All-State 2A Football Athletes
Parker Snyder - 2A Player of the Year
SJH | Senior | Quaterback | Defensive back
3,170 Yards Passing, 42 Touchdowns, 824 Yards Rushing, 16 Touchdowns, 30 Tackles, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovery
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “There has never been a back-to-back two-time MVP in San Juan football history or even recent 2A history. Parker is very deserving of this award in back-to-back seasons. Coaches around the state vote for the MVPs and I was told by multiple coaches they voted for Parker because of his impact on the team through his leadership, play on the field on both sides of the ball, and how hard it was to game-plan for him because of his dual threat ability to hurt you through the air or on the ground. Parker had 3,994 total yards and 58 total touchdowns. He led the 2A in passing with 3,170 yards and 42 touchdowns. He also ran for 824 yards and had 16 touchdowns on the ground. He perfected our spread RPO offense and was the orchestrator in having our team be the #1-ranked team state-wide in every classification with 57.6 average points per game. Parker never missed a day in the weight room, film room, or voluntary summer workouts. He was a great leader on and off the field and #9 most definitely left his L3GACY on our program. Congrats on the MVP award Parker!”
Zack Conway
SJH | Senior | 2A Football 1st team | Running Back | Linebacker
1,553 Yards Rushing, 30 Touchdowns, 523 Yards Receiving, 5 Touchdowns, 26 Tackles, 11.5 Tackles for Loss, 5.5 Sacks, 3 Fumble Recoveries
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Zack was huge for us in our three-peat state championship run. Zack has broken team and state records and will go down as one of the best running backs in state history. He had an amazing career at San Juan High School but his senior season will go down in the record books forever. Zack totaled 2,076 yards and 36 touchdowns. I wish I could put his work ethic into every kid that I coach. Zack didn’t just roll out of bed each day and have this kind of season. If you drove by our football field on cold Saturday mornings in November, December, January, February, March, etc. you would find him running on the track, pulling sleds, or lifting. Zack set our team power clean lifting record this summer. This award is more than well-deserved. Congrats Zack on all the hard work, awards, stats, and championships! You are going to go on to do great things.”
Brigham Nielson
SJH | Senior | 2A Football 1st team | Defensive back | Wide receiver
8 Interceptions, 25 Tackles, 640 Yards Receiving, 6 Touchdowns
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Brigham had an amazing senior season at wide receiver and defensive back. As a First Team All-State DB, Brigham had a 2A state-leading eight interceptions and 25 tackles. Every time a team threw a deep ball it was at risk of being picked by Brigham. He flew around at the safety position making big plays every game. Brigham was one of the most coachable kids we have had. He was as competitive as it gets and went about his business in a quiet but focused way. I loved the energy Brigham brought each day at practice and it translated on the field. We will miss having #11 roaming the secondary next season. Congrats on First Team All-State, Brig!”
Trace Bennett
SJH | Senior | 2A Football 1st team | Tight end | Linebacker
186 Total Yards Offense, 4 Total Touchdowns, 89 Tackles, 7 Tackles for Loss, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Trace Bennett will go down as one of the grittiest, most selfless players I have coached. Trace never asked or searched for approval or credit from anyone. Trace was given a job and he would execute it. Trace worked hard and did what was necessary for the team to win. Trace was an All-State linebacker for two years in a row. He had 89 tackles this season, 7 tackles for loss and 1 interception. As a tight end, Trace had 10 receptions, 136 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Also, as a tight end, Trace helped open huge running lanes for Zack and Parker and helped us set rushing records. If any team wants to win three state championships, they need a clone of Trace Bennett. I loved his competitive spirit, love for the game, and his willingness to take on any role to help him team win. Trace is the epitome of an American football player. Congrats on All-State Trace! We will miss you next season!”
Jared Burke
SJH | Senior | 2A Football 1st team | Offensive/Defensive Lineman
10 Pancake Blocks, 11 Tackles
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Jared had a great senior season for us at Center. Like our other lineman, Jared helped orchestrate the best offense in the state, paving the way for us to run for 3,028 yards and 54 touchdowns, as well as providing a pocket for us to throw for 3,274 yards and 42 touchdowns. Centers have to be one of the smartest guys on the field in our offense. Jared did a great job calling out fronts all year and making necessary checks for us to be as successful as we were. Jared is also one of the strongest kids I have ever coached. He broke our team benching record at camp this season benching 345 pounds. He used that strength to move defensive tackles and nose guards all season. Congrats on All-State, J-Rod! You earned it.”
Taylor Black
SJH | Senior | 2A Football 1st team | Offensive/Defensive Lineman
4-Year Starter, 29 Pancake Blocks, 38 Tackles, 9 Tackles for Loss, 4 Sacks
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “‘Yummy’ broke a team and maybe even a state record for us starting in all 50 varsity games from his freshman to senior seasons. I have seen players do that playing skill positions like wide receiver, defensive back, quarterback, etc. but I have never heard of a lineman doing it. #55 will forever be etched into opposing teams’ memories. He helped our team rush for 3,028 yards and 54 touchdowns. He also helped keep Parker clean and throw for 3,274 yards and 42 touchdowns. Taylor probably pulled as a lineman in our run game close to 5,000 times in his career. He had a 2A-leading 29 pancakes this season. I will miss Taylor greatly next season. It will be strange not having #55 out there after 50 amazing starts. Congrats on a great season, Taylor, and everything you have accomplished these last four years!”
