2009 All-Gazette football team

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Josh Justice

South Point, Sr., 6-0, 190

Gazette offensive player of the year rushed for 1,910 yards and 22 TDs and passed for 911 yards and 9 TDs, leading Red Raiders to 3AA state championship. First full year as varsity starting quarterback. In state title game, rushed for 107 yards and a TD while passing for 111 yards on his way to earning South Point’s outstanding offensive player of the game award. Big South 3A Conference offensive player of the year.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Aaron Crumbley

South Point, Sr., 6-0, 210

Despite missing two games with injury, rushed for 1,326 yards and area-high 31 TDs, helping Red Raiders to 3AA state championship. In state title game, rushed for 122 yards and 5 TDs, earning game MVP honors. Finished three-year career with Gaston County-record 89 rushing TDs. Shrine Bowl selection. Likely to play at Navy next season.

 

Max Elliott

Clover, Sr., 5-8, 165

Shrine Bowl selection rushed for 1,108 yards and 16 TDs and caught 12 passes for 263 yards and 6 TDs. Also scored on a punt return.

 

Kevin Jeter

Forestview, Sr., 5-9, 155

Team MVP rushed for 1,479 yards and 14 TDs, helping Jaguars win second conference title and first playoff game in school history. Also caught 11 passes for 123 yards and a TD

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Josh Wilson

East Lincoln, Sr., 6-0, 210

Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference player of the year caught 41 passes for 923 yards and 11 TDs, leading Mustangs to undefeated SPC title and 2AA state quarterfinals. As a QB, completed 15 of 20 passes for 270 yards and three TDs and ran 151 yards and six TDs. As a defensive back, tallied 45 tackles, broke up 11 passes and had three interceptions.

 

Terrance Young

Kings Mountain, Sr., 5-9, 170

Mountaineers’ career receiving record holder led Big South 3A Conference in receptions (34) and receiving yards (611) and also scored four TDs.

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

McKenzie Cook

Forestview, Sr., 6-4, 240

Team’s co-lineman of the year graded out at better than 90 percent and helped pave the way for the Big South Conference’s third-ranked offense. Also a beast on defense, where he had had 69 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery.

 

Jeffrey Lawing

South Point, So., 6-0, 170

Key newcomer for team that averaged 356.1 yards and 32.4 points per game and won state championship.

 

Caleb Long

Clover, Sr., 6-2, 236

Had 10 pancake blocks, graded out at 89 percent and helped Clover average 400.3 yards per game.

 

Randy Nguyen

Hunter Huss, Sr., 6-0, 210

All-conference pick had eight pancake blocks and graded out at 92 percent for Big South Conference’s second-ranked offense.

 

Brent Walden

South Point, Sr., 6-0, 190

Team’s only returning starting lineman from 2008 helped Red Raiders produce 356.1 yards per game and win 3AA state title.

 

 

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Maurice Falls

South Point, Sr., 6-2, 210

Recorded 112 tackles, four fumble recoveries and 12 tackles for loss, helping Red Raiders share conference title and win state title. Plans to enroll at East Carolina in January.

 

Edward Hopper

Kings Mountain, So., 5-11, 330

All-conference pick recorded 72 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and two sacks, helping Mountaineers lead the Big South Conference in total defense.

 

Norkeithus Otis

Ashbrook, Jr., 6-3, 198

Big South 3A Conference player of the year led team with 109 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Also forced four fumbles, recovered one and scored a safety against Forestview, helping hand Jaguars their only conference loss. Offers from South Carolina, Florida, N.C. State, Maryland, Duke, East Carolina and Clemson.

 

Reggie Williams

Bessemer City, Sr., 5-11, 200

Gazette defensive player of the year recorded 109 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception. Scored defensive TDs on a 21-yard fumble return and 35-yard interception return. Three-year all-conference performer.

 

LINEBACKERS

Michael Cunningham

Lincolnton, So., 6-0, 194

Scored five defensive TDs (three by interception, one on a fumble return and another on a blocked punt return) to go with 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. Forced two fumbles, recovered seven fumbles and intercepted four passes.

 

Robbie Gehring

Bessemer City, Sr., 5-10, 195

Four-year varsity starter tallied a team-high 114 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and three sacks. Forced three fumbles, recovered one, intercepted two passes and returned one of them for a TD.

 

Christian Insley

Ashbrook, Sr., 6-2, 223

Had 90 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack for Big South Conference’s second-ranked offense. Forced three fumbles, recovered one and intercepted a pass.

 

Menjay Melsior

Forestview, Sr., 5-9, 180

Team’s defensive co-MVP had 103 tackles, including four tackles for loss and one sack. Recovered three fumbles and intercepted a pass.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Tydre’ Crawford

South Point, Sr., 6-0, 180

Led team with four interceptions to go with 86 tackles and a fumble recovery, helping South Point to state title.

 

Charles Johnson

East Gaston, Sr.

Led team with 103 tackles and also had two interceptions, broke up five passes, recovered a fumble and blocked a punt. As a return man, returned one kickoff and one punt for TDs.

