Four Cougars earn All-Narrows honors

Central Kitsap had four players earn first-team All-Narrows League Bridge Division football honors, which were announced earlier in the week by league coaches.

Running back Blake Berryman, offensive lineman Peter Van Datta, kicker Eric Forbes — all seniors — and junior linebacker Michael Afalava were the Cougars’ first-team picks.

Olympic High’s lone representative on the first team was Anthony Dick, a senior defensive lineman.

Bremerton, like Central, had four first-teamers: wide receiver Kellen Alley, defensive back B.J. Ray, linebacker Tieba Bropleh and defensive lineman Buddy King. All are seniors, with the exception of the hard-hitting Bropleh, who is a junior.

South Kitsap’s stellar running back Ryan Cole was named the division’s offensive MVP and teammate Andy Sund, a junior linebacker who led the league in tackles, was the defensive MVP. Counting the MVPs, the division-champion Wolves had five first-team selections.

Bremerton’s Shawn Perkins and Port Angeles’ Danny Novick, a Bremerton High grad and former assistant at Bremerton, were named co-coaches of the year. Bremerton posted its first winning season in eight years and missed making the playoffs by one game.

Van Datta (6-3, 245) set the pace for a front line that helped Berryman average 6.2 yards per carry while rushing for 1,414 yards. Berryman scored 13 touchdown for the Cougars.

Van Datta and Berryman are being recruited by the Big Sky-type schools, said CK coach Mark Keel.

“I’m sure Peter can play at that level,” said Keel, “and Blake has the skill to run the football at that level if he wants to.”

Central coach Mark Keel said Eastern Washington and Portland State have shown interest in the strong-legged Forbes, who booted a 43-yard field goal against North Kitsap this season.

Olympic’s Dick, a 6-foot, 255-pounder, caught the eye of opposing coaches with his aggressive play.

Central defensive linemen Austin Jennings and Tyler Moore were second-team picks. Jennings (5-11, 220) is a senior, while Moore (6-1, 190) is only a sophomore.

Olympic’s fleet Jarrell Nelson, a junior running back who was hampered by injuries this season, also earned second-team honors.

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