The Herald’s 2022 All-Area high school football teams

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 23, 2022

Editor’s note: The Player of the Year and All-Area teams were chosen by The Herald sports staff based on coach recommendations, season statistics and first-hand observations. Posters of the first-team offense and first-team defense are in the Saturday, Dec. 24, print edition of The Herald.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jayden Limar, sr., RB, Lake Stevens

Limar compiled a record-setting season and unleashed a highlight-reel extravaganza while leading the Vikings to their first-ever state title. The electrifying four-star Oregon signee piled up 2,331 yards from scrimmage and 40 total touchdowns, including 897 yards and 15 TDs in Lake Stevens’ four state playoff games. He rushed for single-season school records of 2,003 yards and 36 TDs, averaging 8.5 yards per carry. He added 328 yards receiving and four TD catches. He even threw for a TD on a halfback pass in the state semifinals. And he delivered a gutsy performance in the Class 4A state championship game, churning out 185 yards and a TD while battling through a high-ankle sprain. He finished his decorated career with 5,028 total yards and 77 TDs.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Tom Tri, Lake Stevens

Tri, who has built Lake Stevens into one of the state’s premier programs during his 18 years at the helm, guided the Vikings to their first-ever state title. After a 2-2 start, Lake Stevens closed the season on a 10-game win streak, capped by a 24-22 victory over Kennedy Catholic in the 4A state title game. It provided the final missing piece to a success-filled run that includes nine straight Wesco 4A titles, eight consecutive state playoff appearances and three state championship game trips in the past four postseasons.

FIRST TEAM

River Lien, sr., QB, Glacier Peak

Lien completed 61% of his passes for 1,603 yards, 27 TDs and six interceptions. The two-star dual-threat quarterback also rushed for 459 yards and five TDs. He helped lead the Grizzlies to a 7-3 record.

Jayden Limar, sr., RB, Lake Stevens

Click here for The Herald’s player of the year story on Limar.

Ryder Bumgarner, sr., RB, Stanwood

Bumgarner powered the Spartans to another milestone season, rushing for a school-record 2,486 yards and 25 TDs while leading Stanwood to the 3A state quarterfinals. The hard-running senior churned out a whopping 10.1 yards per carry and 207 rushing yards per game in the Spartans’ high-powered Wing-T attack, including a season-high 309 yards and three TDs in a Week 2 win over Marysville Pilchuck. Over the past two seasons, he totaled 4,201 yards from scrimmage and 46 offensive TDs while helping Stanwood snap a 25-year state playoff drought with back-to-back state appearances.

Cartez Williams, sr., RB, Mariner

Williams rushed for 1,152 yards and 17 TDs, while averaging 9.8 yards per carry. The two-star running back also had 168 yards receiving and two TD catches. He helped lead the Marauders to a 7-3 record and their first winning season since 2016.

Trey Leckner, sr., WR, Glacier Peak

After playing running back last year, Leckner moved to receiver and had another big season for the Grizzlies. The versatile three-star Washington State signee hauled in 28 catches for 557 yards and 13 TDs, including 210 yards and five TDs in a Week 3 rout of Ferndale. He also rushed for 183 yards and two TDs. He helped lead Glacier Peak to a 7-3 record.

Jesse Hart, jr., WR, Edmonds-Woodway

Hart led the area in receiving yardage, hauling in 34 catches for 712 yards and seven TDs. He also rushed for three TDs.

T’Andre Waverly, soph., TE, Kamiak

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound four-star tight end showcased his elite talent as a big-time playmaker for the Knights, totaling 27 catches for 460 yards and seven TDs. Waverly is the No. 2 sophomore tight end recruit in the nation, according to 247Sports.

Jacoby Falor, jr., All-purpose, Arlington

Falor did a bit of everything for the Eagles’ offense, racking up 2,191 all-purpose yards and 25 total TDs as both a dual-threat quarterback and receiver. He threw for a team-high 1,227 yards and 19 TDs. He rushed for a team-high 651 yards and three TDs. And he added 29 catches for 313 yards and three TDs. Falor helped lead the Eagles to a 7-3 record.

Joseph Johnson, sr., OL, Glacier Peak

Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound Army commit, anchored the Grizzlies’ offensive line at right tackle. The two-star recruit helped pave the way for an offense that averaged more than 36 points and 400 yards per game. He helped Glacier Peak to a 7-3 campaign.

Issiah Smith, sr., OL, Archbishop Murphy

Smith, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound two-star recruit, was an overpowering force up front who recorded 15 pancake blocks in eight games.

Grant Lynch, sr., OL, Lake Stevens

Lynch, a three-year starting center, anchored the Vikings’ offensive line and helped pave the way for star running back Jayden Limar’s record-breaking season. He was a key part of an offense that averaged more than 41 points and 400 yards per game en route to the 4A state title.

