Meet the First-Teamers

DL Eli Pesio, Clatskanie

Injuries and off-field issues whittled away at the Tigers’ roster on a weekly basis in ’08, but Pesio remained a two-way pillar throughout the attrition. His toughness and perseverance in the trenches earned Pesio first-team all-league recognition from Lewis and Clark coaches, and will pay dividends again in his senior campaign.

DL Tyson Bain, Wahkiakum

They call him “Baby Bear.”

But Mr. Bain has been starting for four years now, and has a lengthy all-league resume’ to show for all the runs he has stuffed and quarterbacks he has spooked.

So can we change his nickname yet?

“Papa Bear” or “Grizzly Bear” would work.

DL Curtis Kauffman, Rainier

Kauffman probably plays the run as well as any defensive tackle in the area. He’s a big, strong, immovable object who can almost single-handedly remove the opposing fullback from the game plan.

Kauffman is a leading league and area defensive MVP candidate heading into his senior year.

DL Brad Tripp, Rainier

The only sophomore on our preseason all-area squad on either side of the football earned his spot by playing with senior savvy — as a freshman. Tripp was a playmaker and an every-down warrior for Rainier in ’08, and it’s exciting — and scary for foes — to think how good he will be as an upperclassman.

He pairs with Kaufmann to make it impossible to run inside against the Columbians.

LB Zeke Lomer, Castle Rock

Lomer is the master of mayhem, trafficking in football’s disruptive arts: the sack, the interception, the forced fumble and the fumble recovery. Few defensive players at any position in the area can change a game like Lomer, who is versatile enough to play anywhere in the secondary but is a specialist in the box.

LB Jerry Graham, R.A. Long

Graham, or “Adna” as he is known to the Jacks, was a tackling machine as a sophomore. He is the glue that holds the RAL defense together. Graham fills gaps and runs sideline-to-sideline as well as any linebacker in the area. And he’ll only get better as a junior.

LB Jake McCoy, Mark Morris

McCoy sets the tone for the Monarchs’ defense. He’s almost like a thermometer. When he is fired up, the entire MM defense plays at a higher level of intensity.

McCoy was somehow left off the GSHL 2A all-league first team list as a junior. As long he stays on the field in ’09, the hands-down best hitter in Cowlitz County will generate all-state noise.

LB Alan Erickson, Naselle

A throwback middle linebacker, Erickson’s nose for the ball and love of contact make him the kind of brawler who would thrive in football’s leather helmet era.

All-league as a junior and a lock to perform at that level in ’09, Erickson is the heart and soul of the Comets’ stop troops.

DB Garrett Austin, Kelso

Austin was a burglar extraordinaire for Kelso in 2008, grabbing six interceptions and anchoring a secondary that was tested by the high-flying offenses of the GSHL 4A League on a weekly basis. Look for him to crank it up a notch in ’09.

His matchup against Heritage and stud quarterback Garrett Grayson in Week 7 will be one of the most intriguing showdowns of the season.

DB Cole Clark, Woodland

Clark was first-team all-league as a junior, and for a Woodland team that lost some key players on defense, he’ll be looked to for leadership.

He won’t disappoint. Clark’s range, athleticism and experience make him a perfect field general, which is just what the Beavers need in the backfield.

DB Austin Burkhalter, Naselle

A well-rounded athlete who can, has and will play any skill position on offense, Burkhalter is the perfect center fielder. His smarts and versatility make him the prototype free safety. He and Erickson make Naselle’s defense tick.

Burkhalter is a leading MVP candidate in the Pacific 2B League this fall as the Comets look to duplicate their run to the ’08 state semifinals.

First team

DL: Eli Pesio Sr. Clatskanie

DL: Tyson Bain Sr. Wahkiakum

DL: Curtis Kauffman Sr. Rainier

DL: Brad Tripp So. Rainier

LB: Jake McCoy Sr. Mark Morris

LB: Jerry Graham Jr. R.A. Long

LB: Zeke Lomer Sr. Castle Rock

LB: Alan Erickson Sr. Naselle

DB: Cole Clark Sr. Woodland

DB: Austin Burkhalter Sr. Naselle

DB: Garrett Austin Sr. Kelso

Second team

DL: Justin Wilson Sr. R.A. Long

DL: Jacob Nieman Jr. Kalama

DL: Cody O’Connor Sr. Toutle Lake

DL: Sean Atkins Sr. Mark Morris

LB: Jared O’Neil Jr. Kelso

LB: Nathan Wilfong Sr. Kalama

LB: Nick LaRoy Sr. Kalama

LB: Dan Feeney Jr. Mark Morris

DB: Jean-Luc Allegar Sr. Castle Rock

DB: Bryce McClain Sr. Wahkiakum

DB: Jeremy Wolf Jr. Mark Morris