Six Crimson Bears earn all-state football honors
- Klas Stolpe
- 7 hours ago
- 12 min read
Tupou, Ault, Iona, Niere, Van Kirk, Haube-Law fêted
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé football season may be over, but the accolades continue to come across the field for the Crimson Bears.
Seniors Ricky Tupou, Noah Ault, Mati Iona, Walter Haube-Law and Gunnar Niere, and junior Ethan Van Kirk were selected last week to the 2025 All-State Football Team. The nominations are discussed and voted on by the division coaches.
“Just a great group of kids,” JDHS coach Rich Sjoroos said of the Crimson Bears. “Led by that senior class and especially the linemen that we had, and just the overall chemistry. I thought we were playing our best football at the end, and that’s what I try to do every year is put us in a position to where we are a tough team.”
One of the toughest was unanimous first team all-state selection Ricky Tupou, who earned both defensive lineman and offensive lineman honors.
“I think his knowledge of the game is exceptional,” Sjoroos said. “There are plenty of good athletes that play on the line, but he is an extremely athletic kid…I think his ability to move as he does and keep his balance while retaining his strength…he is just a compact, strong, agile kid.”
Last season Tupou earned a first-team defensive lineman award. This year he repeated that honor and added the offensive line as well. He was a double all-conference selection both years as well.
“It means a lot to me to be selected again for offensive and defensive lineman,” Tupou said. “Because in order to receive these awards you have to earn the respect of the coaches and players around the state. And it just puts a period to all of the work I put into my game. I have been playing football since I was eight and for me it is always just been about having fun and working on myself, this year especially I never really got too worked up in games just went out there to do what I love.”
Only three other players received multiple awards and they have been discussed as NCAA Division I talents by scouting sites. Bartlett senior defensive tackle and running back Deuce Alailefaleula garnished a first-team D-Line nod, along with Defensive Lineman and Defensive Player Of The Year. South Anchorage junior Ethan Yarrington was a first-team running back selection and received Offensive Player of the Year along with West Anchorage senior Baylor Wasson who was a first-team quarterback as well.
“Ricky is in very good company on the defensive side and deservedly so,” Sjoroos said. “And offensively, Ricky was always going up against the other team’s best defender because of the system we run. So they always put their best guy over him and he had those tough matchups every single week, and obviously to be voted in, it showed that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.”
Noah Ault earned first-team defensive back honors.
“There were some really good athletes and players in that group,” Sjoroos said. “And for him to get that award, it just kind of shows that he really evolved this year. You always see kids make a transition from their junior to senior year and he made one of the bigger ones that I've seen from kids, from where they were at their junior year to where they're at their senior year. Just his toughness and durability was a big one for him. He had missed some time in the past and just pretty much played every snap this year and we put a lot more on his plate and he kept welcoming that. Even in our playoff game, we moved him to quarterback for the first time just to get the ball in his hands more and he had probably the biggest game of his high school career.”
Ault also had four interceptions on the season and provided great tackling on the back end. With his speed he was also used in the return game as a punt and kick returner.
“To me it’s a big honor,” Ault said. “It reflects all the hard work and dedication I put into this sport. I first started playing football in 2015 on the Big Island of Hawaii. We moved to Juneau, Alaska in 2018 and I continued to play football all through high school. Football allows me freedom to showcase all I have learned from my coaches. It showed me how to be disciplined, have good sportsmanship and be a good human. It also makes me happy to be with my friends and have fun.”
Both Tupou and Ault were also selected, and played, in the "Al Aska" Shriners Football Classic Senior Bowl game last week in Anchorage. Ault was selected a team captain. Both played on Team Liberty and defeated Team Freedom 32-7.
“I was really shocked when the coach had called my name to be a captain,” Ault said. “It was pretty special. I did really good and got a touchdown which was super cool, but a special moment was I got to be teammates with Ricky.”
Mati Iona earned the only all-state deep snapper honor.
“When they do the voting on long snapper they usually look at what kind of weather Juneau played in,” Sjoroos laughed. “They saw some of the rainy games we were playing in and the fact that Mati could still snap the ball in that kind of weather gave him a leg up on everybody. He’s been our long snapper for a couple years now so it has been a while since we have had to fill that role with a new player. Mati was a lot more for us than just a long snapper but definitely took that role on and gave us a good opportunity to make every kick and make every punt and was very deserving of that award.”
Offensive lineman Walter Haube-Law earned a second team all-state selection, just one vote from joining Tupou.
“I was hoping to see Walter get on that first team line,” Sjoroos said. “But it is hard to have two players from the same team get that. It is a tough one in that regard, but definitely doesn’t take away from the success he had this year and how valuable he was to our team. We were a run heavy team. We ran for a lot of yards against a lot of tough competition and you don’t do that without guys like Walter and Ricky up front… and the rest of the seniors… and I said that from day one that we were really going to lean on our offensive line all year and those guys didn’t disappoint. There was a lot of respect in that room for all of our lineman, but so neat to see Walter get that award and closed out his senior year with some all-state recognition.”
