The Juneau Huskies capped off their season with a team banquet last Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé commons, honoring players who stood out and represented the best of the program.
The top award of the night was the Ring of Honor and is presented to the top senior for their overall career. This honor was given to wide receiver, defensive back, quarterback and utility player of the year Jayden Johnson. Johnson also received the Offensive MVP award.
“He is one of the best players we have ever had in the program,” Juneau coach Rich Sjoroos said. “A four-year varsity starter. One of his best attributes was he was as coachable on the last day as he was on the first day.”
Senior running back and linebacker Hayden Aube was awarded the Defensive MVP, and also received the Most Inspirational player award.
“He was the heart and soul of our defense,” Sjoroos said. “He has great range and was one of the state’s best tacklers, and a phenomenal blocker on offense. He sacrificed a lot of personal glory to set his teammates up for success.”
Junior offensive and defensive lineman Ricky Tupou was awarded the Offensive Line MVP.
“He is the only junior to be named first-team all-state as an offensive lineman,” Sjoroos said. “He will be a force his senior season and should emerge as one of the team leaders.”
Senior offensive and defensive lineman Gunnar Tarver was honored with the Defensive Line MVP.
“He led our team in sacks,” Sjoroos said. “Despite only starting football a few years ago he developed into one of the best defensive ends in the state. He earned second-team all-state honors.”
Senior tight end and defensive back Johnathyn Kestel received the Special Teams MVP.
“He became a huge contributor his senior season,” Sjoroos said. “Big play after big play. He has some of the best concentration as a wide receiver that I have ever seen.”
Junior wide receiver and defensive back Daniel Campbell was chosen as the Most Improved player.
“An absolute ballhawk,” Sjoroos said. “He finished second in the state with six interceptions. He will take on an even bigger role his senior season and will be a name the whole state will remember.”
Three Huskies co-won the Academic Award.
Seniors Kestel, Tarver, and offensive and defensive lineman Merrick Hartman all had a GPA over 3.9 for the honor.
“Usually this is only awarded to one player but we had three players over that GPA,” Sjoroos said. “Merrick was a real pleasant surprise as the season unfolded. This was his first year playing football but he picked up things quickly and became a starter on the offensive line pretty early in the season. With all our team members it is great to see grades like that as the season, with travel, is long and difficult.”
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@juneauempire.com.
