Carson's Sawyers among All-SNMG selections

The All-Sierra Nevada Media Group teams were selected by sports writers at the Nevada Appeal, The Record-Courier, Tahoe Daily Tribune, Sierra Sun, Lahontan Valley News and the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza. Athletes from the schools regularly covered by the group's papers were eligible for selection.

FOOTBALL

Offense

Quarterback

Ben Bolton, jr., Truckee: The Northern 3A Offensive Player of the Year threw for 2,185 yards and 31 touchdowns against just six interceptions.

His strong arm and 6-3, 200-pound frame is already drawing D-I attention, as is his pocket presence and his ability to run.

Running back

Dylan Sawyers, soph., Carson: The speedy sophomore had a breakout year, rushing for 954 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. He was named first-team all-region and the Sierra League Offensive Player of the Year. He caught 17 passes for 285 yards and six touchdowns, returned six kickoffs for an average of 60 yards each and an interception and five pass deflections on defense.

Johnny Pollack, sr., Douglas: The Northern 4A Player of the Year lived up to his billing on both sides of the ball, leading the region in rushing with 1,054 yards and 11 touchdowns on 181 carries. He also earned all-region accolades at linebacker, where he was among the toughest hitters in the area.

Wide Receiver

Danny King, sr., Douglas: King caught 30 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns on his way to first-team all-region honors. It was his play in clutch situations, though, along with his ability to hang on to the ball fter taking a fierce hit that set him apart.

Garrett Tinlin, sr. South Tahoe: Tinlin had 50 catches for more than 600 yards and caught five touchdown passes in just the final two games of the year. His play on defense is what will get him a shot at the next level. He was near the top of the list in the state last season when it came to sacks and was a force on the defensive line for the Vikings.

Offensive Line

Jacob Phillips, sr., Douglas: The 6-3, 229-pound senior spent a good deal of the year opening up big holes for Pollack. He ended up with second-team all-region and first-team all-league honors.

Ryan Moglich, sr., Douglas: The 5-10, 214-pound senior came back from two ACL tears in the last calendar year to post an second-team all-region season. He played on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and finished with one sack, lthough his contributions tended toward drawing the double-team from opposing blocking schemes.

Justin Barlow, sr., Carson: Was a first team all-region and all-Sierra selection and co-Lineman of the Year for the all-Region team and Lineman of the Year in the Sierra League. His blocking opened a plethora of holes which enabled Carson to average 41 points a game on offense. His run-stuffing efforts on defense helped Carson hold teams to just 11 points a game.

Will Flores, Carson: Teamed with line mate Goodale to anchor the left side of Carson's productive offensive line. Made a successful transition from right tackle to left guard after his junior season.

Trevor Goodale, sr., Carson: Goodale was another of Carson's two-way stars. He was a first team all-Sierra and a first team all-region selection. Solid run blocker and solid pass blocker.

Tight End

Ty Collins, jr., Carson: The 6-0, 175-pound junior only had two catches for 27 yards on the year, but his ability to open up holes as a blocker won him first-team all-region honors.

Defense

Defensive Line

Taylor Silva, Carson: First team all-region defensive end and first team all-Sierra defensive end.

Garrett Tenney, sr., Douglas: Tenney followed up Sierra League Lineman of the Year honors as a junior with an outstanding senior campaign. He had five sacks and a fumble recovery and grabbed first-team All-Northern 4A honors at defensive end. At 6-2, 204, he also saw action throughout the season as an offensive guard.

Ryan Hoskins, Carson: Second team all-region selection and a first-team all-Sierra choice.

Zach Falanga, jr., Douglas: Falanga (5-10, 208) was a first-team All-Northern 4A pick after posting a team-leading eight sacks. The junior will be one of the Tigers' top returners next year.

Linebacker

Luke Carter, sr., Carson: Carter cemented his Northern 4A Defensive Player of the Year award with a stellar performance in the regular-season finale against Douglas. He had one interception, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on the year. Offensively, he caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown and ran for 309 yards on 37 carries for three touchdowns on the year.

