Loera headlines All-Big Nine team
Derrick Pacheco/Columbia Basin HeraldMoses Lake senior quarterback Josh Loera runs for a first down during the Chiefs' game against Couer d'Alene Sept. 12. Loera was selected co-offensive player of the year in the Columbia Basin Big Nine's Columbia Division.
MOSES LAKE - Following a season in which the Moses Lake Chiefs football team hosted the third playoff game in Lions Field history, the Chiefs are continuing to impress.
Moses Lake senior quarterback Josh Loera followed up his 2007 Columbia Basin Big Nine offensive player of the year award with the 2008 award. Loera was selected co-offensive player of the year along with Southridge quarterback Andrew Mendenhall.
Loera led Moses Lake to a 5-5 record in 2008 and second place in the Big Nine Columbia Division behind division champion Southridge and into the 4A football playoffs. Loera led the Big Nine conference with 2333 all-purpose yards. He had 614 yards rushing and 1719 yards passing.
The Chiefs would lose their first playoff game to the Walla Walla Blue Devils, eliminating the Chiefs from the postseason.
Loera was a first team quarterback selection and was one of three Chiefs to earn unanimous first team selections.
Senior wide receiver Billy Brice and senior offensive lineman Jobette Guerra also earned unanimous first team selections.
Brice led the conference in catches and finished the season with 56 catches for 597 yards and six touchdowns.
While the Chiefs had three unanimous first team selections on offense, senior running back Michael Thomas also earned a first team selection. Thomas finished his senior season with 124 carries for 633 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Moses Lake had one first team defensive selection in senior defensive back Matt Harris. Harris was second in the conference with five interceptions.
Moses Lake All-Big Nine Selections
Offensive
Player of the Year
Josh Loera
Senior
Offense
Offensive Line
First Team
Jobette Guerra
Senior
Unanimous Selection
Second Team
Andrew Derting
Senior
Honorable Mention
Tanner Lowry
Junior
Wide Receiver
First Team
Billy Brice
Senior
Unanimous Selection
Second Team
Chris Richardson
Senior
Honorable Mention
Isaac Bergeson
Senior
Mitch Hill
Junior
Running Back
First Team
Michael Thomas
Senior
Quarterback
First Team
Josh Loera
Senior
Unanimous Selection
Defense
Defensive Line
Second Team
Spencer Fackrell
Junior
Honorable Mention
Kyle Palmer
Junior
Linebackers
Second Team
Colton Messer
Junior
Defensive Backs
First Team
Matt Harris
Senior
Honorable Mention
Randy Koon
Junior
Special Teams
Place Kicker
Second Team
Dylan Signorelli
Junior
Punter
Honorable Mention
Isaac Bergeson
Senior
Kick Return
Honorable Mention
Chris Richardson
Senior