During the selection process the Cook Inlet All-Conference teams are chosen first. Then the first-team all conference players are divided into first and second all-state. JDHS’ Haube-Law (OL), Tupou (OL/DL), Van Kirk (RB), Ault (DB), Niere (LB) and Iona (long snapper) were first team all-conference. JDHS second team all-conference honors went to senior Hyrum Fish (OL), Ault (WR), junior Jaxin Jim (LB) and sophomore Leonidas Taualo-Tasi (DL). JDHS honorable mention all-conference nods went to seniors Jonah Mahle (OL) and Kyle Carter (OL), and sophomores Sylvan Washington (DE) and Andrew Sanders (DB).
“Getting first team all-conference lineman is such an honor to me because my junior year I got honorable mention and I was stoked,” Haube-Law said. “And this year I thought I would have got second team but when I heard first team I was amazed. I first started playing back in elementary school and have been playing since. I have been playing for about 12 years. Football means a lot to me. I have made so many friends and so many memories with them. I am glad I kept playing for my senior year because it was a blast and I already want to play again.”
Inside linebacker Gunnar Niere was a second-team all-state selection by a narrow margin.
“He was another one that easily belonged near the top,” Sjoroos said. “He definitely was the heartbeat of our defense. He doesn’t really pass the eye test when you look at him, but every coach in the state, when you mention the name Gunnar Niere, they all nod their head, ‘Yep, he’s the real deal.’ He is tough as nails, kind of that typical undersized Juneau kid that is gritty and tough and all the things that you want. He was awesome for us this year and made the defensive calls out on the field. He really knew what the other team was trying to do offensively and tried to put our team in the best position on the field to be successful. Definitely some big shoes to fill with him leaving the program next year.”
Niere noted the all-state honor meant more than football.
“Growing up I played football my whole life,” Niere said. “When I was only one month old I already had a Steelers Jersey on. I started playing football once I learned how to walk. My dad would have me running around our back yard hitting the pads we owned. He was a football coach in Juneau for 25 years. My dad (Rory Niere) has been the greatest coach I could have asked for throughout my life, teaching me everything I know. I am very grateful as well for my mom (Michelle Lim) who has supported me throughout my whole life and football journey. This game means more than just a sport or pastime for me. Football has always been and always will be a big part of my life. Football has taught me many life lessons and helped me form an unbreakable brotherhood with my teammates. Every game has shaped me into who I am today, giving me the drive to become something better every single day. I am proud of what I have accomplished and will carry these memories I have made forever. Thank you football and to everyone who has supported me.”
Junior running back Ethan Van Kirk — injured during the team’s sixth game of the season — earned second-team all-state in a close vote among a position filled with talented backs.
“I am just proud to be a part of a longline of accomplished Juneau running backs,” Van Kirk said. Growing up in Juneau I have watched backs like Jamal Johnson, Gaby Soto, and Hayden Aube represent what Juneau football is about. It is an honor to be placed with some of these other great backs from Juneau’s legacy…I first played in the Cubs Division for JYFL when I was 8 years old. The reason I play football is because of our community, it is definitely special to be apart of something bigger than yourself.”
Coach Sjoroos noted that Van Kirk was one vote away from the first team all-state honor.
“The tough thing there is he was fourth in the state in rushing but missed two and a half football games,” Sjoroos said. “It kind of shows you the season that he was having. I think it is a slam dunk that he is on that first team line if he was able to finish out the season. Actually he missed three and a half games counting the playoff game. So I am super glad for him. There were several coaches in that room that didn’t know he was only a junior and you should have seen the look on their faces when they realized that he was coming back next year and they are going to have to deal with him. I feel bad for the way his season ended but he showed a lot of leadership by never missing a practice and still staying involved all the way until the end of the year. It just kind of shows why he was selected as the team captain prior to the season even starting…he still got a lot of recognition in that room and it is still a great honor to be a second team all-state running back especially with the caliber athletes in our football division this year.”
For Sjoroos it is always hard to watch senior players move on and he wanted something special for them to go out on this year. A tough last-second two-point conversion home loss to South (29-28) on September 12 may have cost them home advantage for the playoffs. On Sept. 20 against Dimond Van Kirk was injured. Another loss at South in the playoffs (38-17) Oct. 11 ended the season. South would then defeat West Anchorage 24-10 in the semifinals and Bartlett 37-3 for the championship.
