The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer, Kenai football receive Division III All-State awards

Players on the Homer High School and Kenai Central High School varsity football teams were selected for Division III football awards last week.

The Mariners took their second straight Division III state title earlier this month in the championship game against Barrow.

Homer High senior and quarterback CJ Burns was named Offensive Player of the Year. Head football coach Justin Zank was named Coach of the Year, and Bryan Harter was awarded Assistant Coach of the Year.

Other Homer and Kenai players were selected for 1st Team All-State, 2nd Team All-State and All-State Honorable Mentions.

1st Team All State

Position, athlete, school

Quarterback: CJ Burns, Homer

Tight End: Jamel Barnes, Kenai

Outside Backers: Ty Gibby, Homer; Ikaia Flores, Redington

Half Backs: Malu Aumavae-Lauvo, Barrow; Elias Johnson, Houston

Tackles: Jose Tuzroyluke, Barrow; Jackson Taliesin, Kenai

Inside Backers: Sioeli Tuifua, Barrow; Nikifor Reutov, Homer

Return Specialist: Justus Grimes, Homer

Guards: Sioeli Tuifua, Barrow; Nathaniel Lilomaiava, Barrow

Defensive Backs: Jackson Snaric, Homer; Blake Baskett, Houston; Cayden Ingraham, Redington

Full Back: Lennox Dias, Barrow

Center: Kolten Mills, Houston

Defensive Linemen: Nathaniel Lilomaiava, Barrow; Donovan Milstead, Homer; Triston Charley, Houston; Jackson Taliesin, Kenai

Wide Receivers: Bryan Jake Murdock, Redington; Justus Grimes, Homer

Kicker: Berend Pearson, Homer

Punter: Hezekiah Nidoy, Kodiak

Long Snapper: Ikaia Flores, Redington

Utility Player: Ikaia Flores, Redington

2nd Team All-State

Quarterback: Blake Basket, Houston

Tight End: Cayden Ingraham, Redington

Outside Backers: Cameron Fox, Homer; Koko Su’a, Houston; Cobin O’Mary, Redington

Half Backs: Leoni Taitaiau, Barrow; Nikolai Macauly, Homer

Tackles: Kelly O’Brien, Redington; Julian Cortea-Arrieta, Redington

Inside Backer: Kolton Mills, Houston; John Taylor, Barrow

Return Specialist: Malu Aumavae Lauvao, Barrow

Guards: Brandon Blake, Kenai; Daniel Bettis II, Kenai; Triston Charley, Redington

Defensive Backs: Jordan Ahkiviana Monexxay, Barrow; Justus Grimes, Homer; Malu Aumavae Lauvao, Barrow

Full Back: Ikaia Flores, Redington

Center: Peter Kanz Jr, Redington

Defensive Linemen: Sephaniah Leavasa, Barrow; Jamel Barnes, Kenai; Dawson Stokes, Homer; Kauila Danner, Barrow; Owen Hunter, Houston; Natan Reed, Redington

Wide Receivers: Kaedon Saxton, Redington; Bair Iverson, Houston; Emelian Melkomukov, Homer

Kicker: Cobin O’Mary, Redington

Punter: Blake Baskett, Houston

Long Snapper: Clayton Mathias, Houston

Utility Player: Tatum O’Conner, Houston

All-State Honorable Mention

Quarterback: John Taylor, Barrow

Tight End: Sephanish Leavasa, Barrow; Ethan Slatin, Houston

Half Backs: Kainoa Taylor, Kenai

Inside Backers: Michael Marquez-Hopson, Redington

Return Specialist: Elias Johnson, Houston; Cayden Ingraham, Redington

Guards: Clayton Mathias, Houston

Defensive Backs: Patrick Miller, Kenai; Gunner Stanley, Kenai; Elias Johnson, Houston

Full Back: Mason Green, Houston

Defensive Linemen: Daniel Bettis II, Kenai; Blake Morris, Kenai; Kash Fortune, Houston; Kelly O’Brien, Redington

Wide Receivers: Berend Pearson, Homer; Koko Su’a, Barrow

Kicker: John Fisher, Houston

Punter: Lennox Diaz, Barrow

Players of the Year

Offensive Player: CJ Burns, Homer

Defensive Player: Sioeli Tufua, Barrow

Lineman of the Year: Nathaniel Lilomaiava, Barrow

Coach of the Year

Coach of the Year: Justin Zank, Homer

Assistant Coach of the Year: Bryan Harter, Homer

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