WDN honors area stars
Published 9:16 pm Thursday, January 5, 2012
It was another great prep football season as several athletes turned in splendid performances in the spotlight of the Friday night lights. Once again, Plymouth shined the brightest underneath those lights as the Vikings dominated on the gridiron and won their third straight Four Rivers Conference and district championships.
Led by WDN Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Reggie Parker, South Creek rebounded from an 0-11 season a year ago to make the postseason in 2011.
Southside, guided by WDN Defensive Player of the Year, middle linebacker James Jones, was able to return to the playoffs once again where it made it into the second round. Despite losing star quarterback Luke Mathews, Riverside put forth a solid season and also advanced the Round 2 of the postseason.
Washington battled through some tough injuries but showed heart as the Pam Pack was able to make it to the second season. Northside was not as lucky this year as it failed to make the playoffs, but the young Panthers played hard and will no doubt improve next season.
Overall, there were so many great athletes that played phenomenal each and every Friday night and the Washington Daily News would like to shine a light on some of the players that made the 2011 season one to remember with its all-area team.
QUARTERBACK
Jimmy Williams,
Washington
One of the most dynamic players in the area, Washington’s junior quarterback Jimmy Williams had an excellent season as he was the main cog in the Pam Pack’s mid-line option offense. A threat to run or pass on any play, the explosive Williams rushed for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns on only 84 carries, while completing 50 percent of his passes for 478 yards and five scores.
RUNNING BACK
Terrill Moore, Southside
One of the area’s best athletes, Southside senior Terrill Moore put the finishing touches on brilliant prep career as he once again did just about everything for the Seahawks offensively as he accounted for 1,1193 yards of total offense. Moore began the season at quarterback, but was moved to running back after a few weeks where he continued to shine each week. The move made the senior even more dangerous as opposing defenses never knew if Moore would run or throw once he took a handoff.
Quadre Pettiford,
Plymouth
A touchdown machine, Plymouth running Quadre Pettiford was a vital cog in an explosive Plymouth offense as he galloped for 1,039 yards and an eye-popping 17 touchdowns for the 11-2 Vikings. Pettiford’s ability to blow by would-be tacklers helped Plymouth win another conference crown.
Rokeem Miller,
Southside
The Southside ground game was fierce this season and Rokeem Miller was a big reason why. Miller joined fellow Seahawk Terrill Moore in the 1,000-yard club as he ran for 1,032 yards to help the Seahawks make it back to the playoffs.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Hayden Bogart,
Southside
In order to run as effective as Southside did this season there must be good offensive linemen and the Seahawks’ Hayden Bogart was the leader of the pack this year. The guard helped pave the way for two 1,000-yard rushers and when Southside did throw the ball Bogart could be counted on to supply strong pass blocking.
William Pledger,
Plymouth
With such a high-powered offense it’s only natural that the skill position players get noticed the most, but none of that would be possible without the play of center William Pledger. Pledger was a pivotal factor for Plymouth as his blocking helped the Vikings score an astounding 600 points this season which was the second most in the Four Rivers Conference.
Dillon Culter, Northside
It was a tough season for Northside but the play of tackle Dillon Cutler was one of the bright spots. The mammoth Cutler was named to the Four Rivers all-conference team and did a tremendous job blocking for fellow all-conference selection running back Justin Marshlander and the rest of the offense.
Bryce Modlin,
Riverside
Perhaps no team in the Four Rivers Conference runs a more balanced offense than Riverside which means that the Knights’ offensive linemen are asked to do a lot. That was not a problem for guard Bryce Modlin whose speed and toughness was a great aid in the team’s running, passing and screen game.
Bill Anderson, Plymouth
Anytime a team goes 11-2 and scores 46 points per game it means it is getting the job done up front and Bill Anderson put in a lot of work for Plymouth. With speedy backs Quadre Pettiford, Kendrick Pitt and Devonte Bland, the right block could mean the difference between a three-yard pickup or a 30-yard dash down field and this season Plymouth had more than its share of explosive plays.
WIDE RECEIVER
Ramelle Lanier, Riverside
One of the most feared skill guys in the area, Riverside wide receiver Ramelle Lanier was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball. Despite missing four games due to injury, the two-time all-area widout still tallied 25 catches for 301 yards and played a big part in the Knights’ run game as he rushed for 516 yards and eight scores.
TIGHT END
Jack Rodman
With an offense centered around the running game, Washington didn’t throw the ball too much but when it did Jack Rodman was the primary target. With good size and sure hands, Rodman was able to pull down 23 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns for the Pam Pack.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNTER
Jack Rodman, Washington
Equipped with a super strong leg, Jack Rodman routinely boomed punts for the Pam Pack this season. If the Washington offense needed a bail out, Rodman was the one to supply it as his 42.3 yards per punt average was a big weapon when it came time to flip field position.
Kicker
Will Cutler, Washington
A dependable kicker can be an extremely valuable advantage over an opponent in the high school game and this season Will Cutler was just that for the Pam Pack. Cutler showed solid range making a long of 37-yards this season and was very accurate kicking PATs.
