By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
As part of this week’s All-American teams package, we present to you the MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American Team.
The medium schools division, as determined by MaxPreps, is comprised of schools of approximately 700 to 1,700 students based on the enrollment divisions of each state. Due to the varying enrollment divisions across the country, there may be some schools represented that are smaller than 700 or greater than 1,700, but play within a “medium school” sized division within their state. Players chosen from California are based on their section enrollment division, not the state bowl game divisions.
Heading this year’s Medium Schools All-American Team is most valuable player Brandon Wegher of Sioux City Bishop Heelan. The state MVP in Iowa, Wegher led Bishop Heelan to a state 3A championship with a 14-0 record. His 3,238 yards rushing was the second best total in the country this year and also set a new Iowa state record. He also scored 54 touchdowns and 342 points, each of which were third all-time in Iowa history.
Some members of the medium schools team were also members of the overall MaxPreps All-American Team. Others considered for MVP: Tyler Gaffney, Spencer Keith, Tyler Caldwell.
First Team Offense
WR – Neal Barlow, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.), 6-7, 205, Sr.
Barlow was one of the leading receivers in the country this year in Pulaski Academy’s pass-happy offense. The rangy wideout hauled in 96 passes for 1,512 yards and 23 touchdowns and helped the Bruins win the Arkansas 5A championship. He’ll play for the Razorbacks next year.
WR - Pat Patterson, Noxubee County (Macon, Miss.), 6-3, 215, Sr.
The best player on perhaps Mississippi’s best team, Patterson was named the 4A Offensive Player of the Year in the Magnolia State after Noxubee County finished the season undefeated. Grabbed 77 passes for 1,387 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year.
WR - Marlon Brown, Harding Academy (Memphis, Tenn.), 6-5, 210, Sr.
The 2008 Division II Mr. Football back winner averaged nearly 24 yards per catch and had 15 touchdowns. Brown did it all for Harding Academy, finishing the season with 1,836 total yards, including 40 catches for 959 yards.
TE – Gabe Ikard, Bishop McGuinnes (Oklahoma City, Okla.), 6-4, 240, Sr.
Ikard is heading to Oklahoma next year where he is expected to play tight end. He caught 29 passes for 542 yards and nine touchdowns this year and was the Little City Player of the Year by the Oklahoma City Oklahoman. Also a standout on defense, Ikard had 68 tackles with six sacks.
OL - Xavier Su'a-Filo, Timpview (Provo, Utah), 6-5, 290, Sr.
Su’a-Filo was named Utah’s 4A Offensive Player of the Year, an unusual feat for an offensive lineman. His presence on the line helped lead Timpview to a state title.
OL – Johnny Farms, Perry (Ga.), 6-2, 285, Sr
Headed to North Carolina next year, Farms is a two-time all-state player in Georgia.
OL - Kyle Koehne, Indianapolis Cathedral (Ind.), 6-6, 285, Sr.
Koehne helped lead Cathedral to a 4A state title. The Indianapolis Star All-City Player of the Year, Koehne was able to control one side the line almost by himself.
OL – Nick Alajajian, Naples (Fla.), 6-4, 290, Sr
Earned all-area honors in Naples after recording 58 knockdown blocks at Naples. One of the top-rated centers in the country, Alajajian will head to Florida next year.
OL – Chris Burnette, Troup County (LaGrange, Ga.), 6-2, 300, Sr.
One of the top-rated linemen in the state of Georgia, Burnette was an all-state choice and recently played in the U.S. Army All-American game. He will stay instate next season and play for the Georgia Bulldogs.
QB – Spencer Keith, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.), 6-2, 190, Sr.
Keith led the nation in passing yardage this year, completing 397 of 626 passes for 5,330 yards and a national best 70 touchdowns. He threw at least six touchdowns in a game seven times and he had over 400 yards six times. Keith, who threw for 10,390 yards and 122 touchdowns the past three seasons, has not made a college choice yet.
QB – Tyler Caldwell, Cullman (Ala.), 6-1, 205, Sr.
The leading passer in Alabama and one of the top five in yardage in the nation, Caldwell completed 319 passes in 530 attempts for 4,132 yards and 37 touchdowns in leading his team to an 11-3 record.
RB - Michael Ford, Leesville (La.), 5-10, 205, Sr.
A first team all-state selection in a talented Louisiana 4A Class, Ford rushed for 29 touchdowns, and added two on special teams. His season total of 2,953 rushing yards, on 340 carries, is fourth most in state history.
RB - Tyler Gaffney, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), 6-0, 215, Sr.
