SBLive's 2023 all-state Idaho high school football team: Highland playmaker Jackson Riddle is player of the year
The 2023 campaign has been in the books for weeks, but it's time to reveal SBLive Idaho's all-state football team.
Our guiding criteria:
1. Individual performance and accolades.
2. Success of the team held considerable weight in selections.
3. A player was only eligible at one position.
4. Players selected for inclusive individual awards did not double on all-state team
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Player of the year: Jackson Riddle, RB, Highland
Photo by Pat Sutphin
The 5-foot-11-inch, 195-pound senior missed nearly all of last season with a broken collarbone. But there was no way to keep him off the field this time around. Riddle, who has multiple offers, including Navy, racked up 1,950 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns (including 1,364 rushing yards). Needless to say, he was the driving force of the Rams’ 12th state championship - the most in Idaho history.
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Offensive player of the year: Peter Minnaert, RB, Bishop Kelly
Photo by Loren Orr
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior carried the Knights to their first state championship since 2015 - literally. It was nearly an automatic first down every time he touched the football with an average of 9.9 yards per carry. Minnaert turned his 166 carries into a Class 4A-best 1,646 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
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Defensive player of the year: Shea Robertson, LB, Coeur d’Alene
Photo by Jason Buscema/Buscema Photography
The Vikings had arguably the best defense in the state at 10.3 points per game. And their 6-foot-1, 215-pounder was a big reason why. Robertson, who is committed to Eastern Washington University, was the all-class leader in tackles at a staggering 173, including 26 tackles for loss. It all helped Coeur d’Alene go from missing the playoffs entirely last season to making the state final.
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Lineman of the year: Trevor McKenna, DE, Borah
Photo courtesy of Borah athletics
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound senior was a menace to opposing quarterbacks this season. He got to them for 16 sacks. The Boise State University commit also had 90 tackles, including 23 tackles for loss. It all helped the Lions get back to the playoffs after missing out a year ago.
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Breakout player of the year: Peyton King, QB, Hillcrest
Photo by Loren Orr
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior had more interceptions than touchdowns on a .500 team last season. But you’d be hard pressed to know that after what he did in 2023. King threw 18 touchdowns to just four interceptions and 1,836 yards. He also added another 819 yards and eight scores on the ground after not running for even half of that over his previous two years combined.
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Coach of the year: Brennon Mossholder, Hillcrest
Photo courtesy of Brennon Mossholder
Mossholder took over one of the toughest jobs in the state two years ago. He went winless that first season at the helm. But after going 5-5 last season, Mossholder restored the proud program to its previous glory by going 12-1 and making the state championship game for the first time in a half a decade. And if not for a missed 27-yard field goal on the final play of the game, another title may have found its way back east.
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SBLIVE’S 2023 ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAMS
Players listed in alphabetical order by last name
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Photo by Julian Jenkins
Quarterback: Drew Hymas, Highland, sr.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder played the last half of the season with a strained oblique. But it didn’t slow him down much, especially in the biggest of games. Nearly a quarter of his total yards came in the state championship game alone. Hymas combined for 426 yards and four touchdowns there to put his final 2023 tally at 2,015 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Running back: Noah Burnham, Eagle, soph.
On a team that was filled with multiple Division I commits, it was one of the youngest players who received the most attention. And for good reason. The 5-foot-9, 160-pounder was what drove the Mustangs' offense and even the best of defenses were unable to quite figure him out. It all resulted in 1,448 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Running back: Carson Harris, Sugar-Salem, sr.
There was no stopping this 5-foot-7, 190-pounder this season as he rushed for 1,476 yards and 22 touchdowns, including the sore that set the state title-game scoring mark (63 points). He had 193 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Declo.
Wide receiver: Gatlin Bair, Burley, sr.
It probably wasn’t the season that the state's top recruit hoped for, missing multiple game (shoulder) as Burley endured a losing season and early state-playoff exit. But there’s still no denying his place here as the 6-foot-2, 195 pounder had 52 catches for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns this fall.
Wide receiver: Thomas Heuseveldt, Teton, sr.
You won’t find anyone on here with better numbers. And those, along with the 5-foot-11, 185 pounder’s insane versatility, just can’t be ignored. He hauled in a staggering 102 catches for 1,634 yards and 16 touchdowns - adding another 774 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Wide receiver: Cooper Smith, Boise, sr.
