CLASS AA FOOTBALL: Glacier, Flathead land combined 35 on all-state teams
<p>Glacier running back Thomas Trefney follows the block of Adam Heastan during the Wolfpack's rout of Missoula Hellgate on Sept. 24, 2015. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Glaciers Caleb Jones breaks tackles and runs for a first down during the Wolfpack's 23-13 win over Helena High at Vigilante Stadium on Nov. 7, 2015. (Gary Marshall/BMGphotos.com)</p>
<p>Glacier's Jaxen Hashley (40) wraps up CMR's Andrew Grinde as Tadan Gilman (3) hits him in this 2014 file photo. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Flathead's Seth Adolph breaks a tackle as he carries the ball for a first down during the Braves' opening, scoring-drive against Missoula Sentinel at Legends Stadium on Oct. 30, 2015. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
Glacier’s Caleb Jones earned first team all-state honors as a wide receiver and cornerback, and teammate Thomas Trefney was named the Western AA Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday when the Class AA award winners were announced.
A total of 35 spots on the all-state teams belong to players from Kalispell, with 19 members of the Wolfpack and 16 Flathead Braves recognized.
Jones caught 55 passes this fall, finding the end zone six times as a receiver and twice more as a running back. The senior had four 100-plus yard receiving games, including a nine-catch, 194-yard effort in a regular-season ending win over Missoula Big Sky.
“I’m so happy and proud. I did not think he was going to get first team at both (positions),” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said. “That’s really impressive.
“He became such a leader all offseason. He realized he needed to be our big play guy and he made that leap and became a big-time playmaker. That’s special.”
Trefney was the Wolfpack’s chief offensive weapon and put a bow on an historic two-year run with a monster senior season. He led the state with 1,656 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. A second team all-state running back a year ago, Trefney ran for 52 touchdowns in his two-year varsity career, breaking Mike Kowalski’s (Cut Bank) 25-year-old all-class state record.
“(Trefney) is just a tough kid,” Bennett said.
“I don’t think he’s missed one rep in one game or one practice, ever. I started to worry we’d see a little wear and tear (late in the season), but he’d show up Monday like he hadn’t even played a game.”
Linebacker Tadan Gilman joined Trefney and Jones on the all-state first team. A junior, Gilman was an honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore.
Across town, Flathead had 16 players earn an all-state commendation, seven more than a season ago. The Braves won six games for the first time since 2008 this fall and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
“I’m very proud of our kids,” Flathead coach Kyle Samson said. “I think that it definitely shows that they get a lot of respect from around the state and I’m glad they got some accolades at the end of the season.”
Junior Seth Adolph was named a first team all-state punt returner, becoming the first Braves player since punter Dylan Torgerson in 2012 to land on the first team. The Braves used Adolph all over the field this fall where ran for 312 yards, caught 17 passes for 193 yards and averaged more than 16 yards per punt return.
Five others from Flathead were named second team all-state — running back Josh McCracken, wide receiver Keaton Krantz, defensive tackle Cody Howe, linebacker Jacob Ridgway and safety C.J. Dugan.
Seven members of the Wolfpack were named to the second team— quarterback Leif Ericksen, offensive tackle Nathan Hammer, guard Adam Heastan, kicker Cameron Anderson, linebacker John Learn and safeties Sam Barber and Jake Willich.
All 35 first team, second team and honorable mention all-state picks also were named all-Western AA conference.
Billings Senior’s junior quarterback Nathan Dick was named the state’s Offensive Player of the Year. Bozeman’s Payton O’Reilly earned the Defensive Player of the Year award. Bozeman defeated Senior in the title game to win this year’s Class AA state championship.
2015 CLASS AA FOOTBALL AWARDS
FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE OFFENSE
Offensive MVP: Nathan Dick, Billings Senior
QB — Nathan Dick, Billings Senior, Jr.
RB — Thomas Trefney, Glacier, Sr.; Balue Chapman, Bozeman, Sr.; Andrew Gridne, Great Falls C.M. Russell, Sr.
FB — Michael Banna, Missoula Big Sky, Sr.; Trace Bradshaw, Bozeman, Sr.