Jake Ivins
SJH | Junior | 2A Football 1st team | Wide receiver | Linebacker
889 Yards Receiving, 12 Touchdowns, 103 Tackles, 13 Tackles for Loss, 2.5 Sacks, 5 Fumble Recoveries, 1 Interception
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Jake is the definition of a DAWG! He works and plays harder than anyone you will meet at any level of football. He eats, breathes, and sleeps football. He loves to hit on defense and make big plays on offense. He never complains and brings the JUICE (energy and enthusiasm) every day. He is one of the best competitors I have ever coached. He wants to win and compete at anything he does. Even if it’s just a small drill in practice, he wants to win. Jake didn’t even start offense for us until week three. He still finished the year with 62 receptions, 889 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He also could have gotten All-State on defense since he racked up 103 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception. The awesome thing for our program is we get him for another year. Congrats on All-State, Jake! Get it again next season.”
Isaac Warner
SJH | Senior | 2A Football 2nd team | Offensive Lineman
12 Pancake Blocks
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Isaac had another amazing senior season following a great junior year. Our offensive production would not be what it was without Isaac at right tackle. He is one of the hardest workers who has come through San Juan High School. You will likely see Isaac at the weight room or out jogging in his spare time. Isaac helped our team rush for 3,028 yards and 54 touchdowns. He is one of the most consistent linemen I have ever coached. Most times you can point out multiple plays where a lineman took a play off or made a mistake. You would rarely see that when watching Isaac on film. He was coachable and dependable every play for us. We will miss him and his attitude dearly next season. Congrats on all state Isaac!”
Jaiten Knight
SJH | Junior | 2A Football 2nd team | Defensive Lineman
55 Tackles, 13.5 Tackles for Loss, 7.5 Sacks
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “When you think of defensive lineman you probably don’t think they play quarterback on offense. Jaiten is an absolute athlete who can pack a punch on defense. Jaiten led our team in sacks with 7.5. It is such an advantage having Jaiten be a quarterback on offense and a lineman on defense because he knows and understands protections and what the offensive line is trying to do. Jaiten was a beast at defensive end also finishing with 55 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss. Jaiten is very deserving of this award and he is only getting better. Congrats on all state, Jaiten. Do it again next season!”
JD Palmer
SJH | Junior | 2A Football 2nd team | Defensive Lineman
82 Tackles, 9 Tackles for Loss, 3.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Interception
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “JD ‘Gingy’ Palmer was a force on the D-line this year. JD is a dang hard worker and would do anything to get on the field. When you think of defensive lineman you don’t think of 175-190-pound kids but JD was willing to do anything it took to get on the field. We switched our defensive scheme this season to a 3-4 because we wanted faster kids on the field. JD had played linebacker his whole life but we knew could handle his own on the D-line. He gladly made the switch knowing he could be a starter and it paid off big-time. He would often times wreck offensive schemes with his speed. At defensive end this season he had 82 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. I wish every kid I coached had JD’s hunger to be great. The kid is always searching for a competitive edge and will do anything to get just one percent better every day. I am so glad we get him for another year. Congrats on All-State JD!”
Anthony Done
SJH | Senior | 2A Football Honorable Mention | Wide receiver | Defensive back
263 Yards Receiving, 4 Touchdowns, 23 Tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “‘AD’ will forever be one of my favorite players I have coached. When he decided to play football his freshman year he never looked back. He is one of the most gifted and natural athletes I have seen. Anthony has a very high football IQ and that is what set him apart from other players. Anthony was on pace to be a First Team wide receiver until he sprained his MCL against Summit Academy. He missed five games and returned in the quarterfinal against Judge Memorial. He still had 23 receptions for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also was a lock-down defender on defense and hardly came off the field when healthy. We will miss Anthony on the field but will miss his leadership even more.”
Taeg Palmer
SJH | Senior | 2A Football Honorable Mention | Offensive/Defensive Lineman
4 Pancake Blocks
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Taeg finally got to finish out a football season! Taeg has been a major player for our program since his sophomore year. He tore his knee up that season and has been battling knee issues the last three years. Taeg has had to miss a lot of football and basketball games to try and get his knee right. This season Taeg still had to miss some time but ultimately got to play in our biggest games this season. Taeg started the all-important Left Tackle position for us this season and did a phenomenal job. You will not meet a better kid than Taeg Palmer. I was so happy coaches around the state voted him as All-State even after missing some games because of the impact this kid had on our team on and off the field. Congrats on this award, Taeg!”
Jordan Duke
SJH | Senior | 2A Football Honorable Mention | Linebacker
74 Tackles, 2 Fumble Recoveries, 1 Interception
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Jordan and his family moved to Blanding from Texas when Jordan was a sophomore. In our fourth game his junior year he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. I remember being worried if he could recover from all that for his senior year. Jordan worked dang hard and made sure he was healthy for his senior season. Jordan played our middle linebacker position and absolutely balled out. Jordan was by far the most improved player on our team bouncing back from a devastating knee injury in his junior year to having 74 tackles and 1 interception his senior year. Jordan is the type of kid I would never want to meet in the hole if I was a running back. Jordan was one of the hardest hitters I have seen. Jordan quietly went about his business all year and I could not be prouder of him this season. Great work this year, Jordan, and congrats on All-State!”
Branten Bethea
SJH | Junior | 2A Football Honorable Mention | Safety
34 Tackles, 1 Punt Return Touchdown
Head Coach Barkley Christensen: “Branten ‘Give It to Me’ Bethea burst onto the scene this year on defense. Branten earned our starting safety job this year at our summer 7-on-7 tournaments by getting huge interceptions against almost every team we played. He seemed to make multiple amazing plays all summer and in every practice. Branten knows one speed and it is fast. Branten is not just a cover safety like most 2A defensive backs. He wants to hit everyone who comes across him. We knew early in the season that Branten was a great player, but we had no idea how good he would become. He finished the year with 34 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 punt return touchdown. The kid is fearless and we are so glad we get him back for another season.”