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Sunday, January 11, 2009

All-Timesland football teams 2008-09: Roster

FIRST TEAM

JOHN HARRIS l Running back

Patrick County l 5-10 l 180 l Senior

Harris rushed for 2,613 yards and 32 TDs in 11 games, as he led Patrick County to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time. He rushed for 309 yards against William Byrd and 239 yards in a win over Bassett. Harris finished his career with 6,571 yards.

DERRICK PALMER l Running back William Byrd l 5-9 l 160 l Junior

Palmer rushed for 2,094 yards on 323 carries, as he led William Byrd to the Blue Ridge District title and a berth in the Region III Division 4 playoffs. He scored 23 touchdowns including a 97-yard kickoff return against Brookville and a 95-yard punt return against Carroll County.

NUBIAN PEAK l Running back Pulaski County l 5-11 l 190 l Senior

Peak led Pulaski to a 12-1 record by rushing for 1,436 yards and 22 TDs on 182 carries. He shared Region IV co-offensive player of the year honors with Patrick County's John Harris. Peak rushed for 223 yards in the Region IV Division 4 final against Salem. He has committed to Virginia Tech.

MATT AIKEN l Wide receiver Hidden Valley l 6-1 l 185 l Senior

Aiken had 45 receptions for 871 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games for the Titans, earning first-team All-Region IV honors. He had five catches for 157 yards and a 92-yard kickoff return vs. Pulaski County. He finished No. 2 on the Timesland career list in catches and receiving yards.

SID BROWN l Wide receiver North Cross l 6-1 l 192 l Junior

Brown caught 43 passes for 908 yards and 15 TDs in 12 games, as North Cross won the VIS Division III championship. The Christiansburg transfer had 203 yards receiving in a semifinal win over Isle of Wight and a 63-yard touchdown run in the state final against Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot.

DUSTIN ENGLEDOVE l Tight end Jefferson Forest l 6-4 l 260 l Senior

Engledove caught 21 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown, but he mostly excelled as a powerful blocker in Jefferson Forest's running game. He graded out at 94 percent as a blocker with 32 pancakes, leading JF to the Region IV Division 4 semifinals. He has committed to Richmond.

MARCUS BURWELL l Guard Franklin County l 6-0 l 288 l Senior

Burwell was a first-team All-Northwest Region choice and a two-time All-Western Valley District selection. A three-year starter, Burwell finished his career with 64 pancake blocks, including 25 this season. He graded out at no less than 85 percent in any of Franklin County's 10 games.

DALE DAVIS l Guard Blacksburg l 6-3 l 285 l Senior

Davis earned first-team All-Region IV honors as the top blocker for an offense that featured the run and the pass. He graded out at 80 percent in the Bruins' system, going up against the likes of Bassett's Andrew Miller and Pulaski County's Langston Lewis and Jared Cole.

ROBERT COLLINS l Tackle William Byrd l 6-1 l 265 l Senior

Collins finished his career as a four-year starter at Byrd, leading the Terriers to an 18-5 record and back-to-back Blue Ridge District titles in the last two years. He was named the Blue Ridge's offensive player of the year and was also the district's defensive lineman of the year.

JOSH MILLER l Tackle Pulaski County l 6-1 l 290 l Senior

Miller was the driving force behind Pulaski's offensive and defensive lines, making first-team All-Region IV both ways. He had 30 pancake blocks, as Pulaski reached the Group AA Division 4 semifinals. Miller was named the River Ridge District defensive lineman of the year.

CORY MARTIN l Center Giles l 5-11 l 260 l Senior

Martin was named first-team All-Region C after leading Giles to a berth in the Region C Division 2 playoffs. A two-year starter and a tri-captain for the Spartans, he was the leader on an offensive line that paved the way for 3,413 rushing yards in 11 games.

JIM KING l Kicker Bath County l 6-2 l 190 l Senior

King made 10 of 12 field goals to lift Bath County into the Region C Division 1 championship game. He kicked four FGs in Bath's 12-7 win over James River that clinched the Pioneer District title, and booted a 37-yarder in a playoff win at Bland County. King had 31 kickoffs go for touchbacks.

