Football all-stars

RIVER VALLEY -- It was no secret that seniors were important throughout the season for the Mountain Valley and Dirigo football teams which is not surprising to find several named to the Campbell Conference All-Stars in their respective divisions.

Each of these players performed multiple duties on both offense and defense during each game. Their skills, whether individually or collectively, managed to catch the eyes of opposing coaches.

Mountain Valley selections were linebacker/offensive guard Ryan Glover, tight end/defensive end Christian Durland, running back Taylor Bradley and quarterback/defensive back Cameron Kaubris. The lone junior is linebacker/running back Izaak Mills.

Dirigo included running back Spencer Ross and offensive linemen Arik Fenstermacher and center Jake Weston.

Glover and Mills were each busy in the middle of the Falcons defense. Their abilities to fill the gaps and make tackles proved to be crucial. This prevented teams from running up the gut and numerous plays went for minus-yards. That provided Durland free reign to rush the QB in passing situations, who recorded approximately 11 sacks. In the secondary, Kaubris intercepted nine passes and returned two for scores.

Bradley gained 1149 yards rushing and had 17 touchdowns, overall. He transferred back from Skowhegan for his final year. Bradley gained 202 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 43-6 against Falmouth in a semi-final playoff game. Kaubris added another weapon by throwing nine-TD passes and rushing for seven. On several keepers Kaubris followed Glover blocks to the promise land. Mills also scored three TDs in a game and returned a Durland blocked punt for a score.

Ross, along with Arik Fenstermacher and Weston, ended their careers as the most successful senior class in the history of the program. In the past four years, the Cougars have won 30 of 40 games.

Ross admitted being struck by surprise in the first game when the other team was yelling out where he was lining up on offense. This level of frustration continued during the season because every team keyed on him. Also, being a starter on offense and defense took a toll on his 5-10, 155-pound frame.

Ross, who possesess 4.5 speed (40-yard dash), earned a reputation for special teams play. Several electrifying long punt and kickoff returns have proven to turn momentum in games.

Fenstermacher and Weston were holdovers on the Cougars revamped line. They each played linebacker.