Lineman Zane Wise was named Most Valuable Player at the Sweet Home football team’s awards dessert Thursday.
Wise, as senior, was a leader for the 2-8 Huskies, who lost six of their games to state playoff teams, three of them in the last minute of play.
Coach Rob Younger said his team “worked hard to improve each week, a goal set by the 15 seniors at the start of the year.”
Younger noted that the Huskies finished fourth in the state in the classroom, with a team average GPA of 3.23.
“This is the fifth time in seven years that the Huskies have finished in the top four in the state for academic excellence,” Younger, said.
Wise, who was named Val-Co Conference Lineman of the Year, was also the team’s Outstanding Lineman.
Ryan Graville was named Most Inspirational Player, while Leif Erickson was named Most Improved.
Brent Moyer and Amos Parmenter shared the Best Back award, while Parmenter also was named Top Defensive Player.
Josh Ward and Tyler Holly received the Dick Reynolds Coaches Award, which is given to players who demonstrate the qualities coaches are looking for in a football player.
Daniel Coonc and Billy Canfield were given the Black Lion Award, for courage and leadership.
Named to the all-conference team were senior Logan Clark as a first-team center, Wise as a first-team offensive and defensive lineman, senior Josh Riggs as first-team tight end, senior Kevin McGuyre as a first-team wide receiver and honorable mention defensive back, senior Amos Parmenter as a first-team linebacker and running back, senior Ryan Graville as a second-team defensive back, senior Josh Ward as an honorable-mention running back, junior Brent Moyer as an honorable-mention running back, junior Levi Marchbanks as an honorable-mention linebacker, and sophomore Tim McDowell as a second-team kick returner.
Wise was the lone four-year letter winner.
Third-year letters went to Riggs, Trevur Byers and Clark.
Second-year letter winners were Coonc, Graville, McGuyre, Ward, Marc Callagan, Parmenter, Brock Cota, Ethan Rowe, Sam Macklin, Marchbanks, Kyle Holmes, Caleb Keeney, Moyer and manager Polly Bond.
First-year letters went to Jake Riggs, John Webb, Canfield, Jason Whitlow, Sean Potter, TJ Sipe, Keenan Martin, Leif Erickson, Kris Newport, Zach Jackson, Holly, Christian Whitfield, Josh McLean, McDowell, Patrick Long, Cody Daniels and managers Emily Delong, Emily Hewett and Michael Day.