CODY JOURNELL l Utility Giles l 5-11 l 182 l Senior

Journell made first-team All-Region C at running back and kicker. He ran for 1,060 yards and 13 TDs on 165 carries, and kicked six field goals including three of at least 42 yards. He also returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. Journell has committed to Virginia Tech as a kicker.

LUKE HARRIS l Quarterback l Floyd County l 6-0 l 183 l Senior

Harris led Floyd County to 13 straight victories before a 35-20 loss to Gretna in the VHSL Group A Division 2 championship game. He completed 166 of 269 passes for 2,291 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,084 yards and 20 TDs, making him one of a handful of players in VHSL history with at least 20 rushing and passing TDs in the same season. Harris engineered at least three last-minute comebacks including winning playoff drives against George Wythe and Lebanon. Despite playing with a sprained ankle and turf toe, he set a Group A state playoff record for completions in the championship game by hitting 24 of 29 passes for 265 yards. Harris was named Group A player of the year by The Associated Press.

SECOND TEAM

QB Boo Woods Bassett 5-10 201 Sr.

RB Tyler Caveness North Cross 5-10 181 Jr.

RB LaCalvin Hickman William Fleming 5-10 209 Sr.

RB Justin Seay Franklin County 5-10 178 Sr.

WR Brandon Atwell George Wythe 6-3 175 Jr.

WR DaVon Ross James River 6-3 155 Sr.

TE Corey Tenney Craig County 6-9 260 Sr.

OG Brent Bostwick Christiansburg 6-3 237 Sr.

OG Josh Butler Narrows 6-2 258 Sr.

OT Caleb Farris Rockbridge County 6-4 292 Jr.

OT Tyler Person Salem 6-4 232 Sr.

C Joey Bikkers Salem 5-10 220 Jr.

PK Josh Storm Jefferson Forest 5-9 145 Sr.

Util Desmond Goode Jefferson Forest 6-1 180 Sr.

SIZZLIN' SOPHS

RB Thomas Clark Liberty 5-8 190

RB Meech Coles Staunton River 5-9 160

RB Rashad Hall Jefferson Forest 6-1 180

WR Thad Basham Franklin County 6-4 190

WR Brad Wooten Eastern Montgomery 5-8 150

TE Marcus Firebaugh William Fleming 6-3 230

OL Tyler Brumfield Glenvar 6-2 220

OL Sam Hughes Patrick Henry 6-1 220

OL Joe Link Floyd County 5-9 201

OL Greg Millner Patrick Henry 6-3 270

OL Mark Reynolds Lord Botetourt 6-1 298

PK Micajah Lacy North Cross 6-0 188

Util Jacob Reynolds Patrick County 6-0 168

SIZZLIN' SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR

DONTAE CARTER l Quarterback l Radford l 5-8 l 160

Carter completed 99 of 183 passes for 1,431 yards and 13 touchdowns to break Radford's single-season record for passing yardage. He also ran for 376 yards and 13 TDs on 80 carries. Carter engineered Radford's comeback from a 21-7 halftime deficit for a 35-28 win at Giles with two TD passes and the winning TD run.

FIRST TEAM

BRANDON HAZZARD l Lineman Pulaski County l 5-10 l 240 l Senior

Hazzard was a key member of Timesland's top defense, as he had 90 total tackles including 20 tackles for losses from his defensive end position. Helping Pulaski limit three playoff foes to just 13 points, Hazzard was a strong pass rusher with eight pass deflections.

RONWYN PRITCHETT l Lineman Martinsville l 6-3 l 280 l Senior

Pritchett made first-team All-Region IV and second-team All-Group AA after ranking second on the Bulldogs' squad in tackles with 37 solos and 67 total hits. He had six tackles for losses and 212 quarterback sacks for a 4-6 team. Pritchett has made an oral commitment to Richmond.

DYLAN WALSH l Lineman Rockbridge County l 6-2 l 250 l Senior

Walsh made first-team All-Region III despite missing both losses to Jefferson Forest because of a concussion and a knee injury. He had 46 solo or primary hits and 14 tackles for losses. The Southern Valley District lineman of the year, Walsh also had two sacks and blocked two kicks.

