Seven Bears earn first-team honors on all-CIFC team
Brian Felix, C.J. Keys and Ryan West receive awards for offense and defense
The Juneau-Douglas High School football team placed seven players in 10 spots on the all-Cook Inlet Football Conference first team, but the Crimson Bears' opponent in Saturday's championship game, the East Anchorage Thunderbirds, claimed two of the player of the year awards.
Wide receiver Casey Flair was voted offensive player of the year, while linebacker Joe Lyman was named defensive player of the year in voting Thursday night by CIFC coaches.
Stephan Martinez of Chugiak was selected lineman of the year and Luke Ayer of Dimond earned utility player of the year honors. Bob Garman of West Anchorage was voted head coach of the year and Paul Kongaika of West was assistant coach of the year to wrap up the special awards.
The Crimson Bears placed four players on the first-team all-CIFC offense - senior Ryan West at guard, senior Jimmy Brown at tackle, senior C.J. Keys at wide receiver and junior Brian Felix at running back. Many of the Juneau coaches were upset Felix wasn't selected offensive player of the year.
On defense, the Crimson Bears had five players honored - Keys and Felix at defensive back, senior Toni Talamai at interior lineman, and seniors Nick West and Ryan West at linebacker. Senior Richard Isett was the first-team kicker to round out Juneau's list of 10 first-teamers.
Only those players voted first team in their conference are eligible for all-state team consideration.
The Crimson Bears had four players make second-team all-CIFC - sophomore Jesse Vaughn at offensive tackle, Talamai at fullback, junior Jake Ritter at defensive interior lineman and junior Mike Wright at long snapper.
Juneau players earning honorable mention were junior center Alika Bradley, senior tight end Nick West, Isett at defensive back, Brown at defensive end and senior Mark Shilling at punter.
Juneau beat Lathrop 33-18 on Friday to earn its first-ever trip to the state championship game. The Crimson Bears will play East Anchorage at 1 p.m. Satuday at Anchorage Football Stadium.