Four Wildcats earn class A all-state football honors

Four Columbia Falls High School players have been honored as part of the class A all-state football team for 2007. Northwestern A all-conference and class A all-state teams were selected by vote of the coaches on Saturday.

They are seniors Chase Grilley, Chase Fairbank and Michael Hader, and junior Josh Wilson.

The quartet led the Wildcats to their first home playoff game in 32 years. Their season ended with a first-round loss to Hamilton, but the Cats compiled a solid 6-3 record under fifth-year head coach John Thompson.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Grilley was the lone CFHS player to be named to the Northwestern A all-conference first team on both sides of the football. He is an all-conference first-team tight end and defensive end.

Fairbank (5-9, 150) was elected to the first-team defense as a safety. He is second team all-conference at receiver. Hader (5-10, 165) is a first team outside linebacker and on the second team at fullback. Wilson (5-7, 170) was named first-team all-conference at tailback.

Special teams were strengths for the Cats during the 2007 season, exemplied by a pair of first-team players. Junior Mackey Nolan (5-11, 190) had an excellent year while leading the conference in punting. Senior Scott Palmer (5-10, 185) was the top kickoff returner in the league; he brought back two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Nolan was received honorable mention at quarterback.

Two seniors anchored the Cats' offensive line and are second-team all-conference picks. They are center Dustin Knoepfle (6-0, 200) and tackle Jason Hatch (6-0, 180).

On defense, three Cats were named second-team all-conference. They are junior cornerback Tanner Perry (5-10, 145), who led the team in interceptions, sophomore noseguard Kelly Houle (6-0, 190) and sophomore inside linebacker Mitchell Wassam (6-2, 215).

Senior Ben Wells (6-3, 180) received honorable mention at defensive end.

Libby senior quarterback Joel Fuller (5-11, 180) was named the offensive most valuable player in the Northwestern A. Most valuable player honors on defense went to Lbby senior tackle Jordan Gragert (6-3, 235).

Whitefish seniors Byron Whitcomb (5-11, 160) and Kevin McDowell were elected to the all-state team. Whitcomb is a receiver and cornerback; McDowell plays center and defensive tackle.

Libby has eight all-state players — Fuller, Jeremy Chumley, Jordan Gragert, Josh Chumley, Justin Graham, Loran Nelson, Ryan Stapley and Zach Rowan. Skyler Knutson of Polson is also an all-state selection.