Whatcom County had 18 players named to the Associated Press 2019 All-State football team which was announced on Monday. Steailacoom junior Emeka Egbuka was the unanimous choice as the state player of the year for all classifications in voting conducted by sports writers and editors from around the state.
Ferndale senior Geirean Hatchett and Lynden senior Brock Heppner were each named All-State at multiple positions.
Hatchett was a four-year starter at both guard and defensive end for the Golden Eagles, and was named 1st Team at offensive line, and was an honorable mention selection at defensive line. Hatchett had been named All-State Honorable Mention at offensive line the past two seasons, and was also named Honorable Mention at defensive line as a sophomore.
Heppner starred all over the field for the Lions in 2019, and his ability to make big play when it was needed most carried Lynden as far as it could possibly go. He was named All-State 1st Team at tight end, while leading his team with 27 receptions for 452 yards (16.7 average) and nine touchdowns. He was also named Honorable Mention as an All-Purpose athlete, which makes sense when you also throw in that he carried the ball 132 times for 616 yards and 12 scores. He also completed 27 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns. The decorated senior finished his career with over 2000 yards passing, 1000 yards rushing and 700 yards receiving while scoring 41 touchdowns.
Joining Hatchett on the 3A All-State 1st Team was Squalicum sophomore running back, Djouvensky Schlenbaker. His 2148 rushing yards was the most ever by a sophomore in Whatcom County history. He also ran for 26 touchdowns, and averaged 9.1 yards per carry. He also caught 18 passes for 143 yards and a score. His balance, power and speed was a rare trait that Whatcom County got to witness.
Schlenbaker will be the first to tell you that he needed help up front to pick up all those yards, and his teammate Brandon Gimse was a big reason why. Gimse was named All-State Honorable Mention at offensive line. At 6-foot-5 and 327 pounds, the third-year starter at left tackle was a pillar on the offensive line. He completely engulfed opposing defensive ends, and nullified them from any participation of the Storm backfield.
Lynden was well represented on the 2A All-State squad. Alongside Heppner, senior running back Steven DiLorenzo was also named All-State 1st Team. He had a phenomenal season, rushing for 1559 yards (7.6 avg) and 13 touchdowns, while also catching 13 passes for 166 yards (12.8) and two more scores. He also broke a 23-year old school record by rushing for 320 yards in a game against Steilacoom.
DiLorenzo must have loved running behind his left tackle, Harley Vandenberg. The 6-foot-5 260-pound senior was also named All-State 1st Team after being a part of one of the best offensive lines in school history that paved the way for a school record 3041 rushing yards. Vandenberg started at right tackle last season, and moved to left tackle before the 2019 season started.
For the second season in a row, Bodie Human was named All-State 1st Team at linebacker. His numbers (84 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble) weren’t as big as they were last season, but the voters understood greatness when they witnessed it. Human puts everyone in the right position, and is in complete control on the field.
Also, for the second season in a row, Marko Samoukovic was named All-State 1st Team at kicker. His numbers also dropped down a little bit from last season, but his kickoffs improved greatly. He connected on 41 extra points and three field goals. He also booted a Whatcom County record-tying 17 field goals in his career, and ended with 173 kicking points scored, which is the second most in Whatcom County history.
Although the Borderites struggled this season, and finished 1-9, senior linebacker Gavino Rodriguez really stood out when he was on the field, and he was named All-State Honorable Mention at linebacker. The former defensive end was plugged into the middle of the defense in 2019, and he put up some amazing numbers. His 95 total tackles, coupled with 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles gave him one of the best seasons in recent Blaine history.
At the 1A level, Lynden Christian had a marvelous season that nearly culminated in the second state championship in school history. The Lyncs were led by Zach Sipma, and the 6-foot-3 230-pound senior was named All-State 1st Team at defensive line. He led the entire county in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (10.5) and he will go down as one of the greatest to ever play at Lynden Christian.
Also being named to the 1A All-State 1st Team was Sipma’s teammate, Eli Den Bleyker. The lanky senior kicker played football for the first time, and it paid off in a big way. He was as automatic as it got nailing 46 extra points, and six field goals. The Lyncs have had a lot of great kickers over the years, in which many of them were named All-State, and Den Bleyker broke, or tied, school records for extra points kicked in a game (8), extra points kicked in a season, field goals kicked in a season, and total kicking points in a season.
