Vikings lead all state football picks

PLATTSBURGH | A trio of Moriah Vikings were named to the first team of the Class D NYSSWA all-state football team after the squad went to their third straight state finals in as many full seasons. In all, the Vikings had five players named to the all-state teams, while Peru had two named in Class B. PHS (B), Saranac Lake (C), Beekmantown (C), Saranac (C), and AuSable Valley (D) each had one player named to an all-state team. Class D Rowan Swan (Moriah) was named the first-team quarterback in Class D. The CVAC Most Valuable Player, Swan helped lead the Vikings to the Class D finals as a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 582 yards in the Section VII season and rushing for 323 yards, combining for 14 touchdowns while also running a trio of kick/punt returns to the house. Declan Valentine (Moriah) was named a first-team defensive lineman. The CVAC lineman of the year anchored a Viking front that was able to get into many of their opponent's backfields, with no better example than the state semifinal game against Greenwich, where Moriah held star running back Matthew Conlin to 10 yards. Caleb Harris (Moriah) was named a first-team linebacker. A member of the CVAC first-team offense and defense, Harris made a pair of statement tackles to open both the state semifinal game against Greenwich and the state championship game against Tioga, letting both teams know the Vikings were not going to be pushed over. Riley Demarais (Moriah) was named a second-team defensive back. Demarais led the Vikings with 564 rushing yards and eight ground touchdowns while providing coverage in the secondary for the state finalists. Bryce Sprague (Moriah) was named a second-team defensive back. Sprague was one of several players with three interceptions in the Section VII season and snagged one interception in the state championship game. Eli Douglas (AuSable Valley) was named a second-team all-purpose player. Douglas led the league with six interceptions on defense while rushing for 822 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing for 140 yards and one more touchdown. His 104 points ranked third in Section VII. Class C Hunter Devins (Saranac) was named a third-team linebacker. Devins was a do-it-all player, playing linebacker, running back (leading the league with 1,065 rush yards) and quarterback in the Chiefs run to the sectional finals. Carter Hewitt (Saranac Lake) was named an honorable mention running back. Hewitt co-led the CVAC with 110 points scored while ranking second in rushing yards with 882. Andrew VanNatten (Beekmantown) was named an honorable mention outside end. VanNatten tied Hewitt for the CVAC lead with 110 points scored while leading the league in receiving yards (711) and touchdowns (10). Class B Keegan Smith (Peru) was named a fourth-team all-purpose player. Smith scored 95 points as a receiving and kicker for the Nighthawks, hauling in 520 receiving yards and three interceptions as a defensive back. Keagan Welch (Peru) was named an honorable mention lineman. Welch was named a first-team defensive lineman in the CVAC for 2021. Hayden Colburn (PHS) was named an honorable mention lineman. Colburn was named a first-team defensive lineman in the CVAC for 2021.

Signup for our newsletter

Vikings lead all state football picks

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS