Nikiski’s Truit McCaughey tries to break the tackle of Seward’s Judah Brueckner on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski’s Truit McCaughey tries to break the tackle of Seward’s Judah Brueckner on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward takes 4 of 5 major Denali Conference awards

Editor’s note: The previous version of this story did not have the Assistant Coach of the Year. The Clarion regrets the error.

The Seward football team took four of the six major awards in Denali All Conference voting announced Thursday.

The Seahawks finished 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the league, while Nikiski was 4-2 and 2-1, Eielson was 2-4 and 1-2, and Valdez was 0-6 and 0-3.

Seward’s Kupono Albino, a halfback, was named Offensive Player of the Year. Nikiski linebacker Truit McCaughey and Seward defensive lineman Gideon Schrock were named Co-Defensive Players of the Year.

Seward’s John Van Buskirk was named Lineman of the Year, while Seward’s Tyler Mallory was Coach of the Year. Nikiski’s Billie Denison was named Assistant Coach of the Year.

Denali All Conference Team

Offensive Player of the Year — Kupono Albino, Seward.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year — Truit McCaughey, Nikiski; Gideon Schrock, Seward.

Lineman of the Year — John Van Buskirk, Seward.

Coach of the Year — Tyler Mallory, Seward.

Assistant Coach of the Year — Billie Denison.

First team

Tight end — Seth Payne, Nikiski; Offensive line — John Van Buskirk, Seward; Guard — Corey Peterson, Valdez; Quarterback — Ethan Ellis, Nikiski; Halfbacks — Kupono Albino, Seward; Oliver Parrish, Nikiski; Fullback — Truit McCaughey, Nikiski; Center — Jack Gardner, Seward; Wide receiver — Hunter Forshee-Kurtz, Seward; Cornerback — Hunter Forshee-Kurtz, Seward; Defensive back — Wyatt Maguire, Nikiski; Defensive line — John Van Buskirk, Seward; Gideon Schrock, Seward; DJ Baron, Valdez; Linebackers — Noah Price, Seward; Truit McCaughey, Nikiski; Seth Payne, Nikiski; Kicker — Emerson Cross, Seward; Punter — Andrew Baczuk, Valdez; Return — Andrew Baczuk, Valdez; Utility player — Ezekiel James, Valdez.

Second team

Tight end — Everett Chamberlain, Nikiski; Offensive line — Shawn McClain, Seward; Jerry Snodgrass, Nikiski; Quarterbacks — Brett Gilmore, Seward; Barrett McCumby, Valdez; Halfback — Andrew Baczuk, Valdez; Fullbacks — Gideon Schrock, Seward; Ben Aldrich, Valdez; Centers — DJ Baron, Valdez; Robert Isabel, Nikiski; Defensive line — Jerick Senecal, Seward; Judah Brueckner, Seward; Corey Peterson, Valdez; Robert Isabel, Nikiski; Linebackers — Kupono Albino, Seward; Barrett McCumby, Valdez; Ben Aldrich, Valdez; Oliver Parrish, Nikiski; Returner — Hunter Forshee-Kurtz, Seward; Utility player — Kaiden Parrish, Nikiski.

Honorable mention

Returner — Kaiden Parrish, Nikiski; Linebackers — Everett Chamberlain, Nikiski; Andrew Baczuk, Valdez; Defensive line — Rex Witmer, Nikiski.

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