WR — Caleb Jones, Glacier, Sr.; Will Hunthausen, Helena Capital, Sr.; Tyger Frye, Senior, Sr.; Gabe Susler, Senior, So.; Karl Tucker, CMR, Sr.
TE — Payton O’Reilly, Bozeman, Sr.
OT — Noah Danielson, CMR, Sr.; Levi Stovall, Billings West, Sr.; Luke Poetzl, Senior, Jr.
OG — Conor Quick, Capital, So.; Devin Maua, Senior, Sr.; Josh Noah, Bozeman, Sr.
C — Alec Akina, Bozeman, Sr.
P — Michael Banna, Big Sky, Sr.
K — Gabe Peppenger, Missoula Sentinel, Sr.; Dylan Sandefur, CMR, Sr.
LS — Michael Smith, Capital, Sr.
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE OFFENSE
QB — Leif Ericksen, Glacier, Sr.; D.J. Perdaems, Bozeman, Sr.
RB — Josh McCracken, Flathead, Sr.; Sam Sparks, Senior, Sr.
FB — Drew Keierleber, Billings Skyview, Jr.
WR — Mitch Reynolds, Sentinel, Sr.; Keaton Krantz, Flathead, Sr.; Bennett Hostetler, Bozeman, Sr.; Nick Wakai, Big Sky, Jr.
TE — Taylor England, Helena, Jr.; Ben Askelson, Senior, Sr.
OT — Nathan Hammer, Glacier, Sr.; Daniel Stockman, Helena, Jr.; Bridger Lohman, Bozeman, Jr.
OG — Adam Heastan, Glacier, Sr.; Brady Schulz, Bozeman, Sr.
C — Jake Rebish, Sentinel, Sr.; Garrett Mackay, Capital, Sr.; Mac Bartsch, Senior, Sr.
P — Nathan Dick, Senior, Jr.
K — Cameron Anderson, Glacier, Sr.
LS — Payton O’Reilly, Bozeman, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STATE OFFENSE
QB — Mitch Roberts, Sentinel, Jr.; Carter Pappas, Capital, Jr.; Lane Jensen, CMR, Jr.; Bryson Deming, West, Jr.
RB — Ryan Arnston, Helena, Jr.; Daniel O’Malley, Capital, Sr.; Jamison Hermanson, Great Falls, Sr.
FB — Payton Boyce, Flathead, Sr.; Austin Dess, Great Falls, Sr.
WR — Alec Steele, Sentinel, Sr.; Danny Burton, Capital, Sr.; Scout Willcut, Glacier, Jr.; Noah Lindsay, Glacier, Sr.; Kiley Caprara, Butte, Jr.; Bailey Paddock, Bozeman, Jr.; Maxx Sitzmann, Great Falls, Sr.; Trayson Marker, West, Sr.
TE — Wyatt Smith, Flathead, Sr.; Robert McCarvel, Capital, Sr.; Riley Watt, Great Falls, Sr.
OT — Andrew Klamecki, Glacier, Sr.; Anthony Wright, Flathead, Sr.; Aaron Wisher, Flathead, Sr.; Michael Smith, Capital, Sr.; Gus Herzog, Helena, Sr.; Ramsey Rutschke, Skyview, Sr.; Cullen Roll, Senior, Jr.; Morgan Hostetler, Bozeman, Jr.
OG — Roger Guillory, Glacier, Sr.; Braxton Wilcox, Big Sky, Sr.; Brandon Moes, Great Falls, Sr.; Emmit Bartsch, Senior, Jr.
C — Kellen Bemis, Glacier, Jr.; James Jepsen, Flathead, Sr.; Tanner Wagner, West, Sr.
P — Will Hunthausen, Capital, Sr.; Logan Nelson, Skyview, Sr.
LS — Jacob Ridgway, Flathead, Sr.; Kaleb Tocco, Skyview, Sr.
FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE DEFENSE
Defensive MVP: Payton O’Reilly, Bozeman
DE — Chase Benson, Helena, Sr.; Cole Rossling, Capital, Sr.; Balue Chapman, Bozeman, Sr.; Devin Maua, Senior, Sr.
DT — David Peterson, Capital, Sr.; Payton Gunther, Bozeman, Sr.; Trace Bradshaw, Bozeman, Sr.
