Just as they did the league season, the Sweet Home Huskies dominated the Capital Conference post-season awards.
Some 18 Huskies and coaches were recognized with post season honors.
Recognized this season were: Rob Younger: Coach of the Year; Dustin Nichol: Assistant Coach of the Year; Seth Graves: Offensive Player of the Year and first team running back; Tim Matuszak: Defensive Player of the Year, first team defensive back, second team receiver and second team kick returner; Rob Martin: Lineman of the Year and first team guard; Sam Rodgers: first team center and honorable mention defensive lineman; Matt Slauson: first team tackle; Brad Seiber: first team tackle; Casey Baarson: first team tight end and honorable mention defensive back; Paris Ramsey: first team receiver; Donnie Cliver: first team punter, first team kicker and second team quarterback; Brandon Miner: first team special teams; Tyler Emmert: first team outside linebacker; Levi McCubbins: first team defensive lineman; Tomas Rosa: first team defensive line; Brady Simpkins: first team linebacker; Brian Seward: first team safety; Chris Phillips: honorable mention running back.
“It’s really an honor to get such recognition,” said Coach Rob Younger, who was named Coach of the Year. “For these athletes, these are very well deserved honors. They exemplify what’s right about high school athletics.”
Coach Younger said the awards were significant because the young men are not only good athletes but also good students, earning the OSAA/Dairy Farmers of Oregon academic award with a team grade point average of 3.35.
Numerous Huskies were unanimous coaching picks for the league honors.
Leading the Huskies were the three players of the year.
Seth Graves has been a dynamite running back for the Huskies this season, carrying the football 109 times for 838 yards and a 7.7 yard per carry average. He has scored 18 touchdowns.
“Seth has had a fantastic year,” Coach Younger said. “We have amazing depth at running back and Seth has taken full advantage of every opportunity this season. He’s had a great season.”
Tim Matuszak reads opponent offense like a book, leading to seven interceptions this season. That number ties the school record and moves Matuszak to third on the school’s career interception list.
Rob Martin has shown improvement every game to earn his league honors, Coach Younger said.
“Our line has been outstanding,” Coach Younger said. “Five of our six linemen were named to the first team.”
Assistant Coach Dustin Nichol has “done a great job for us,” Coach Younger said. “He relates well with the players and they respect him.”
Coach Younger said he is especially proud of the Huskies’ grade point average.
“We have 45 kids on the team, so to compile a 3.35 GPA is saying something,” Coach Younger said. “We like to say that the way you do anything is the way you do everything. These young men are great student athletes.”
Statistically, the Huskies are ready for Saturday’s home playoff game at 1 p.m. versus the Baker City Bulldogs at Husky Field.
Paris Ramsey has snared 12 passes for a 23 yard average.
Quarterbacks Brian Seward and Donny Cliver are 25-51 and 24-39 respectively.
A deep Huskies backfield has racked up steady yardage. Brandon Miner has 73 carries for 333 yards, Levi McCubbins has 37 for 164, Seward is 18 for 180 and Chris Phillips is 38 for 214.
Overall, the Huskies have carried the ball 337 times for 2,292 yards and a 6.8 yard per carry average.
In the air they are 46 of 85 for 691 yards.
They are averaging 302 yards per game on the ground and 331 total.
Their opponents have averaged 251 total yards per game.
Special teams have played a significant role in the Husky game plan.
Kicker Donny Cliver has kicked off 53 times and the average spot for Husky opponents is at the 21 yard line.
Cliver has punted 15 times for a 36.6 yard average.
He has made his last 17 extra points in a row and is 32 for 37 overall with three field goals.