The Brave snapped the 5A’s longest playoff drought with their first appearance since 2002. A lot of that had to do with the 5-foot-11, 180 pounder, who played this position for the first time - and flourished with school records for both receptions (71) and total touchdowns (22) to go along with 747 receiving yards.
Tight end: Mason Krahn, Skyview, jr.
Colton Loveland, Kenyon Sadiq, Bair and now ... Krahn? The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder could be the next big-time Idaho recruit if this season is any indication. He recorded 59 catches for 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns at both the tight end and wide out positions.
Offensive lineman: Leon Evans, Eagle, sr.
The 6-foot-4, 240 pounder had never even put on pad until two years ago. But the Mustangs are awfully glad he did. Evans protected future Idaho State quarterback Davis Harin - the son of former Auburn and Boise State coach Bryan Harsin. And now he’ll play for the University of Idaho.
Offensive lineman: Bruce Galo, Highland, sr.
The 6-foot-2, 302 pounder was the unsung performer for the Rams this season. Riddle and Hymas probably don’t have their respective seasons without his pass-protection and run-blocking abilities. He does have an offer from East Central in Oklahoma.
Offensive lineman: Rakeem Johnson, Bishop Kelly, sr.
With his recent de-commitment from Oregon State, colleges are clamoring for the services of the 6-foot-3, 255 pounder (Michigan State being among them). It’s hard to blame them. Johnson didn’t allow a single sack, notched 34 pancake blocks and was the anchor of a line that produced almost 3,000 yards on the ground.
Offensive lineman: Bryson Muckenthaler, Coeur d’Alene, sr.
For an offense that was in flux, particularly at the beginning of the season with several quarterback changes, the 6-foot-4, 275 pounder was the one constant - so much so he was used at both guard and tackle.
Offensive lineman: Feki Pouha, Rigby, jr.
The 6-foot-1, 275 pounder will be a four-year varsity starter at center for the best program in the state over the past five seasons when it’s all said and done. He’s been trusted to snap the ball for two college quarterbacks, including Montana commit Luke Flowers last fall.
All-purpose: Brody Westergard, Butte County, sr.
Nobody is certain if this 6-foot-2, 165 pounder is a wide receiver or running back - and his numbers don't bring clarity, either. He ran the ball 109 times for 965 yards and 20 touchdowns. But he also had 30 catches for 705 yards and 14 touchdowns. Westergard even threw a touchdown pass and took a kick return to the house.
Placekicker: Martin Connington, Mountain View, sr.
The 6-foot, 180 pounder was the seventh highest-rated kicker in the country, according to 247sports.com - and a five-star recruit by Kohl's Professional Camps.. He certainly lived up to that this season with field goals of 50 and 52 yards. He’s committed to Oregon State.
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ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Photo by Julian Jenkins
Defensive lineman: Seth Brock, Eagle, sr.
The Mustangs boasted a top-three defense this season and a lot of that can be credited to their leader on that side of the ball. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Montana State commit finished with 47 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Defensive lineman: Isaac Davis, Hillcrest, sr.
The 6-foot-6, 240 pounder’s future lies in basketball as a BYU signee. But Davis had quite the gridiron debut after being away from the sport since the seventh grade. He notched 40 tackles, including six tackle for loss, and forced a fumble.
Defensive lineman: Camden DeGraw, Coeur d’Alene, sr.
If not for an injury that cost the 6-foot-5, 220-pound WSU commit three games, the state defensive MVP nod could have gone here. He still made an impact for the 5A’s best defense with 42 tackles, including seven tackles for loss.
Defensive lineman: Cristian Sanchez, Emmett, sr.
Huskies posted their fifth consecutive winning season, and the 6-foot-5, 230 pounder played a major role in all of that with 55 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, and a pair of forced fumbles and an interception.
Linebacker: Colton George, Highland, sr.
The 6-foot, 200 pounder was the leader of the Rams' defense. He registered 102 tackles to move into second place all-time in career tackles at Highland, which has had no shortage of defensive standouts come through.
Linebacker: Gage Haws, Owyhee, jr.
The Storm made history this season, picking up its first postseason win (and giving eventual champion Highland a great game). The 6-foot-1, 200 pounder played a big part in that history with 129 tackles and seven forced fumbles.
