By Stephen Spiewak/Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
It was a great year for football in the City of Rock Hill, S.C. South Pointe won the 4A-II state title, the Rock Hill Bearcats made it to the 4A-I semifinals and Northwestern finished 13-2.
You can add another notch on the Rock Hill football belt, as Northwestern quarterback Justin Worley is MaxPreps’ National Sophomore of the Year.
The 6-foot-3 Worley set school records with 3,641 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. His 309 completions is a state record, besting the mark set by former Byrnes quarterback Willy Korn.
At his current pace, Worley could also surpass Korn in career touchdown tosses by the time his career concludes.
The second half of Worley’s career should be a treat for Rock Hill football fans as he further solidifies the area’s reputation as a burgeoning hotbed of football talent.
Also considered for National Sophomore of the Year: Everett Golson (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Kenny Hilliard (Patterson, La.), Jermauria Rasco (Evangel Christian, La.)
MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Team
First Team Offense
WR Kasen Williams, Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.), 6-2, 191
For two consecutive postseasons, Williams has risen to the occasion. After making numerous clutch grabs as a freshman, Williams intercepted a pass in the Spartans’ state finals win over Issaquah.
WR Charon Peake, Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), 6-3, 185
Peake was one of the first players in his class to receive scholarship offers. The gifted athlete is dangerous each time he touches the ball. Expect him to explode as a junior as Dorman should shift to a more pass friendly offense.
WR Davaris Daniels, Vernon Hills (Ill.), 6-3, 170
Daniels earned All-State honorable mention after another impressive season for Vernon Hills. His speed and size combination provides matchup problems for opposing defenses.
TE Jay Rome, Valdosta (Ga.), 6-6, 220
The top tight end in Georgia’s extremely challenging 1-AAAAA, Rome is a blossoming star at Valdosta in both football and basketball. He certainly has the pedigree; his father Stan was a star quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
OL Landon Turner, Harrisonburg (Va.), 6-5, 305
Perhaps the best sophomore offensive lineman in the nation, Turner cracked the all-district team as a freshman starting at right tackle. His sophomore campaign was sidetracked with injury, but that hasn’t slowed down college interest for Turner, who doesn’t turn 16 until May.
OL Brandon Shell, West Ashley (S.C.), 6-8, 280
Nephew of Hall of Famer Art Shell, Brandon is similarly endowed with talent. He excels at both football and basketball, and may look to play both in college.
OL Victor Nelson Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.), 6-7, 294
College coaches made their rounds at Maine South this season as the 8A champs featured star quarterback Charlie Goro, committed to Vanderbilt. The road to Park Ridge will continue to get heavy use by recruiters, as Victor Nelson is already on the radar of numerous major programs.
OL Eric MacLain, Jack Britt (Fayetteville, N.C.), 6-5, 270
Recruiters flocked to Jack Britt to see Xavier Nixon, but liked what they saw in Eric MacLain as well. MacLain may have been the first member of the class of 2011 to commit to a college when he declared his intention to attend the University of Tennessee in October.
OL Garrett Gladd, Sallisaw (Okla.), 6-4, 280
Agile and quick for his size, Gladd will be a top Oklahoma prospect. He started as a ninth grader for Sallisaw and continues to show great promise.
QB Justin Worley Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 6-3, 179
MaxPreps’ National Sophomore of the Year, Worley was flat out dominant. His 50 touchdown passes is three short of the state record set by former Byrnes quarterback Willy Korn. His 3,641 passing yards is a school record.
QB Everett Golson Myrtle Beach (S.C.), 6-0, 167
Ironically, Worley’s stiffest competition for National Sophomore of the Year came from only 200 miles away. Golson, already a highly coveted prospect, finished second in the state in yards (3,587), completions (238), and touchdowns (44) – all behind Worley.
RB Kenny Hilliard Patterson (La.), 6-0, 218
Hilliard is already a two time All-State selection in Louisiana’s Class 3A, but this year, he was named the offensive player of the year. The nephew of Dalton Hilliard compiled 2,377 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground.
RB Adonis Ameen-Moore Mullen (Denver, Colo.), 5-10, 210
Moore is a bruising back that has also taken home All-State honors twice. This season, he led Mullen to a state title. He rushed for 132 yards and two scores in the title game against Cherry Creek. The University of Colorado is hoping to keep him within state borders.
