Fast, Rockhill, Lovell are all-state

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 25, 2005

PRAIRIE CITY – Senior Evan Fast was named a first-team all-state center by a recent vote of Class 1A football coaches from around Oregon, and junior running back Brandon Lovell along with senior linebacker Willie Rockhill were voted in as members of the second team.

“This is the first time in my coaching career that I’ve ever had a player voted to the all-state team,” Prairie City coach Chris Wood said.

The trio led Prairie City to the TriCo League title in 2004.

The Panthers finished the season with a 6-0 league record after defeating Jordan Valley 28-20 in overtime on Oct. 27 to capture the championship and advance to the Class 1A state playoffs.

In the opening round of the playoffs, the Panthers lost 30-22 to a tough McKenzie team on a misty, rainy evening in Prairie City to end the season with a 6-2 overall record.

The Eagles advanced to the state championship game where they were defeated 48-32 by Perrydale.

Fast and Rockhill were also honored as members of the 2004 Pac-NW8 All-Region, Team which is comprised of players from Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

Fast was named a second team offensive lineman and Rockhill was voted a second team linebacker.