Linebacker: Maddox Rawson, Bishop Kelly, sr.
The Knights had 4A's top defense for the second consecutive season. - and the 5-foot-10, 165 pounder was the man in the middle through it all. Raweson had 132 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Linebacker: Devin Rodriguez, Pocatello, sr.
The only defense better in 4A was Bishop Kelly - and this 6-foot-2, 225 pounder factored heavily into that with 94 tackles, including six tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Rodriguez is committed to Idaho State.
Linebacker: Brody Swearhart, Rocky Mountain, sr.
Historically, Rocky Mountain is known for its vaunted defense - and this 6-foot-2, 210-pounder kept that tradition going strong this season (96 tackles, two interception returns for touchdowns).
Defensive back: Braxton Battleson, Hillcrest, sr.
The Knights had five interceptions as a team this season - and this 6-foot, 180 pounder was directly responsible for three of them. Battleson could have had even more with another three pass breakups to go along with 31 tackles.
Defensive back: Kai Callen, Highland, jr.
"Callen Island" is a very real thing - and opposing passers feared looking at the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder's direction. He did still manage to come away with a pair of interceptions and 46 tackles.
Defensive back: Noah Nienhouse, Bishop Kelly, sr.
Teams just couldn’t throw against the Knights this season (98 yards per game). This 5-foot-8, 160 pounder was the anchor of that secondary with four interceptions, six pass breakups, 38 tackles and a forced fumble.
Defensive back: Zerek Younis, Highland, sr.
In the closing moments of the state championship with the game on the line, it was this 5-foot-11, 180 pounder who sealed it with one of his five interceptions on the year. He also had 83 tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
Punter: Tyler Kinsman, Skyview, sr.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder averaged 35.1 yards per punt, including a long of 53 this season. He had several of those land inside the 20-yard line as well. The University of Oregon liked what it saw, too - and he committed there last month.
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Photo by Loren Orr
ALL-STATE HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
QB: Luke Flowers, Rigby, sr.; QB: Ty Koepp, Kendrick, sr.; QB: Zeke Martinez, Meridian, jr.; RB: Ryken Echohawk, Pocatello, sr.; RB: Amani Morel, Skyline, so.; RB: Parker Moser, West Side, sr.; RB: Jevon Nelson, Borah, sr; WR: Julian Bowie, Pocatello, sr.; WR: Ty Brown, Teton, sr.; WR: Cooper Cammann, Bishop Kelly, sr.; WR: Max Frank, Sandpoint, sr.; WR: Gavin Rasmussen, Declo, jr.; TE: Asher Bowie, Post Falls, sr.; OL: Sam Buck, Emmett, jr.; OL: Atticus Fuhriman, Skyline, jr.; OL: Phil Janquart, Bishop Kelly, sr.; OL: Michael McCartney, Hillcrest., jr.; OL: Jax Tanner, Rocky Mountain, so.; OL: Jayden Tuia, Thunder Ridge, sr.; AP: Teague Matthews, Rockland, sr.; PK: Owen Forsman, Lakeland, sr.
ALL-STATE HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
DL: Ryan Bingham, Sugar-Salem, sr.; DL: Kai Clegg, Grace, sr.; DL: Aaron Ivankovich, Cœur d’Alene, sr.; DL: Arron McDaniel, West Side, sr.; DL: Braden Phillips, Weiser, sr.; DL: Bry Severe, Oakley, sr.; DL: Porter Whipple, Kamiah, sr.; LB: Jayson Cady, Coeur d’Alene, jr.; LB: Michael Goff, Kimberly, sr.; LB: Cole Holman, Middleton, sr.; LB: Trey Jorgensen, Bishop Kelly, sr.; LB: Tyler Mathews, Snake River, sr.; LB: Eli Mikita, Eagle, sr.; LB: Preston Stokes, Twin Falls, sr.; LB: Brock Walker, Homedale, jr.; DB: Dalton Carter, Twin Falls, so.; DB: Carson Christensen, Pocatello, sr.; DB: Owen McBride, Mountain View, sr.; DB: Makeo Sneddon, Eagle, sr.; DB: Hayden Thompson, Rocky Mountain, jr.; P: Rawley Calder, West Jefferson, jr.
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