One player's team is making a deep run in the postseason for the second straight year, and the other's team had a premature end to its season, just like their star.

Kamiakin's Zach Umemoto and Chiawana's Jordan Downing share a lot of traits as hard-nosed running backs and hard-hitting linebackers.

On Monday, they shared one more as both were named MVPs of their respective leagues.

Downing was named the CBBN 4A MVP for the second straight season and was a unanimous choice at running back and linebacker -- that despite missing half the season with an ankle injury suffered Oct. 8 against Moses Lake.

Still, the Riverhawks senior finished third in the league in rushing with 954 yards and was fourth in scoring (13 TDs, 78 points).

Umemoto, whose Braves play Kennewick in the state quarterfinals Saturday, was a unanimous pick at running back and a first-team selection at linebacker. He finished second in the league in rushing with 1,173 yards, and his 15 touchdowns were third in scoring (90 points).

The Kamiakin senior said the honor caught him by surprise.

"I didn't really know it was an award," he said. "I thought it was pretty great, that all my hard work paid off, that I was a first-team linebacker and first-team running back was pretty cool."

Also, he was happy to see two of his offensive linemen make the first team -- Joe Hunt and Nate Brandhorst -- and two more get second team or honorable mention.

"That's pretty good," he said, "because they don't really get that much recognition."

Kamiakin and Kennewick both got plenty of recognition. The Braves have 10 first-team players and eight more on the second team or honorable mention; the Lions have seven on the first team and 14 second team or honorable mention.

Hunt was named offensive lineman of the year and defensive player of the year. Kennewick's Grant Woods earned offensive player of the year, and the Lions' Bill Templeton was selected coach of the year.

There were five two-way first-teamers: Umemoto, Hunt and teammate Jesse Houser (receiver, returner), Woods (running back, returner) and Southridge's Chris Haueter (punter, all-purpose).

There were only three repeat first-team selections, all at linebacker: Umemoto and teammate Drew Oord, along with Eastmont's Berlie Walker.