Sean Lissy selected as Lineman of the Year

SPOKANE — Sandpoint High School senior Sean Lissy received the Jim Barber Lineman of the Year Award at the Davenport Hotel Tuesday night.

Post Falls High School senior K.C. Billetz received the Tuffy Ellingsen Back of the Year Award.

Dan Sanders, from Freeman High in Rockford, Wash., captured the top honor, the Ray Flaherty Scholar/Athlete Award.

A total of 11 high school seniors in the Inland Northwest were honored at the banquet, presented by the Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Athletes who best represented athletics, academics and citizenship were nominated.

As starting offensive and defensive lineman for Sandpoint, Lissy assisted the Bulldogs (8-2) in advancing to the state 4A playoffs.

Lissy was named to the All-Inland Empire League defensive first team. He was the IEL Offensive Outstanding Player of the Year, a member of the all-North Idaho offensive and defensive first team, and a second all-state defensive lineman selection.

Lissy, who is a 4.1 student, has also been nominated to West Point and Air Force Academy.

Other finalists were Nathan Anderson, Timberlake; Buddy Wood, Riverside; Jordan Marshall, Mt. Spokane; Andrew Largent, Shadle Park; Jacob Kragt, Ritzville; Gabe Kiefel, Waitsburg; Curtis Heyamoto, Ferris; and Matt Gallagher, North Central.

The top honor is named after Ray Flaherty, the pro football Hall of Famer who moved to Hayden Lake with his wife, Jackie, in 1946 following his retirement from pro ball.

Ray Flaherty passed away in 1994; his wife still lives in Hayden Lake and often attends the Flaherty banquet.