Gaffney was the driving force behind Cathedral’s Division II title. He put an exclamation point on a historical season by scoring five rushing touchdowns in a rout of St. Mary (Calif.). He finished the season with 2,882 yards on 295 carries with 56 total touchdowns.
RB - Brandon Wegher, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City, Iowa), 5-11, 205, Sr.
What a remarkable senior campaign it was for the Iowa-bound Wegher. Leading his team to a 3A state title, he notched 51 touchdowns and gained 3,238 yards on 362 carries.
ATH - Rueben Randle, Bastrop (La.), 6-3, 195, Sr.
With the departure of Randall Mackey, Randle shifted from wide receiver to quarterback this season, so the Rams could take full advantage of his athleticism. Playing out of his true position, Randle still accounted for 33 touchdowns. He completed 166 of 274 passes for 2,442 yards and 20 scores and ran 101 times for 680 yards and 12 touchdowns.
K – Roman Ferreira, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 5-7, 145, Sr
You might not find a stronger leg in California than the one belonging to Ferreira. Of Ferreira’s 80 kickoffs for the 14-0 Dons this year, only 20 were returned, giving him a state-best 60 touchbacks. He also converted a state-record 88 extra points (according to Cal-Hi Sports) and nailed eight field goals to give him the state lead in kick scoring with 112 points. He was a first-team All-San Diego Union-Tribune honoree and converted 117 out of 118 extra points in his career at Cathedral.
First Team Defense
DL – Jacobbi McDaniel, Madison County (Madison, Fla.), 6-1, 265, Sr.
McDaniel showed that he’s ready to play at the college level as he dominated the defensive line play in the Under Armour All-American Game. He’ll play at Florida State next season.
DL – Sheldon Richardson, Gateway Tech (St. Louis, Mo.), 6-4, 285, Sr.
Richardson earned all-metro honors from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after racking up 88 tackles and 15 sacks last season. A gifted athlete, Richardson also caught 27 passes for 541 yards as a tight end. He’ll play at Missouri next year.
DL - Donte Moss, Northside (Jacksonville, N.C.), 6-4, 235, Sr.
There was hardly a bigger terror for North Carolina quarterbacks than Donte Moss. The imposing playmaker posted 25 sacks on the year, leading his team to the state semifinals. He’ll stay at home and play for North Carolina next year.
DL – B.J. Herring, Glenpool (Okla.), 6-0, 210, Sr.
Herring helped Glenpool pull off the upset over defending champion Bishop McGuinness and played on a defense that gave up just 50 points all season. Herring was a big reason behind the stingy defensive play as he had 26 sacks and 89 tackles for the Warriors who won the 4A state title.
LB – Julian Burnett, Westside (Macon, Ga.), 5-10, 212, Sr.
An all-state pick and the Mid-Georgia player of the year, Burnett will play at Georgia Tech next season. He racked up an impressive 170 tackles and eight sacks last year and finished with 544 tackles in his career.
LB - Michael Doctor, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.), 6-0, 205, Sr.
The TulsaWorld All-State Player of the Year tallied 130 tackles on defense and 1,299 rushing yards, helping the Hornets to a 5A state title.
LB – Devouris Means, Dunbar (Fort Myers, Fla.), 6-2, 185, Sr.
Means earned defensive player of the year honors in Fort Myers this year by registering 120 tackles and 14.5 sacks for the Tigers. He helped Dunbar reach the second round of the playoffs and post a 10-2 record.
LB – Frankie Telfort, Gulliver Prep (Miami, Fla.), 6-0, 205, Sr.
Telfort was a force at Gulliver, leading the team to a runner-up finish in the 2A state playoffs to Boles. The Miami Herald selected Telfort to the All-Dade County team after he finished the year with 163 tackles and four sacks.
LB – Jonathan Davis, Tucker (Ga.), 5-7, 205, Sr.
Davis recently committed to play at South Carolina after leading Tucker to a Georgia AAAA state championship and earning state defensive player of the year honors. Davis had 128 tackles and eight sacks and was also a standout on offense with 1,236 yards rushing.
DB - Chad Boyd, Archbishop Shaw (Marrero, La.), 5-10, 195, Sr.
A two-time 4A all-state player, Boyd’s fine play helped turn around Archbishop Shaw’s season. After starting the season with four straight losses, the Eagles made it to the state finals thanks to Boyd’s 126 tackles and five interceptions.
RB – Cierre Wood, Santa Clara (Oxnard), 6-1, 210, Sr
Headed to Notre Dame, Wood was one of the most highly recruited running backs in the nation last year before committing to the Irish. Wood helped rejuvenate the football program at Santa Clara as the Saints won 30 games and lost just five in his three years on the varsity. Wood rushed for 1,622 yards on 143 carries with 26 touchdowns this year before being sidelined late in the season with an ankle injury. He finished his career with 5,641 yards on 438 carries with 93 touchdowns.