TRE JONES l Linebacker William Fleming l 6-1 l 205 l Senior

Jones was named the Western Valley defensive player of the year and was a first-team All-Northwest Region pick. He had 106 tackles including 22 tackles for losses along with three sacks, 10 fumbles caused and an interception as Fleming finished 9-2 and made the Division 5 regional playoffs.

TYLER SNOW l Linebacker William Byrd l 6-3 l 220 l Senior

Snow was named Region III co-defensive player of the year after posting 79 solo tackles, 30 assists, two interceptions and one sack in nine games while leading Byrd to the Blue Ridge District title. A first-team All-Group AA pick, he has committed to James Madison.

STEPHEN STROWBRIDGE l Linebacker Rockbridge County l 5-11 l 215 l Senior

Strowbridge made 133 tackles, including 56 solos and 20 tackles for losses as the Wildcats reached the Region III Division 4 playoffs. He set a single-game school record with 22 tackles against Fort Defiance, and had a 92-yard interception return for a clinching TD in a win over Broadway.

ZACH WELLER l Linebacker Christiansburg l 6-0 l 202 l Junior

Weller was voted the River Ridge District defensive player of the year after leading the league in tackles for the third year in a row. He had 72 solo stops and 83 assists. Weller forced five fumbles, recovered one fumble, intercepted one pass and made three pass deflections.

BRETT HOLMAN l Back Floyd County l 5-10 l 160 l Senior

Holman was a big-play man as Floyd County reached the Group A Division 2 championship game. He had six interceptions and scored three defensive touchdowns. Offensively, Holman caught 60 passes for 861 yards and 11 touchdowns, including eight receptions in the state final.

SHAQUAN MANNING l Back William Fleming l 5-11 l 180 l Senior

Manning led William Fleming to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Northwest Region Division 5 playoffs, as he made 53 solo tackles to go with eight interceptions. He had an interception in Fleming's playoff loss to Liberty-Bealeton and returned two interceptions and a fumble for TDs during the year.

ZANE QUESENBERRY l Back Pulaski County l 5-10 l 175 l Senior

Quesenberry tied a Pulaski County single-season record with eight interceptions, including one in Pulaski's 38-0 win over Salem in the Region IV Division 4 final. He finished with 100 total tackles and 15 pass deflections and also led the Cougars in receiving yardage on offense.

KYLE SCHWIZER l Back Salem l 6-0 l 161 l Senior

Schwizer led Salem's defense in tackles for two years in a row, notching 67 solos and 46 assists in 12 games, as the Spartans reached the Region IV Division 4 final. He had six tackles for losses, one interception and six pass deflections.

BRAD COX l Punter Christiansburg l 5-10 l 160 l Senior

Cox averaged 39.3 yards per kick with a long of 68 yards. He downed 16 punts inside the 20-yard line, 11 inside the 10 and five inside the 5. Opponents muffed five of Cox's punts while attempting to field them because of his hang time.

ANTHONY REYNOLDS l Kick returner Liberty l 5-10 l 165 l Sophomore

Reynolds returned three punts for touchdowns in the rugged Seminole District, as he helped Liberty to a wild-card playoff berth in Region III Division 3. Also a starter on offense and defense, Reynolds finished the season with five touchdowns.

ANDREW MILLER l Lineman l Bassett l 6-4 l 274 l Senior

Miller was named the defensive player of the year in the Piedmont District and in Region IV after leading Bassett to a share of the Piedmont title. A two-way first-team selection on the all-region team, Miller had a tackle for a loss or caused a fumble in nine of the Bengals' 11 games. He had nine solo tackles -- five for losses -- and a safety against Patrick Henry. He had seven solos and two for losses against Jefferson Forest. He had three tackles for losses against Christiansburg. Miller finished with 58 solo tackles, 44 assists, 16 tackles for losses, three fumbles caused, one sack and a safety. A first-team All-Group AA pick, Miller has committed to sign a wrestling scholarship with Virginia Tech and plans to play football for the Hokies after his first year.

SECOND TEAM

DL Drew Lester George Wythe 6-3 275 Jr.

DL Josh Oliver Radford 6-2 255 Jr.

DL Brandon Sparrow Liberty 6-4 245 Jr.

DL Kevin Thomas William Fleming 5-10 220 Jr.

LB Lewis Clements Franklin County 6-0 215 Sr.

