BDT - Four Seasons FB Team

[tbgfan 856]

Gridiron glory: Four Seasons Country Football Team

 

By BRIAN WOODSON

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

BLUEFIELD — Another high school season is over.

 

Most of the awards have been dished out, and thoughts have turned to bowl games, basketball or next year.

 

There is one collection of awards left to give. For the fifth straight year, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph presents the All-Four Seasons Country Football Team, all of which have been wrapped in a next bow on Christmas day.

 

In order to honor as many kids as possible, a few extra positions have been added on both sides of the ball, and players from all 20 of our area schools are included.

 

Only two honorable mention selections were listed from each of them, making for some difficult decisions.

 

It all starts with the Bluefield Beavers, which won the area’s only state title this year, an amazing 10th championship in a 50-year span.

 

Our player of the year isn’t a surprise. It’s Bluefield senior Jake Lilly, who has already received his hardware for being selected as the Pocahontas Coal Association/Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Year.

 

Here is a look at the first team:

 

Quarterback: David Marrs, Graham

 

Marrs threw for 1,140 yards and 12 touchdowns, and ran for 944 yards and 11 more scores. The Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year, Marrs was also a first-team All-Region IV selection, was also a standout with 75 tackles and four interceptions on defense, and also averaged nearly 40 yards a punt.

 

Running back: Jake Lilly, Bluefield

 

Lilly, who was chosen as the defensive captain at linebacker on the West Virginia All-Class AA team, is a running back on our team. Lilly ran for 1,308 yards and scored 21 touchdowns, and also had nearly 140 tackles, and finished with more than 600 in his four-year career.. He also played admirably at quarterback for a few games due to injury and threw for 209 yards and two scores.

 

RB: Tevin Allen, Princeton

 

A second-team All-Class AAA selection in West Virginia, Allen set a school record with 1,574 yards on the ground, along with 11 touchdowns. Just a junior, Allen averagaeed 143 yards per game, and 7.8 yards a carry. Also a talented defensive back and return specialist, Allen chosen as a first team All-Mountain State Athletic Conference running back.

 

RB: Devon Johnson, Richlands

 

Just a sophomore, Johnson ran for 1,083 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Blue Tornado, earning All-SWD and All-Region IV first team recognition. Johnson, who also had 20 tackles, 4.5 stops for negative yards, one sack and two forced turnovers, had six catches for the six-time SWD champions.

 

WR: Austin Johnson, Richlands

 

Devon’s younger brother, Austin caught 23 passes for 528 yards and eight touchdowns for the Blue Tornado. The lightning-quick junior also ran the ballfor 355 yards and six scores, and found time to return three punts and a kick for touchdowns. Johnson was a first-team All-SWD and All-Region IV selection at wide receiver and kick returner.

 

WR: Cody Justus, Grundy

 

One of the big reasons for a resurgence this season for Grundy football program, Justus led the Golden Wave to their first postseason appearance since 2004. Justus was chosen as a first team All-SWD performer and a second team Region IV honoree.

 

WR: Dakota Stanley, Haysi

 

Another sophomore, Stanley helped lead the Tigers to the Black Diamond District title this season. A first-team All-Group A performer in Virginia, Stanley caught 62 of Chris Fleming’s passes for 943 yards and eight touchdowns. Stanley was a first-team All-BDD and Region ID selection.

 

TE: Torren Byrd, Graham

 

A first-team All-SWD and Region IV performer, Byrd was an intregal part of the G-Men’s late-season resurgence that landed Graham in the playoffs. Byrd caught 36 passes for 515 yards, with six of those resulting in touchdowns. He had three for scores in a come-from-behind win at Abingdon.

 

C: Alex Marrs, Graham

 

A first-team All-Group AA selection for a second straight year, Marrs teamed with his cousin, David, to help the G-Men get acclimated to a new offense. Also a fine long snapper, Marrs was a first-team All-SWD and Region IV selection.

 

OL: Greg Ray, Giles

 

A senior who has committed to play next at Liberty University, Ray was a first-team All-Group A selection, who led the Spartans’ single wing attack to another succcessful season. Ray was also chosen as a first team members on the All-Three Rivers District and Region C squads.

 

OL: Colt Karnes, Princeton

 

Karnes keyed an offensive line that helped Princeton rebound from an 0-4 start to win six straight and reach the postseason for the first time since 2006. Karnes was chosen as the first team All-Class AAA performer in West Virginia.

