All conference QB honors will be a tough call
Outstanding candidates make 2009 a job for Solomon
Commentary by Mark Gilman, Full Access Sports
November 3, 2009

Some years, football coaches have it easy when it comes to selecting their all-conference teams.  There are invariably a handful of athletes who have such superior seasons that they are the obvious choices when it comes to post-season honors.

And then, there are seasons like 2009 in the Central Valley Conference.

Personally, I’m glad I don’t have to make the selections for this year’s CVC all league teams. The coaches get together to do just that next week.

There are some standouts in the mix—such as West Salem scat-back Sal Herrera.  But on the whole, the talent has not only been very good, but relatively even at many positions.

Exhibit A is at quarterback.  Who do you choose as the first team CVC signal caller this year?

Is it West Salem’s Brett Smith?  The junior only guided the Titans to their second conference title in three years with a potent mix of pinpoint passing and slick scampering out of the option.  Many long time prep football followers think he is a Division I QB in the making.

But Smitty missed a couple of games due to a cracked elbow, which can be a factor.  And he is an underclassman, which can also sway coaches wanting to honor seniors.

Sprague senior quarterback Jeff Kidd is certainly a worthy nominee.  He has thrown for over 300 yards on several occasions this season, and over 400 in the Olys 61-52 loss to West Salem.  His stats make him a front runner in the minds of many coaches for good reason.

Not to be forgotten in South Salem QB Conor Lynch—who was the first team selection last year.  While his team finished second to West in this season's standings, his numbers remained outstanding both rushing and passing—a feat made all the more amazing by the loss of his veteran receivers from 2008.

Bottom line:  somebody is going to get hosed when the balloting is done, unless the coaches get awfully creative.

Glad it’s them and not me.

Mark Gilman can be contacted at mark@fullaccesssports.com