Anchorage Daily News

Leading Juneau-Douglas into back-to-back large-schools state championship games will be one of many legacies left behind by Alex Fagerstrom, the program's most-decorated star.

Everything the senior did on the gridiron, he did well. Whether he rushed the ball, rushed a passer, passed the ball, caught a pass or defended the pass, Fagerstrom was always in the mix.

So it came as no surprise Sunday when the Alaska State Football Coaches Association voted Fagerstrom the large-schools player of the year. But that was just one of five all-state accolades he took home.

Fagerstrom also earned offensive player of the year for the second straight season, utility player of the year, and first-team all-state at running back and defensive back. He set a Juneau standard that will be hard to top.

"I don't know if we'll ever have another Alex Fagerstrom," Juneau offensive coordinator Rich Sjoroos said. "They come along only so often. You get one in your coaching career and I think he's a blessing."

The same could be said for Service coach Jason Caldarera, who witnessed senior Leo Aukusitino blossom into one of the state's best athletes.

Aukusitino was voted defensive player of the year and named a first-team all-state running back and defensive back.

His defensive prowess helped lead the Cougars over Juneau 22-14 in Saturday's state championship at Anchorage Football Stadium. It was Service's first state title in nine seasons and a sweet reward for seniors like Aukusitino, who persevered through losing seasons early in his career.

On Saturday, Aukusitino played a huge role in stopping Fagerstrom from breaking free for a big run or catching the ball for a first down. The Juneau star was held to just 58 rushing yards, one reception and no touchdowns.

Then again, Fagerstrom helped Juneau's defense limit Aukusitino -- large-schools' top running back with 1,361 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns-- to 31 yards and no touchdowns.

Aukusitino's biggest game of the season: rushing for 237 yards and five touchdowns against Eagle River. His most impressive game, however, was against North Pole in the state semifinals. He rushed for 150 yards and scored two touchdowns against the defensive-minded and unbeaten Patriots.

North Pole took home 12 all-state awards, including lineman of the year for Jackson Collins and coach of the year for Richard Henert. The Patriots won the Railbelt Conference title for the first time since 2004.

To nobody's surprise, Service offensive coordinator's Numi Ilalio Jr. and Tim Davis shared the assistant coach of the year award. Ilalio left midseason with the Alaska Army National Guard for an Army base in Kansas. While he trained for a deployment to Afghanistan, Davis took over his position.

Ilalio gave him some pointers via cell phone during Saturday's championship game when Juneau led 14-0 and kept stonewalling Aukusitino. Davis listened to Ilalio while he stood above the AFS press box.

"He would say, 'Well, try this play,' " Davis said. "I'd say, 'We did! And they shut it down!' "

Service ditched its running game, went to the shotgun and Kevin Reilly made history with a 95-yard scoring drive and another touchdown run to seal the win. Reilly, a senior quarterback, was not among the all-state team selections.

South's Colin Graham made first-team quarterback and Colony's Collin Murphy earned second-team quarterback.

Nobody in Juneau history had a season like Fagerstrom, who played running back, quarterback, defensive back and returned kicks. He rushed for 1,166 yards, passed for 283 and had multiple interceptions.

"He's the most decorated kid we've ever had," Sjoroos said. "We'll always have kids who live up to his expectations. And if you have that, then you have a group of kids that work hard. That's all you can ask for."

Find Daily News sports reporter Kevin Klott at adn.com/sports/kklott or 257-4335.

2008 Large-Schools All-State Football Team

Individual Awards

Alaska State Football Coaches Association Player of the Year -- Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau. Offensive Player of the Year -- Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau. Defensive Player of the Year -- Leo Aukusitino, Service. Lineman of the Year -- Jackson Collins, North Pole. Utility Player of the Year -- Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau. Assistant Coaches of the Year -- Numi Ilalio Jr. and Tim Davis, Service. Coach of the Year -- Richard Henert, North Pole.

First Team Offense

Center -- Joe Sokimi, Service. Guard -- Anu Poleo, East; Michael Perkins, South; Matt Lehrbach, Juneau. Tackle -- Matt Packa, Colony; Jack Perkins, Juneau; Clay Tidwell, North Pole. Tight End -- Patxi Colbern, South. Wide Receiver -- Mathew Weedman, Service; Max Harvey, Eagle River. Quarterback -- Colin Graham, South. Fullback -- Jamal Hale, Bartlett; Taylor Lewis, North Pole. Running Back -- Marcus Mendez, Bartlett; Leo Aukusitino, Service; Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau; Dane Ebanez, North Pole.

Second Team Offense

Center -- Balin Babcock, Colony. Guard -- Richard Faaaliga, Service; Mike Sewell, North Pole; Daniel Contini, Palmer. Tackle -- Alex Lutton, Dimond; Kendall Nickson, Bartlett; Corey Lindamood, Service. Tight End -- Tim Orr, Wasilla. Wide Receiver -- Mitch Swetzof, Palmer; Tim Jaronik, Colony. Quarterback -- Collin Murphy, Colony. Running Back -- Marcus Spencer, South; Gibson Scanlan, Dimond; Chris Crane, Wasilla; Brennan Bohman, Palmer.

First Team Defense

Defensive End -- Patxi Colbern, South; Chris Krieg, Colony. Interior Linemen -- Anu Poleo, East; Greg Howard, Chugiak; Jackson Collins, North Pole; Enoch Fifita, Juneau. Linebacker -- Brown Faaaliga, Service; Matt Higgins, South; JD Mitchell, Palmer; Jack Perkins, Juneau; Kevin Ward, North Pole; Lee Jones, North Pole. Defensive Back -- Leo Aukusitino, Service; Alex Fagerstrom, Juneau; Collin Murphy, Colony; Steve Wright, North Pole.

Second Team Defense

Defensive End -- Zac Carey, Service; Phillip Warwick, North Pole. Interior Linemen -- Anthony Ainsworth, Dimond; Troy Masalosalo, Bartlett; Kevin Priestley, Palmer; Matt Craft, West Valley. Linebacker -- Gabe Diaz, Dimond; Jeremy Elliot, East; Gene Ghramm, Chugiak; Trevor Hash, Bartlett; Lincoln Maka, Juneau; Casey Katchinska, Wasilla. Defensive Back -- Christopher Tuohy, South; Caleb Holly, East; Jordan Blount, Bartlett; Vic Wisel, West Valley.

First Team Specialists

Kicker -- Amanda Dotten, Service. Punter -- Kyle Dotson, Dimond; Dane Ebanez, North Pole. Kick Returner -- John Daly, Palmer. Long Snapper -- Ryan Holta, Dimond.

Second Team Specialists

Kicker -- Zach Zegzdryn, Palmer. Kick Returner -- Neil Miyaoka, Service. Long Snapper -- Aaron Mabee, Lathrop.

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