 

OL—Justin Farmer, Giles

 

Another 290-pound offensive lineman for the Spartans, Farmer often lined up next to Ray and provided plenty of protection for the Giles’ running attack. Farmer was a first team selection in the Three Rivers District and in Region C.

 

OL—Jon Gibson, Bluefield

 

A first team All-Class AA performer in West Virginia, Gibson was an key part of a Bluefield offensive line that helped the Beavers to a 10th state title, and second in the last three years. Gibson, much like the entire offensive unit, is a two-year starter who only got better with time.

 

K—Juan Calix-Herrera, James Monroe

 

Also a talented soccer player, Calix-Herrera demonstrated a strong and accurate leg in playing a key role for the Mavericks. A native of Honduras, Calix-Herrera and his brother, Brayan, played their first season of American football this season.

 

KR—Lathel Mountain, Tazewell

 

A second team All-SWD selection, Mountain provided a spark for the Bulldogs all season long. He was a standout, either at wide receiver or with the football on returns.

 

Defense

 

DL—Will Lowe, Richlands

 

A first-team All-Group AA performer in Virginia, Lowe had 64 tackles for Richlands, along with nine sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two forced turnovers and 16 quarterback hurries. Lowe was the a SWD and Region IV first team selection.

 

DL—Josh Blankenship, PikeView

 

A first-team All-Class A performer for the Panthers, Blankenship played a key role in an improved defensive unit that guided PikeView to a postseason appearance for the first time since 1996.

 

DL—Zach Pauley, Tazewell

 

A two-year standout at Tazewell after the closing of Pocahontas, Pauley teamed with Shaquille McDonald to give the Bulldogs’ a solid defensive front. Pauley was a first team Southwest District and Region IV selection

 

DL—Cody Parker, James Monroe

 

Parker was key part of a stingy James Monroe defense that helped the Mavericks’ to an 8-3 record, including a first round playoff loss to Ravenswood. Parker was a first-team All-Class AA selection.

 

DL—Cody Johnson, Richlands

 

Also the quarterback for the Blue Tornado and cousin to Devon and Austin, Johnson was a second team All-SWD performer. He recorded 21 tackles, seven sacks and three tackles for loss, while also throwing for 1,308 yards and 18 touchdowns for Richlands offense.

 

LB—Cody Thomas, Richlands

 

The leading tackler for Richlands, Thomas recorded 95 tackles, along with 44 assists, along with four tackles for loss. Thomas was a first team honoree by the SWD and Region IV.

 

LB—Bradley Kelly, Iaeger

 

A second-team All-Class A performer in West Virginia, Kelly also performed on offense and helped the Cubs to an 8-3 record and a playoff appearance in the school’s final season of existence.

 

LB—Jackson Mohler, James Monroe

 

Another Maverick, Mohler led James Monroe in tackles, eclipsing more than 120 stops. The Mavs won eight games this season, while allowing eight or few points in seven of their 11 contests, including a trio of shutouts.

 

LB—John Layne, Hurley

 

One of the top defenders in Southwest Virginia, Layne was a first-team All-BDD performer and also earned All-Region D recognition. Layne helped Hurley to a terrific season that fell just short of the postseason.

 

DB—Chris Fleming, Haysi

 

The offensive player and overall player of the year in the Black Diamond District, Fleming was a first-team performer on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. The leader of the BDD champion Tigers, Fleming was also a first team all-district and All-Region D performer.

 

DB—Jacob Lambert, Bland County

 

A first-team All-Mountain Empire District athlete on both sides of the ball, Lambert led the Bears this season with 861 yards on the ground, and he also tallied 45 solo tackles and 71 assists. Lambert was a second team All-Region C selection.

 

DB—Bradley Strong, Richlands

 

One of three Richlands’ defensive backs with four interceptions, Strong earned All-SWD and All-Region IV first team honors. He had 29 tackles, along with a trio of pass deflections. Strong also caught 27 passes for 482 yards and five touchdowns.

 

DB—John Ballengee, James Monroe

 

Another talented James Monroe senior, Ballengee also quarterback the Mavericks to an eight-win season, and played havoc in the secondary against both the pass and run. Ballengee earned honorable mention all-state honors.

 

P—Holbert Newberry, Haysi

 

A repeat All-Group A selection as a punter for the Tigers, Newberry averaged 40.2 yards per punt attempt. Newberry was a first-team All-BDD and Region D performer.

 

PR—Marcus Patterson, Bluefield

 

Patterson, a first-team All-Class AA selection as a utility player, Patterson ran for 649 yards and eight touchdowns, while catching 18 passes for 384 yards and three more scores. Patterson was especially potent on defense and special teams in the postseason, helping the Beavers to the school’s 10th state title.

