Double honors for Blakley, James
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 11 years, 3 months AGO
A pair of Coeur d'Alene Viking seniors - Chase Blakley and Matt James - were named first-team all-Idaho on offense and defense as the all-state selections were announced Sunday by The Idaho Statesman newspaper of Boise.
Blakley was honored as a tight end and a defensive lineman. He had 49 catches for 782 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"Freak of an athlete who changed the game on both sides of the ball," Capital coach Todd Simis said in his nomination. "Seemed to always make a play when it had to be made."
On defense, Blakley had 33 tackles, including 3 1/2 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
"At times he was a man amongst boys on the field," said Simis, whose Eagles lost to Coeur d'Alene in the state semifinals.
James helped Coeur d'Alene win its third state title in four seasons.
"The most dominating player on the field," Lake City coach Van Troxel said. "He makes play after play on both sides of the ball."
James had 14 solo tackles, 22 assisted tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a blocked field goal.
"The most physical two-way player since Byron Hout of Lake City," said Highland coach Gino Mariani, whose Rams lost to Coeur d'Alene in the state title game.
Blakley and James have verbally committed to Washington.
Coeur d'Alene senior Graham Thompson was named first team at linebacker. Thompson had 113 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7 1/2 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
"Active and makes plays at the point of attack," Mariani said.
Locals named to the 5A second team were Coeur d'Alene senior quarterback Gunnar Amos, Lake City junior running back Jerry Louie-McGee, Coeur d'Alene senior wide receiver Addison Johnson, Coeur d'Alene senior offensive lineman Devin Ward, Coeur d'Alene senior defensive lineman Austin Chadderdon, Lake City senior defensive lineman Gavan Rosteck and Coeur d'Alene senior defensive back Jackson Carlson.
Mountain View senior running back Josh Buss, who ran for 1,986 yards and 22 TDs, was named 5A Player of the Year.
4A: Lakeland junior placekicker Cade Coffey, who booted a 57-yard field goal against Skyview in the state playoffs, was named to the 4A first team. Coffey was 23 of 25 on PATs, 7 of 8 on field goals, and 19 of his kickoffs went for touchbacks.
3A: Four Timberlake Tigers were named to the 3A second team. Senior Mason Cramer was named as defensive lineman and punter. Others named were senior quarterback Bryce Johnson, junior offensive lineman Brian Mason and senior defensive back Preston Rhodes.
To see the complete 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A all-Idaho teams, go to www.idahostatesman.com