ATHLETE
Keane Graham, Washington
A great weapon for Washington, Keane Graham did a bit of everything for the Pam Pack this season. Rushing for over eight yards per carry, the speedy running back/slot receiver tallied 821 rushing yards and six scores while pulling down six passes and one touchdown reception.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jaquan Durham, South Creek
A one man wrecking crew up front, 6-3, 235-pound defensive tackle Jaquan Durham is equipped with the size and the speed to cave in opposing offensive lines as he put together a supreme season racking up 64 tackles, 10 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss in only 10 games for South Creek. Just a junior, Durham will without a doubt be one of the best players in the area on either side of the ball come the 2012 football season.
Corey Schultz, Southside
This year Southside featured one of the more solid defenses in the area and Corey Schultz was a big part of that. Good against the run and the pass, Schultz had a stellar season and his play up front was key for the Seahawks.
Mario Moore, Riverside
A beast up front, Riverside’s Mario Moore led a Knights’ defense that was ranked third in the Four Rivers Conference in points allowed. The Riverside defensive end racked up 56 tackles this season and was second on the team in tackles for a loss with 24. Moore also forced four fumbles and recorded one sack for Riverside.
Carl McCray, Plymouth
A real versatile player for Plymouth, Carl McCray made the move to nose guard after a few weeks and had an immediate impact for the Vikings. The senior’s speed and quickness made him a disruptive force up front as he had a menacing effect on opposing offensive lines.
LINEBACKERS
Keimon Blount, Plymouth
Lost in the shuffle behind the Vikings’ point-racking offense was the fact the their defense was just as good thanks to a speedy linebacking corps led by third-year starter Keimon Blount. On the season, Blount accounted for 54 solo stops and forced two fumbles for Plymouth.
Dreshon Ampley, South Creek
A real physical presence for the South Creek defense, Dreshon Ampley had a dynamite season for the Cougars as he averaged 11.4 tackles per game to tally a remarkable 137 on the season. Ampley also recovered six fumbles and forced two, while returning one for a touchdown.
Thurman Collier, Riverside
Allowing a mere 18 points per game to rank third in the Four Rivers Conference, Riverside’s defense continued its tradition of being one of the best around thanks to the play of linebacker Thurman Collier. The Knights’ senior had a tremendous season as he recorded team-highs in tackles and tackles for a loss with 117 and 29, respectively. Fast, tough and smart, Collier came up big every night for the Knights.
SECONDARY
Donovan Brown, Riverside
Riverside is known the bring the heat on defense and that pressure helped corner Donovan Brown pick off a team-best seven passes this year for the fearsome Knights’ defense. Aside from having a strong nose for the ball, Brown booked 27 tackles and deflected three passes.
Kendrick Pitt, Plymouth
Maybe the best corner in the area, Kendrick Pitt solidified the Knights defense with his athleticism and savvy. Pitt not only did a tremendous job in pass coverage, but also was a big factor in run support.
Pernell Razor, Washington
A real steady presence on the Pam Pack defense, Pernell Razor did a little bit of everything for Washington this season as he manned the field from his safety spot. Razor’s great combination of speed and awareness allowed him to record a whopping 101 tackles this year for the Pack.
Reginald Parker, South Creek
He may have been the WDN Offensive Player of the Year, but Reginald Parker was also pretty good on defense as well. Parker, a true leader of the team in every sense, racked up 73 stops for the Cougars this year and helped lead the team into the postseason for the first time in school history.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Sharmontez Ferebee
RUNNING BACK
Johnnie Pender, Southside
Kendrick Pitt, Plymouth
Jadarian Brown, Riverside
OFFENSIVE LINE
Devonte Spruill, Plymouth
Dashaun James, Riverside
Jordan King, Washington
Dylan Cutler, Washington
Jaquan Durham, South Creek
WIDE RECEIVER
Marcus Freeman, Riverside
Tight end
Chris Rogerson, Plymouth
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNTER
Chris Rogerson, Plymouth
KICKER
Andy Davis, Riverside
ATHLETE
Antonio Woods, Northside
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Darik Cox, Riverside
Hayden Bogart, Southside
Brandon Young, Washington
Mark Whitten, Plymouth
LINEBACKER
Quashon Davis, Washington
Reginald Howell, South Creek
Johnny Pender, Southside
SECONDARY
Ryan Byrd, Riverside
Karim Topping, Washington
K.J. Rouse, Southside
Dakuan Goddard, South Creek
HONORABLE MENTION
NORTHSIDE
Justin Marshlander
Willie LeBarge
Alonzo Mendoza
Dale Russ
Deion Lanier
PLYMOUTH
Khalil Sheppard
Kizmel Norman
Demarkius Price
Zack Sawyer
Devonte Bland
Bryant-Wilkins Robinson
Zack Singletary
Mike Whitten
William Hollinworth
RIVERSIDE
Matt Wisenewski
Tremaine Beach
Jamal Whitehurst
Iran James
Adrian Williams
SOUTH CREEK
Markail Farmer
Zach Pelt
Brandon Raynor
Troy Everett
Thire Manning
SOUTHSIDE
Willie Moore
Andrew Jones
Cole Kellum
John Starkie
Kyle White
Bryan Dixon
WASHINGTON
Austin Mitchell
Daniel Maultsby
D.J. Bell
Jaquez Columbus
Stephon Moore
Baylone Guilford
Will Cutler
Devontae Corprew
Marquest Jackson
Corey Davis