Aaron Parker, sr., OL, Lake Stevens

Parker, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound two-star recruit, was a mauling force at left guard who helped pave the way for star running back Jayden Limar’s record-breaking season. He was a key part of an offense that averaged more than 41 points and 400 yards per game en route to the 4A state title.

Jeremiah Johnson, sr., OL, Stanwood

Johnson anchored the Spartans’ offensive line at left tackle, helping pave the way for star running back Ryder Bumgarner’s record-setting season. He cleared lanes for a high-powered Wing-T attack that rushed for more than 340 yards per game and 8.5 yards per carry, while helping Stanwood reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Wyatt Tilton, sr., DL, Arlington

Tilton, a two-star recruit, totaled 46 tackles and six tackles for loss, despite commanding frequent double-teams and triple-teams. He was a major part of a defense that allowed just 16.3 points per game and helped the Eagles to a 7-3 record.

Hunter Tibodeau, sr., DL, Shorewood

Tibodeau, a two-star recruit, posted 103.5 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, nine sacks and four pass breakups. He helped the Stormrays take a step forward this season with a 5-5 campaign.

Christian Van Natta, sr., DL, Marysville Pilchuck

Van Natta anchored the Tomahawks’ defense with 45 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks and a pick-six.

Cole Becker, sr., DL, Lake Stevens

Becker totaled 97 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception for a defense that played a major role in the Vikings’ run to the 4A state title.

Mason Turner, jr., LB, Lake Stevens

Turner racked up 142 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and three sacks. He helped anchor a defense that played a major role in the Vikings’ run to the 4A state title.

Joe McGinnis, sr., LB, Lake Stevens

McGinnis recorded 104 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a fumble-return TD. He helped anchor a defense that played a major role in the Vikings’ run to the 4A state title.

Biggie Notoa, jr., LB, Monroe

Notoa totaled 94 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and four fumble recoveries while helping anchor a defense that yielded less than 19 points per game. He helped the Bearcats to the Wesco 3A South title and a 3A state playoff appearance.

Spencer Fischer, sr., LB, Arlington

Fischer racked up 89 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks in eight games, while playing half the season with a cast on his arm. He was a major part of a defense that allowed just 16.3 points per game and helped the Eagles to a 7-3 record.

Isaac Redford, sr., DB, Lake Stevens

Redford was a shutdown cornerback who came up with seven interceptions, a pick-six and two tackles for loss. He helped anchor a defense that played a major role in the Vikings’ run to the 4A state title.

Austin Burns, sr., DB, Glacier Peak

Burns recorded three interceptions, three pass breakups and six tackles for loss as part of a defense that allowed less than 20 points per game. He helped the Grizzlies to a 7-3 record.

Macky James, sr., DB, Mariner

James came up with three interceptions, 23 pass breakups and three defensive scores. He helped lead the Marauders to a 7-3 campaign and their first winning season since 2016.

Ryder Bumgarner, sr., DB, Stanwood

Bumgarner also starred on defense for the Spartans, recording two interceptions and two tackles for loss while helping anchor a unit that allowed just 18.1 points per game. The two-way standout led Stanwood to the 3A state quarterfinals.

Macray Flanders, sr., K, Lake Stevens

Flanders hit a 42-yard field goal against Bellevue in Week 2 and the game-winning 22-yard field goal in the Vikings’ state championship game win over Kennedy Catholic. He made 70 of 74 extra points.

AJ Winsor, sr., P, Kamiak

Winsor averaged 47.5 yards per punt, including a season long of 75 yards.

SECOND TEAM

Blake Springer, jr., QB, Monroe

Springer completed 65% of his passes for 2,212 yards, 25 TDs and nine interceptions. He also rushed for two TDs. The three-star quarterback directed a high-scoring attack that averaged more than 44 points per game, while leading the Bearcats to the Wesco 3A South title and the 3A state playoffs.

Beau Pruett, soph., RB, Monroe

The speedy Pruett rushed for 864 yards and 12 TDs, while averaging 8.7 yards per carry. He also had 556 yards receiving, eight TD catches and a kickoff return score. The versatile back helped lead the Bearcats to the Wesco 3A South title and the 3A state playoffs.

Julian Thomas, sr., RB, Cascade

Thomas rushed for 1,698 yards and 27 TDs, while averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He led the independent Bruins to an 8-2 campaign and their first full winning season since 2013.