Jackson Weed, Truckee: Northern 3A Defensive Player of the Year, he had 100 tackles. A hard hitter, Weed also was tough to bring down as a fullback, rushing for 381 yards on 43 carries (8.9 average), to make the second team All-League at running back.

Ricky Bodine, sr., Dayton: Dayton's leader on defense, he finished with 112 tackles, 75 of which were solo, but got those fighting through double teams for the majority of the year.

Defensive Back

Josh Peacock, sr., Carson: Peacock picked off a team-leading nine passes on the year to go with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also deflected nine passes, earning him first-team all-region honors.

Austin Neddenriep, jr., Douglas: Neddenriep doubled as a wide eceiver/defensive back throughout the year, hauling in an interception and making a name for himself as one of the top cover-corners in the area. At 6-1, 161, he earned second-team all-region honors at defensive back, but led the Tigers in receiving yards with 444 on 30 catches. He also had eight touchdowns.

Jordan Deiro, sr., Truckee: A first team All-League selection, he had 77 tackles, three sacks and six interceptions. He led the Wolverines in rushing, with 693 yards on 65 carries (10.7 avg.). Also led team with 21 touchdowns (13 rushing, 8 receiving), while hauling in 22 passes for 321 yards and eight TDs.

Vince Shaffer, sr., Truckee: Was voted to the first team All-League at defesive back and wingback. He had two interceptions and 46 tackles. As a wingback, he caught a team-high 48 passes for 548 yards, with nine touchdown catches. He also rushed for 333 yards on 37 carries (9-yard average), with eight rushing TDs.

Special Teams

Punter

Ean Witter, sr., Carson: At 6-2, 180, he was the team's top receiver with 30 catches for 553 yards and five touchdowns. He was also a fine kicker, knocking through 32 touchbacks to go with 53 PATs. As a punter, his long was 55 yards, and he averaged 33.8 yards per punt, landing five inside the 20-yard line.

Kicker

Nikolai Vasquez, sr., Douglas: Vasquez was a lock as a first-team all-region place kicker, regularly putting kickoffs through the end zone. He nailed a 51-yard field goal in the playoffs against McQueen, setting what is believed to be a Douglas High School record. On the year, he was 38 of 40 in PAT attempts and had field goals of 43 yards, 37 yards twice, 32 yards and 23.

He also averaged 43.8 yards per punt and had a 63-yarder against McQueen.

Return Specialist

Alvin Juris, sr. Fallon: Juris was everywhere on the field for the Greenwave this year, returning 18 kicks for 412 yards and an 87-yard touchdown. He also averaged 13.67 yards in punt returns, had 44 tackles and a sack and led the team with 532 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

Utility

Jason Peters, sr., QB/LB, Coleville: Peters wrapped up an impressive career with the Wolves, leading them into the state finals before losing to Pahranagat Valley. He threw for 2,444 yards and 56 touchdowns on the year, completing 58 percent of his passes. He also ran for 869 yards and 25 touchdowns to lead the team. Defensively, he had 96 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery. He leaves Coleville as the state's all-time leader in nearly every category, including 8,704 passing yards and 155 passing touchdowns.

James DePew, TE/DL, Truckee: The first team All-League tight end and defensive lineman led Truckee with 606 receiving yards on 20 receptions (30.3 ave), and 11 receiving TDs. Big kid (6-2, 195), with good hands and ability to make big plays.

Cody Nelson, sr., RB/LB, Whittell: The four-year varsity starter was a presence on both sides of the ball, piling up over 800 rushing yards on offense and leading the team in tackles on defense. He was a first-team All-Northern 2A pick on both sides of the ball.

Honorable Mention: Blake Plattsmeier, QB, Carson; Mark Sinnott, RB, Carson; Junior Valladares, LB, Carson; Levi Bloxton, LB, Carson; Connor Beattie, LB, Carson; Morgan Nevin, LB, Truckee; Luis Aguilar, LB, Truckee; Chad Squires, WR, Fallon; Trevor Houghton OL, Truckee; Luis Aguilar K/LB, Truckee; Morgan Nevin, LB/FB, Truckee; Tanner Keese, OL, Truckee; Marshall Lipke, DL, Truckee; Nick Warner, OL/DL, Whittell; Thomas Eidam, QB, South Tahoe.