ILB — Trevor Larson, Capital, Sr.; Jayson Leinwand, West, Sr.; Payton O’Reilly, Bozeman, Sr.
OLB — Riley Lamb, Capital, Sr.; Tadan Gilman, Glacier, Jr.; Brock Behan, Bozeman, Sr.
CB — Caleb Jones, Glacier, Sr.; Joe Mueller, Helena, Sr.; Alec Steele, Sentinel, Sr.; Jake Orvis, Senior, Jr.
S — Keaton Anderson, Senior, Jr.; Bennett Hostetler, Bozeman, Sr.; Will Martel, Bozeman, Sr.
PR — Ryan Arntson, Helena, Jr.; Seth Adolph, Flathead, Jr.
KR — Jamison Hermanson, Great Falls, Sr.; Gabe Susler, Senior, So.
ST — Sam Sparks, Senior, Sr.
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE DEFENSE
DE — Sean Jones, Senior, Sr.; Gus Herzog, Helena, Sr.
DT — Jake Rebish, Sentinel, Sr.; Cody Howe, Flathead, Sr.; Mac Bartsch, Senior, Sr.
ILB — John Learn, Glacier, Sr.; Kendall Johnson, Helena, Jr.; Ed Baker, Senior, Sr.; Ryan Davis, Skyview, Jr.
OLB — Jacob Ridgway, Flathead, Sr.; Luke Almos, Great Falls, Jr.; Ben Askelson, Senior, Sr.; Cade Wessel, Bozeman, Jr.
CB — Gabe Susler, Senior, So.; Jake Zangenberg, Bozeman, Sr.
S — Sam Barber, Glacier, Jr.; Jake Willich, Glacier, Sr.; C.J. Dugan, Flathead, Sr.
PR — Trevor Pepin, CMR, Sr.
KR — Ryan Arntson, Helena, Jr.
ST — Josh Deshner, Sentinel, Sr.; Will Martel, Bozeman, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STATE
DE — Matt Gash-Gilder, Flathead, Jr.; Jaxen Hashley, Glacier, Jr.; Jarrett Emborg, Bozeman, Sr.; James Morrison, Skyview, Sr.; Tim Hanning, Great Falls, Jr.; Levi Stovall, West, Sr.
DT — Nathan Hammer, Glacier, Sr.; Gary Kenfield, Glacier, Sr.; Cullen Donahoe, Capital, Sr.; Austin Kirchner, CMR, Jr.; Hayden Hegg, Senior, Jr.
ILB — Braxton Wilcox, Big Sky, Sr.; Logan Wilson, Flathead, Sr.; River Taylor, Senior, Sr.; Max Sechena, CMR, Jr.
OLB — Josh Deshner, Sentinel, Sr.; Jory Breen, Sentinel, Sr.; Marcus Welnel, Capital, Jr.; Seamus Lucostic, Big Sky, Sr.; Braydon Deming, West, Jr.; Justin Peterson, Butte, Sr.; Sean Morris, CMR, Sr.
CB — Keair Adgerson, Helena, Jr.; Trae Vasquez, Flathead, So.; Giovanni Callero, Capital, Sr.; Kaleb Tocco, Skyview, Sr.; Lucas Lilly, Bozeman, Jr.; Xavier Pace, CMR, Jr.
S — Nick Wakai, Big Sky, Jr.; Willem Morris, Helena, Sr.; Matt Lesofski, Capital, Sr.; Quinn Dennehy, Butte, Sr.; Connor McAllister, CMR, Sr.; Chase Perry, Great Falls, Sr.
PR — Bennett Hostetler, Bozeman, Sr.
KR — Danny Burton, Capital, Sr.; Kasey Grisanti, West, Sr.
ST — Dennis Krueger, Big Sky, Jr.; Nate Sommers, Flathead, Sr.; Justin Peterson, Butte, Sr.
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE OFFENSE
Offensive MVP: Thomas Trefney, Glacier
QB — Leif Ericksen, Glacier, Sr.
RB — Thomas Trefney, Glacier, Sr.; Josh McCracken, Flathead, Sr.