DB – Darius Winston, Central (West Helena, Ark.), 6-1, 180, Sr.
Selected in at least one poll as the Arkansas defensive player of the year, Winston had eight interceptions during the season and was good enough to convince most quarterbacks to look to the other side of the field. Winston led Central to the first district championship in 60 years.
DB - Daytawion Lowe, Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.), 6-0, 175, Sr.
Lowe was The Oklahoman’s defensive player of the year after he finished the season with 127 tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack. He also had four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns.
P – Taylor Accardi, Dakota Ridge (Littleton, Colo.), 6-2, 180, Sr.
Considered one of the top punters in the country, Accardi averaged 43 yards a kick last year and also had seven interceptions on defense to earn all-state honors.
Second Team Offense
WR – Jamere Valentine, Myrtle Beach (S.C.), 6-2, 198, Sr.
Valentine helped lead Myrtle Beach to a South Carolina AAA state championship as he caught a state-best 98 passes for 1,515 yards and 19 touchdowns. Also added 13 more scores on the ground.
WR – Jeremy Richardson, Springville (Ala.), 6-4, 205, Jr.
Richardson earned all-area MVP honors from the Birmingham News after enjoying a standout junior season with 61 catches for 1,228 yards and 18 touchdowns.
WR – Drew Sexton, Priory (St. Louis, Mo.), 6-0, 182, Sr.
Sexton was a one-man wrecking crew at Priory. Besides catching 79 passes for 1,408 yards and 23 touchdowns, he also had six interceptions and 49 tackles on defense. Named to the All-Metro team by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
TE – Brock DeCicco, Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Hills, Pa.), 6-5, 230, Sr.
Headed to play at Pitt, DeCicco was all-conference on both sides of the ball, excelling at tight end where he caught 24 passes for 537 yards and 11 touchdowns. He landed a spot on the Post Gazette’s North Fabulous 22.
OL – Corey Gaines, Godby (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-2, 275, Sr.
Gaines found a spot on the U.S. Army All-American Roster after a strong season that saw Gaines help Godby reach the 3A finals. Gaines is still considering college choices.
OL – Matt Wilson, Payson (Ariz.), 6-6, 272, Sr.
Wilson played at the 3A level in Arizona but he received a spot on the Arizona Republic all-state team. He led the way to a 14-0 season and a state championship for Payson.
OL – Henry Orelus, Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.), 6-5, 265, Sr.
One of the top offensive line recruits in the country, Orelus made the Sun Sentinel all-county team for the second year in a row and will play at Florida State next year.
OL – Jared Wheeler, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 6-6, 305, Sr.
Wheeler earned a spot on the all-county team by both the Miami Herald and the Sun Sentinel. He’s considering several college choices, including Miami and Vanderbilt.
OL – Adam Bellamy, Aurora (Ohio), 6-4, 285, Sr.
The Ohio State recruit mowed down opposing defenders to help Aurora win the Division 3 state championship in Ohio. Excellent on both sides of the ball, he had 89 tackles and six sacks on defense and was also one of the state’s top blockers on offense.
QB – Blake Matherne, Belle Chasse (La.), 5-10, 180, Sr.
Matherne was named the 4A player of the year in Louisiana after leading Belle Chasse to the state championship. Not only did Matherne rush 180 times for 1,288 yards and 20 touchdowns, but he also completed 165 of 241 passes for 2,673 yards and 30 scores.
QB – Blake Bell, Carroll (Wichita, Kan.), 6-6, 215, Jr.
Gatorade named the Carroll junior as the state player of the year in Kansas. After playing receiver as a junior, Bell moved behind center and completed 255 of 401 passes for 3,240 yards and 37 touchdowns. He also scored 12 rushing touchdowns during the season.
RB - Kevin Parks, West Rowan (Mt. Ulla, S.C.), 5-8, 185, Jr.
By the time he’s finished, Parks could be one of the all-time leading rushers in national history. A two-time all-area player of the year, Parks has 7,121 yards and 99 touchdowns in three seasons on the varsity. He ran for 2,864 yards and 43 touchdowns on 386 carries this year in leading West Rowan to the state championship.
RB – Joe Glendening, East Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids, Mich.), 5-10, 180, Sr.
Glendening picked up state player of the year honors in Michigan as he churned for 2,580 yards on 304 carries with 40 touchdowns in leading East Grand Rapids to the Division 3 state title.
RB – Storm Klein, Licking Valley (Newark, Ohio), 6-2, 230, Sr.
