It wasn’t quite the season Ric Stahl had hoped for in his first year as head coach, winning just a second-week matchup with Philomath. But the Tigers fought hard in every game, regardless of score, and their efforts were recognized with the release of the All-Cowapa League team.

Two players — senior running back Nate Duyn and sophomore flanker Shawn Kirby — were named as first team selections while seven others made it onto the second team.

“Nate never complained. He was actually voted, on this team, as the most inspirational player and the team captain,” Stahl said. “He was the workhorse and would do anything for the team. And Shawn, he’s out there at 5-5, 115, and he plays a lot bigger than what he is. He was our leading scorer and had the most receptions on the team. When other teams schemed against us, they schemed how to stop Shawn and Duyn.”

And the attitude and leadership shown by the two offensive standouts was echoed by the rest of the team.

“We were at the league meeting and one of the coaches from Banks said to me, ‘Your varsity and JV, no matter what the score was, came out and played hard on every down. A lot of teams we played, they would have given up.’ So others saw it, too, and I am proud,” Stahl said. “They battled through injuries and flu all season. We had four different quarterbacks on varsity and four different quarterbacks on JV. So we went through eight quarterbacks in a program that only carries 45 players. And you just really need consistency at that position for optimal success.”

Second teamers from Y-C were junior offensive lineman Andy Nauman, senior defensive lineman David Blatner, junior defensive back Austen Herb, junior DB Ryan Brethower, sophomore linebacker Tyler Perry, and junior punter Adam Findley. Duyn also made the second team on defense, at his linebacker position.

Astoria dominated many of the league’s superlative honors. The Fishermen saw senior running back Dane Lund, along with Banks’ Nick Turner, take co-Offensive Player of the Year. Astoria’s Jake Hatcher was named Defensive Player of the Year and Max Johnson earned Kicker of the Year. Eric Calhoon of Scappoose received honors at punter.