Jacobson leads host of Bulldogs on All-IEL football team
Greiff, Alamillo voted Linemen of the Year
SANDPOINT — Senior Walker Jacobson was named Defensive Most Valuable Player, leading a contingent of 10 Bulldogs to earn a spot on the 4A All-Inland Empire League football team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.
Jacobson roamed sideline to sideline as a middle linebacker, leading the Bulldogs with 99 tackles to go with three sacks. He also averaged 33 yards a punt, including several boomers that pinned teams deep, and added 188 yards rushing and 98 yards receiving to his résumé, an impact player in all three phases of the game.
“He’s probably one of the best football players I’ve ever coached,” said Bulldogs head coach George Yarno. “His nose for the football is unparalleled, and he works his tail off every second.”
Defensive end Zack Alamillo was voted Defensive Lineman of the Year, finishing with 42 tackles and seven sacks, while setting the edge with incredible leverage and power.
“He’s the strongest kid on our team. Strong as an ox and hard to block,” claimed Yarno. “He stood out to the other coaches.”
Andrew Greiff was voted Offensive Lineman of the Year, and his steady play earned not just the respect of Yarno, but the other league coaches as well.
“He was our ironman. Every rep in practice. Every rep in every game,” praised Yarno, a former All-American center at Idaho State who recognized the value of Greiff. “He was the one guy I could count on to take care of things. Probably our best lineman this year.”
Also earning a spot on the team was junior quarterback Robbie Johnson, a dual threat athlete who put up some solid numerals by connecting on 118 of 231 attempts for 1,511 yards to go with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 314 yards, second on the team, and scored twice, making the conversion from safety to quarterback.
“He’s one of our best athletes. This was his first time playing quarterback,” said Yarno. “I expect next year to do some things and get him some exposure. He’s a playmaker and an intense competitor.”
Levi Irish earned a spot on the team after toting the rock 178 times for 741 yards and seven touchdowns. After facing some strong defensive fronts and heavily crowded boxes early in the season, Irish broke loose and had his best games down the stretch.
“He came out in league play and showed the Levi I had heard about,” said Yarno of his workhorse back. “He was our thunder, hard to bring down.”
Receiver Taran McLaughlin was the final offensive player to earn all-league, hauling in a team-high 29 catches for 365 yards and four scores. Yarno called him the team’s best route runner.
“He was our go-to receiver. He runs crisp routes, and always seemed to be open,” described Yarno. “He was our most reliable receiver.”
Linebacker Payton Cox was one of two sophomores to make the team, finishing a strong season with a team-high eight sacks to go with 44 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Yarno feels he has the athleticism to be a factor on both sides of the ball in the future.
“He’s fast, strong and he’s only going to get better,” claimed Yarno. “Another one of those guys that works his tail off. I expect a lot from him in the future.”
Brock Browning was the bookend to Alamillo on a strong defensive line, as the senior finished with 53 tackles and six sacks, while bringing a motor that made him tough to block.
“He’s fast, strong, disciplined and makes a lot of plays. He’s relentless chasing down plays,” said Yarno. “A guy you can always count on, there every play.”
Safety Clayton Fournier finished with 68 tackles, three pass break ups and two fumble recoveries. He was athletic enough to roam the secondary and physical enough to be a presence against the run, and provided several big punt returns.
“He was one of our best special teams players. He’ll fly up and hit you,” said Yarno. “I couldn’t believe what a good athlete he was. A great nose for the football, flies around and makes plays.”
Nick Holland earned a spot on the team at safety, nabbing to acrobatic interceptions and finishing with 59 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Like Fournier, he brought a downhill, physical mentality as a safety.
“He made some amazing catches for interceptions,” described Yarno. “We knew he was a good athlete, such a good presence in the run game.”
Hayden Emerson was the other sophomore to he honored, finishing with 23 tackles and a sack, but more importantly, plugging A gaps with great strength and leverage to free other teammates to make tackles.
“He’s about 6-2, 265 pounds as a 16 year-old. He’s going to get faster and stronger, and by the time he’s a senior, he’ll be a heck of a prospect,” said Yarno. “He’s fast, and has a really a bright future.”
4A All-Inland Empire League football team
Coach of the Year — Tim Kiefer, Lakeland
Player of the Year — Owen Dickens, sr., Lakeland
Offensive MVP — Wyatt Gatten, jr., Lakeland
Defensive MVP — Walker Jacobson, sr., Sandpoint
Offensive Skill Player — Brycen Bennett, sr., Moscow
Defensive Skill Player — Josh Brandt, jr., Lakeland
Offensive lineman — Andrew Greiff, sr., Sandpoint
Defensive lineman — Zack Alamillo, sr., Sandpoint
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Robbie Johnson, jr., Sandpoint. Running backs — Levi Irish, sr., Sandpoint; Jake Kiblen, jr., Moscow. Tight end — Jared Cysewski, sr., Lakeland. Wide receivers — Andrew Neilson, sr., Lakeland; Taran McLaughlin, sr., Sandpoint. Offensive line — Jack Peed, jr., Lakeland; Adam Wallace, jr., Moscow; Bradley Allen, jr., Lakeland; Pat Coulter, jr., Moscow; Tanner Newton, jr., Moscow. Kick returner — Tanner Fuston, jr., Lakeland. Kicker — Noah Feusier, sr., Lakeland.
DEFENSE
Linebackers — Payton Cox, so., Sandpoint; Jared McDaniel, jr., Lakeland. Defensive line — Brock Browning, sr., Sandpoint; Jordan Plonka, sr., Lakeland; Hayden Emerson, so., Sandpoint; Nate Davis, sr., Moscow; Drew Zaken, sr., Lakeland. Defensive backs — Clayton Fournier, sr., Sandpoint; Nick Holland, sr., Sandpoint; Nathan Johnson, jr., Lakeland; Ryan Pote, sr., Lakeland.