FROM STAFF REPORTS

sports@newstopic.net

Fifteen players from Caldwell County high schools have been named to the Northwestern 3A-4A all-conference football team, league officials announced Saturday.

Hibriten, which won the conference title and advanced to the third round of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs, led the team with 12 players, including conference player of the year Josh Dula.

Also named to the all-NW 3A-4A team from the Panthers were Leo Guevara, Darius Lipford, Kaylen Pearson, Tyler Harshaw, Tripp Patterson, Logan Bruton, Aaron Frye, Cliff Swanson, Nick Easton, Fisher Minton and Ryan Callaway.

Three players from South Caldwell were named all-conference: Matt Volz, Kevin Jones and Michael Burton.

Alexander Central, which finished second in the league standings and advanced to the second round of the 4A playoffs, had 10 players named all-conference, including Kyle Kinnaird, who was named the league's offensive player of the year.

In addition, Cougars head coach Tom Harper was named the conference's coach of the year.

Watauga and Hickory each had eight players named all-conference, followed by Fred T. Foard and St. Stephens with five each.

St. Stephens kicker Keith Cooper was named the league's special teams player of the year.

Complete Northwestern 3A-4A all-conference team roster in Scoreboard.