“We were a tough team,” Sjoroos said. “I know that we ended up losing to South in the playoffs and they went on to win the state title, but we were really close to making that game interesting, putting the pressure on in the fourth quarter. Halfway through the third quarter we cut it to 21-17. To their credit they were able to get another score and stretch that lead back out to 11, but if we get that ball back at 21-17 I feel like all of a sudden in that fourth quarter the decisions and pressure start mounting for the team that is favored. Unfortunately we weren’t able to do that, but I am still so proud of our kids. I thought they played a solid game. I looked back on it and we scored more points against South in that playoff game than all the other teams combined. We were a two-point conversion from playing that game at home.”
2025 Division I All-State Division Selections
Special Awards:
Coach of the Year - Brown Faaliga, West - John Lewis, South; Assistant Coach of the Year - Cory Evans, West; Tui Alailefaleula, Bartlett; Defensive Player of the Year - Deuce Alailefaleula, #2, DL, senior, Bartlett; Offensive Player of the Year - Baylor Wasson, #4, QB, sr. West - Ethan Yarrington, #5, RB, junior South; Defensive Lineman of the Year - Deuce Alailefaleula, #2, sr. Bartlett; Offensive Lineman of The Year - Lynx Lauano, #70, sr. West - Kaylor Iloilo, #64, jr. Service; Utility Player Of the Year - To’o Malaesilia, #50, sr. Service; Deep Snapper - Mati Iona, #18, sr. JDHS; Kick Returner - Trayvon Lott, #3, jr. Colony; Kicker - Zachary Buss, #81, sr. South; Punter - Gideon Plilkat, #43, jr. West - Buss, South.
First Team (name, number, position, grade, school):
Ricky Tupou, 77, OL, sr. JDHS; Noah Ault, 0, DB, sr. JDHS; Rock Phelps, 7, QB, sr. Service; Baylor Wasson, 4, QB, sr. West; AJ Navrrow, 55, OL, sr. East; Gideon Makihele, 73, OL, so. West; Zynx Lauano, 70, OL, sr. West; Osaiasi Lavulo, 58, C, jr. Bartlett; Prince Siliato, 22, RB, sr. East; Jayden Schmidlkofer, 2, RB, sr. Service; Ethan Yarrington, 5, RB, jr. South; Manny Maga, 5, RB, jr. West; D’zelle Lorenzo, 44, FB, sr. East; Keoni Pili, 0, RB, sr. Colony; David Sanders, 3, WR, sr. West; Bryson Jackson, 8, WR, jr. South; Chrystchen Font, 10, WR, sr. Service; Salvation Tyrell, 8, WR, sr. Bartlett; Ricky Tupou, 77, DL, sr. JDHS; To’o Malaesilia, 50, DL, sr. Service; Deuce Alailefaleula, 2, DL, sr. Bartlett; Abraham Booga Tauanuu, 9, DL, sr. Dimond; Destin Prehn, 0, DE, sr. West; Johnny Le’a, 80, DE, sr. East; Jairus Mua, 5, DE, so. Bartlett; Ethan Yarrington, 5, ILB, jr. South; William Anderson, 33, LB, sr. Service; PJ Levao, 54, LB, sr. Service; Mateo Jimenez, 9, LB, sr. West; Jesekaiah Tufue, 25, LB, jr. West; Joe Soulja, 10, ILB, sr. East; Grant Togiola-Taimi, 6, MLB, sr. Bartlett; Devoh Peseti, 25, OLB, so. East; Sitar Fainuulelei, 3, OLB, jr. Bartlett; Pusa Tufi, 26, DB, sr. West; Simeon Alailefaleula, 4, FS, sr. Bartlett; Salvation Tyrell, 8, SS, sr. Bartlett; Caleb Cooke, 10, S, so. Dimond; Cassidy Phillip, 31, DB, sr. Service; Austin French, 2, DB, sr. South; Myles Evans, 1, DB, sr. West.
SecondTeam (name, number, position, grade, school):
Ethan Van Kirk, 3, RB, jr. JDHS; Gunnar Niere, 33, LB, sr. JDHS; Walter Haube-Law, 53, OL, sr. JDHS; Jackson Weller, 55, OL, sr. Colony; Kaylor Iloilo, 64, OL, jr. Service; Kaeden Coleman-Arroyo, 3, RB, jr. South; Cullen Goodwin, 13, DL, sr. Service; Isaiah Zackery, 8, DL, sr. West; Henry Lantz, 6, ILB, sr. South; Timothy Edmondson, 30, ILB, jr. South; McDellienne Muasau, 19, LB, jr. Bartlett; Colt Jardine, 20, DB, jr. Bartlett; Everett Montiel, 1, CB, sr. Dimond; Jacob Wahlman, 5, DB, jr. Service; Carson Hawes, 18, DB, sr. South; JJ Chanhtaseng, 2, DB, jr. West.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