 

Our coach of the year is PikeView’s Jeff Damewood.

 

It’s easy to see why.

 

From 2001-08, the PikeView Panthers won seven games. That’s seven wins in eight years. That includes four winless seasons, with the most wins in that span being two.

 

That makes this year’s season even more amazing, especially considering one of those two-win campaigns was last season.

 

PikeView won eight games this year, posting an 8-4 record, one more win than the Panthers had in the previous eight seasons.

 

Damewood was chosen over other worthy candidates like Bluefield’s Fred Simon, Richlands’ Greg Mance, Iaeger’s Mitch Estep and Princeton’s Ted Spadaro.

 

The entire Four Seasons Country Football list, including the second team and honorable mention selections can be found on B-2.

 

 

 

All-Four Seasons Country Team

 

 

 

First Team

 

Offense

 

QB—David Marrs, Graham, 6-0, 190, Sr.

 

RB—Jake Lilly, Bluefield, 5-11, 198, Sr.

 

RB—Tevin Allen, Princeton, 5-11, 190, Sr.

 

RB—Devon Johnson, Richlands, 6-1, 185, So.

 

WR—Austin Johnson, Richlands, 6-1, 175, Jr.

 

WR—Cody Justus, Grundy, 5-11, 180, Jr.

 

WR—Dakota Stanley, Haysi, 5-10, 160, So.

 

TE—Torren Byrd, Graham, 6-2, 222, Sr.

 

C—Alex Marrs, Graham, 6-2, 235, Sr.

 

OL—Greg Ray, Giles, 6-4, 290, Sr.

 

OL—Colt Karnes, Princeton, 6-2, 260, Sr.

 

OL—Justin Farmer, Giles, 6-3, 290, Sr.

 

OL—Jon Gibson, Bluefield, 6-1, 217, Sr.

 

K—Juan Calix-Herrera, James Monroe, 5-4, 164, So.

 

KR—Lathel Mountain, Tazewell, 5-7, 135, Sr.

 

Defense

 

DL—Will Lowe, Richlands, 6-3, 275, Jr.

 

DL—Josh Blankenship, PikeView, 6-4, 255, Jr.

 

DL—Zach Pauley, Tazewell, 5-10, 170, Sr.

 

DL—Cody Parker, James Monroe, 6-4, 240, Sr.

 

DL—Cody Johnson, Richlands, 5-11, 185, Sr.

 

LB—Cody Thomas, Richlands, 6-3, 185, Jr.

 

LB—Bradley Kelly, Iaeger, 5-11, 165, Sr.

 

LB—Jackson Mohler, James Monroe, 5-9, 172, Sr.

 

LB—John Layne, Hurley

 

DB—Chris Fleming, Haysi

 

DB—Jacob Lambert, Bland County, 5-10, 182, Jr.

 

DB—Bradley Strong, Richlands, 5-8, 155, Jr.

 

DB—John Ballengee, James Monroe, 5-10, 156, Sr.

 

P—Holbert Newberry, Haysi (not listed)

 

PR—Marcus Patterson, Bluefield, 5-10, 165, Sr.

 

 

 

Second Team

 

Offense

 

QB—Ben Nester, PikeView, 6-1, 180, Jr.

 

RB—Tyler Berglowe, Grundy, 5-10, 140, So.

 

RB—Gary Blankenship, Hurley

 

RB—Justin Gautier, Giles, 6-1, 200, Sr.

 

WR—Hunter Light, Narrows, 6-0, 153, Jr.

 

WR—Tanner Grose, Princeton, 6-0, 195, Sr.

 

WR—Naythan Mooney, Montcalm, 6-1, 145, Sr.

 

TE—Quan Parker, Mount View, 6-1, 205, Sr.

 

C—B.J. Blankenship, Iaeger, 5-7, 148, Sr.

 

OL—Keith Ferguson, Bluefield, 6-0, 247, Jr.

 

OL—Nathan Ball, Mount View, 6-3, 276, Sr.

 

OL—Virgil Campbell, Princeton, 6-4, 305, Sr.

 

OL—Robbie Rife, Hurley

 

K— Reece Strong, Richlands, 5-8, 150, So.

 

KR—John Bailey, Big Creek, 5-7, 155, So.

 

Defense

 

DL—Mitch Boone, James Monroe, 6-0, 220, Jr.