LB Tahrick Peak Pulaski County 6-3 200 Jr.

LB Tyler Rosser Jefferson Forest 5-10 220 Sr.

LB Nick Sigmon Northside 6-2 243 Jr.

DB Ethan Griffith Floyd County 6-3 175 Sr.

DB Isaiah Martin Northside 5-7 174 Sr.

DB William Saunders Radford 5-8 145 Sr.

DB Curtis Williams Chilhowie 6-1 180 Sr.

P Troy McNeill Lord Botetourt 5-11 215 Sr.

KR Tyler Houk Galax 6-1 170 Sr.

SIZZLIN' SOPHS

DL Derek Brinkley Bath County 6-1 215

DL Ryan Moran Northside 6-1 205

DL Xavier Stanley Patrick Henry 6-0 210

DL Chip Taylor Jefferson Forest 6-1 240

LB Michael Bowyer Liberty 6-0 190

LB Seth Fisher Salem 6-1 185

LB Tre Preston Franklin County 6-2 215

LB Phillip Tarpley Glenvar 5-11 187

DB Michael Cole Cave Spring 6-1 175

DB Melik Green Patrick Henry 5-8 150

DB Dakota Nicely Alleghany 5-11 180

DB Wardell Penn-Timity Northside 5-8 167

P Corey Bolden Glenvar 6-0 230

SIZZLIN' SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY REYNOLDS l Back/KR l Liberty l 5-10 l 165

Reynolds was one of several talented sophomores on a Liberty team that finished 7-5 with a Region III Division 3 semifinal loss to R.E. Lee-Staunton. Reynolds tied for the team lead with four interceptions and returned three punts for touchdowns. He scored five touchdowns in all.

COACH OF THE YEAR

WINFRED BEALE l Floyd County

Beale took Floyd County to the Group A Division 2 championship game in Salem where the Buffaloes fell to defending champion Gretna 35-20. Beale not only produced a 13-1 record, he worked some magic along the way. Floyd pulled out a 40-39 regular-season win at George Wythe on a fake kick that produced a two-point conversion pass. The Buffaloes defeated Wythe in the Region C playoffs on another two-point play, then drove 82 yards for the winning TD with 6.8 seconds to play in the state semifinals against Lebanon. Beale has 180 victories and three state runner-up finishes in 28 seasons at Floyd.

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DEFENSE

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

B

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Megan Marsico l Glenvar l Junior

Marsico not only dominated competition in Timesland, she ruled the entire state. The Glenvar runner broke former Northside star Catherine White's course record with a time of 17 minutes, 38 seconds to win the VHSL Group A championship at Great Meadow in The Plains. She also broke White's meet record in the Metro Invitational at Green Hill Park. Marsico captured the prestigious Maymont Invitational in Richmond as well as the Knights Crossing and Giles invitationals. She placed second in the Foot Locker South Regional in Charlotte, earning a trip to the national championships in San Diego where she finished 38th.

FIRST TEAM

Haley Cutright l Hidden Valley l Sophomore

Cutright placed fourth in Group AA after finishing second in 2007 as a freshman. She was fifth in Region IV and fifth in the River Ridge District. Cutright, who skipped some major meets because of travel soccer, finished third in the Hagan Stone Invitational in Greensboro, N.C.

Allison Homer l Blacksburg l Senior

Homer was consistently strong, leading Blacksburg to the Group AA title with a fifth-place finish in the state meet. She won the River Ridge District and Region IV titles as well as the Blue Demon and VMI invitationals. Homer finished ninth in the Nike Southeast Regional in Cary, N.C.

Annie LeHardy l Hidden Valley l Sophomore

LeHardy nearly won the Group AA championship as she was nipped at the line in a photo finish by Brookville's Janel Reeves in a time of 18:26. She also placed second in the River Ridge District and Region IV meets. LeHardy won the Runnin' with the Wolves meet in Forest.

Melanie Rice l Marion l Junior

Rice placed sixth in Group AA after running a strong third in the Region IV championship. She won the Southwest District title, the Abingdon Invitational and the Trailblazer Invitational in Gray, Tenn. Rice placed second in the Blue Demon and fifth at Knights Crossing.

