Whitefish football earns postseason honors
Whitefish senior quarterback Fynn Ridgeway works to avoid a tackle in the second half of a game against Dillon on Friday. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish's Mason Kelch catches a pass that helps Whitefish to a first down in a game against Libby on Friday at the Dawg Pound. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
Several Bulldogs were honored last week, with five Whitefish players being selected for All-State honors in Western A football.
Whitefish’s Fynn Ridgeway was selected for roles at quarterback and cornerback, Mason Kelch at wide receiver and safety, and Ty Schwaiger at running back and linebacker were first-team picks on offense and defense. Bulldogs Kai Nash and Monana Cohenour were also All-State picks at offensive line and defensive line, respectively.
Ridgeway, with 1,866 yards passing, 1,308 rushing and 34 touchdowns combined, was one of three quarterbacks selected for All-State, the other two being Polson’s Jarett Wilson and Columbia Falls’ Cody Schweikert.
For All-Conference second team offense, senior receiver Clayton Godsey and junior place kicker Ryder Barinwoski were selected. On the defensive side, Nash and sophomore Scotty Dalen both earned second team All-Conference honors.
Henry Bennetts on the offensive line, Dane Hunt at wide receiver and senior linebacker Luke Moses were all honorable mentions.
Whitefish football ended its season in a tough Class A playoff quarterfinal game in Hamilton, sporting a winning record of 7-4 overall for the season.
2022 Western A Football All-Conference
Whitefish players
First Team Offense
Kai Nash, 6-1, 220, sr.
Ty Schwaiger, 6-1, 200, sr.
Quarterback Fynn Ridgeway, 6-1, 200, sr.
Mason Kelch, 6-1, 185, jr.
Second Team Offense
Clayton Goldsey, 5-9, 160, sr.
Place kicker Ryder Barinowski, 6-0, 175, jr.
First Team Defense
Montana Cohenour, 6-3, 270, sr.
Ty Schwaiger, 6-1, 200, sr.
Mason Kelch, 6-1, 185, jr.
Fynn Ridgeway, 6-1, 200, sr.
Second Team Defense
Kai Nash, 6-1, 220, sr
Scotty Dalen, 6-1, 180, soph
Honorable Mention
Offensive line — Henry Bennetts, jr.
Wide receiver — Dane Hunt, jr.
Linebacker — Luke Moses, sr.
