Sisters dominates football awards

Sisters put 16 players on all-league teams this year and 13 were first team selections.

Five of the 12 first team selections on defense went to Outlaw players, including Todd Bell, Trevor Summers, Taylor Davenport, Jeff Sampson and Nate Jackson.

Bell, defensive line, was a unanimous first team all Conference nose guard and the third leading tackler on the Outlaw team this year.

Coach Bob Macauley said, "Todd had a tremendous season. He creates a lot of problems for other teams' centers in particular but his quickness on the inside is noticeable by other teams and they have to scheme against him."

Summers, Davenport and Sampson anchored the defensive line for the Outlaws and were all first team selections.

"Trevor (Summers) is both strong and quick and a large kid at 6-feet-3-inches and 215 pounds," said Macauley. "Taylor (linebacker) is a very intelligent football player, a fierce hitter, is always in the right position and did a great job for us. Jeff (Sampson) was voted unanimous first team all-league linebacker and is playing at an extremely high level. He plays with passion and intensity and is an outstanding athlete."

Sampson was also named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Sky Em League.

Junior Nate Jackson earned first team honors as a defensive back.

Macauley said, "Nate is an outstanding athlete with great gifts at 6-feet-1-inch and 203 pounds. He is quite a force as a defensive back, a return specialist and a punter on offense."

Second team all-league honors went to senior Jake Kleint (defensive tackle) and Dominique Neiri (linebacker).

Macauley told the Nugget that Kleint was recognized for his speed and quickness he lends to the team and that in his opinion Nieri could easily have made first team all-league.

"I think we have the three best linebackers in the league and Dom (Nieri) missed first team by just a whisker. He is the emotional leader of our defense and clearly can generate momentum from that linebacker position. He is invaluable to our team, very tough minded and an incredibly gifted defensive player."

Miles Johnston earned second team all-league recognition as defensive back and, according to Macauley, did a great job at that position.

Junior Carroll Gryder earned Honorable Mention and Macauley said he felt Gryder deserved better.

"In my opinion Carroll deserved first team all conference, but there's great competition for these spots."

Sisters dominated the voting on offense. Eight of the 12 first team all-league?selections were Outlaws.

Junior quarterback, Jarred Hasskamp, was unanimously selected first team all-league.

"We've got some great athletes at the quarterback position in our league so that was quite an honor for Jarred," said Macauley. "Jarred is a great field general, very, very intelligent and one who exudes confidence from the huddle."

Running back Cory McCaffrey was also a unanimous first team selection. McCaffrey has already rushed for 2,500 yards and scored 36 touchdowns on the year. McCaffrey was also named Offensive Player of the Year and the Sky-Em Player of the Year.

Two of the three wide receiver selections went to Sisters' players, Nate Jackson and Carroll Gryder.

"Carroll was recognized for his athleticism. He caught some key passes in key games for us, especially in the game against Cottage Grove," said Macauley. "He did an outstanding job for us this year."

Jackson led the Sky-Em with 33 receptions and 435 yards receiving.

"Nate is a big time play maker," said Macauley. "He can change any game with one play."

Jake Kleint earned first team tight end.

"Jake isn't the largest player by any means but his technique and work ethic by far were recognized by the other coaches and his great contribution to the team is well understood by our staff," said Macauley.

Trevor Summers, Nick Pepperling and Spencer Freeland were also first team all-league selections.

Trevor, Nick and Spencer anchored the line for us," said Macauley. "They are three of the toughest kids I've seen play the game."

Second team recognition on defense went to Jeff Sampson and Evan Eady.

Macauley said, "Jeff (Sampson) is by far the best fullback in the state, but the league doesn't separate tailbacks and fullbacks otherwise Jeff would have been an unanimous first team. There are so many great athletes on all the teams and Jeff missed first team by just one vote."

Eady (junior) was the Outlaws' most improved player and works very hard at his game. Macauley said Eady is very, very coachable, a great asset to the team and his athleticism has really opened up a lot of holes for them.

Arne Pierce (guard) and Josh Marr (kicker) were both Honorable Mention. Pierce is very quick, the court jester of the team and?according to Macauley "keeps the team loose." Pierce is tenacious, has an excellent work ethic, is a team leader and a big asset to the Outlaws squad.

Of Marr, Macauley said, "We have great kickers in the league and Josh could have very easily been first team, however, I'm looking forward to Josh playing linebacker next year and improving his role on the team.?He's an outstanding?athlete with a great knowledge of the game for a first year player. He learns very, very quickly and I'm looking forward to next year."

Macauley said, "We always say, all-league honors are really a team award given to individuals."

Macauley mentioned several players who didn't get recognized that he felt were outstanding and great contributors to the team, in particular, Mike Hernandez, Marcus Gaboni and Levi Goins.

Bob Macauley was also honored as Coach of the Year.