FB — Michael Banna, Big Sky, Sr.
WR — Caleb Jones, Glacier, Sr.; Mitch Reynolds, Sentinel, Sr.; Keaton Krantz, Flathead, Sr.; Will Hunthausen, Capital, Sr.
TE — Taylor England, Helena, Jr.
OT — Nathan Hammer, Glacier, Sr.; Daniel Stockton, Helena Jr.
OG — Conor Quick, Capital, So.; Adam Heastan, Glacier, Sr.
C — Jake Rebish, Sentinel, Sr.; Garrett Mackay, Capital, Sr.
K — Gabe Peppenger, Sentinel, Sr.; Cameron Anderson, Glacier, Jr.
P — Michael Banna, Big Sky, Jr.
LS — Michael Smith, Capital, Sr.
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE OFFENSE
QB — Mitch Roberts, Sentinel, Jr.; Carter Pappas, Capital, Jr.
RB — Ryan Arntson, Helena, Jr.; Daniel O’Malley, Capital, Sr.
FB — Payton Boyce, Flathead, Sr.
WR — Nick Wakai, Big Sky, Jr.; Alec Steele, Sentinel, Sr.; Danny Burton, Capital, Sr.; Scout Willcut, Glacier, Jr.; Noah Lindsay, Glacier, Sr.
TE — Wyatt Smith, Flathead, Sr.; Robert McCarvel, Capital, Sr.
OT — Anthony Wright, Flathead, Sr.; Aaron Wisher, Flathead, Sr.; Michael Smith, Capital, Sr.; Gus Herzog, Helena, Sr.; Andrew Klamecki, Glacier, Sr.
OG — Roger Guillory, Glacier, Sr.; Braxton Wilcox, Big Sky, Sr.
C — Kellen Bemis, Glacier, Sr.; James Jepsen, Flathead, Sr.
K — Braxton Kent, Capital, Sr.
P — Will Hunthausen, Capital, Sr.
LS — Jacob Ridgway, Flathead, Sr.
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE DEFENSE
Defensive MVP: Cole Rossling, Capital
DE — Chase Benson, Helena, Sr.; Cole Rossling, Capital, Sr.
DT — Jake Rebish, Sentinel, Sr.; Cody Howe, Flathead, Sr.; David Peterson, Capital, Sr.
ILB — Trevor Larson, Capital, Sr.; John Learn, Glacier, Sr.; Kendall Johnson, Helena, Jr.
OLB — Riley Lamb, Capital, Sr.; Tadan Gilman, Glacier, Jr.; Jacob Ridgway, Flathead, Sr.
CB — Caleb Jones, Glacier, Sr.; Joe Mueller, Helena, Sr.; Alec Steele, Sentinel, Sr.
S — Sam Barber, Glacier, Jr.; Jake Willich, Glacier, Sr.; C.J. Dugan, Flathead, Sr.
PR — Ryan Arntson, Helena, Jr.; Seth Adolph, Flathead, Jr.
KR — Ryan Arntson, Helena, Jr.
ST — Josh Deshner, Sentinel, Sr.
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE DEFENSE
DE — Matt Gash-Gilder, Flathead, Jr.; Jaxen Hashley, Glacier, Jr.; Gus Herzog, Helena, Sr.
DT — Nathan Hammer, Glacier, Sr.; Gary Kenfield, Glacier, Sr.; Cullen Donahoe, Capital, Sr.
ILB — Braxton Wilcox, Big Sky, Sr.; Logan Wilson, Flathead, Sr.
OLB — Josh Deshner, Sentinel, Sr.; Jory Breen, Sentinel, Sr.; Marcus Welnel, Capital, Jr.; Seamus Lucostic, Big Sky, Sr.
CB — Keair Adgerson, Helena, Jr.; Trae Vasquez, Flathead, So.; Giovanni Callero, Capital, Sr.
S — Nick Wakai, Big Sky, Jr.; Willem Morris, Helena, Sr.; Matt Lesofski, Capital, Sr.
PR — Danny Burton, Capital, Sr.
KR — Danny Burton, Capital, Sr.
ST — Dennis Krueger, Big Sky, Sr.; Nate Sommers, Flathead, Sr.