West Eagles two-way star Dhar Montalbo is Division I player of the year in football

Dhar Montalbo, a senior who scored points on offense and defense for the West Eagles, is Alaska’s Player of the Year in Division I football.

Montalbo received the award from the Alaska Football Coaches Association, which last weekend selected all-state teams for Division I, Division II and Division III football.

A safety and wide receiver, Montalbo was one of two players who earned Division I first-team honors on offense and defense. The other was West’s Niko Fa’amasino, a running back and outside linebacker.

The Service Cougars, the state runner-up, boasted the offensive and defensive players of the year — wide receiver Henry Helgeson and linebacker Conner O’Farrell.

The South Wovlerines, who beat the Cougars in the Division I state championship game, swept the coaching awards. Walter Harmon was named coach of the year and Dana Curtis was named the assistant coach of the year.

South and Service both had six first-team picks. East led the way with nine, including defensive lineman of the year Kymani VaiVai, and West followed with seven picks, including offensive lineman of the year Alani Makihele.

In Division II, the state champion Soldotna Stars dominated the voting with 15 first-team picks.

Among them were quarterback Jersey Truesdell, the offensive player of the year, and linebacker Galen Brantley III, the defensive player of the year. Truesdell and Brantley were first-team picks on both sides of the ball, and Truesdell also gained first-team honors on special teams as a kicker.

Norm Davis of Lathrop was the Division II coach of the year.

In Division III, the state champion Houston Hawks earned awards for offensive player of the year (quarterback Gavin Mulhaney), lineman of the year (Kiderro Fono) and coach of the year (Glenn Nelson).

Barrow’s defensive llineman Kiderro Fono was named the defensive player of the year.

Division I

Player of the year — Dhar Montalbo, West.

Offensive player of the year —Henry Helgeson, Service/

Defensive player of the year — Conner O’Farrell, Service.

Offensive lineman of the year — Alani Makihele, West.

Defensive lineman of the year — Kymani VaiVai, East.

Utility player of the year — Colton Lindquist, Wasilla.

Coach of the year — Walter Harmon, South.

Assistant coach of the year — Dana Curtis, South.

First-team offense

Quarterback — Jacob Scott, Service; Josh Stoltz, West. Running back — Kalani Medeiros, East; Carter Weber-Thomas, South; Niko Fa’amasino, West; Elijah Lilio, Bartlett. Wide receiver — Henry Helgeson, Service; Quincy Heartwell-McKoy, South; Dhar Montalbo, West. Tight end — Georgie Mageo, East. Offensive line — Conner Lane, Service; Alani Makihele, West; Elisaia Silvira-Manu, East; Pedro Timoteo, East; Iolana Haines, Bartlett.

First-team defense

Defensive tackle — Bryan Ochoa, South. Defesive line — Loa Vahaakolo, East. Defensive end — Jack Moore, South; Kymani Vaivai, East; Austin Harr, Chugiak. Inside linebacker — Conner O’Farrell, Service; Georgia Mageo, East; Keila Suka West. Linebacker — Cooper Kriegmont, Juneau. Outside linebacker — Lalo Sheck, East; Niko Fa’amasino, West. Defensive back — Jordan Holland, East; Ethan Harrison, Service; Dhar Montalbo, West; Jayden Heartwell-McKoy, South.

First-team special teams

Kicker — Josh Rolston, Chugiak. Punter — Josh Rolston, Chugiak. Kick returner — Jayden Heartwell-McKoy, South. Long snapper — Jackson Eschenlohr, Service.

Second-team offense

Quarterback — Noah Chambers, Juneau. Running back — Ali Beya, Juneau; Colton Lindquist, Wasilla; Gaby Soto, Juneau; Ridge Raval, Colony; Tyler Huffer, Chugiak. Wide receiver — Mallyk Davis, West; Hunter Sasser, Colony. Tight end — Joshua Ellis, Bartlett. Offensive tackle — Landon Maloney, South. Offensive line — Colin Caldwell, Chugiak; Devin Carney, Wasilla; Marcus Yadao, Juneau.

Second-team defense

Defensive tackle — Jace Trangmoe, Colony. Defensive end — Andrew Devine, Wasilla; Cole Jensen, Juneau; Loto Manogiamanu, Bartlett. Inside linebacker — Seabastian O’Farrell, Service; Aaron Mira, West; Christian Beesing, Chugiak. Outside linebacker — Kody Carlson, Chugiak. Defensive back — Elijah Lewis-Tufi, Bartlett; Jacob Oshesky, Chugiak; Ridge Raval, Colony; Wallace Adams, Juneau.

Division II

Offensive Player of the Year — Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna.

Defensive Player of the Year — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna.

Lineman of the Year — Melvin Lloyd, Soldotna.

Coach of the Year — Norm Davis, West Valley.

Assistant Coach of the Year — Nathan Zody, Lathrop.

First-team offense

Quarterback — Jace Henry, Lathrop; Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna. Running back — Justin Cummings, West Valley; Aaron Faletoi, Soldotna. Fullback — Wyatt Medcoff, Soldotna. Wide receiver — Jhon Rones, Lathrop; Avery Weston, West Valley. Tight end — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna. Tackle — Melvin Lloyd, Soldotna; Danny Panama, Lathrop. Guard — AJ Olo, Lathrop; Trent Walden, Soldotna. Center — Hunter Beck, Kenai.

