The 2014 Journal-World All-Area Football Team, from left: Scott Frantz, Free State; Joel Katzer, Baldwin; Price Morgan, Lawrence; Brett Osbern, Wellsville; Player of the Year J.D. Woods, Lawrence; Coach of the Year Jayson Duncan, Santa Fe Trail; Bryce Torneden, Free State; Darric Cashier, Santa Fe Trail; Evan Applegate, Mill Valley; Amani Bledsoe, Lawrence. Not pictured: Christian Gaylord, Baldwin.

Player of the Year

JD Woods, Lawrence

The Sunflower League’s leading rusher, Woods made a weekly occurrence of explosive plays for touchdowns. He finished the year with 1,667 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging more than eight yards per carry, to help the Lions to a spot in the state playoffs.

Coach of the Year

Jayson Duncan, Santa Fe Trail

The Chargers had won two games in the past five years before winning nine this season on their way to a Class 4A-II state semifinals appearance. In the playoffs for the first time since 2001, Santa Fe Trail used a strong defense that allowed more than 15 points in just one game this season.

First Team

Evan Applegate, Mill Valley — The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Kansas State commit opened holes for 2,743 rushing yards and protected the pocket for 1,330 passing yards. Applegate, a first-team All-Kaw Valley League selection, anchored a line that had 407 yards per game. He was also named to the All-Simone team.

Amani Bledsoe, Lawrence — The Lions’ junior defensive end drew constant double teams from opponents and still found a way to lead the Sunflower League with 13 sacks. Bledsoe, a top recruiting target nationally, also added 76 tackles, including 10 for a loss. He was the only lineman to earn first-team all-league honors on both sides of the line.

Darric Cashier, Santa Fe Trail — Cashier was the driving force on both sides of the ball for the Chargers’ playoff run. He ran for 1,286 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He was just as good on defense, with a team-high 139 tackles, including 60 solo, and added two interceptions. He racked up more than 400 tackles in his career at linebacker.

Scott Frantz, Free State — The Firebirds’ 6-foot-6, 290-pound left tackle destroyed defensive players with strong blocks all season. He helped the Firebirds finish with 2,883 yards on the ground throughout the season and average 26.8 points per game. The Kansas State commit was a first-team All-Sunflower League pick and was chosen for the All-Simone team.

Christian Gaylord, Baldwin — The University of Nebraska commit earned first-team All-Frontier League honors on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-8, 285-pound lineman paved the way for 2,890 yards on the ground and nearly six yards per carry. Gaylord, a four-year starter who also was an All-Simone Team selection, had 47 tackles and two sacks on defense.

Joel Katzer, Baldwin — A dominant player on both sides, Katzer led the Bulldogs with 1,846 rushing yards, 421 passing yards and 79 tackles. He earned first-team all-league honors as a running back and linebacker, averaging 6.59 yards per carry and scoring 17 touchdowns on the ground or through the air.

Price Morgan, Lawrence — Morgan caused havoc for opposing offenses and was a magnet to the ball, finishing second in the Sunflower League with 132 tackles. The junior middle linebacker earned first-team All-Sunflower League honors and also was an offensive threat for the Lions as a tight end, with eight catches for 156 yards.

Brett Osbern, Wellsville — The Eagles’ senior topped a strong junior campaign with 1,454 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns this season, while adding 11 catches for 170 yards and three scores. The first-team All-Pioneer League pick led Wellsville to 17 wins over the past two seasons. He also earned second-team league honors as a defensive back.

Bryce Torneden, Free State — Torneden carried the Firebirds’ offense to the state semifinals. The junior dual-threat quarterback tossed for 1,064 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for another 1,277 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was also dominant defensively as a safety, with 42 solo tackles, 15 assisted, and one interception for a touchdown.

JD Woods, Lawrence — Woods was a threat to score every time he touched the ball with his lightning-quick speed. The 5-foot-7 junior running back scored 20 of the Lions’ 27 offensive touchdowns this season, with six scores on runs longer than 50 yards. He also started at cornerback, making 48 tackles and grabbing one interception.

Honorable Mention

Bryan Burnett, Mill Valley; Jake Copeland, McLouth; Tyler Davidson, Baldwin; Grant Elston, Eudora; Seth Griffith, Eudora; Shane Hofer, Free State; Jason Johnson, De Soto; Logan Koch, Mill Valley; Isaac McCullough, Ottawa; Cole Reed, Ottawa; Luis Rodriguez, Oskaloosa; Justin Sharp, Oskaloosa; Cole Silsby, Wellsville; Bryce Smith, Wellsville; Jared Sommers, Tonganoxie; Joel Spain, Free State; Seth Surface, Perry-Lecompton; Skylar Swaney, Santa Fe Trail.