Smith makes All-State football squad
Sandpoint junior defensive end A.J. Smith was the lone Bulldog honored last week when the Idaho Statesman announced the Idaho All-State football teams, one of a select few players from the northern region of the state to make the team.
Smith was a first team defensive lineman on the 4A team, high recognition according to Sandpoint head coach Mike Mitchell.
"It's hard for a kid from the north to make it," he explained, adding that Smith had a premier game against Mountain Home and likely opened some southern coaches' eyes with his play. "He was our sack leader, played both inside and outside and has a great motor. He'll be the heart of our defense starting out next year."
Priest River lineman Ned Florea was named to the 3A second team offense, marking the only other Bonner County player to make the team.
Other regional players included Lake City senior linebacker Jared Heston making the 5A first team. Timberlake senior Ammon Johnston made the 3A first team as an offensive lineman and a linebacker, and Tigers teammate Derek Tymesen, a junior, was honored as a punter.
Kootenai senior Dakota Amy made the 1A first team as a tight end/wide receiver and a linebacker. Two Kootenai seniors made the 1A second team - running back Ben Shannon and defensive back Cody Parker.
4A
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK - Jake Lammers, Jerome, 6-2, sr. RUNNING BACKS - Skylar Morgan, Minico, 5-10, 185, sr.; Devin Droghei, Hillcrest, 5-9, 175, jr. TIGHT END - Mike Decker, Pocatello, 6-2, 215, sr. WIDE RECEIVERS - Gus Callen, Jerome, 6-3, 160, jr.; Koby Campbell, Century, 6-0, 150, sr. LINEMEN - Ethan Watt, Nampa, 6-1, 250, sr.; Shane Oliverson, Preston, 6-4, 245, sr.; Jake Lewis, Mountain Home, 6-1, 240, jr.; Shae Andrews, Pocatello, 6-3, 205, sr.; Nathan Astel, Hillcrest, 6-0, 220, jr. KICKER - Sergio Mendoza, Jerome, 5-6, 145.
DEFENSE
LINEMEN - Dawson Sigman, Kuna, 6-2, 260, sr.; Ethan Standlee, Mountain Home, 6-2, 245, sr.; Ben Dahl, Pocatello; A.J. Smith, Sandpoint, 6-1, 220, jr. LINEBACKERS - Jordan Reed, Minico, 6-0, 180, sr.; Miles Hunsinger, Nampa, 6-1, 200, sr.; Jake Belnap, Hillcrest, 6-2, 205, jr. DEFENSIVE BACKS - David Griffin, Minico, 6-2, 175, jr.; Josh Seward, Nampa, 5-7, 160, jr.; Tom Hennessey, Mountain Home, 6-0, 185, jr.; Ruben Hernandez, Blackfoot, sr. PUNTER - Kade Hubbard, Skyview, 6-0, 210, sr.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK - Quaid Morris, sr., Nampa. RUNNING BACKS - Erik Foreman, sr., Middleton; Tallon Pauley, sr., Mountain Home. WIDE RECEIVERS - Ricky Lee, sr., Mountain Home; Landon Barnes, sr., Minico. TIGHT END - Kevin Williams, sr., Jerome. LINEMEN - Taylor Peterson, sr., Hillcrest; Brock Hyder, sr., Bishop Kelly; Brian Wickham, sr., Jerome; Andy McDowell, sr., Jerome; Jordan Nesbit, sr., Minico. KICKER - Coltin Johnson, jr., Minico.
DEFENSE
LINEMEN - Brian Wickham, sr., Jerome; Cory Harvey, sr., Middleton; Randall Wickham, sr., Jerome; Shane Oliverson, sr., Preston. LINEBACKERS - Cody McCarthy, so., Bishop Kelly; Brent Johnson, jr., Hillcrest; Billy Derome, sr., Mountain Home. DEFENSIVE BACKS - Devon Molitor, sr., Jerome; Dean Coombs, jr., Middleton; Ellis Gonzalez, sr., Nampa; Dalin Bernard, sr., Rigby. PUNTER - Coltin Johnson, jr., Minico.