Despite finishing 3-7 on the season, Nooksack Valley got recognition as well, with 6-foot-3 225-pound Ryan Veening being named All-State 1st Team at tight end. He led the Pioneers in receiving with 33 receptions for 331 yards and four touchdowns, and he supplied a large target for both of his quarterbacks.
Pioneer senior Easton Zylstra also earned recognition as he was named All-State Honorable Mention at defensive line. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Zylstra was the largest player on the Nooksack Valley roster, but also one of the most athletic. Despite playing defensive tackle, he still led his team with 86 total tackles. He also had nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Going back to the Lyncs, senior Jackson Corkill will graduate holding nearly every receiving record in school history, and he was named All-State Honorable Mention at wide receiver. The 6-foot-2 speedster topped Whatcom County in receptions (49), receiving yards (912) and receiving touchdowns (13). He also had to be contained in the run game as he totaled 216 yards on the ground (8.6 avg) and two more scores.
Fellow LC senior Will Faber led the Lyncs in tackles for the second year in a row, and he was named All-State Honorable Mention at linebacker. In 2019 he finished with 105 total tackles, 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 6.5 sacks. The tackling machine would not be denied all season, and his leadership and excellent play on the field led the Lyncs all the way to the title game.
Mount Baker also had a very strong season, and speaking of strong, you have to start with Cody Saulsbury. The senior was named All-State Honorable Mention at offensive line. While playing center, the 211-pounder led the way to one of the most balanced offensive attacks in recent Mountaineer memory.
Another Mountaineer named was Mark Tikhonov. The senior had a huge season in the secondary and was named All-State Honorable Mention at defensive back. He led the entire county in pass deflections (11), interceptions (6), interception return yardage (150) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (2). He also contributed with 58 total tackles.
The final Whatcom County member to be named was Mountaineer Davin Beason. The sophomore was named All-State Honorable Mention at linebacker. He led the county with 138 total tackles. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. A very instinctive player that played amazing against the pass and the run. He was also the top special teams tackler in the county.
Below, you can see every player that was named to every All-State team.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR, ALL CLASSES: Emeka Egbuka, jr., Steilacoom.
CLASS 4A
Player of the year: Sam Huard, jr., Kennedy Catholic.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Sam Huard, jr., Kennedy Catholic.
Running back: Jacques Badolato-Birdsell, jr., Camas; Dallas Landeros, sr., Lake Stevens.
Wide receivers: Junior Alexander, jr., Kennedy Catholic; Malaki Roberson, sr., Graham-Kapowsin.
Offensive line: Levi Rogers, r., Woodinville; Gale Kamp, sr. Mount Si; Wyatt Hansen, sr., Kentwood; Braeden Bellmer, sr., Puyallup; Rush Reimer, sr., Camas.
All-purpose: Efton Chism III, sr., Monroe.
Kicker: Blake Glessner, sr., Woodinville.
Defense
Defensive line: Sav’ell Smalls, sr., Kennedy Catholic; Ben Voightlaender, sr., Mead; Tristan Souza, sr., Camas; Bridger Feldman, sr., Chiawana.
Linebackers: Carson Bruener, sr., Redmond; Garrett Carney, sr., Eastlake; Danny Uluilakepa, sr., Puyallup; Tyler Forner, sr., Camas.
Defensive backs: Alphonse Oywak, sr., Kentwood; Kasen Kinchen, sr., Lake Stevens; Joe Gonzales, sr., Lake Stevens; Tarynce Antolin, sr., Ferris.
Punter: Bryce Leighton, sr., Camas.
HONORABLE MENTION
Running back: Christian Galvan, sr., Bothell.
Wide receivers: Malachi Spurrier, sr., Eisenhower; Jackson Clemmer, sr., Camas; Ben Fewel, jr., Richland.
Offensive line: Logan Bruce-Jones; sr., Lake Stevens; Wyatt Hall, sr., Lake Stevens; Bradley Fillis, sr., Central Valley; Tai Tumanuvao, sr., Camas; Rocky Mataia, sr., Union.
All-purpose: Grady Robinson, sr., Eastlake; Tyler Forner, sr., Camas.