Besides finishing his career as one of the state’s all-time leading rushers with 6,349 yards and 99 touchdowns, Klein was also tremendous at linebacker, a position he is expected to play at Ohio State next year. Earned Mr. Football honors in Ohio. He gained 1,804 yards and scored 27 touchdowns this year.
ATH – Michael Campanaro, River Hill (Clarksville, Md.), 5-10, 180, Sr.
Selected as the Howard County MVP in Maryland, Campanaro led River Hill to the state championship for the third year in a row with a 14-0 mark in 2008. Headed to Wake Forest, Campanaro ran for 1,849 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 266 yards and three scores and had two touchdowns on punt returns and three more on interceptions.
K – David Lopez, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 6-0, 180, Sr.
Booted 11 field goals on the season including a pair from 53 yards out. Lopez earned a spot on the Miami Herald Broward All-County team.
Second Team Defense
DL – Fletcher Cox, Yazoo City (Miss.), 6-4, 235, Sr.
Cox was named the defensive MVP in the Mississippi 4A division. He racked up 105 tackles and four sacks this year and will play at Mississippi State next season.
DL – Justin Smith, Maryville (Tenn.), 6-1, 236, Sr.
Smith won the Class 4A Mr. Football award for linemen in Tennessee thanks to a strong season that included 91 tackles and 13 sacks.
DL – Tyrone Sellers, McCook (Neb.), 6-3, 215, Sr.
Sellers was named the defensive player of the year in Nebraska and makes his second appearance on the all-state team. He had 52 tackles, including 14 for lost yardage, and will play at Kansas next season.
DL – Jamal Kidd, Vigor (Prichard, Ala.), 5-9, 220, Sr.
Although not very big, it’s hard to overlook the production of Kidd, who had 130 tackles and 21 sacks while leading Vigor to a state championship and earning first team all-state honors.
LB – Anthony Session, Cocoa (Fla.), 5-10, 205, Sr.
Cocoa won a state 3A championship with Session leading the way on defense. He racked up 171 tackles and was named the Space Coast defensive player of the year by Florida Today.
LB – Andrew Franklin, Mitchell (Memphis, Tenn.), 6-2, 185, Sr.
Franklin led the state of Tennessee with 198 tackles to go along with 14 sacks. Franklin earned a spot on the Best of the Preps team by the Commercial Appeal.
LB – Clayton Kendrick, Van (Texas), 5-8, 170, Sr.
Kendrick earned District MVP honors this year and was an all-state 3A pick in Texas due to his 185 tackles and 5 sacks.
LB – Steel Armstrong, Blue Ridge (Lakeside, Ariz.), 6-2, 235, Sr.
Armstrong landed a spot on the Arizona Republic’s all-state team after a spectacular senior season that included 188 tackles.
LB – Dallas Bollema, Artesia (N.M.), 6-2, 195, Sr.
One of the top recruits in New Mexico this year, Bollema was an all-state selection thanks to a dominating defensive performance that included 164 tackles in just 10 games. He’ll play at New Mexico next year.
DB – Parker Orms, Wheat Ridge (Colo.), 5-10, 185, Sr.
Orms was the All-Colorado offensive MVP by one publication and a first team all-state defensive back by another in the Mountain State. Besides rushing for 2,813 yards and scoring 32 touchdowns, he also had four interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries during Wheat Ridge’s 14-0 season.
DB – Malcolm Jones, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 6-0, 217, Jr.
Although hampered by injuries midway through the season, Jones still managed to rush for 1,504 yards on just 149 carries with 26 touchdowns while helping to lead the Lions to the Northwest Division championship and a 14-0 record. Jones also caught 20 passes for 340 yards and six touchdowns and was named the Los Angeles Daily News offensive player of the year. Jones enters his senior season with 3,803 rushing yards on 412 carries with 68 total touchdowns.
DB – Logan Thomas, Brookville (Lynchburg, Va.), 6-6, 235, Sr.
Thomas was the Region III offensive player of the year in Virginia after taking Brookville to the state championship game. Besides completing 118 of 204 passes for 1,545 yards and 20 touchdowns, he also ran 153 times for 842 yards and 11 scores. On defense, he had 80 tackles and four interceptions.
DB – Xavier Daniels, Giddings (Texas), 6-2, 170, Sr.
Daniels intercepted 15 passes, including five in one game, and was in on 85 tackles. That performance was good enough to earn him Texas 3A defensive player of the year honors.
P – Shelby Miller, Brownwood, 6-3, 205, Sr.
A baseball pitcher with one of the best arms in Texas, Miller also has one of the best legs. He earned Texas 3A all-state honors while averaging 43 yards a kick.