Zank, Manwiller headline peninsula names on All-Conference football list

Zank, Manwiller headline peninsula names on All-Conference football list

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2019 11:07pm
  • Sports

All-conference football awards were announced Wednesday for the Division III Peninsula Conference, with several local names being recognized.

Homer’s Justin Zank was awarded co-Coach of the Year, along with Houston’s Glenn Nelson. In his first year at Homer, Zank coached the Mariners to a 4-3 record and only lost out on a Div. III playoff spot with a tough loss to Nikiski in week 7. In that game, the Mariners took a 22-14 lead into the fourth quarter but fumbled the ball away, allowing the Bulldogs to capitilize with the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute.

Also for Homer, junior Josh Manwiller earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was also named as a first-team offensive tackle. Manwiller led the Mariners in total tackles with 61 this year, and had one interception.

For Nikiski, senior Michael Mysing was named a first-team halfback, senior Michael Eiter was named a first-team wide receiver, junior Caileb Payne was named a first-team offensive guard and inside linebacker, and senior Sam Berry was named as defensive back.

Seward’s only first-team member was senior Collin Mullaly, who earned a spot as a defensive back.

All-Peninsula Conference

Offensive Player of the Year: Galvin Mulhaney, Houston

Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Manwiller, Homer

Lineman of the Year: Kiderro Fono, Houston

Coach of the Year: Glenn Nelson, Houston; Justin Zank, Homer

Assistant Coach of the Year: Jared Barrett, Houston

First-team offense:

Quarterback — Gavin Mulhaney, Houston; Halfback — Owen Mulhaney, Houston; Michael Mysing, Nikiski; Fullback — Kennedy Fono, Houston; Wide receiver — Mike Eiter, Nikiski; Carter Tennison, Homer; Tight end — Francis Mose, Houston; Tackle — Kiderro Fono, Houston; Josh Manwiller, Homer; Guard — Caileb Payne, Nikiski; Ezra Fono, Houston; Center — Jack Allison, Houston.

First-team defense:

Defensive line — Kiderro Fono, Houston; Jeremiah Barrett, Houston; Koleman McCaughey, Houston; Gavin Mulhaney, Houston; Outside linebacker — Owen Mulhaney, Houston; Gavin Mulhaney, Houston; Inside linebacker — Caileb Payne, Nikiski; Josh Manwiller, Homer; Defensive back — Tulupo Falaniko, Houston; Sam Berry, Nikiski; Collin Mullaly, Seward.

First-team special teams:

Kicker — Michael Mysing, Nikiski; Mike Eiter, Nikiski; Long snapper — Andrew Milligan, Seward; Return specialist — Anthony Kalugin, Homer; Utility player — Jordan Sewell, Seward.

Second-team offense:

Quarterback — Patrick Garcia, Ketchikan; Anthony Kalugin, Homer; Halfback — Brendon Roof, Ketchikan; Collin Mullaly, Seward; Fullback — Sam Berry, Nikiski; Wide receiver — AJ Malouf, Ketchikan; Carter Thomas, Ketchikan; Tackle — William McComish, Houston; James Milburn, Seward; Guard — River Mann, Homer; Sean Pilant, Homer; Center — Zach Condon, Homer.

Second-team defense:

Defensive line — Chris Harris, Ketchikan; Ezra Fono, Houston; Quentin Oskolkoff, Nikiski; Sean Pilant, Homer; Outside linebacker — Thomas Cronin, Seward; Shane Sullivan, Seward; Inside linebacker — Carter Thomas, Ketchikan; Kennedy Fono, Houston; Defensive back — Mike Eiter, Nikiski; Seth James, Ketchikan; Chad Quinn, Seward.

Second-team special teams:

Kicker — Denali Whitted, Houston; Punter — Owen Mulhaney, Houston; Return specialist — Shane Sullivan, Seward; Talupo Falaniko, Houston; Seth James, Ketchikan; Utility player — Jaryn Zoda, Nikiski.

More in Sports

ski tease
Kenai sweeps Tsalteshi ski meet

The Kenai Central High boys and girls teams both placed first last Friday.

tease
Homer boys basketball tops Nikiski

Homer will host the annual Winter Carnival basketball tournament this weekend, starting Thursday.

Flanked by JDHS freshmen Manu Adams, left, and Paxton Willoughby, right, Homer junior Berend Pearson looks for a pass from a teammate. The Crimson Bears and the Mariners faced off at the Treadwell Arena in Juneau following the Bears’ senior night ceremony on Friday, Jan. 23.<ins>, 2026</ins>
Juneau hockey celebrates senior night with sweeping victory over Homer

The Crimson Bears saw an 8-2 victory over the Mariners Friday night.

Ninilchik's Austin White puts down a two-handed dunk against the Aniak Halfbreeds Wednesday at the Class 1A state basketball tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Sports briefs: SoHi boys top Kenai, Eagle River in shootout

The Soldotna varsity boys came out 2-1 in the Al Howard Shootout last weekend.

tease
Homer boys, Soldotna girls place 1st in ski invitational

Soldotna’s Tania Boonstra took first place for the girls’ division, leading her team to victory at the meet. The Homer girls’ varsity team placed second overall.

Senior Mason Bock exclaims after winning the state title during the ASAA Division I state championships in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 20, 2025. Bock beat No. 2 seed Isaiah Schultz of Colony High School in the final, securing his victory in the 135-pound title as the No. 4 seed. Bock said standing on the podium was the best moment of his life, telling the Clarion that since he had lost to Schultz once earlier in the season, he was “focused and determined to have a different outcome” during the final match. Photo courtesy of Andie Bock/Andie’s Alaskan Adventures Photography
SoHi girls 3-peat at state wrestling championships

The boys team placed second and saw five wrestlers win state titles in the Division I tournament.

Seward’s Atlin Ryan wrestles against a Mountain City Christian Academy athlete during the regional Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer girls wrestling team named regional champions

Kenai boys, girls both placed third overall in the Kachemak Conference Wrestling Championships on Saturday.

The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics
SoHi wrestling wins regional title; 31 wrestlers advance to state

22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament this weekend.

Homer and Soldotna hockey players battle for the puck during the Carlin Cup home varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
SoHi hockey claims 3rd Carlin Cup victory

The Soldotna varsity hockey team defeated Homer 9-1 Saturday at Kevin Bell Arena.

Sophie Tapley is photographed with her parents, Josh and Whitney Tapley, during Sophie’s signing ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 26, 2025. Tapley committed to playing volleyball at the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2026-2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Jesse Settlemyer, Kenai Central Athletics
Kenai Central’s Sophie Tapley signs with UAA volleyball

Tapley will trade her Kardinals jersey for a Seawolf one during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson
The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.
SoHi, Nikiski wrestling teams compete for Thanksgiving dinner

The Stars and Bulldogs faced off during the Battle for the Bird duals last Wednesday.

Runners of all ages gather for a photo in the Homer High School Commons after the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Due to icy outdoor conditions, the official run was moved to the high school halls. Photo courtesy Matthew Smith
55 turn out for Homer Turkey Trot

Each Thanksgiving morning, the Kachemak Bay Running Club and the City of… Continue reading