Bulldog football players selected for Western A all-state honors
Bulldog junior running back Ty Schwaiger looks for a hole in the defense as he runs a route in the first half against Ronan on Friday during the homecoming game. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
The Whitefish football team had a strong representation in the Western A Conference All-State and All-Conference selections released last week.
Seven Bulldog athletes were selected among the 34 in the conference for All-State honors. Those players include sophomore Ryder Barinowski, juniors Ty Schwaiger and Kai Nash, and seniors Talon Holmquist, Bodie Smith, Jack Akey and Jaxsen Schlauch.
Barinowski was among the top kick-scoring statistic leaders in Class A football, scoring 46 points off kicks throughout the season, averaging 4.6 points per game. Barinowski was also chosen as an All-Conference first team selection.
Nash is a talented offensive guard, also selected for All-Conference first team, and Schwaiger shined on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. On offense, Schwaiger averaged 44 yards per game and about 5 yards per carry as a running back for Whitefish. He also earned All-Conference first team honors as an inside linebacker.
Holmquist was recognized as a skilled defensive end, also earning All-Conference first team and Jack Akey was also All-Conference first team as a cornerback. Akey had a number of receptions on the offensive end, but also led his team in interceptions with five over 10 games.
Schlauch and Smith, who also received postseason honors last year, led the Bulldogs in pass receiving. Schlauch racked up 492 total yards over 34 receptions and caught seven touchdown passes throughout the season. He averaged 14.5 yards per catch, which was among the top receivers in Class A football. He was selected for the All-Conference first team as a wide receiver and second team as a cornerback on defense as he also had a number of interceptions.
Smith had 337 yards and five touchdowns; he averaged 37 yards per game. Smith was also selected for the All-Conference first team as a wide receiver and first team as a free safety on defense.
Additional Whitefish players chosen for All-Conference second team honors is senior Ashton Akey as center, junior Fynn Ridgeway as quarterback, senior Tanner Harmon as tackle, junior Montana Cohenour as defensive line, and senior Logan Conklin as strong safety.
Whitefish senior Cody Berry was also selected as an All-Conference honorable mention as both a fullback on the offense and inside linebacker on the defense.
Whitefish started the season going undefeated through the first seven games, but lost the last three of the season including a first-round playoff to Frenchtown, 24-13. The 7-3 overall record was the best the Bulldogs have had in six years.
*Stats from MaxPreps.com
Western A All-State players
Whitefish:
Ryder Barinowski
Ty Schwaiger
Kai Nash
Talon Holmquist
Bodie Smith
Jack Akey
Jaxsen Schlauch
Western A All-Conference players
Whitefish:
Offense
Ashton Akey - center second team
Kai Nash - guard first team
Fynn Ridgeway - QB second team
Bodie Smith - WR first team
Tanner Harmon - Tackles second team
Ty Schwaiger - RB second team
Cody Berry - Fullback honorable mention
Jaxsen Schlauch - WR first team
Ryder Barinowski - Kicker first team
Defense
Montana Cohenour - Defensive Line second team
Talon Holmquist - Defensive End first team
Ty Schwaiger - Inside Linebacker first team
Cody Berry - Inside Linebacker honorable mention
Logan Conklin - Strong Safety second team
Bodie Smith - Free Safety first team
Jack Akey - Cornerback first team
Jaxsen Schlauch - Cornerback second team