 

Jayquan Mackey

Bessemer City, So., 5-3, 105

Two-way starter snagged a team-high six interceptions and made 36 tackles, including one for loss, for area’s best defense statistically.

 

FIRST-TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER/PUNTER

Matthew Florence

Forestview, Sr., 6-0, 180

Big South Conference special teams player of the year kicked four field goals, covering distances of 23, 38, 21 and 31 yards. Booted game-winning field goal against Crest for second straight year and the game-winning extra point vs. South Point. Sent more than 85 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Averaged 35 yards per punt. Also threw a TD pass.

 

KICK RETURNER

Kendrick McIlwain

East Lincoln, Sr., 5-7, 160

Returned three punts for TDs from distances of 39, 65 and 34 yards. Blocked two punts and recorded 25 tackles. Was also a big-play threat on offense, rushing for 524 yards and seven TDs.

 

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Marshall Williams

Hunter Huss, Sr., 5-8, 170

Three-time all-conference performer rushed for 1,368 yards and 12 TDs while passing for another 1,066 yards and 12 TDs.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Thadus Benton

East Gaston, Sr., 5-8, 200

Rushed for 1,362 yards and 14 TDs, helping team win five more games than previous year.

 

Tyron Douglas

Clover, Sr., 5-10, 200

All-region pick rushed for 1,474 yards and 11 TDs and caught five passes for 106 yards and a TD.

 

Devyn Travis

West Lincoln, Jr., 6-0, 215

Led Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference in rushing with 1,315 yards on 222 carries and scored 13 TDs.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Tyler Humphries

North Gaston, Sr., 6-0, 150

Ranked second in Big South 3A Conference with 29 catches for 457 yards. Scored one TD.

 

Conrad Wiggins

Highland Tech, Jr., 6-3, 180

Caught 30 passes for 429 yards and led Gaston County with seven receiving TDs.

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Brandon Carpenter

Lincolnton, Jr., 5-10, 200

Team’s top lineman made room for conference’s second-ranked offense that averaged 285.7 yards per game.

 

Blake Hiott

Bessemer City, Sr., 6-0, 235

Team’s offensive line captain and two-year starter made 10 pancake blocks.

 

Will Poteat

West Lincoln, Sr., 6-3, 270

Team’s top lineman paved way for conference’s leading rusher. Offer from Wingate. Ranked high in his class academically.

 

Matt Rutherford

East Gaston, Sr.

Won team’s best lineman award after playing left guard for team that averaged 301.5 yards and 28.8 points per game.

 

Josh Wright

Forestview, Sr., 6-0, 190

Team’s co-lineman of the year graded out at more than 90 percent for conference’s third-ranked offense.

 

SECOND -TEAM DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Justin Lunceford

East Lincoln, Sr., 6-0, 205

Recorded 77 tackles, including a team-high 20 tackles for loss. Also had four sacks, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

 

Aukeem Ruff

Clover, Sr., 6-2, 250

All-region pick had 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

 

B.J. Stamper

Lincolnton, Sr., 6-2, 238

Had 62 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles.

 

Kameron Wilson

Bessemer City, Sr., 6-1, 230

Recorded 92 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception. Returned a fumble 63 yards for a TD vs. R-S Central.

 

LINEBACKERS

Zeek Bigger

Ashbrook, Jr., 6-3, 190

Had 101 tackles, five tackle for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

 

Josh Doster

East Gaston, Sr.

Had 80 tackles, one sack, one interception, one pass break-up, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries

 

Tra Latta

Clover, Sr., 6-2, 180

Shrine Bowl pick had 76 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles.

 

Rod Williams

South Point, Jr., 5-11, 185

Led team with 124 tackles, including six tackles for loss for state champions.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Justin Carpenter

West Lincoln, Sr., 5-10, 170

Led area with eight interceptions and also had 47 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Had an 86-yd kickoff return for TD vs. North Wilkes.

 

Xavier Jeffries

Kings Mountain, Sr., 6-1, 170

Intercepted five passes and had 42 tackles.

 

Patrick Rendleman

East Lincoln, So., 6-2, 175

Intercepted five passes and returned one of them 60 yards for a TD vs. Bandys. Also broke up eight passes and had 50 tackles.

 

SECOND-TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER/PUNTER

Richard Sigmon

East Gaston, Jr.

Went 6-for-7 on field goal attempts, with a long of 36 (twice). Sent 10 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Averaged 38 yards per punt.

 

KICK RETURNER

Raheem McMiller

Bessemer City, So., 5-7, 150

Returned one kickoff and one punt for TDs and also scored on an interception return. Had 51 tackles and two interceptions.

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Jhalen Adams, Bessemer City, RB, So.

Joseph Adams, Hunter Huss, DL, Sr.

Tevin Avery, Lincolnton, DB, Sr.

Brian Barrett, Clover, TE, Sr.

Torrey Belcher, Kings Mountain, DE/LB, Sr.

