2010 BDT-All-Four Seasons Country Football Team

[tbgfan 856]

http://bdtonline.com/localsports/x175061000/Areas-best

 

December 25, 2010

 

Area's best

 

Richlands places 9 on first team

By BRIAN WOODSON

Bluefield Daily Telegraph The Bluefield Daily Telegraph Sat Dec 25, 2010, 05:00 AM EST

 

BLUEFIELD — Christmas has arrived. For the sixth straight year, the Daily Telegraph’s gift to our readers is the All-Four Seasons Country Football Team.

 

Not surprisingly, this year’s edition is dominated by Richlands.

 

Even though the Blue Tornado fell short of their ultimate goal, finishing 13-1 after a 23-17 loss to Poquoson in the Group AA, Division 3 state championship game, it was a season dominated by Richlands.

 

All Richlands did this year was score 663 points, which is an amazing 47.4 points a contest. They were just as impressive on defense, allowing 174 points (12.4 ppg).

 

Richlands pounded everyone until the final game, with its closest game being a 14-point win over Cave Spring while capturing their sixth Region IV title in the last seven years.

 

The Blue Tornado, which won its seventh straight Southwest District championship, had games of 31, 61, 42, 43, 58, 51, 56, 56, 63, 42, 63, 36 and 44 points before the final outcome against the Islanders.

 

In order to make that happen, Richlands needed talent, and did they ever have some? Just look at this team. Nine of the 32 first team players played for the Blue Tornado, and five more were second team and honorable mention selections.

 

It could have been many more, but there are 19 teams in the Daily Telegraph coverage and plenty of players deserving of recognition.

 

Below is a look at the first and second teams — which have 32 players on each — and three honorable mention selections from each of the schools.

 

First, the top honors.

 

•Offensive Player of Year: Devon Johnson, Richlands.

 

The 6-foot-2 junior sparkled for the Blue Tornado, especially down the stretch, eclipsing the 100-yard mark in seven of the Blue Tornado’s final eight games.

 

He finished the season with 1,436 and 22 touchdowns. He was held to 57 yards in the loss to Poquoson, but was limited by a neck injury. He did make his presence known on defense, recording three sacks and two tackles for loss in the first half alone.

 

A tranfer from Big Creek prior to last season, Johnson will be one of the area’s top seniors next year, and is already receiving plenty of attention from college recruiters.

 

•Defensive Player of Year: Josh Blankenship, PikeView.

 

The 6-3, 270-pound senior is a two-time All-Class AA first team selection by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

 

Blankenship was a terror on defense for PikeView, helping the Panthers to an 8-3 campaign and a first round playoff berth. He also blocked on the offensive line and cleared paths for running backs and protected quarterbacks all season long.

 

He’s a big reason why PikeView, which had won seven games in the previous eight seasons, combined for 16-7 mark and two playoff appearances over the last two years.

 

•Coach of Year: Greg Mance, Richlands.

 

Mance and one of the top collection of assistant coaches in the area, led the Blue Tornado to a 13-1 record, a seventh straight SWD title and sixth Region IV championship in the last seven years.

 

He led Richlands to the Group AA, Division 3 state championship game for a fourth time in the last six seasons.

 

Mance was chosen ahead of River View’s Mitch Estep, Fred Simon of Bluefield, Grundy’s Greg Rowe and Doug Hubbard of Honaker.

 

 

Next up, the first team offense, followed by defense, with special teams mixed in as well.

 

First Team

 

Offense

 

C—Taylor Wade, Richlands, 6-2, 240, Jr. — A first-team All-Region IV and SWD selection.

 

OL—Mitchell Boone, James Monroe, 6-1, 227, Sr. — A first-team All-Class AA selection.

 

OL— Brenten Brooks, Bluefield, 6-3, 250, Sr. — A first-team All-Class AA selection.

 

OL—Josh Hess, Richlands, 6-6, 295, Jr. — A first-team All-Region IV and SWD selection.

 

OL—Tanner Marshall, Grundy, 6-3, 296, Sr. — A second-team All-Region IV and first-team All-SWD pick.

 

OL—Tyler Reynolds, Honaker, 6-7, 315, Sr. — A first-team All-Region D and BDD selection, picked as the Black Diamond District’s Player of the Year.

 

TE—Leshon Benton, River View, 6-3, 196, Jr. — A key cog in River View’s inaugural season, led the Raiders to a 9-2 record and a playoff berth.

 

WR—Byron Steptoe, Bluefield, 6-1, 188, Sr. — A first-team All-Class AA selection, Steptoe caught 33 passes for 822 yards and 10 touchdowns, and ran the ball for 543 yards and seven more scores.

