Ken Roberts
Sports Writer
After two consecutive years as conference champion, the Sweet Home football team was rewarded with an overwhelming number of representatives in the all-league selections.
For the first time in history, the Capital Conference recognized co-offensive and co-defensive players of the year, all four members of the Husky squad. Senior running back Seth Graves repeated as offensive player of the year and was joined by one of the linemen who opened holes for him, senior tackle Rob Martin, who was conference lineman of the year last year.
Defensively, Tim Matuszak, the senior defensive back who holds the Husky career record in interceptions, also repeated as player of the year. This year he shared the spotlight with senior safety Ricky Howe. The Huskies dominated every special award, including lineman of the year, junior guard and linebacker Brandon Martin, and special teams player of the year, junior Travis Smith.
Both the coach of the year and assistant coach of the year went to Sweet Home as well. Head coach Rob Younger received the award last year, the fourth time he has received the recognition. Assistant coach David Younger received top honors for his work as the JV coach and as the varsity coach in charge of the defensive secondary, wide receivers, and special teams presentation coordinator. Under his tutelage, the JV teams are 15-0 against league competition.
Recognition on Offense
First team:
Quarterback: senior Donny Cliver (unanimous)
Running back: senior Seth Graves (unanimous), repeat
Center: junior Jesse Aitken (unanimous)
Guard: junior Brandon Martin (unanimous)
Tackle: senior Rob Martin (unanimous), repeat
Tight End: senior Tyler Emmert (unanimous)
Wide Receiver: senior Ricky Howe (unanimous)
Second team:
Running back: junior Travis Smith
Honorable mention:
Running back: senior Brandon Miner
Tackle: senior Mack Reynolds
Guard: senior Sky Brown
Wide Receiver: senior Mike Severns
Recognition on Defense
First team:
Outside linebacker: senior Brandon Miner (unanimous)
Outside linebacker: senior Tyler Emmert, repeat
Inside linebacker: junior Brandon Martin (unanimous)
Inside linebacker: senior Matt Zollman
Defensive Line: senior Rob Martin (unanimous), repeat
Defensive Line: senior Tomas Rosa, repeat
Defensive Line: senior Mack Reynolds
Defensive back: senior Tim Matuszak, (unanimous), repeat
Safety: senior Ricky Howe (unanimous)
Second team:
Defensive back: senior Charles Murray
Recognition for Specialists
First team:
Punter: senior Donny Cliver (unanimous), repeat
Kicker: senior Donny Cliver (unanimous), repeat
Kick return: senior Tim Matuszak
Special teams player: junior Travis Smith (unanimous)