Football players and coaches honored by Northwest League

MEEKER | Meeker High School football coach Shane Phelan and 11 of his players were recently honored by the Northwest League, naming Phelan the “Coach of the Year” and junior quarterback Logan Hughes, “Player of the Year.”
“Anytime a player receives that kind of honor, he has a lot of good teammates, who do their job, perform well and help make them look good,” Coach Phelan said of Hughes’ award.
Meeker seniors Cole Brown, Hunter Garcia, Sheridan Harvey, Tyler Ilgen, Chase Rule and Casey Turner, along with juniors Hughes and Doak Mantle, were named to the Northwest League’s first team, All-conference team, while senior Tanner Slaugh and juniors Trapper Merrifield and Eli Newman were honorably mentioned by league coaches.
“They were all very much deserved, especially the seniors,” Coach Phelan said. “They worked hard the last several years and they became outstanding players. It’s nice to see them recognized.”
Hughes completed 145 passes for 2,529 yards and 31 touchdowns, against 10 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 117. Hughes also rushed for 514 yards, scored a total of 62 points and gained 3,042 total yards, recorded 42 tackles on defense and recovered five fumbles.
Brown caught 39 passes, including 11 for touchdowns, gained 710 yards, scored 80 points on offense and recored 43 tackles on defense and had three interceptions.
Garcia scored 44 points, caught 36 passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns. He gained 446 yards returning kickoffs and punts, recorded five interceptions and finished the season with 102 tackles.
Harvey led the Cowboys with 44 receptions and 744 receiving yards, scoring five touchdowns, rushed for three more and recored 85 tackles on defense, with one sack and one interception.
Ilgen, Rule, Slaugh and Newman played as linemen on both sides of the ball. Rule led the Cowboys with 168 tackles, averaging 12.9 tackles per game. Merrifield rushed for three touchdowns, recorded 66 tackles and had two interceptions during the season.
Turner recorded 155 tackles, including six sacks and he scored 66 points for Meeker, including five rushing touchdowns (89 carries for 551 yards) and four receiving touchdowns.
Mantle carried the ball 189 times for 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mantle caught three passes for touchdowns, had 1,453 total yards on offense, while recording 82 tackles and six interceptions on defense.
Coach Phelan was also appreciative and complimentary of his coaching staff, which included Andy Coryell, Ben Quinn, Darby Finley and Brock Campbell.
“The coach of the year is more like the staff of the year,” Coach Phelan said, sharing his honor with his staff.