Nolan named NW A Defensive Player of Year

Columbia Falls senior Mackey Nolan has been honored as one of the three Northwestern A Conference Defensive Players of the Year for the 2008 football season. He shares that honor with Brock Picard and Tim Rausch, both of Polson.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Nolan was named to the All-Conference first team on offense as a fullback and defense as an outside linebacker. He's also the first-team punter and place kicker. Nolan was an All-Conference punter last season as well.

Senior Stephen Baumgartner (6-0, 180) and junior Kelly Houle (6-0, 205) were elected to the first team on offense and defense. Baumgarter is listed at tailback and outside linebacker, and Houle at offensive guard and defensive end. Houle was an All-Conference second-team noseguard last year.

Four other Wildcats earned All-Conference first-team honors. Senior Nathan Woods (6-5, 250) was elected to the first-team offense at tackle. On the first-team defense are senior guard Kodie Kenfield (6-2, 215), senior cornerback Quenton Hegel (6-0, 165) and junior noseguard Mike Macijunas (6-1, 228).

On offense, Kenfield was named to the All-Conference second team at guard. Macijunas received honorable mention at tackle.

Senior Dustin VonFeldt (6-0, 175) is a second-team pick at inside linebacker, and junior Kyle Howell (5-10, 160) at safety. Receiving honorable mention were junior inside linebacker Mitchell Wassam (6-3, 205) and senior cornerback Tanner Perry (5-11, 160).

Joel Fuller of Libby and Craig Bagnell of Polson were named Northwestern A Conference Offensive Most Valuable Players for 2008.