Seven Northwestern A gridders named first teamers both ways
The Daily Inter Lake
Seven football players were selected to the Northwestern A all-conference offense and defense first team in balloting done by league coaches.
They are: Mackey Nolan, Columbia Falls, fullback/outside linebacker; Tim Rausch, Polson, fullback/inside linebacker; Stephen Baumgartner, Columbia Falls, tailback/outside linebacker; Craig Bagnell, Polson, quarterback/cornerback; Joel Fuller, Libby, quarterback/safety; Ryan Kelley, Polson, wide receiver/safety; and Conner Benson, Libby, wide receiver/cornerback.
Fuller and Bagnell were named MVPs on offense, while Nolan, Rausch and Brock Picard of Polson were defensive MVPs.
Nolan garnered the most first-team mention as he was also tabbed as the league's best punter and PAT/field goal kicker.
Players selected to the first and second teams and honorable mention selections are listed below.
Northwestern A All-Conference
First Team
Offense
Center - Tucker Morigeau, Polson, 6-0, 180, sr.
Guards - Dustin Beck, Whitefish, 5-11, 190, sr.; and Kelly Houle, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 205, jr.; and Taylor Bleazard, Polson, 6-0, 215, jr.
Tackles - Nathan Woods, Columbia Falls, 6-5, 250, sr.; and Derrick Rathe, Polson, 6-3, 200, jr.
Tight end - Matt Detwiler, Ronan, 6-0, 170, jr.
Fullbacks - Mackey Nolan, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 200, sr.; and Tim Rausch, Polson, 6-0, 185, jr.
Tailbacks - Stephen Baumgartner, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 180, sr.; and Tyson Noyes, Ronan, 5-7, 155, sr.
Quarterbacks - Craig Bagnell, Polson, 5-11, 180, sr.; and Joel Fuller, Libby, 6-1, 185, sr.
Receivers - Ryan Kelley, Polson, 6-3, 180, sr., Aaron Tkachyk, Whitefish, 5-11, 160, sr.; and Conner Benson, Libby, 5-10, 160, sr.
MVPs - Joel Fuller, Libby, and Craig Bagnell, Polson
Defense
Noseguard - Mike Macijunas, Columbia Falls, 6-1, 228, jr.
Tackles - Dylan Dryden, Whitefish, 6-2, 210, sr.; and Justin Graham, Libby, 6-3, 220, sr.
Ends - Kelly Houle, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 205, jr.; Kodie Kenfield, Columbia Falls, 6-2, 215, sr.; and Josh Backer, Whitefish, 6-0, 190, sr.
Outside linebackers - Mike Fisher, Ronan, 6-0, 170, sr.; Mackey Nolan, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 200, sr.; and Stephen Baumgartner, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 180, sr.
Inside linebackers - Tim Rausch, Polson, 6-0, 185, jr.; and Brock Picard, Polson, 5-10, 190, jr.
Cornerbacks - Quenton Hegel, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 165, sr.; Conner Benson, Libby, 5-10, 160, sr.; and Craig Bagnell, Polson, 5-11, 180, sr.
Safeties - Ryan Kelley, Polson, 6-3, 180, sr.; and Joel Fuller, Libby, 6-1, 185, sr.
MVPs - Mackey Nolan, Columbia Falls, Brock Picard, Polson and Tim Rausch, Polson
Special Teams
Punter - Mackey Nolan, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 200, sr.
PAT/Field goal kicker - Mackey Nolan, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 200, sr.
Kickoff return specialist - Carson Sneed, Bigfork, 5-7, 170, jr.
Punt return specialist - Mike Fisher, Ronan, 6-0, 170, sr.
Second Team
Offense
Center - Jeff Krahn, Ronan, 5-10, 215, sr.
Guard - Kodie Kenfield, Columbia Falls, 6-2, 215, sr.
Tackles - Tyson Ferda, Whitefish, 6-0, 220, jr.; and Dylan Ivans, Ronan, 5-11, 240, jr.
Tight end - Kyle Bagnell, Polson, 6-0, 170, so.
Fullbacks - Brock Picard, Polson, 5-10, 190, jr.; and Derek Crittenden, Whitefish, 6-2, 225, jr.
Tailbacks - Joe Andrews, Polson, 5-8, 190, jr.; and TJ Benson, Libby, 5-7, 145, jr.
Quarterback - Mike Fisher, Ronan, 6-0, 170, sr.
Receivers - John Woody, Columbia Falls, 5-9, 170, jr.; Cheyne Valentine, Bigfork, 5-9, 160, sr.; and Chris Alfiero, Polson, 5-10, 165, sr.
Defense
Noseguard - Dylan Ivans, Ronan, 5-11, 240, jr.
Tackles - Brandon McDonald, Bigfork, 6-3, 210, jr.; and Marcus Schiele, Ronan, 5-10, 205, sr.
Ends - Tucker Morigeau, Polson, 6-0, 180, sr.; and Derrick Rathe, Polson, 6-3, 200, jr.
Outside linebackers - TJ Benson, Libby, 5-7, 145, jr.; and Joe Andrews, Polson, 5-8, 190, jr.
Inside linebackers - Don Tudahl, Bigfork, 6-2, 210, sr.; Dustin Beck, Whitefish, 5-11, 190, sr.; and Dustin VonFeldt, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 175, jr.
Cornerback - Seth Wiley, Whitefish, 5-9, 165, sr.
Safeties - Kyle Howell, Columbia Falls, 5-10, 160, jr.; and Matt Whitehead, Whitefish, 5-9, 180, sr.
Honorable Mention
Offense
Center - Sean Sagen, Whitefish, 6-0, 215, sr.
Guards - Marcus Schiele, Ronan, 5-10, 205, sr.; and Alex Havlovick, Polson, 6-2, 260, jr.
Tackles - Mike Macijunas, Columbia Falls, 6-1, 228, jr.; and Derrike BigSam, Polson, 6-3, 310, sr.
Tight ends - Scott Taylor, Bigfork, 6-5, 210, sr.; and Alex Elespuru, Whitefish, 5-11, 175, sr.
Fullback - Cory Hardy, Ronan , 5-7, 150, jr.
Tailback - Garrett Pewe, Bigfork, 5-7, 170, sr.
Quarterback - None
Receivers - None
Defense
Noseguard - Kaden Thomas, Polson, 5-10, 270, jr.
Tackles - None
Ends - None
Outside linebacker - Derek Crittenden, Whitefish, 6-2, 225, jr.
Inside linebackers - Micky Cheff, Ronan, 5-11, 165, jr.; and Mitchell Wassam, Columbia Falls, 6-3, 205, jr.
Cornerback - Tanner Perry, Columbia Falls, 5-11, 160, sr.
Safeties - Vince DiGiallonardo, Polson, 5-9, 160, fr.; and Cameron Neiss, Ronan, 5-9, 140, jr.