Thomas Bess, Cherryville, QB, Jr.

Austin Black, Kings Mountain, OL, Jr.

Joey Blake, Hunter Huss, LB, Jr.

Alex Bradshaw, Forestview, DB, Sr.

Austin Buchanan, Ashbrook, P, Sr.

Alex Burns, Cherryville, RB, Jr.

Scott Carpenter, North Lincoln, DL, Sr.

Jayson Carson, East Gaston, OL, Sr.

Michael Cathcart, East Gaston, DL, Sr.

Justin Clark, East Gaston, QB, Sr.

Jordan Coleman, Bessemer City, DL, Jr.

Marcus Corona, East Lincoln, DB, Jr.

Brandon Corry, Bessemer City, WR, Sr.

Vidol Crawford, East Gaston, DB, Jr.

Austin Culp, East Lincoln, RB, Sr.

Cy Davis, Forestview, WR, Sr.

Terrance Dawkins, Bessemer City, WR, Sr.

Michael Dellinger, Lincolnton, LB, Sr.

Logan Devine, North Lincoln, DB, Jr.

Jonathan Faile, Clover, K, Sr.

Jordan Forney, South Point, LB, So.

Matt Fortenberry, East Lincoln, LB, Sr.

Trey Funderburke, Kings Mountain, LB, Jr.

Ridge Garvin, Hunter Huss, RB, Jr.

Mitchell Gates, North Lincoln, DB, Jr.

Wes Ghant, North Lincoln, OL, Sr.

Carson Ginn, South Point, DL, Jr.

Malcolm Grant, Clover, DL, Sr.

Jontavian Hall, Hunter Huss, DL/WR, Jr.

Darion Hancock, Forestview, RB, Sr.

Cameron Harris, Kings Mountain, QB, Jr.

Shane Harvell, Cherryville, RB, Jr.

Ontario Hopper, Ashbrook, DL, Sr.

Patrick Horne, South Point, LB, So.

Brian Hubacher, North Lincoln, LB/TE, Sr.

Devonte Hughes, Bessemer City, DL, Sr.

Daniel Jeffers, North Gaston, LB, Sr.

Max Johnson, North Gaston, LB, Jr.

Joseph Laye, North Gaston, LB/TE, Sr.

Roderick Lindsay, Forestview, LB, Jr.

Dee Littlejohn, Lincolnton, RB, So.

Jalen Littlejohn, Lincolnton, DB, So.

Xavier Logan, Bessemer City, QB, Sr.

Jasper Mackey, Bessemer City, DB, Sr.

Weston McCurry, Highland Tech, QB, Sr.

Scott McWhirter, South Point, RB, Sr.

Shane Merrill, South Point, WR, Sr.

Aaron Miller, Clover, QB, Jr.

Kevin Miller, Lincolnton, K, Jr.

Dillon Moore, East Gaston, DL, Sr.

Cortezz Nixon, Forestview, DB, Jr.

Rhett Odom, East Gaston, DL, So.

Kourtlan Perkins, Lincolnton, Jr. DL

Preston Perry, East Lincoln, QB, Sr.

Mason Pirtle, North Lincoln, WR, Jr.

Joseph Reid, Forestview, DL, Sr.

Cameron Roseboro, Kings Mountain, WR, Sr.

Carlyle Sadler, East Gaston, DL, Jr.

Geraldo Salazar, Cherryville, K, Sr.

Glen Self, West Lincoln, LB, Jr.

Justin Shempert, Ashbrook, DB, Jr.

Byron Sherrill, North Lincoln, P/WR, Sr.

Steven Skyles, East Gaston, LB, Sr.

Dillon Smith, East Gaston, OL, Sr.

Andrew Stidham, North Lincoln, QB, So.

J.T. Stillwell, Hunter Huss, WR, Sr.

Brandon Stowe, Forestview, DB, Sr.

Austin Stortz, East Lincoln, OL, Sr.

Dylan Stortz, East Lincoln, OL, Jr.

Jacob Stowe, East Gaston, OL, Sr.

Jawan Taylor, Forestview, DB, Sr.

Arkevius Thomas, Bessemer City, LB, Sr.

Rashad Thompson, Lincolnton, WR, Sr.

Jordan Toomer, Ashbrook, RB, Sr.

Chris Trogdon, East Gaston, LB, Sr.

Dillon Tucker, North Lincoln, DL/OL, Jr.

Darius Vercher, Ashbrook, TE, Jr.

Preston Watts, Ashbrook, RB, Sr.

Jonathan White, Forestview, QB, Sr.

Antwan Williams, Hunter Huss, OL, Sr.

Jaris Williams, Kings Mountain, DL, Sr.

Jawan Williams, Hunter Huss, DB/WR, Sr.

Brandon Wilson, Lincolnton, QB, Jr.

Brad Wilson, Lincolnton, TE, Jr.

 

The All-Gazette football team was chosen by the Gazette sports staff and based on game observation and nominations by coaches. Agree or disagree with the selections? Send your comments to sports@gastongazette.com.