Coal Ridge boys soccer coach Brian Blair admitted that he was a little surprised when he heard he had been named the 3A Western Slope League's Coach of the Year. He figured it'd go to John McDermott, who coached Basalt to a league title.

“It was definitely a surprise,” Blair said. “I did not expect it.”

Clearly, Blair's fellow 3A WSL coaches took notice of the breakout season the Titans put together. Riding a late-season surge, Blair's side finished 10-6 overall, took second place in the league standings and made the state playoffs for the first time in program history.

“It's humbling for me, but it's also a reflection of the guys,” Blair said. “The coaches talked to me [at games], but I think they really judge me on how the guys act on the field and the character they show. That's probably why they thought I did a good job.”

Blair is no stranger to Coach of the Year honors. Last spring, he won the award for his work with Coal Ridge's girls soccer team, which went 15-1-1 and won a 3A WSL title.

“It's been unbelievable,” Blair said. “It's kind of almost too big. I don't know. I definitely get to coach good kids, both boys and girls. That makes it a lot easier.”

Titan players also received plenty of award attention.

Dale Bauer, Alfonso Hernandez, Adrian Torres and Tyler Guettler all made the All-3A WSL first team. Dylan Cook and Lee Wentzel nabbed honorable mentions.

“All those kids who received it were deserving,” Blair said. “One of the cool things about our [postseason] banquet is that most of those guys were honestly surprised. They all could have seen other guys on the team receiving those accolades.”

Select Titans also received all-state attention from the Colorado High School Coaches Association (CHSCA). Eliel Ruiz was recognized as a second-team all-state pick, while Hernandez was tabbed an honorable mention.

Rams land four all-league picks

Wylie Adams and Marco Aguilar represented Roaring Fork on the All-3A WSL first team. Dalton Handy and Anthony Flores were honorable mentions. Adams was also named a CHSCA all-state honorable mention.

The quartet led the Rams to an 8-4-3 overall record and a second straight playoff appearance.

Three all-leaguers for CRMS

Colorado Rocky Mountain School's Luke Falcone and Steve Roh, who helped the Oysters to a 7-4-2 season that featured the school's first playoff showing in some time, were named to the All-3A WSL first team. They were joined as all-leaguers by teammate Mathew Myers, who was named an honorable mention.

jcaspersen@postindependent.com