Defensive line: Robert Silva, sr., Camas; Nico Golla, sr., Graham-Kapowsin; Joshiah Cochran, sr., Skyview.
Linebackers: Junior Robinson, sr., Lake Stevens; Cooper Barnum, sr., Skyview.
Defensive backs: Efton Chism III, sr., Monroe; Cage Schneck, sr., Woodinville.; Wesley McIlwaine, sr., Eastmont; Kolby Broadbent, sr., Camas; Carlos Garcia, sr., Mount Vernon.
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CLASS 3A
Player of the year: J.T. Tuimoloau, jr., Eastside Catholic.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Caden Filer, sr., Lincoln.
Running backs: Kannon Katzer, sr., Mt. Spokane; Djouvensky Schlenbaker, soph., Squalicum.
Wide receivers: Julien Simon, jr., Lincoln; Gee Scott Jr., sr., Eastside Catholic.
Tight end: DJ Rogers, sr., Eastside Catholic.
Offensive line: Owen Prentice, jr., O’Dea; Geirean Hatchett, sr., Ferndale; Samuel Peacock, sr., Gig Harbor; Baylor McElroy, sr., Kennewick; Justin Albee, sr., Marysville Pilchuck.
All-purpose: Devon Nofoa-Masoe, soph., Lakes.
Kicker: Garrett Craig, sr., Stanwood.
Defensive line: J.T. Tuimoloau, jr., Eastside Catholic; Jalen Dixon, sr., O’Dea; Robert Cooper, sr., Bethel; Matulino Masunu, sr., Bellevue.
Linebackers: Joby Schneider, sr., Bellevue; Josh Webb, sr., Kelso; Will Latu, jr., Bethell; Zach Krotzer, sr., Shadle Park.
Defensive backs: Ayden Hector, sr., Eastside Catholic; Davyn Patu, sr., O’Dea; Julien Simon, jr., Lincoln; Jaylen Clark, sr., Lincoln.
Punter: Connor Stutz, sr., Blanchet.
HONORABLE MENTION
Quarterback: Kobe Muasa, jr., Eastside Catholic.
Running backs: Jordan Justic, sr., Marysville Pilchuck; Cameron Daniels, sr., O’Dea; Aber Sio-Fetaui, sr., Lincoln; Will Latu, jr., Bethll; Tuna Altahir, jr., Kamiakin.
Wide receivers: Evan Liggett, sr., Lake Washington; Cameron Parker, sr., Bethell.
Tight end: Josh Maiava, sr., Capital.
Offensive line: Brandon Gimse, sr., Squalicum; Jernias Tafia, sr., Eastside Catholic; Brody Schlaefli, jr., Prairie; Caleb Puapuaga, sr., Lincoln; Baiden McElroy, sr., Kennewick.
All-purpose: Zyell Griffin, sr., Evergreen.
Kicker: Ethan Moczulski, soph., Mt. Spokane.
Defensive line: Geirean Hatchett, sr., Ferndale; Ryan Miller, sr., Mt. Spokane; Carter Carlson, sr., Capital; Jagger Childs, sr., Kennewick.
Linebackers: Alex Reid, sr., Bellevue; Mauro Bejar, sr., Marysville Pilchuck; Brayden Ulrich, soph., Snohomish; Devon Nofoa-Masoe, soph., Lakes.
Defnsive backs: Rishy Daniels, sr., Seattle Prep; Ian Hicks, sr., North Central; Desmond Fox, jr., Shorecrest; Austin Schaler, sr. Yelm.
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CLASS 2A
Player of the year: Emeka Egbuka, jr., Steilacoom.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Levi Crum, sr., Hockinson.
Running backs: Steven DiLorenzo, sr., Lynden; Dylan Paine, sr., Tumwater.
Wide receivers: Emeka Egbuka, jr., Steilacoom; Manuel Felan, sr., Toppenish.
Tight end: Brock Heppner, sr., Lynden.
Offensive line: Zion Robinson, sr., Archbishop Murphy; Jacob Schuster, jr., Tumwater; Viliami Hafoka, sr., Tumwater; Takumi Veley, sr., Hockinson; Harley Vandenberg, sr., Lynden.
