Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Conner Long (8) in action for the Corsairs this season.

By Ray Hamill —As the College of the Redwoods football team prepares for an upcoming bowl game, one of the Corsairs has been named the American Pacific-7 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Former Del Norte Warrior Conner Long, who is in his first season playing with the Corsairs, earned the respect of the CR and opposing coaches and was an unanimous choice for the prestigious honor.

But that didn’t surprise CR head coach Jason White, who has seen up close just how effective Long has been all fall.

“That kid’s got a motor as good as anybody I’ve ever seen,” White said of the outstanding defensive end. “He plays hard every play. He doesn’t have anything below 100 percent.”

Long, who graduated from Del Norte in 2020 and spent some time at Sierra College before returning to the North Coast this past offseason, has an impressive combination of speed and strength.

“He’s strong and he’s got speed to get around the corner, but he can turn that into power,” White added. “And the other coaches recognized that.

“It was just a tremendous effort by that kid.”

Long, who also played a key role in Del Norte’s run to a state championship game in 2019, was one of 11 CR players to receive all-conference recognition this week and one of two former Warriors players.

Tight end Kaleb Price, who has been one of the Corsairs’ most dangerous offensive weapons in his two seasons with the team also was included.

Price graduated from Del Norte in 2021.

Three of the Corsairs were included as unanimous choices.

In addition to Long, running back Isaiah Hemmings out of Judge Memorial Catholic High in Utah, also was an unanimous selection, along with offensive lineman Cale Kuska out of Maxwell High in California.

Defensive backs Ronin Kimbrough (Ashland, Ore) and Jimmy Fomby (Seattle) each also were included among the all-conference players, along with offensive linemen Evan Raymond (Colorado) and Adam Symonds (Montana) and wide receiver Jaydan Burns (Ukiah).

Two CR special teams players also were named all-conference.

Glen “Phat” Williams (Alabama) was included as an all-purpose and return specialist, along with outstanding kicker Ryan Thomas (Alaska).

The all-conference selections and the rest of the Corsairs still have some unfinished business to take care of this season.

CR will play West Hills in the upcoming 2024 Grizzly Bowl game under the lights at the Redwood Bowl on Friday of next week.