Carson Beckt, sr., RB, Stanwood

Beckt complemented star running back Ryder Bumgarner by rushing for 713 yards, 12 TDs and 9.5 yards per carry in the Spartans’ high-powered Wing-T attack. He also had eight catches for 250 yards and five TDs. He helped Stanwood reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Cassidy Bolong-Banks, soph., WR, Lake Stevens

Bolong-Banks had 36 catches for 519 yards and five TDs. He also rushed for 321 yards and three TDs as a versatile fly-sweep threat. He helped the Vikings to the 4A state title.

Cole Becker, sr., WR, Lake Stevens

Becker had 39 catches for 583 yards and seven TDs, including a key catch-and-run score in the Vikings’ 4A state title game triumph. He also threw for a TD on a trick-play double pass.

Cooper Jensen, sr., TE, Glacier Peak

Jensen, a three-star Oregon State signee, hauled in 22 catches for 339 yards and five TDs in eight games. He also played a key blocking role in the Grizzlies’ rushing attack and helped Glacier Peak to a 7-3 campaign.

Mason Davis, soph., All-purpose, Monroe

Davis broke a school record with four kickoff return TDs and averaged 38.1 yards per return. He also rushed for 295 yards and three TDs, while adding 16 catches for 282 yards and three scores. He helped the Bearcats to the Wesco 3A South title and a 3A state playoff appearance.

Adam Troxel, sr., OL, Glacier Peak

Troxel manned left guard for the Grizzlies and helped pave the way for an offense that averaged more than 36 points and 400 yards per game. He helped the Grizzlies to a 7-3 campaign.

Max Rust, sr., OL, Kamiak

Rust, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound two-star recruit, was a powerful force up front for the Knights.

Rylan Hampton, sr., OL, Monroe

Hampton, a three-year starter at center, anchored the Bearcats’ offensive line and helped pave the way for a high-scoring attack that averaged more than 44 points per game. He helped Monroe to the Wesco 3A South title and a 3A state playoff appearance.

Ashten Hendrickson, sr., OL, Lake Stevens

Hendrickson manned right guard and helped pave the way for star running back Jayden Limar’s record-breaking season. He helped the Vikings average more than 41 points and 400 yards per game en route to the 4A state title.

Carter Kinney, sr., OL, Stanwood

Kinney played right tackle for the Spartans, helping pave the way for star running back Ryder Bumgarner’s record-setting season. He cleared lanes for a high-powered Wing-T attack that rushed for more than 340 yards per game and 8.5 yards per carry, while helping Stanwood reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Ashten Hendrickson, sr., DL, Lake Stevens

Hendrickson totaled 65 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks for a defense that played a major role in the Vikings’ run to the 4A state title. The two-way standout lineman also came up with an interception in the state championship game.

Carter Kinney, sr., DL, Stanwood

Kinney recorded 50 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks while helping anchor a defense that allowed just 18.1 points per game. The two-way standout lineman helped Stanwood reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Micah Harrelson, sr., DL, Glacier Peak

Harrelson totaled 28 tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks for a defense that yielded less than 20 points per game. He helped the Grizzlies to a 7-3 record.

Derek Bryant, sr., DL, Everett

Bryant recorded 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks while battling through frequent double teams.

Noah Grina, sr., LB, Stanwood

Grina totaled 107 tackles, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble while helping anchor a defense that allowed just 18.1 points per game. He helped the Spartans reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Nick Mouser, jr., LB, Monroe

Mouser recorded 47 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a defensive TD while helping anchor a defense that yielded less than 19 points per game. He helped the Bearcats to the Wesco 3A South title and a 3A state playoff appearance.

Reid Petschl, jr., LB, Shorewood

Petschl totaled 80.5 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and five pass breakups. He helped the Stormrays take a step forward this season with a 5-5 campaign.

Will Jenkins, sr., LB, Glacier Peak

Jenkins recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble for a defense that yielded less than 20 points per game. He helped the Grizzlies to a 7-3 record.

Max Mayo, jr., DB, Stanwood

Mayo came up with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries for a defense that allowed just 18.1 points per game. He helped the Spartans reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Steven Lee Jr., jr., DB, Lake Stevens

Lee Jr. recorded 11 tackles for loss and an interception for a defense that played a major role in the Vikings’ run to the 4A state title.

Lucian Curtis, sr., DB, Marysville Pilchuck

Curtis had five interceptions, two forced fumbles and a defensive TD for the Tomahawks.

Cole Taylor, sr., DB, Snohomish

Taylor came up with four interceptions, including two key picks in a win over Edmonds-Woodway. He also had a tackle for loss.

Treyton Mascarenas, sr., K, Stanwood

Mascarenas hit 43 of 44 extra points and 4 of 7 field goals, including a long of 30 yards. He helped the Spartans reach the 3A state quarterfinals.

Matthew Faulk, sr., P, Archbishop Murphy

Faulk averaged 41 yards per punt and downed 10 punts inside the 20-yard line.