RB Malcolm Brown, Steele (Cibolo, Texas), 6-0, 205
Brown leads a strong class of Texas backs that includes Herschel Sims (Abilene), Aaron Green (Madison), and Daniel Lasco (The Woodlands). He rushed for 1,372 yards and 17 touchdowns in only seven games before a season ending injury.
ATH Karlos Williams, Ridge (Davenport, Fla.), 6-0, 190
The younger brother of Florida State’s Vince Williams, Karlos played quarterback for Ridge and led the Boltz to a 10-2 record. Given his supreme athleticism, he could play several positions in college.
K Jake Van Ginkel, Upland (Calif.), 6-0, 175
Ginkel was a touchback machine who also drilled 62 extra points and nine field goals, with a long of 54 yards.
First Team Defense
DL Samuel Harvill, Shiloh Christian (Springdale, Ark.), 6-1, 250
A defensive leader for Arkansas’ 4A state champ, Harvill rang up 8.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he is among the strongest players in the country regardless of grade.
DL Jermauria Rasco, Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.), 6-4, 230
Shreveport’s all-area defensive player of the year was nearly impossible to block. He put up numbers that are simply eye-popping: 159 tackles and 26 sacks.
DL Ryan Ena, El Camino (Oceanside, Calif.), 6-5, 238
Given his size and ability, Ena projects nicely as a Division I athlete on either side of the ball. He was a stand out on an El Camino team that struggled this year, but should have a bright future.
DL Beau Fitte, South Plaquemines (Port Sulphur, La.), 6-1, 210
Another season, another state title and another All-State appearance for Fitte. He was a standout for a South Plaquemines defense that posted eight consecutive shutouts, finishing with 68 tackles and 19 sacks.
LB Shannon Brown, Cook (Adel, Ga.) 6-3, 225
Brown has played running back for Cook, but it appears his body may be perfectly suited for linebacker in college. An absolute physical specimen, Brown should be heavily courted by colleges as he heads into his junior year.
LB James Wilder Jr., Chamberlain (Tampa, Fla.)
A St. Petersburg Times all-west conference selection, Wilder is one of Florida’s premier sophomores. He was a force on defense, finishing the season with a whopping 145 tackles and 15 sacks.
LB Denzel Perryman, Coral Gables (Fla.) 5-11, 196
With 104 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions, Perryman was selected first team All-Dade. The University of Miami, located less than two miles from Coral Gables’ campus, is already targeting Perryman.
LB Sam Papa, Desert Ridge (Mesa, Ariz.), 6-4, 190
Papa boasts a great frame with room to grow. While his potential is outstanding, he has also been producing in the present. His 95 tackles and six sacks came against a tough schedule featuring some powerful 5A teams.
LB Micah Seau, Bishop's School (La Jolla, Calif.), 6-2, 210
Defense runs in the genes for the Seau family. Micah exploded for 131 tackles and nine sacks last year. Cousin and fellow sophomore Ian Seau, playing at La Costa Canyon, was an all-league selection.
DB Jabriel Washington, Trinity Christian (Jackson, Tenn.) 6-1, 160
Washington is one of Tennessee’s most exciting players, and maybe the cream of a deep crop of sophomores. He played quarterback this season, and is getting recruited at wide receiver and defensive back. His coaches think he’ll excel at defense on the next level.
DB Terrell Chestnut, Pottsgrove (Pa.), 6-0, 165
An All-State selection at defensive back as a freshman, Chestnut’s athleticism mandated a move to quarterback, where he scored 30 touchdowns and led the Pottsgrove to an 11-2 record. Fellow sophomore Maika Polamalu also has a bright future for the Falcons.
DB Dominique Terrell, Osbourn Park (Manassas, Va.), 5-11, 175
In his first season at Osbourn Park, Terrell impressed on offense and defense, playing both quarterback and safety. He made all-district for his work in the secondary, displaying immense potential. Virginia Tech fans are already hoping that Terrell brings his talents to Blacksburg.
DB Quandre Diggs, Angleton (Texas), 5-9, 175
The District 24-4A offense player of the year is also a shut down corner. He could be one of the state’s premier players in 4A next season as only a junior.