 

WR—Bradley Strong, Richlands, 5-8, 160, Sr. — Could easily have been been chosen to three positions on this team. Strong snagged 38 passes for 698 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also picked off seven passes, returning three for scores, and returned six kicks for scores — two kicks and four punts.

 

WR—Dustin Waynick, Hurley, 6-7, 185, Jr. — The wiry 6-7 receiver led Hurley to the brink of a BDD title, and a playoff berth. Waynick was a first-team All-BDD selection.

 

RB—Tyler Berglowe, Grundy, 5-10, 152, Jr. — A first-team All-SWD and second team All-Region IV selection, Berglowe ran for 1,892 yards and 24 touchdowns, including 333 in a win at Tazewell. He played big, despite the loss of his family home during the season.

 

RB—Devon Johnson, Richlands, 6-2, 210, Jr. — A first-team All-SWD and All-Region IV performer, Johnson ran for 1,436 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 136 yards and two scores, all during the Blue Tornado’s playoff push. Johnson played with a heavy heart, after his father died in July.

 

RB— Matthew Romanello, James Monroe, 5-11, 158, Jr. — A honorable mention to the All-Class AA football team, Romanello rushed for 1,054 yards and caught 20 passes for the Mavericks.

 

QB—Cody Lockhart, Richlands, 5-10, 180, Sr. — A second team All-Southwest District selection, Lockhart made the most of his one season at Richlands. A transfer from Tazewell, the southpaw threw for 1,695 yards and 25 touchdowns to lead the Blue Tornado within one win of a state championship.

 

PK—Reece Strong, Richlands, 5-8, 155, Jr. — Bradley’s brother, Reece had a busy leg in 2010, especially on extra points. Strong connected on 81-85 conversion attempts and made three field goals, including 26-yarder to give Richlands an early lead against Poquoson. He also served as the backup quarterback, throwing for 473 yards and nine scores, including one in the loss to the Islanders.

 

KR—Dylan Kidd, Bland County, 5-9, 158, Sr. — A first-team All-Mountain Empire District selection, and an All-Region C honorable mention pick.

 

UTIL—O.B. Pannell, Princeton, 6-2, 190, Sr. — An All-Class AAA honorable mention selection, Pannell filled the shoes of an injury Tevin Allen and ran for 940 yards and six touchdowns for the Tigers.

 

 

Defense

 

DL—Josh Blankenship, PikeView, 6-3, 270, Sr. — A first-team All-Class AA selection.

 

DL—Keith Ferguson, Bluefield, 6-0, 260, Sr. — A first team All-Class selection, received votes for the prestigious Huff Award.

 

DL—Cody Justus, Grundy, 6-1, 196, Sr. — A first-team All-SWD and second-team All-Region IV pick.

 

DL—Will Lowe, Richlands, 6-3, 250, Sr. — A first-team All-SWD and All-Region IV selection. Selected as defensive player of the year on both squads.

 

DL—Shaquille McDonald, Tazewell, 6-0, 330, Jr. — A first-team All-SWD and All-Region IV pick.

 

LB—Aderrius Jackson, Graham, 5-7, 160, Jr. — Played much bigger than his size, Jackson was a bright spot in a difficult season for the G-Men. A second team All-SWD selection.

 

LB—Justin Kidwell, River View, 5-7, 160, Jr. — An honorable mention All-Class AA selection.

 

LB—John Layne, Hurley, 5-10, 225, Sr. — A four-year starter, Layne was a first-team All-BDD honoree.

 

LB—Cody Thomas, Richlands, 6-3, 180, Sr. — Called by Mance as the “heart and soul of the Blue Tornadoâ€, Thomas was selected as a first team All-SWD and Region IV pick. He was also an All-SWD first team tight end.

 

LB—Trey Williams, Bluefield, 6-0, 200, Sr. — An honorable mention All-Class AA selection, Williams led the Beavers in rushing with just under 900 yards this season.

 

DB—Jordan McKinney, James Monroe, 6-1, 180, Sr. — A first-team All-Class AA selection.

 

DB—Sean Overton, Richlands, 5-10, 175, Sr. — Overton had six interceptions for Richlands, earning All-SWD first team honors. He was also a standout at receiving, catching 38 passes for 746 yards and nine touchdowns.

 

DB—Tommy Symns, PikeView, 6-1, 200, Sr. — A second team All-Class AA selection.

 

DB—Cody Underwood, River View, 6-0, 163, Sr. — A first-team All-Class AA second team selection.

 

P—Justin Shaffer, Princeton, 6-3, 260, So. — A first team All-Mountain State Athletic Conference honoree.

