After running around and through defenders all season, Hoquiam running back Artimus Johnson ran away with the Evergreen 1A Leauge Most Valuable Player Award when the all-league football team was released on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Johnson was an offensive spark plug and anchored the Hoquiam defense at middle linebacker as the Grizzlies went 7-3 and finished second in the league.
The league champion Montesano Bulldogs accounted for the other three top awards. Monte’s Carson Klinger was a work horse at running back to earn the Offensive MVP, while Taylor Rupe tackled his way to Defensive MVP honors.
Montesano head coach Terry Jensen was honored with the Coach of the Year Award after guiding the Bulldogs to a 10-0 record and a league title.
Klinger was named first team as a defensive back while Rupe was also named to the offensive line. Overall, six players were named to multiple spots on the first teams with Hoquiam’s Gregory Dick earning honors at quarterback and punter and Monte’s Jared Wallace named to offensive and defensive line. Forks’ Jack Dahlgren was the only other player from outside of Grays Harbor to be named to multiple spots.
Evergreen 1A League All-League Football
League MVP — Artimus Johnson, Hoquiam.
Offensive MVP — Carson Klinger, Montesano.
Defensive MVP — Taylor Rupe, Montesano.
Coach of the Year — Terry Jensen, Montesano.
First Team Offense
Quarterback — Gregory Dick, Hoquiam. Running Backs — Ira Hartford, Elma; Dakoyta Reninger, Montesano; Garrison Schumack, Forks. Wide Receivers — Nick Chapman, Montesano; Ryan Espedal, Hoquiam; Anthony Nash, Hoquiam. Tight End — Jack Dahlgren, Forks. Offensive Line — Taylor Rupe, Montesano; Billy Palmer, Forks; Jared Wallace, Montesano; Dylan Moodenbaugh, Hoquiam; Garrett Bradley, Hoquiam. Kicker — Bailey O’Neal, Tenino.
First Team Defense
Defensive Line — Jack Dahlgren, Forks; Hayden Klinger, Montesano; Jack Burnham, Tenino. Linebackers — Tyler Reninger, Montesano; Spencer Brewer, Tenino; Chewy Muro, Hoquiam; Payton Quintanilla, Hoquiam; Jared Wallace, Montesano. Defensive Backs — Gavin Palmer, Forks; Guy Murillo, Tenino; Jerod Steen, Hoquiam; Carson Klinger, Montesano. Punter — Gregory Dick, Hoquiam.
Honorable Mention Offense
Quarterback — Miles Cannon, Tenino; Trevor Ridgway, Montesano. Running Backs — Jeffrey Schumack, Forks; Nathan Olson, Montesano; Taitum Brumfield, Elma; Tristen Pisano, Forks. Wide Receivers — Guy Murillo, Tenino; Jace Griffis, Tenino; Cole Baysinger, Forks; Brandon Butcher, Elma. Tight End — Liam Baxter, Elma; Tyler Reninger, Montesano. Offensive Line — Hayden Klinger, Montesano; Luke Dahlgren, Forks; Matt Brown, Hoquiam; Iziah Morton, Forks.
Honorable Mention Defense
Defensive Line — Jordan Sears, Hoquiam; Liam Baxter, Elma. Linebackers — Dakoyta Reninger, Montesano; Nathan Olson, Montesano; Jack Adams III, Hoquiam; Dante Murillo, Tenino; Niall Baxter, Elma; Taitum Brumfield, Elma. Defensive Backs — Trevor Ridgway, Montesano; Nick Chapman, Montesano; Jeffry Schumack, Forks; Jace Griffis, Tenino; Robbie Wall, Tenino; Brandon Butcher, Elma.