DB Cortez Davis, Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.), 6-5, 180
Mainland is loaded with young talent, including sophomore running back Marlon Lane, but Davis may be the best of the bunch. He recorded 28 tackles and four interceptions, and also saw some time at wide receiver. The News-Journal selected him to their all-area first team.
P Matt Wile Parker (San Diego, Calif.), 6-1, 185
Wile placed five punts inside the 20 yard line, averaging 37 yards per punt.
Second Team Offense
WR George Farmer Serra (Garden, Calif.), 6-2, 197
Averaging nearly 17 yards per catch, Farmer provided Serra with a second dangerous offensive threat when Robert Woods was swarmed on defense. While Woods gets most of the attention, Farmer’s ceiling may be just as high.
WR Antoine Arnold, Chaparral (Calif.), 6-3, 175
Another springy Californian, Arnold moved to wide out after starting the season at quarterback. In the team’s season-ending loss to Centennial, he made four catches for over 60 yards, as Chaparral lost narrowly 23-17.
WR Jamaal Jones, Graham-Kapowsin (Graham, Wash.), 6-2, 180
The only sophomore to earn All-SPSL South honors, Jones’ talent may be hidden from the rest of the country by the mountains of Washington state. However, scouts will make the trek to Graham as Jones continues to establish himself as a top talent.
TE DeMario Coleman, Oceanside (Calif.), 6-0, 180
It was quite a year for Coleman. Oceanside downed Helix for another San Diego Section Division II title. The sophomore sensation had a huge part in the Pirates’ success. He grabbed 56 passes for 1,276 yards and 10 touchdowns.
OL Angelo Mangiro, Roxbury (Succasunna, N.J.), 6-4, 295
A second team All-State selection, Mangiro is a dominant run blocker, allowing Roxbury backs to roll up nearly 2,000 total yards. Notre Dame will try to pluck another Garden State star away from home, but Rutgers will do its best to keep Mangiro local.
OL Wyatt Baker, Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), 6-2, 250
Servite has gotten strong long play in recent years, and 2008 was no exception. Much credit goes to Baker, whose athleticism, perhaps thanks to his wrestling background, was apparent throughout the season. Junior Matt Jakubiec and fellow sophomore Troy Niklas also deserve mention.
OL Christian Westerman, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 6-5, 277
Westerman was part of a Huskies offensive line that enabled the team to score more than 40 points eight times. He could be the state’s top prospect as he continues to refine his technique.
OL Travis Bodenstein, Shiloh Christian (Springdale, Ark.), 6-4, 285
As if Shiloh Christian didn’t have enough Division I prospects, Bodenstein is another sophomore standout. He was the only 10th grader to crack Arkansas’ Super Team, composed of the state’s top players regardless of class.
OL Antonio Richardson, Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 6-6, 315
Richardson’s inclusion on the Sophomore All-American Team speaks volumes of how bright his future may be. He was forced to sit out a season after transferring from Mount Pleasant. However, the giant lineman, who can play both ways, could be one of the state’s best as early as next season.
QB Brandon Allen, Fayetteville (Ark.), 6-2, 185
People around Arkansas are very excited about Allen, and for good reason. He passed for 392 yards and seven touchdowns in one game this season. While Allen is a surefire Division I recruit, he is helped by having fellow sophomore star Demetrius Dean at wide out.
QB Braxton Miller, Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio.)
Miller missed much of the second half of the year due to a leg injury, but excelled in the early parts of the season. His most notable accomplishment was handing East St. Louis (Ill.) its only loss, as the Flyers went on to capture an Illinois 7A state title.
RB Ronnie Daniels, La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.), 6-2, 195
A first team All-State selection, Daniels is one of the most ballyhooed New Mexico players in years. The poster boy for versatility, Daniels plays three sports, and is also a phenomenal punter for La Cueva.
RB Harvey Langi, Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), 6-1, 210
Langi had a huge sophomore campaign for one of Utah’s best programs, helping lead the Miners to a spot in the 5A title game. He matured and progressed as the season went on, and now holds offers from BYU and Utah.
RB Devrin Young, Bearden (Tenn.), 5-8, 150
It’s a great year for Tennessee prospects, especially running backs, as Young, Jeremiah Bryson (Smyrna), Justin Williams (Davidson) and Chris Sensabaugh (Dobyns-Bennett) are all sensational sophomores. Young may be the best of the group, amassing over 2,000 total yards and 21 touchdowns.
