Thirteen local football players earn all-state recognition
Othello senior Mason Perez (50) recovers a fumble during a game against Rogers (Spokane) this fall. Perez received his second consecutive all-state selection by the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Royal senior Lance Allred was named the 1A Overall Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association on Sunday. Allred played quarterback and linebacker for the Knights this fall.
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague senior Brody Boness received all-state honors at running back in the 2B classification this season from the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
Royal senior Ben Jenks was named the 1A Defensive Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline senior Carter Pitts returns an intercepted pass during a game against Inchelium in the 1B State Football Tournament. Pitts was named the 1B Defensive Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
MOSES LAKE – The Washington State Football Coaches Association announced its All-State Football Teams awards Sunday, with full lists representing each of the state’s six classifications.
In total, there were 13 players selected from the Columbia Basin; seven from Royal (1A), four from Almira/Coulee-Hartline (1B) and one from both Othello (2A) and Lind-Ritzville/Sprague (2B).
Royal led all 1A schools with seven nods on the 2024 all-state list, headlined by senior Lance Allred
being named the 1A Overall State Player of the Year and senior Ben Jenks earning 1A Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Allred also earned 1A Overall Player of the Year recognition in 2023.
“As a coach, you have to communicate with the quarterback a lot, and Lance is not quiet — he communicates well with me and becomes a big part of what we’re doing offensively because of what he does,” Royal head coach Wiley Allred said. “Defensively, Ben was kind of the same way; he directed a lot of the things on defense, and he kind of shut down his side of the field.”
Joining Allred and Jenks on the list was senior Asher Garnick (offensive line), sophomore Orlando Santillan (defensive line), junior Shea Stevenson (defensive back), senior Jackson Larsen (defensive back) and senior Santana Luna.
“It’s a meaningful selection,” Wiley Allred said. “We talk about that if the team does well, the individual recognition comes along and follows that. They’re a big part of this, as were many of the other kids. It’s really awesome to see that many get recognized by the coaches.”
In the 1B classification, ACH had four players selected to the all-state list; senior Carter Pitts (running back), senior Kayle Casimir (defensive line), senior Grayson Beal (linebacker) and junior Harvest Parrish (linebacker).
“Those kids deserved it; I think they were tough kids at their position all season long,” ACH head coach Brandon Walsh said. “I think it’s a cool feather in our cap. One more neat recognition for those kids and for our program in general after a very good season. I’m happy for those kids.”
Pitts was also named the 1B Defensive Player of the Year after suiting up at linebacker for the Warriors this season on top of earning all-state honors as a running back. The ACH senior also received all-state honors as running back in 2023.
“He’s a two-way kid on that all-state team, that says a lot about him and people recognizing the great career he’s had,” Walsh said.
Senior Mason Perez represented Othello on the 2A All-State Team, earning recognition at the state level for the second consecutive season at defensive line.
“It’s absolutely not a surprise,” Othello defensive coordinator Kevin Hale said. “In our league and in the state at any level, he’s absolutely one of the most dominant linemen on both sides of the ball.”
LRS senior Brody Boness received an all-state mention at running back in the 2B classification.
“I think it shows his hard work and dedication to the program,” LRS head coach Brendan Bermea said. “Not everyone has the talent to achieve those kinds of things, but you also have to match that up with your work ethic. It’s a great thing for the other kids to see.”
This is the second season that the WSFCA has released an all-state list, having released its inaugural list last season. Each classification is represented by a chairperson, who assembles a committee of coaches from across the state at their respective classifications. The 2024 committee chairpersons were Glacier Peak head coach Shane Keck (4A), O’Dea head coach Monte Kohler (3A), Tumwater head coach William Garrow (2A), Royal head coach Wiley Allred (1A), Asotin head coach Jim Holman (2B) and Wilbur-Creston-Keller head coach Darin Reppe (1B).
The Overall Player of the Year for each classification were as follows; Camas quarterback Jake Davidson (4A), Eastside Catholic offensive lineman JoJo Matautia (3A), Anacortes athlete Brady Beaner (2A), Royal quarterback/linebacker Lance Allred (1A), Okanogan quarterback/linebacker Carter Kuchenbach (2B) and WCK running back/linebacker Preston Michel (1B).
Royal senior Lance Allred was named the 1A Overall Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association on Sunday. Allred played quarterback and linebacker for the Knights this fall.
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague senior Brody Boness received all-state honors at running back in the 2B classification this season from the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
Royal senior Ben Jenks was named the 1A Defensive Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline senior Carter Pitts returns an intercepted pass during a game against Inchelium in the 1B State Football Tournament. Pitts was named the 1B Defensive Player of the Year by the Washington State Football Coaches Association.