Football is the final fall sport to name their all-state recipients as two members of the Carbon Dino squad and nine players from the Emery Spartans made the lists. The Deseret News all-state teams are based on coaches votes from a list of nominated players from each team.
Nick Despain, senior quarterback from Morgan, was named the 3A player of the year. Despain, guided his team to 3A state championship by passing for 2,861 yards and 34 touchdowns.
For the Dinos, Chanse Pendergrass senior linebacker earned an All-State Second Team selection. Pendergrass led the team on defense with 103 solo tackles, averaging just under 10 per game.
Honorable Mention went to Mason Vasquez, who was an all-around athlete for the Dinos, with 19 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns on offense, 310 yards on kickoff returns and 104 yards in punt returns. Defensively he had 65 solo tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
In the 2A ranks it was quarterback Parker Snyder, a senior from San Juan was named 2A’s most valuable player. Leading the Broncos to a 2A state championship with 3,721 yards passing and 46 touchdowns, while rushing for 819 yards and 11 scores.
The Emery Spartans landed nine players on the list starting with junior Wade Stilson, who earned a first team nod for his play at quarterback. Stilson passed for 2,792 yards and 30 touchdowns. Wide receiver Creek Sharp, another junior, also earned first team recognition, with 1,107 yards of total offense and 15 total touchdowns.
Emery also had five players earning second team nods, on offense it was junior Dane Sitterud at running back, who rushed for five scores on 471 yards. Offensive linemen Kelby Jones, a senior also made the list.
On defense, there was a trio of Spartans, starting with senior defensive backs Treg Miller and Sebastian Hennes. Miller had 26 solo tackles and grabbed five interceptions and Hennes had 16 tackles with five picks as well. Linebacker Matt Olsen, who played a large role in coverage, also earned a second team selection.
Two Spartans earned an Honorable Mention, senior Bowen Sitterud on the offensive line and Koalton Curtis, a senior linebacker.