ATH Shane Wynn, Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio), 5-7, 160
It should come as no surprise that Glenville is once again stocked with talent. A teammate of another top sophomore, defensive tackle Aundrey Walker, Wynn is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. He made one of the most famous catches of the season, an over the middle grab against St. Ignatius where he spun upside down but held on to the ball
K Matt Kersten, Montini, (Lombard, Ill.), 5-8, 140
Kersten, highly regarded in kicking circles, helped lead Montini to an 11-1 record.
Second Team Defense
DL Deon Lee, Walton (Defuniak Springs, Fla.), 6-4, 205
An All-State selection as a freshman a year ago, Lee continues to receive attention from colleges hoping to gain his services. He has outstanding size and demonstrates great closing speed, making him a terror on the edge.
DL Steve Miller, McKinley (Canton, Ohio), 6-4, 201
Miller was a Division I second team All-State selection after a fine season for the traditional Canton powerhouse. First-year coach Ron Johnson is fortunate to have Miller anchor his defense as he attempts to remark McKinley into a state title contender.
DL Jadaveon Clowney, South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.), 6-5, 220
A key defensive ingredient to South Pointe’s undefeated run, Clowney is already hearing from local schools, and could be a national recruit as an upperclassman. A 4-AAAA all-region selection, Clowney had six sacks and forced four fumbles to complement his 65 tackles.
DL Ray Drew, Thomas County (Thomasville, Ga.), 6-5, 232
Drew was a second team all-region selection in Georgia’s 1-AAAA, tallying 37 tackles, ten hurries, and five tackles for loss.
LB Kyle Livingston, Harrisonville (Mo.), 6-3, 215
One of only two sophomores on Missouri’s Class 4 All-State defensive team, Livingston was nominated for the Bobby Bell award, given to the top small school lineman or linebacker in the Kansas City area. He’s a great run stopper but also does very well in coverage.
LB Lawrence Thomas, Renaissance (Detroit, Mich.), 6-2, 197
The next in line at a talent-laden program, Thomas will be one of the areas best players as he progresses. He received All-Detroit honorable mention at wide receiver, but will likely be recruited at linebacker.
LB Arrington Jenkins, Killian (Miami, Fla.), 6-2, 215
Another talented player that calls Miami home, Jenkins, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, was a second team All-Dade selection. The only other sophomore to crack first or second team was fellow All-American Denzel Perryman.
LB A.J. Johnson, Gainesville (Ga.) 6-2, 197
A 7-AAA all-region selection, Johnson was a key contributor on a defense that allowed a mere 12 points per game. He certainly had a nose for the ball, finishing his sophomore campaign with 160 tackles.
LB Rodney Coe, Edwardsville (Ill.) 6-3, 230
Coe starred at both running back and linebacker for Edwardsville. He was a second team All-State selection by the News-Democrat, prone to exploding for big games. In a two-game stretch, he went off for 451 yards and five touchdowns. Expect to see Coe on defense in college.
DB Leroy Scott, South Houston (Texas), 6-0, 185
Scott’s stock continues to rise. He was recently named to the Region 22-5A first team defense, and is being billed as a lockdown cornerback.
DB Dennis Rufus, Charter Oak (Covina, Calif.) 6-2, 180
Rufus will not turn 16 until after the school year, but still managed to etch an impressive sophomore campaign. He was an all-league selection after compiling four sacks from the safety position.
DB Nick Shepard, Cypress-Ridge (Texas), 5-10, 180
Brother of All-American quarterback Russell Shepard, Nick is starting to develop a similar reputation for making big plays. He was awarded with a spot on the Region 15-5A first team defense, the only sophomore honored.
DB Doran Grant, CB, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio), 5-10, 165
Grant’s game-changing abilities were most vividly displayed in an early-season game against Archbishop Hoban. Grant secured victory for the Irish with a 41-yard fumble return for a touchdown, followed up by a 58-yard interception returned for a score.
P Keenan Adams, Bainbridge (Ga.), 5-8, 152
Adams improved his himself greatly from freshman year, enough to be selected to the 1-AAAA second team. In addition to his punting, he is also the kicker for Bainbridge.
