Seven seniors get farewell at football banquet

Seven seniors who led Colfax to this year’s championship game in Tacoma and were part of a drive to the semi-final game at the end of the `08 season were honored last Thursday at the Bulldog football banquet. Seated at the head table were Tyler Morse, Will Hatley, Sam Mellor, Ryan Conrad, Patrick Benson, Stetson Steiger and David Moore.

Conrad, who played in the state title game after being injured the previous week, received the inspirational award. Other special award winners selected by a team vote were Tuffy Hickman, most improved, and Alex Teade, most valuable teammate. Both are juniors.

Morse received the Coaches award, and Teade and Mellor were named co-winners of the scholastic award.

Coach Mike Morgan used a stack of books to demonstrate the 2009 team’s “body of work” over the season. The run of wins in the regular season and playoff wins over Waitsburg/Prescott, South Bend and DeSales accounted for a stack of books on one side, and the 24-32 loss to Adna in the state 2B title game was symbolized by a single book placed next to the stack.

“Getting beat by eight points doesn’t diminish what we did all season,” Coach Morgan pointed out.

Assistant Coach Terry Asbjornsen, who recited a poem he conceived while going into a “Robert Frost moment” on the way home from Tacoma on the team bus, presented letter awards to defensive backs Damon Buck, David Moore, Justin Berarducci, Kellen Morgan, Alex Teade and Will Hatley.

Linebacker Coach Craig Culbertson, who noted he’s never experienced a Robert Frost moment in his life, presented letter awards to Lonnie Ellis, Alvin Li, Austin Neu, Tyler McNannay and Stetson Steiger.

Line Coach Mark Brown presented awards to Patrick Benson, Tuffy Hickman, Sam Mellor, Ryan Conrad and Tyler Morse.

Brandon Gfeller was credited for filming, and Brady Cornelius for statistics. Managers Josh and Caleb Brown were also recognized.

Captains named for next year were juniors Morgan, Teade, McNannay and Hickman.

Jayvee Coach Jason Cooper noted all members of the squad qualified for varsity letters awards.

Winning special awards for the Jayvee squad were Justin Williams, most improved; Brent Conrad, inspirational and Jamie Bledsoe, most valuable teammate. Bledsoe and Conrad tied for scout team players of the year.

Jayvee recognition also went to Josh Musselman, Brady Ellis, Judd Thompson, Sam Thompson, Matt St. Mary, Kyle Miller, Kellen McNannay, Brendan Lord, John Mellor, Cole Neu, Daython Maltone, Aaron Arneson, Skylar Simonson, Jay Hart, Justin Aucutt, Cole Klaveano and Brandon Heiser.

Cheerleader coach Rhonda Pittman presented awards to seniors Alex Mackleit, who has been on the squad for four years, Heather Harder, Allie Vorderbrueggen and Karley Johnson. Non-seniors on the squad were Reagan Lowe and Emily Ledbetter.