Cornerback Hogan lone Bulldog to earn first team selection

SANDPOINT — Befitting a team that nearly won a state title, the Sandpoint football team landed five players on the 4A All-Idaho football team, announced Sunday by the Idaho Statesman newspaper in Boise.

Senior cornerback Sean Hogan, who set a school record with eight interceptions, was the lone Bulldog named to the first team. This is what the Idaho Statesman printed about Hogan: “The 5-foot-10, 155-pound senior was a menace to opposing quarterbacks. Hogan grabbed eight interceptions, garnering first team honors in the Inland Empire Conference (sic) and helping Sandpoint advance to the state championship game, where it lost 29-23 to Blackfoot.”

Named to the second team were senior quarterback Daniel Charvoz, senior receiver Mike Hubbard, senior kicker Adam Crossingham and junior middle linebacker Luther Morgan.

While five players far surpasses the Bulldogs representation in recent years, it wasn’t nearly enough for head coach Mike Mitchell’s liking. Per usual, the majority of players came from southern and eastern Idaho, as respect remains tough to come by from up north. Blackfoot had eight players named to the first team, a discrepancy that didn’t sit well with Mitchell, whose team nearly beat the Broncos.

“I thought we should have had more,” Mitchell said, noting how well the Bulldogs ran the football and stopped the run. “We had several linemen on both sides of the ball that were as good as anybody.”

Blackfoot quarterback Anthony Clarke was named player of the year in the 4A ranks. The quarterback was a large reason why his team beat the Bulldogs in the state championship.

Mitchell talked about each deserving player and why they made the team.

n Hogan: “Solid all year long and a good tackler. Could have played both ways. No. 1 in the state in interceptions.”

n  Charvoz: “Broke a few school records, including highest completion percentage in one game. Effective all year long, and was first team all league.”

n Hubbard: “One of the best receivers in the state. Big, strong, makes plays and is a great kick returner.”

n Morgan: “A solid football player who played both ways. Glad to have him back (next year). He had a lot to do with that defense playing well.”

n Crossingham: “He could play for anybody. If he gets an offer (from a college), he would entertain it. I think he’s a Division 1 kicker, and he could kick on Sundays. Not a lot of college kickers can put it in the end zone like he does.”