Claire Sibley l Hidden Valley l Junior

Sibley finished seventh in Group AA as Hidden Valley was second overall behind Blacksburg. She placed ninth in the River Ridge and fourth in Region IV. Sibley, who ran a limited schedule because of soccer, also placed eighth in the Blue Demon Invitational.

Joanna Stevens l Blacksburg l Junior

Stevens ran near the front all season, capping her year with a 14th-place finish in Group AA. She was third in the River Ridge and sixth in Region IV. She also placed second at VMI and was third in both the Blue Demon and Metro invitationals, and eighth at Knights Crossing.

SECOND TEAM

Leah Fitchett Blacksburg l Senior

Trinity Foreman Blacksburg l Senior

Kate Norbo Patrick Henry l Senior

Lindsay Skolrood Hidden Valley l Junior

Mary Catherine Sowder Hidden Valley l Junior

Kathleen Stevens Blacksburg l Junior

Tatum Tyler Cave Spring l Senior

COACH OF THE YEAR

James DeMarco Blacksburg

DeMarco used Blacksburg's vast depth to lead his team to its third straight Group AA title. The Bruins tied River Ridge District rival Hidden Valley with 47 points, but they won on the tie-breaker on No. 6 runner Sarah Dorrell's finish. The victory avenged a loss to Hidden Valley in the Region IV meet.

Josh Morris l Jefferson Forest l Junior

Morris transferred to Jefferson Forest from Liberty Christian Academy and made an immediate impact in the public school ranks, placing seventh in Group AA with a Timesland-best time of 15 minutes, 57 seconds. Morris trailed only eventual Group AA runner-up Alex Ott of Turner Ashby in placing second in Region III. He won the Seminole District title along with the Metro and Blue Demon Invitationals, and was second in the Valley Invitational. Morris ran in two other postseason meets, placing ninth in the Nike Southeast Regional in Cary, N.C. and finishing seventh in the USATF Junior Olympics in Mechanicsville, Va.

FIRST TEAM

George Carter l Blacksburg l Sophomore

Carter placed third in Region IV and wrapped up his season with a 22nd-place showing in the Group AA meet. He finished fourth in the River Ridge District and at the Metro Invitational. Carter was third at VMI, fifth at the Blue Demon and sixth at Knights Crossing.

Andy Eddleton l Christiansburg l Junior

Eddleton finished second in the River Ridge District and Region IV meets, and just missed all-state honors with a 19th-place showing in Group AA. He was second at VMI, the Bristol Cross and the Metro Invitational. Eddleton placed third in the Blue Demon.

Matt Howard l Blacksburg l Junior

Howard placed ninth in Group AA in 16:03 after winning the River Ridge District and Region IV championships. He won the VMI Invitational and was second in the Blue Demon. Howard finished third in the Metro and Knights Crossing meets.

Zeke Hunsberger l Lord Botetourt l Senior

Hunsberger earned all-state honors with an 11th-place finish in the Group AA meet in 16:06. He won the Blue Ridge District title and was third in a strong Region III field. Hunsberger won the Valley Invitational, and was second in the Metro and at VMI.

Bryan Lewis l Hidden Valley l Senior

Lewis won the Hagan Stone Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. and was second at the Runnin' with the Wolves and Knights Crossing meets. He finished third in the River Ridge District and fifth in Region IV. Lewis placed 41st in Group AA.

Charles Mogen l Radford l Senior

Mogen placed third in Group A, helping Radford to a runner-up finish behind Clarke County. He won the Three Rivers District and Region C titles along with the Maroon Tide and Abingdon invitationals. Mogen also was fourth in the Blue Demon.

SECOND TEAM

Robert Deis Jefferson Forest l Junior

Manuel Echeagary Galax l Senior

Sean Flynn Roanoke Catholic l Senior

Brian Ledwith Salem l Senior

Frank Locascio Blacksburg l Sophomore

Jared Miller Radford l Junior

Caman Skelton Blacksburg l Sophomore

COACH OF THE YEAR

Eric Royal William Byrd

Royal led William Byrd to its first berth in the Group AA state meet in more than a decade as the Terriers placed fourth in the Region III meet in Weyers Cave despite not having an individual finish among the top 10. Byrd won the Blue Ridge District title and placed 13th in Group AA.

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