Four Columbia High players earned SWW 1A Trico Division First Team recognition for the first time in all-league balloting conducted by the division's six head coaches.
Junior running back Jenson Ladiges, sophomore placekicker Felix Torres and sophomore tight end Dylan Rabinowitz made the First Team Offense, while senior punter Carlos Mendoza was voted to the First Team Defense.
Second Team choices from CHS were senior tight end Kevin Kreps and senior linemen Seth Bell on the offensive side of scrimmage, and sophomore linemen Kristien Contreras on the defensive side.
Ladiges, who missed his sophomore season due to a back injury, had a standout 2008 campaign for the Bruins' offensive unit.
He posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season (1,447 yards on 265 carries; 5.5 avg.) and scored 11 touchdowns (10 rushing, 1 kickoff return) to lead the team in both categories. Moreover, he completed 3-of-6 passes for two touchdowns and 53 yards.
Torres, for his part, proved to be a valuable asset in the kicking game. He booted 15-of-18 points-after touchdown and went 2 for 3 on field goals with a long of 30 yards.
Rabinowitz, primarily a blocking tight end, made the most of his opportunities, catching three passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns.
Mendoza, who also received coaches' honorable mention as a running back and a linebacker, averaged 31.1 yards per kick on 31 punts.
SWW 1A TRICO DIVISION
FOOTBALL
Individual Awards
Most Valuable Player --
Zach Gehring, sr., Castle Rock.
Offensive MVP --
Chris Concannon, sr., La Center.
Defensive MVP --
Gehring, Castle Rock.
Coach of the Year --
Art Walsh, Castle Rock.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Placekicker --
Felix Torres, so., Columbia (White Salmon).
Quarterback --
Kyle Karnofski, sr., Castle Rock.
Running Backs --
Concannon, La Center; Jenson Ladiges, jr., Columbia; Chris Tinney, jr., Castle Rock; Robby Sanders, sr., Kalama.
Receivers --
Andrew Olsen, jr., Stevenson; Steven Horsley, sr., Castle Rock; Jacob Nieman, so., Kalama; Justin Short, jr., Ilwaco.
Tight Ends --
Gehring, Castle Rock; Dylan Rabinowitz, so., Columbia.
Linemen --
Jordan Sutherby, sr., Kalama; Bryce Garbe, sr., Castle Rock; Randy Harris, sr., Castle Rock; Wade Holter, sr., Kalama; Dan Pershall, sr., La Center.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Punter --
Carlos Mendoza, sr., Columbia.
Linemen --
Harris, Castle Rock; Jon Byerly, sr., Castle Rock; Michael Dempsey, sr., La Center; Chris Rodgers, sr., Stevenson.
Linebackers --
Gehring, Castle Rock; Zeke Lomer, jr., Castle Rock; Garbe, Castle Rock; Sanders, Kalama.
Secondary --
Horsley, Castle Rock; Concannon, La Center; Brandon Walker, sr., Kalama; Jed Lomer, sr., Castle Rock.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback --
Kelley Powell, sr., Stevenson.
Running Backs --
J. Lomer, Castle Rock; Sean McVicker, jr., Kalama.
Receivers --
Matt Rathgeber, jr., Stevenson; Travis Johnston, sr., Castle Rock.
Tight Ends --
Kevin Kreps, sr., Columbia.
Linemen --
Seth Bell, sr., Columbia; Josh Anderson, jr., Stevenson; Bryce Davey, sr., Kalama; Jeff Stratton, sr., Stevenson; Seth Wenger, sr., Castle Rock.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Linemen --
Kristien Contreras, so., Columbia; Nick Braman, sr., Kalama; Sutherby, Kalama; Joe Mintz, sr., Castle Rock.
Linebackers --
Nick LaRoy, jr., Kalama; Brody Pestana, so., Stevenson; Cody Martin, sr., Castle Rock; Anderson, Stevenson.
Secondary --
Olsen, Stevenson; Kyle Russell, so., Stevenson; Zach Hollingshead, sr., La Center; Curtis Bierscheid, jr., La Center.
HONORABLE MENTION
Columbia:
Mendoza, running back/linebacker; Connor Warner, so., defensive back.
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