First-team defense

Defensive line — Melvin Lloyd, Soldotna; Markeith Matthews. Lathrop; Brock Weatherspoon, North Pole; Zach Ziegler, Soldotna. Outside linebacker — Duston Corbin, Palmer; Hudson Metcalf, Soldotna. Inside linebacker — Galen Brantley III, Soldotna; Aaron Faletoi, Soldotna; Josiah Opp, Lathrop. Defensive back — Wyatt Medcoff, Soldotna; Jhon Rones, Lathrop; Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna; Avery Weston, West Valley.

First-team special teams

Long snapper — Brady Shults, Palmer. Kicker — Jersey Truesdell, Soldotna. Punter — Justin Anderson, Kenai. Kick returner— Wyatt Medcoff, Soldotna. Utility — Wyatt Medcoff, Soldotna.

Second-team offense

Running back — Lavar Marshall, Palmer; Hudson Metcalf, Soldotna. Fullback — Duston Corbin, Palmer. Wide receiver — Alex Garcia, North Pole; Braedon Pitsch, Kenai. Tight end — Ethan Bleakney, Palmer. Tackle — Josh Avega-Miguel, Kodiak; Brock Weatherspoon, North Pole. Guard — Dylan Hose, Palmer; Justice Roy, Soldotna. Center — Wyatt Nelson, Lathrop.

Second-team defense

Defensive line — Hunter Beck, Kenai; Ray Chmley, Soldotna; Isaiah Legget, West Valley; Tyler Linder, Palmer; Josh Miguel, Kodiak. Outside linebacker — Keegan Daoust, West Valley; Edgee Ocampo, Kodiak; Tucker Vann, Kenai. Inside linebacker — Jayden Christiansen, Palmer; Aaron Conwell, West Valley; Jose Martinez, Kodiak. Defensive back — Tyriq Luke, Lathrop; Vince Mangrobang, Kodiak; Braedon Pitsch, Kenai; Dawson VanTassel, Palmer; Andre Williams, Lathrop.

Second-team special teams

Long snapper — Dylan Zurflueh, Kodiak. Kicker — Skyler Denny, North Pole. Punter — Jake Golden, West Valley. Return specialist — Vince Mangrobang, Kodiak; Avery Weston, West Valley. Utility player — Finn Hill, Lathrop.

Division III

Offensive Player of the Year — Gavin Mulhaney, Houston.

Defensive Player of the Year — L’Juan Diaz, Barrow.

Lineman of the Year — Kiderro Fono, Houston.

Coach of the Year — Glenn Nelson, Houston.

Assistant Coach of the Year — Jared Barrett, Houston.

First-team offense

Quarterback — Gavin Mulhaney, Houston. Running back — Owen Mulhaney, Houston; Jaden Spaulding, Redington. Fullback — Will McManus, Eielson. Wide receiver — Michael Eiter, Nikiski; Jefferson Nobleza, Barrow. Tight end — Zoltan Holmly, Eielson. Tackle — Kiderro Fono, Houston; Logan Anderson, Valdez. Guard — Ezra Fono, Houston; Caleb Gum, Eielson.Center — Devean Onega, Barrow.

First-team defense

Defensive line — Kiderro Fono, Houston; Jeremiah Barrett, Houston; Isaac Carlson-Hamo, Redington; Charlie Tuai, Barrow. Inside linebacker — L’Juan Diaz, Barrow; Payton DeVaughn, Eielson. Outside linebacker — Zoltan Holmly, Eielson; Owen Mulhaney, Houston. Defensive back — Domnick Reyes, Barrow; Talupo Falaniko, Houston; Sam Berry, Nikiski.

First-team special teams

Kicker — Jordan Higbee, Monroe. Punter — Michael Eiter, Nikiski. Long snapper — Mason Muramoto, Monroe. Kick returner — Zoltan Holmly, Eielson. Utility player — Tate Chadwick, Valdez.

Second-team offense

Quarterback — Payton DeVaughn, Eielson. Running back — Michael Nysing, Nikiski; Micah Serino, Barrow. Fullback — Kennedy Fono, Houston. Wide receiver — Carter Tennison, Homer; Jordan Higbee, Monroe. Tight end — Frances Mose, Houston. Tackle — Josh Manwiller, Homer; Mason Brouillet, Redington. Guard — Christian Mattson, Redington; Caileb Payne, Nikiski.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Jayrick Nobleza, Barrow; Nicholas Lilomaiva, Barrow; Koleman McCaughey, Nikiski; Carter Tennison, Homer. Inside linebacker — Caileb Payne, Nikiski; Josh Manwiller, Homer. Outside linebacker — Gavin Mulhaney, Houston; Javon Pau, Redington. Defensive back — Collin Mullaly, Seward; Jahzeah Williams, Redington; Jefferson Nobleza, Barrow.

Second-team special teams

Kicker — Michael Mysing, Nikiski. Punter — Jordan Higbee, Monroe. Long snapper — Andrew Mulligan, Seward. Kick returner — Anthony Kalugin, Homer. Utility player — Jordan Sewell, Seward.