By The Hays Daily News

The Hays High School football team's offense might have gotten more attention this season, scoring 36.7 points per game, but it was the defense that cleaned up the all-league awards.

Five Indians were named to the Western Athletic Conference first-team defense: senior defensive tackle Cade Sharpe, senior linebacker Kyler Meyers, senior linebacker Emilio Mitchell, senior defensive back Chance Pitcock and senior linebacker David Cardinal, who was selected as an athlete.

Cardinal also was named Player of the Year for the second time for his contributions on offense and defense. He netted the top honor last season as well.

Cardinal led the league in rushing through the regular season with 993 yards. He finished with 1,055 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

On offense, senior wide receiver Adam Deterding and sophomore quarterback Alex Delton earned first-team selections.

After at least earning a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship in two of the past three seasons, the Indians netted their third title in head coach Ryan Cornelsen's four-year tenure in 2012. As a result, Cornelsen earned Coach of the Year honors.

All-WAC honorable mention selections included sophomore Brandon Hardwick, junior Preston Weigel, senior Jake Sedbrook, junior Kenny Rounkles and senior Derek Bixenman.