THANK YOU BULLDOGS: 16 Sandpoint football players named to All-IEL Team

SANDPOINT — After a 7-4 season, and with another district title under its belt, Sandpoint football had 16 players named to this year’s All-Inland Empire League team. The Bulldogs also had the Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, and Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

Inland Empire League Honors

Coach of the Year: Ryan Knowles, Sandpoint (5th year)

In his fifth year as head coach, Knowles led the team to its fourth IEL district championship under his tenure. Overall, he boasts a 32-20 record, which includes a 7-4 finish this year.

Player of the Year: Max Frank, Sandpoint (Senior)

As a senior captain, Frank did a little bit of everything, but mostly played as a running back/wide receiver dual threat. This year, Frank had 1,390 total yards to go along with 21 touchdowns (No. 4 in Idaho). Over the last two seasons, Frank has combined for 2,575 yards and 42 touchdowns. He also recorded two sacks on defense this season and kicked a couple of extra points.

Offensive MVP: Drew Lehman, Sandpoint (Junior)

Lehman wasn’t slated to start behind center this season, but when his number was called, he delivered. Lehman completed 69.6% (112-of-161) of his passes for 1,609 yards and 12 passing touchdowns. He also picked up 188 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns. 

Defensive MVP: Khyrin Riddle, Sandpoint (Senior)

Riddle made his defensive presence known everywhere the Bulldogs went. Riddle had two fumble recoveries (one caused), three sacks, 42 tackles, a team-high 16 of those tackles were for a loss.

Defensive Newcomer of the Year: Gage McElroy, Sandpoint (Junior)

McElroy had a breakout year for Sandpoint. On defense, he recorded 51 total tackles (four for a loss), three sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. He was tied for the most forced turnovers on the season with four.

Offense

First Team: Kody Brewster, Sandpoint (Senior)

Brewster led the charge with 1,090 rushing yards (#10 in Idaho) and 11 rushing touchdowns this season. In the first round of 4A state playoffs, Brewster recorded three touchdowns and 175 total yards against Bonneville. Overall, he compiled 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns for Sandpoint this season.

First Team: Jesse Turner, Sandpoint (Junior)

Turner caught 25 passes for 251 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns this year, both of which were second-highest on the team. A lot of Turner’s catches came in the red zone, the most memorable one, a crucial 4-yard touchdown catch in the Bulldogs’ 27-20 win over Raymond.

First Team: Connor Hindberg, Sandpoint (Senior)

Hindberg caught 12 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown this season. His best game was against IEL rival Lakeland where he caught a 38-yard pass for a touchdown. Hindberg has contributed touchdowns for the team since his sophomore year and is as consistent as they come.

First Team: Kayden Garcia, Sandpoint (Junior)

Kayden was a big part of the Sandpoint offensive line this season.

“I am very excited to be named to the All-IEL team,” Garcia said. “It’s a great feeling to know that all my hard work and dedication paid off. I could’ve never achieved this without the leadership of our seniors.”

First Team: Cameron Barrett, Sandpoint (Senior)

Cameron was all over the field this year making blocks in the run and the pass game. In an interview earlier this season, Cameron said playing for the Sandpoint offensive line was a great opportunity.

"It's definitely challenging and a lot harder than some people would say it is," Barrett said. "Some people think you can go out there with five guys and get it done, but it's more than that. You have to be close-knit, you have to be a family, and have true friendship in order to have a successful line. I feel like every single year we have had that here at Sandpoint."

First Team: Triston Tomco, Sandpoint (Junior)

Triston was clutch this season for the Bulldogs as an offensive tackle.

"Being named an all-conference player is an amazing honor,” Tomco said. “I wouldn’t be able to do the things I did without the help of my fellow linemen and our amazing and talented coach, George Yarno. They will be forever family to me. The seniors this year were super talented, and in my opinion, absolute dawgs. I’m already back in the weight room growing and hungry for next season.”

First Team: Jorden Tyler, Sandpoint (Junior)

Tyler wasn’t exactly planning on being the punter this year, but ended up being the best one in the Inland Empire League. Tyler punted 29 times this year for an average of 36.6 yards (No. 5 in Idaho) and pinned seven punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Tyler’s longest punt this year was 56 yards. In addition, Tyler also had 60 total tackles on defense this season.

Defense

First Team: Blayne Kanning, Sandpoint (Senior)

Kanning had 34 tackles this year (six for a loss), one sack, and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. Over the last two years, Kanning has compiled 65 tackles and was also able to recover a fumble during his junior year.

First Team: Tyson Hodges, Sandpoint (Senior)

Hodges made an impact in every game for the Bulldogs this season. He finished the year with 40 total tackles (eight for a loss), and one sack. He had a season-high seven tackles in the first round of the 4A state playoffs against Bonneville.

First Team: Shane Sherrill, Sandpoint (Senior)

Truly an all-around team player, Sherrill had a fantastic season for the Bulldogs. On offense, he rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he really shined. Sherrill recorded 59 total tackles (seven for a loss), one sack, one fumble recovery (one caused), and two interceptions, one of which he returned 103 yards for a touchdown against 4A IEL rival Lakeland.

First Team: Eli Allshouse, Sandpoint (Senior)

Teams often wanted to throw at Allshouse, but he made them pay this season. Allshouse recorded a team-high four interceptions (No. 12 in Idaho) and had 48 total tackles this season, 29 of which were solo (T-2nd on team).

First Team: Graham Dunkel, Sandpoint (Senior)

Dunkel stepped up this year for Sandpoint. Overall, he had 33 total tackles and one interception which came against Post Falls. Dunkel finished his career with four forced turnovers (two interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and 64 tackles.