Eleven Outlaws earn all-league football honors

The Outlaws football squad had 11 players named to all-league teams, including seniors Joel Miller, Korbin Sharp, and Wyatt Hernandez, who were all first-team picks.

Miller was named first-team all-league offensive guard, and was the top vote-getter at that position. He was also a first-team defensive line selection. Coach Neil Fendall said that Joel was a force on both sides of the ball for four years at Sisters, and was recognized by his teammates and coaches around the league as one of the best on the team and in the Oregon West League. Joel was also a team captain and was voted Lineman of the Year by his teammates.

Sharp was picked first-team defensive back, and also earned second-team wide receiver. Korbin finished league with 281 yards receiving, and averaged 17.5 yards per catch. He recorded three receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.

"Korbin is the consummate teammate and arguably our best all-around athlete," said Fendall. "He leads by example and with incredible compassion and care for others. He's one of the best role models I've been around in my career."

Korbin was recognized by his teammates for "Leadership and Service," the award given to the consummate teammate.

Fendall said, "He always looks out for others and finds ways to make them better. He does all the little things that others don't want to do or don't do because of recognition. He's the guy you can count on to help no matter how it affects him."

Hernandez earned firstteam recognition as a place kicker. Wyatt hit 100 percent of his extra points and field goals, and was recognized by his teammates as the Special Teams MVP.

"Wyatt is an amazing story," said Fendall. "He had never kicked until last spring, and just decided he wanted to do it. He would tell you himself that he struggled with it when he first started. However, he worked at it with a zealousness that I've not seen before. He was obsessed with improvement. It's just an incredible story, and I could go on and on about the type of young man Wyatt is. His kicking was helpful to our team this year, but it pales in comparison to what he brought to our team as an emotional leader, and example of maniacal work ethic."

Trey Stadeli, Gator Haken, and Taylor Fendall were all second-team picks.

Stadeli (senior) was a defensive back second-team selection. Trey tallied 11 catches for 135 yards, and recorded one receiving touchdown and one rushing touchdown. His teammates bestowed on him the Iron Man Award, an award to the guy who shows up with intensity, focus, and energy on a daily basis. Fendall noted that Trey never takes a play off or a day off, and is a guy you can count on to be there no matter what.

"Trey exemplifies the traits that every coach desires in a player," said Fendall. "He's selfless, adaptable, smart, tough, and never complains. He's a very good football player, but will make an incredible employee, husband, and father. He is as competitive as they come, despite his quiet nature. He's another kid on this team that gives all of himself to his team and the program. He played so many positions for us we sort of forgot where he started out. He's got a tremendous work ethic."

Haken (junior) was selected second-team all-league running back. Gator recorded 511 total yards, and six touchdowns rushing. He also had one receiving touchdown, and averaged over 14 yards per catch. He was voted offensive MVP by his teammates.

"Gator proved he was one of the best backs in the league on a week-to-week basis. He showed amazing courage and toughness every week by picking up his body piece by piece and finding a way to perform every Friday night. He showed he could be an every-down back. The last game he was in a sling for his shoulder up until the day of the game, and he still suited up and played tough that night."

Fendall (junior) earned recognition as second-team all-league quarterback. Taylor finished league with a 50 percent completion rate, and six touchdown passes.

"Taylor has done as much as any of the guys to improve his strength and athletic ability," said Fendall. "He also displayed a ton of grit throughout the year to handle the physical, mental, and emotional demands of the quarterback position. His crowning achievement may have been when he got body-slammed by Newport's 340-pounder, and although was down for a moment, was able to run off the field before the trainer could get to him. Teams benefit from quarterback toughness in their leadership, and Taylor displayed that throughout the year."

Matt Harris, Anthony Randolph, Garrett Kersavage, Ethan Martin, and Hayden Sharp were all honorable mention selections.

Harris (senior) was selected honorable-mention all-league linebacker. Fendall told The Nugget that if the Outlaws would have won a couple more games, Matt would have been a first-team pick. The team voted and selected Matt as the team's Defensive MVP.

"He was our rock at linebacker, and led with courage and smarts," said Fendall. "He always knows his assignment and plays with toughness and aggression. He also finished a close second for Lineman of the Year on our team awards, which goes to show how much respect he has from his teammates. The theme of this senior class could be SELF-LESS and nobody exemplified this more than Matt. He's an awesome teammate and person."

Randolph (junior) was honorable-mention all-league defensive line.

"Anthony played defensive line at 150 pounds, and showed he could defy physics by taking on guys close to twice his size," said Fendall. "He can do this because of his dedication to working hard every season, and improving himself on a constant basis. Nobody works harder or longer than he does."

Because of his dedication to working extremely hard and improving on a continual basis, his teammates gave him top votes in the Dedication to Improvement award.

Fendall said, "The Dedication to Improvement award goes to the player that shows growth from year to year and week to week, not necessarily the 'Most Improved,' because they may have been performing at a high level already. It goes to the guy who shows commitment to physical and mental improvement through his action."

Kersavage (junior) was an honorable-mention all-league defensive back. He recorded three interceptions, and was second on the team in catches.

Fendall said, "Garrett might have the highest football IQ on our team. He can play a number of positions, and is dedicated to the mental mastery of the game. You can count on him as a coach on the field. He used this intelligence to intercept passes, a testament to his ability to understand the scheme, and study the opponent's tendencies to aid his anticipatory skills. He's an excellent all-around athlete, and is near and dear to coaches hearts with his love of the game."

Martin (junior) was an honorable-mention defensive line pick. Fendall stated that Ethan is another player who would have garnered more votes if the Outlaws had finished higher in the league standings.

"Ethan is one of our most athletic guys, and plays tough every week," said Fendall. "He's always been a big kid, so sometimes it goes unnoticed that he's blocking guys with 40-to-60 pound advantages. He plays with excellent speed, which makes him very difficult to block on the defensive line. He is a guy quarterbacks have to be aware of every time they drop back."

Sharp (sophomore) rounds out the all-league picks. Hayden earned honorable mention as a punter, a position Fendall said many people don't notice or value.

"Hayden saved our bacon time and time again by changing the field position in games, and helping us dig out of holes," said Fendall. "What really was noticed was not only his ability to punt, but the athletic ability to field any snap, and get the ball quickly, which made a huge impact in games. He's a tremendous athlete. He's good athletically, but probably also one of our toughest kids in the program."