 

DL—David Keen, PikeView

 

DL—Shaquille McDonald, Tazewell, 5-9, 329, So.

 

DL—Tony Barreras, Graham, 6-0, 240, Sr.

 

DL—Joshua Vandyke, Honaker

 

LB—Zack Mickel, Graham, 5-11, 215, Sr.

 

LB—John Barnett, Princeton, 6-2, 195, Sr.

 

LB—Chris Whitt, Haysi

 

LB—Alex Morris, Bluefield, 5-10, 163, Sr.

 

DB—Brad Fox, Bluefield, 5-9, 165, So.

 

DB—Jon Corner, Tazewell, 5-10, 160, Sr.

 

DB—Jack Vance, Richlands, 6-2, 185, Jr.

 

DB—Jabe Meadows, Montcalm, 6-2, 170, Sr.

 

P—Zach Keaton, Giles, 5-9, 150, So.

 

PR—Jerrell Powell, Princeton, 5-10, 175, Sr.

 

Honorable Mention

 

Big Creek—Brandon Thomas, Cody Underwood; Bland County—Dylan Kidd, Jonathan Dunn; Bluefield—Kory Saddler, Matt Riggs; Giles—Andrew Eppling, Travis Robertson; Graham—Tanner Howell, Cole Davis; Grundy—John Kelly, Tanner Marshall; Haysi—Jeremy Yates, Alex Yates; Honaker— Dakota Meade, Blake Gent; Hurley—Austin Cooper, Dustin Waynick; Iaeger—Lawrence Morgan, D.J. Blankenship; James Monroe—Braxton Thompson, Tanner Beasley; Montcalm— Bobby Bailey, Jacob Shrewsbury; Mount View—James Valentine, Markese London;

 

Narrows—Brock Lusk, Caleb Johnson; PikeView—Cory Hatcher, Josh Neal; Princeton—Jody Bailey, Cameron Mallory; Richlands—Taylor Wade, Hunter Brown; Summers County—Jacob Meade, Seth Bower; Tazewell—Cody Lockhart, Corey Beavers; Twin Valley—Brandon Viers, Keith Bryant.

 

Player of Year: Jake Lilly, Bluefield

 

Coach of Year: Jeff Damewood, PikeView

 

 

Life has many choices---eternity two

[Lance 228]

Looks to me like Mr. Woodson and the BDT did a nice job with this list...I like it.

[rowdyredrebel 10]

I would like to congratulate all the local players who made the All BDT four Seasons country football team. I would like to especially congratulate my son, John Layne, for all his hard work and determination. The effort you have put forth makes your dad and I very proud, so keep up the good work.

[BlueBalls 10]

Grats big Layne and G. I agree with where they got my Rebels on this list, but love how Meade from Honaker got like Linebacker of the year in the BDD and only got HM on this list? I don't agree with alot of the selections here, but oh well. Grats to everyone that got honors.

[gridironguru 11]

Congratulations Big John and all the rest of you Rebels..No internet at home yet (but I do have power)was a great thing to see this morning when I got to work.. I cant wait to see you guy's next year. Get'em in the weight room John thats where it all starts.

[NewHampshireRed 94]

Congratulations Big John and all the rest of you Rebels..No internet at home yet (but I do have power)was a great thing to see this morning when I got to work.. I cant wait to see you guy's next year. Get'em in the weight room John thats where it all starts.

 

Just out of curiosity what was the final stats on the season for Gary, Waynick, John and Big Rob?

[jets 10]

Not complaining or anything. But surprised to not see Carpers name up there. from what ive heard thought he might be first team. but i dont know

[_______________ 10]

Tevin Allen is a junior.

[dogtalk 10]

Just out of curiosity what was the final stats on the season for Gary, Waynick, John and Big Rob?

I think Gary had 1200 yards rushing and 1800 all purpose yards. Cant believe he didnt make 1st Team All Region. Waynick had around 500 yards recieving and 10 touchdowns. Not for sure about the info but this is what was on Max Preps. Did not have much stats for defense. I saw in the coalfield paper that Robbie Rife was the only one from Hurley to make 1st team All region.

[NewHampshireRed 94]

I think Gary had 1200 yards rushing and 1800 all purpose yards. Cant believe he didnt make 1st Team All Region. Waynick had around 500 yards recieving and 10 touchdowns. Not for sure about the info but this is what was on Max Preps. Did not have much stats for defense. I saw in the coalfield paper that Robbie Rife was the only one from Hurley to make 1st team All region.

 

Thanks