For three years Austin Horner has been a stalwart for the Sweet Home varsity football team, on both offense and, particularly, on defense.
That was reflected Thursday, Nov. 14, at the team’s awards dessert as Horner, a senior linebacker and offensive guard, was named Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Defensive Player – two of four team awards he collected at the event.
“I believe he is one of the top five best defensive players to come through Sweet Home,” said Head Coach Dustin Nichol, who was an all-state linebacker in high school. That observation was echoed by others on the coaching staff. Assistant Coach Kenny Kittson noted that Horner started playing defense as a sophomore starter, added an offensive line starting position as a junior and then played special teams as well as a senior.
“I don’t think he came off the field once,” said Nichol.
Horner was one of the leaders on a team that was wracked by injuries – nine starters were lost – on its way to a 4-6 overall record that included a first-round playoff loss, and 3-2 in league. As such, he was on the field directing fellow players and acting as “quarterback on defense,” Nichol said.
Kittson, the defensive coordinator, said that in a fourth-and-one situation against Junction City, he was on the field with his team during a time out and, as he returned to the sideline, realized he had forgotten to tell them what defensive play to run.
“I looked back and Austin had called the play,” he said.
“I look at these guys, how they fought, and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Nichol said. “They didn’t quit. It’s a testimony to the values that their parents instilled in them.”
He noted that all except the Dick Reynolds Coaches Award were voted on by team members.
“Out of 20 people who voted, 19½ votes went to Austin Horner.”
The Reynolds award went to Brett Blachly, JT Weld, Brycen Mitten and Ashton Stutzman.
Blachley, Assistant Coach Jay Horner said, was a running back and linebacker who volunteered to play on the offensive line “to get on the field” and Mitten played three games with a broken hand at tight end before being forced to call it quits. Stutzman “worked really, really hard to get back onto the football field” after breaking his collarbone early in the summer at a Whitworth College football camp and Weld was a do-it-all in the offensive and defensive backfields until he broke his collarbone at Elmira.
Most Inspirational players were Mitten and quarterback/linebacker Cole Horner, who, Kittson said, played multiple games with injuries.
“Even though they were hurt, they were at every practice, every game,” he said.
Most Improved were juniors Patrick Bell, a transfer from the San Diego, Calif. area, and Jason Miller, who were both new to Sweet Home football.
Assistant Coach Brandon Gaskey said the two were ready when their chance to play arrived.
“Because we didn’t know them well, we didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “When the opportunity arose, they pushed the No. 1’s until they got the opportunity to be No. 1.”
Best Lineman awards went to Austin Horner on offense and Ben Terry on defense, who, coaches said, played just about every position on the line, depending on what game it was.
Best Back honorees were sophomore Brandon Keenon on offense and Austin Horner on defense.
Third-year letters went to Austin Horner, Cole Horner, Austin Rice, Spencer Knight and manager Shelby Wytemalek.
Second-year letter winners were Hunter Jutte, JT Weld, Ben Terry, Shawn Worthen, Ashton Stutzman and manager Caitlyn Gillespie.
First-year letters went to Ryan Adams, Brandon Keenon, Cole Ashcraft, Eric Flierl, Kevin Seiber, Jacob Maas, Chris Melcher, Brett Blachley, Ryan Richards, Jason Miller, Russell Anderson, Gavin Baskin, Troy Hazleton, Michael Moser, Patrick Bell, Brycen Mitten and manager Karlie Long.