All-purpose: Caden Jumper, jr., Eatonville.
Kicker: Marko Samoukovic, sr., Lynden.
Defensive line: Jacob Schuster, jr., Tumwater; Josh McCarron, jr., Archbishop Murphy; Isaiah Perez, sr., Othello; LeAndre Gaines, sr., W.F. West.
Linebackers: Riley Krueger, sr., Lakewood; Gaven Murphy, sr., Tumwater; Brevan Bea, sr. Washougal; Bodie Human, sr., Lynden.
Defensive backs: Emeka Egbuka, jr., Steilacoom; Liam Mallory, soph., Hockinson; Brent VanderVeen, sr., Sedro-Woolley; Turner Allen, jr., Tumwater.
Punter: Brent VanderVeen, sr., Sedro-Woolley.
HONORABLE MENTION
Quarterbacks: Chance McDonald, jr., Steilcoom; Jared Taylor, sr., Lakewood.
Wide receiver: Peyton Brammer, sr., Hockinson.
Tight ends: Austin Terry, soph., Tumwater; Jeremiah Faulstick, sr., Hockinson.
Offensive line: Ki Haden, sr., Hockinson; Tyrese Thrower, sr., River Ridge.
All-purpose: Brock Heppner, sr., Lynden.
Kicker: Alan Sepulveda, sr., Lakewood.
Defensive line: Logan Candanoza, sr., Prosser; Trey Knight, sr., Ridgefield; Judah Jackson, soph., Steilacoom; Austin Terry, soph., Tumwater; Cooper Wall, jr., Tumwater.
Linebackers: John Ray, sr., Selah; Gavino Rodriguez, sr., Blaine; Zach Loveless, sr., Black Hills.
Defensive backs: Joe Ennis, jr., Archbishop Murphy; Colton Bower, soph., North Kitsap; Cade Haller, jr., W.F. West.
Punter: Noah Thompson, sr., Mountlake Terrace.
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CLASS 1A
Player of the year: Caleb Christensen, jr., Royal.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Caleb Christensen, jr., Royal.
Running backs: Tanner Hall, sr., Omak; Wyatt Patridge, jr., Castle Rock.
Wide receivers: Cameron Bumstead, sr., Hoquiam; Cooper Christensen, sr., Royal.
Tight end: Ryan Veening, sr., Nooksack Valley.
All-purpose: Isaiah Zetterberg, sr., Cascade Christian.
Offensive line: Colin Hamilton, sr., King’s; Jose Medina, jr., Royal; Jory Dotts, sr., Colville; Methodius Gerstenberger, jr., La Salle; Max Muffett, sr., La Center.
Kicker: Eli Den Bleyker, sr., Lynden Christian.
Defensive line: Zach Sipma, sr., Lynden Christian; Michael Perez, sr., Royal; Ryan Kershaw, jr., La Salle; Bailey Meek, jr., King’s Way Christian.
Linebackers: Brent Hollatz, sr., Montesano; Hunter Wallis, jr., Klahowya; Bennet Lim, sr., Deer Park; Derek Bergeson, soph., Royal.
Defensive backs: Nathan Sedgwick, sr., La Salle; David Campbell, sr., King’s; Isaiah Zetterberg, sr., Cascade Christian; Cooper Christensen, jr., Royal.
Punter: Tanner Nicklas, sr., Montesano.
HONORABLE MENTION
Quarterbacks: Trace Ridgway, sr., Montesano; Parker Johnson, sr., Cascade Christian.
Running backs: Ryan Kershaw, jr., La Salle; Grant Michaliszyn, sr., Colville; Matthew Jorgensen, sr., Deer Park.
Wide receivers: Jackson Corkill, sr., Lynden Christian; Sam Winter, sr., Montesano; Conner Zetterberg, sr., Cascade Christian.
Offensive line: Cody Saulsbury, sr., Mount Baker; Tanner Nicklas, sr., Montesano; Vicente Rodriguez; sr., Connell.
Kicker: Jordan King, sr., Montesano.
Defensive line: Jory Dotts, sr., Colville; Easton Zylstra, sr., Nooksack Valley; Colin Hamilton, sr., King’s; Jayson Floyd, sr., Charles Wright; Tanner Sackman, sr., Omak; Landon Garnder; sr., Castle Rock.
