montana Tech commit showcased his speed, recording 16 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and 48 total tackles.
DL: Quentin Powers, Bishop Kelly
The 6-1, 250-pound nose tackle collected 59 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.
LB: Daxon Sargent, Hillcrest
Despite missing three games with an injury, he led the Knights with 72 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
LB: Noah Horn, Bishop Kelly
He led the state champs with 116 tackles, adding nine tackles-for-loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and an INT.
LB: Brock Yarbrough, Sandpoint
He terrorized opposing offenses with 64 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups and two pick-sixes.
DB: Jared Thiel, Bishop Kelly
He picked off 10 passes with 11 pass breakups while totaling 51 tackles, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.
DB: Gage Searle, Skyline
The 5-10, 170-pound safety recorded 128 tackles, four INTs, nine pass breakups and two tackles-for-loss.
DB: Dalton Carter, Twin Falls
He racked up 80 tackles, seven pass breakups, three INTs, two tackles-for-loss, one sack and one blocked punt.
DB: Adrian Gonzalez, Century
He grabbed nine interceptions with four pass breakups while totaling 53 tackles and four tackles-for-loss.
P: Hunter Cordell, Pocatello
He blasted a 76-yard punt and averaged 45 yards per punt, including eight downed inside the 10-yard line.
This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
