Ephrata's Benthem, Othello's Perez CWAC Players of the Year
Rodney Harwood/Columbia Basin Herald Othello junior Isaiah Perez (44) was selected to the CWAC North first team as both a running back and a defensive end. Perez also won the CWAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Rodney Harwood/Columbia Basin Herald Ephrata senior Josh Benthem was named the first team CWAC placekicker and punter. He was also a first team wide receiver and the CWAC North Offensive Player of the Year.
There’s a reason Othello junior Isaiah Perez is being recruited heavily in the Pac-12 and NCAA Division I programs throughout the nation. He already has scholarship offers from Brigham Young University and Howard University.
Central Washington Athletic Conference North recognized those athletic talents, making him a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior was also a first-team selection on both sides of the ball at defensive end and running back.
Ephrata’s Josh Benthem wrapped up his high football career with the CWAC North Offensive Player of the Year award. The 6-5, 190-pound senior showcased his athletic prowess and was recognized as first-team selection at wide receiver, as well as placekicker and punter.
Ephrata, which finished second in the CWAC after a Kansas City tiebreaker with Ellensburg and Othello, had 10 first-team selections. The Tiger first-team, all-conference selections on offense include, center Jeremy Reyes (sr.), guard Eli Guevarra Ephrata (sr.), tight end Hunter James (sr.), wide receiver Josh Benthem (sr.) and kick returner Chase Lus (sr,)
On defense, Ephrata had cornerback Lus, inside linebacker Mac Laird (jr.), punter and placekicker Benthem.
The Othello offensive first-teamers included, guard Elijah Roylance (jr.), and running back Perez. On defense, the Huskies placed cornerback Liddel Giles (jr.), safety Alex Gonzales (sr.), defensive tackle Easton Roylance (sr.), and defensive end Perez.
The Quincy Jacks had wide receiver Isaiah Ayala (jr,) named to the first team. He was also a second-team selection at cornerback.
Local second-team selections
Ephrata: quarterback Trenton Kleyn (sr.), defensive end Carter Mills (jr.), and outside linebacker Valerio Placido Barajas (sr.).
Othello: running back Isaac Barragan (jr.), inside linebacker AJ Veliz (sr.), inside linebacker Eric Gomez (jr.), punter and placekicker BJ Garza (sr.)
Quincy: offensive tackle Hunter Harrington (sr.), safety Roberto Corona (jr.), defensive tackle Jose Avila (jr.), and outside linebacker Pablo Mariscal (sr.).
— Staff report