Linebackers: Matt Brown, sr., Hoquiam; Axcel Valladares, sr., La Salle; Davin Beason, soph., Mount Baker; Will Faber, sr., Lynden Christian; Tyler Wissing, sr., Cascade Christian.
Defensive backs: Mark Tikhonov, sr., Mount Baker; Cameron Bumstead, sr., Hoquiam; Conner Zetterberg, sr., Cascade Christian; Tyler Allred, sr., Royal.
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CLASS 2B
Player of the year: Ashton Haight, sr., Onalaska.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Dante Maiuri, jr., Tri-Cities Prep.
Running backs: Ashton Haight, sr., Onalaska; Abraham Garcia, jr., Columbia-Burbank.
Wide receivers: Landon Amato, sr., Tri-Cities Prep; Brennon Vance, sr., Kalama.
Tight end: Cade Evander, jr., Napavine.
Offensive line: Alex Frazier, sr., Onalaska; Keith Olson, soph., Napavine; Jeremiah Yost, sr., Pe Ell-Willapa Valley; Charlie Harrington, sr., Liberty (Spangle); Willie Waters, soph., Davenport.
Kicker: Sam Triplett, sr., Chewelah.
Defense
Defensive line: Alex Frazier, sr., Onalaska; Keith Olson, sr., Napavine; Charlie Harrington, sr., Liberty (Spangle); Zerric Pardini, sr., Tri-Cities Prep.
Linebackers: Hazen Inman, sr., Onalaska; Brody Klein, sr., Rainier; Jacob Brown, sr., Colfax; Jacob Levy, sr., Tri-Cities Prep.
Defensive backs: Cade Lawrence, sr., Onalaska; Landon Amato, sr., Tri-Cities Prep; Matt Hockett, sr., Colfax; McCartney Maden, sr., Raymond.
Punter: Brandon Lustig, sr., Colfax.
Honorable mention
Quarterbacks: Jackson Esary, soph., Kalama; Laythan Demarest, jr., Napavine; Lukcas Kreger, sr., Onalaska; Cole Hatton, sr., Ocosta.
Running backs: Max Smith, sr., Pe Ell-Willapa Valley; Cole Fay, sr., Adna; McCartney Maden, sr., Raymond.
Wide receivers: Dakota Davis, jr., Ocosta.
Tight ends: Andrew Minton, sr., Pe Ell-Willapa Valley.
Offensive line: Bryan Sparks, sr., Ilwaco; Jorge Orozco, sr., Ocosta; BJ Cleveland-Barrera, jr., Onalaska; Abel Ingle, sr., Adna.
Kicker: Jose Delgado, jr., Raymond.
Defensive line: Jeremiah Yost, sr., Pe Ell-Willapa Valley; Bryan Sparks, sr., Ilwaco; Lane Baker, jr., Adna.
Linebackers: Kaden Krouse, jr., Chewelah; Cole Hatton, sr., Ocosta; Kollin Jurek, jr., Pe Ell-Willapa Valley; Cade Evander, jr., Napavine.
Defensive backs: Will Cornett, sr., Bellevue Christian; Cole Fay, sr., Adna.
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CLASS 1B
Player of the year: Marcus King, sr., Odessa.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Ethan Lindstrom, sr., Naselle.
Running backs: Brandon Montoya, sr., Lyle-Wishram; Marcus King, sr., Odessa.
Wide receivers: Brady Walter, sr., Odessa; Brayden Seylor, sr., Wilbur-Creston.
Offensive/defensive line: Jaden Hunt, sr., Odessa; Pilot Wieshaar, sr., Odessa; Reese Isaak, soph., Almira-Coulee/Hartline; Slade Powers, sr., Selkirk; Zach Budnek, jr., Quilcene.
Linebackers: Ethan Lindstrom, sr., Naselle; Marcus King, sr., Odessa; Fa’aoso Tutu’u, sr., Naselle.
Defensive backs: Joey Strange, soph., Naselle; Jett Nelson, jr., Odessa.
Kicker: Ethan Lindstrom, sr., Naselle.
Honorable mention
Running back: Bishop Budnek, soph., Quilcene.
Offensive line: Jaxson Moehrle, sr., Colton.
