ST. GEORGE — Region 10 football coaches assembled recently and voted for their All-Region squads.
“We based it off the merit of their seasons,” Crimson Cliffs head coach Wayne Alofipo told St. George News.
Alofipo coached the Mustangs’ defense for its first three years before becoming head coach this past season.
He guided Crimson to a 10-3 overall record, a Region 10 championship with a 5-1 mark and a 4A state semifinal victory over Region 11 powerhouse Ridgeline.
His reward was to be in charge of assembling all Region 10 coaches and conducting a vote– in other words, a debate– about who they thought should get All-Region honors.
“At the end of the day you’re going to argue for your kids,” said Alofipo, adding that the coaches all know each other, work well together and reach agreement without rancor.
Earning top honors from coaches was Region 10 MVP Steele Barben. The junior at Crimson Cliffs threw for over 3,300 yards and 40 touchdowns.
“That was one of the votes that went down to the wire,” Alofipo said. “But in the end we just looked at what he did in his first year as a starter, winning a region championship and reaching the state championship game.
“It just speaks volumes to his moxie, composure and leadership,” he added. “We’re just excited to see what he does next year. He’s going to be that much more confident and mature.”
Of the 23 Mustangs who earned All-Region honors, 14 are juniors and will be back to lead a veteran team next year.
“The script flips now,” Alofipo said. “We’re a seasoned team now and we’ll have a bunch of seniors. We have to take on that change in approach and mindset. But our game by game mindset, that won’t change.”
Following is the All-Region 10 football team, according to a coaches’ poll:
MVP Steele Barben, Crimson Cliffs junior
MVP Offense: Tyden Morris, Desert Hills senior
MVP Defense: Brooks Esplin, Snow Canyon senior
Kicker Xander Jones, Desert Hills junior
Punter Edgar Hernandez-Hinjosa, Cedar senior
Return Specialist Will Warner, Snow Canyon senior
Crimson Cliffs
1st Team: Jace Sweeten, Parker Andrus, Rowen Williams, Boston Adamson, Stone Hansen, Jordan Eaton, Luke Childs
2nd Team: Mckay Wright, Mason Topalian, McCord Christiansen, Kaden Hawes, Ashton Faulkner, Tyler West, Brayson Phillips, Fatafehil Faonelua
Honorable Mention: Tyson Marshall, Brock Baker, Jordan Phillips, Konner Kell, Connelly Ulrich, Brooks Jensen, Traceson Jessop, Scott Nisson
Snow Canyon
1st Team: Jake Hill, Will Warner, Rockwell Jones, Kolter Stuart, Hunter Johnson, Abran Garnder, Dahrious Romander
2nd Team: Teagan Hugh, Phoenix Oliver, Duke Muir, Tag Gubler, Brandon Gough, Beau Miller, Traiden Filipe, Makaio Swensen
Honorable Mention: Bo Hickman, Carson Nowatzke, Rio Ochoa, Tegun Whitehead, Konrad Green
Desert Hills
1st Team: Lincoln Holmes, Kona Crowell, Stewart Taufa, Tayven Mortensen, Cyrus Polu
2nd Team: Ayzen Cummings, Tasi Sauta, Ocean Taufa, Noah Fuailetolo, Jarom Wilkins, Jagger Shotwell
Honorable Mention: Jayiven Cummings, Hunter Clark, Hudson Bundy, Bridger Flemming, Zach Ford
Dixie
1st Team: Treven Alldredge, Mason Kesterson, Blake Watson, Jaxson Barben
2nd Team: Jordan Semmens, Brayden Wilson, Jeffery Christian, Jalen Schultz, Seth Takau
Honorable Mention: Aisa Lopati, Carter Vanlehn, Jake Dombrowski, Alex Alldredge
Cedar
1st Team: Bryson Bennett, Matthew Villa-Rowe, Parker Kucifer
2nd Team: Tel Hirschi, Trent Durbin, Tyler Odgen, Damien Mcgarvey, Conner Hardman, Devin Crenshaw, Ammon York
Honorable Mention: Stockton Albrecht, Xander Weaver, Koden Lunt, TreDyn Elliott
Hurricane
1st Team: RJ Wright, Carter Ashby
2nd Team: Adrix Clegg, Kellen Pledgee, Mahonri Tonumaipea
Honorable Mention: Nifai Iloa, Hunter Prince, Jake Barlow, Gerritt Grondel
Pine View
1st Team: Jacob Sersansie
2nd Team: Cam Smith, Brock Harris, Quincey Jones
Honorable Mention: TJ Jensen, Tyson Dinsmore, Blake Stucki, Matt Costa, Caden Nelson, Seth Shumway
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