 

 

Below are the second team selections, along with three honorable mention players from each of the 19 teams in the Daily Telegraph coverage area.

 

Second Team

 

Offense

 

C—Kory Saddler, Bluefield, 5-8, 265, Sr.

 

OL—Cody Blankenship, Princeton, 6-2, 265, Jr.

 

OL—Jonathan Dunn, Bland County,[ 6-4, 261, Sr.

 

OL—Daniel Lowe, Grundy, 5-10, 215, Sr.

 

OL—Tyler Nelson, Giles, 5-9, 165, Jr.

 

OL—Jake Patton, PikeView, 6-1, 220, Sr.

 

TE—Joshua Vandyke, Honaker, 5-11, 229, Sr.

 

WR—Maurice Brown, Mount View, 6-2, 218, So.

 

WR—Euneke Diaz, Graham, 6-1, 163, Jr.

 

WR—Joe Woodrum, Bluefield, 6-6, 218, Sr.

 

RB—Jared Honaker, Honaker, 5-10, 165, Jr.

 

RB—Mikal Moore, Tazewell, 5-7, 165, Jr.

 

RB—William Rawlins, Hurley, 5-9, 180, Sr.

 

QB—Levi Beckett, Bluefield, 6-0, 195, Sr.

 

PK—Brayan Calix-Herrera, James Monroe, 5-4, 196, Jr.

 

KR—Bobby Bailey, Montcalm, 5-7, 150, So.

 

UTIL—Trey Bailey, River View, 6-0, 188, Jr.

 

 

Defense

 

DL—Hunter Brown, Richlands, 6-2, 260, Jr.

 

DL—Brady Dillow, Bland County, 5-9, 236, Sr.

 

DL—David Keen, PikeView, 6-0, 160, Jr.

 

DL—Brian McGuire, Narrows, 5-8, 216, Sr.

 

DL—Corey Quick, Princeton, 6-1, 225, Jr.

 

LB—Eric Hodge, Grundy, 6-2, 218, Sr.

 

LB—Blake Martin, Giles, 5-11, 181, Sr.

 

LB—Brad Rhudy, Tazewell, 6-4, 160, Sr.

 

LB—Wyatt Robertson, Narrows, 5-8, 147, Jr.

 

LB—Brandon Viers, Twin Valley, 6-0, 195, Sr.

 

DB—Brandon Church, River View, 5-10, 168, Jr.

 

DB—Blake Gent, Honaker, 5-10, 158, Sr.

 

DB—Jalen Jordan, Tazewell, 6-2, 165, So.

 

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

 

P—Hobert Newberry, Haysi, 6-0, 180, Sr.

 

 

Honorable Mention

 

Bland County: Blaine Fisher, Raymond Greene, Garrett Mustard;

 

Bluefield: D.J. Edwards, Brad Fox, Parker Perdue;

 

Giles: Adam Baker, Zack Keaton, Max Ratcliffe;

 

Graham: Aaron Davidson, Cody Hatfield, Gabe Hurt;

 

Grundy: Tyler Justus, John Kelly, Tyler McClanahan;

 

Haysi: Derick Blair, Dakota Stanley, Alex Yates;

 

Honaker: Jeremiah Dye, Ben Price, Dustin Young;

 

Hurley: Austin Cooper, Reed Justice, Greg Stacy;

 

James Monroe: Andrew Evans, Josh Steffey, E.T. Weiss;

 

Montcalm: Jarrid Farrington, Aaron Presley, Brad Wiley;

 

Mount View: DeShawn Headen, Randall Johnson, Raheem Pounds;

 

Narrows: Tyler Conley, Taylor Craft, Brock Lusk;

 

PikeView: Tyler Farley, Tyler Rose, Robby Samosky;

 

Princeton: Dalton Christian, Storm McPherson, Travis Tabor;

 

Richlands: Chandler Blankenship, Albert Fajardo, Joseph Guerriero;

 

River View: Jonathan Blankenship, David Hopkins, Joel Thomas;

 

Summers County: Briceson Huffman, Tyler Maltsberger, T.J. Smith;

 

Tazewell: Chris Chambers, Cody McCann, Andrew Murray;

 

Twin Valley: Shannon Adams, Chance Moore, Henry Viers

 

 

Life has many choices---eternity two

[Lance 228]

pretty good... i think they got it right.

[Bigrhsfan 884]

Yea I think it looks pretty good also. Things like this can always be argued one way or the other but i think they tried to have as many from all the schools as they could and still pick the best players.

[b_rhudy10 10]

I started corner the whole year and I got 2nd team linebacker haha but I'm not complainin