The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - The Associ­ated Press announced their 2B football all-state player selections last week, and the list included two WP Cardinals each on the first and second teams.

Kicker Antonio Benito and defensive back Talen Larsen were named to the first team and wide receiver Devon Acevedo and Of­fensive Lineman Nate Bartlow were named to the second team.

WP Coach Jeff Bartlow was understandably proud as he dis­cussed the winners. "This is just another example of how hard our kids work and how much respect we have throughout the state," he said. "We have won a lot of games over the last five years (53) and that can pay off in a lot of ways and this is a good example of it."

Bartlow praised Larsen, a ju­nior, for his impact on the team. "He was our number-three tackler on the team with almost eight tackles a game," Bartlow said. "He was one of our best open field tacklers on our team. He is thrilled and I am happy for him."

Benito, a sophomore, was suc­cessful on 83% of his extra points. "Antonio was a money type kick­er," Bartlow said. "He won a game for us with six for six extra points in the win over TCP 42-41. He kicked a 41 yard field goal with room to spare in our playoff loss to Adna." Benito also averaged over 50 yards per kickoff, Bartlow pointed out.

Of Nate Bartlow and Acevedo, Coach Bartlow said, "Both Nate and Devin earned some other awards (A/B recognition) and both again are happy and thrilled to be a part of this AP team."

A week before the 2Ball state selections were announced, two Cardinal football players were selected to the Tri Cities All Area Team. These selections were nota­ble because they included players from schools of all sizes.

Top: WP's First Team All-State defensive back Talen Larsen (#7) prepares to tackle the Adna quarter­back in the state quarterfinal game last month. Above: First Team All-State kicker Antonio Benito (#52) launches a successful Point After Touchdown against Liberty in November.

Nate Bartlow was named sec­ond team all area offensive line­man and Chance Leroue was third team all area running back.

Coach Bartlow praised both players: "Chance had over 1,100 yards rushing and can also catch the ball out of the backfield," he said. "He is an outstanding ath­lete and could play and start on a number of the big Tri City school teamshellip;so, I feel good about his accomplishments. He is well deserving.

"Nate was a third team selec­tion and this is a big accomplish­ment for Nate," the coach said of his son. "Nate came on strong about the second half of his junior year and really started to play well then and then this year re­ally found his comfort zone on the OL. He was arguably our best OL guy and making both the All State (A/B All State selection last week) team and then the All Area team is a big deal."

Bartlow said that high school coaches throughout the state will vote on another all state team in January. He's hoping for more honors for his players.