Missouri: 2009 Big School Preseason All-State Football Team

While it was expected that Sal Belfonte’s Rockhurst football team had a better than average shot to roll through postseason competition and claim another Class 6 state football championship in 2008, Kerry Gibson’s Hazelwood Central squad quietly got the job done.

In 2009, both football teams look capable of battling through the Class 6 playoff bracket and into the title game, and both players look like they are ready for big seasons once again.

For that reason Gibson, who threw for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago and rushed for another 682 yards and 12 scores, earns this season’s vote as the offensive MVP of the Missouri Big School Preseason All-State Football Team.

Belfonte, a terror for the opposition any time he sets foot on the football field, gets the same nod on the defensive side of the ball. The senior running back/cornerback can break a game open whether he’s on offense, defense or special teams.



Below is a look at the 2009 preseason all-state football team.

First Team Offense

QB – Cameron Coffman, Raymore-Peculiar, Jr. 6-2 175
2008 Second Team All-State Class 5 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5 AP
RB – Anthony Pierson, Gateway Tech, Jr. 6-0 180
2008 First Team All-State Class 4 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 4 AP; Was named to the 2008 EA Sports Football Sophomore All-American Team as a first team multi purpose player
RB – Darrian Miller, Blue Springs, Jr. 5-10 195
2008 Second Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
RB – Rob Standard, Chaminade, Jr. 5-10 170
2008 Second Team All-State Class 5 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5 AP
WR – Marcus Lucas, Liberty, Sr. 6-5 195
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
WR – Keeston Terry, Blue Springs, Sr. 6-2 185
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
WR – Devonte Bell, Clayton, Sr. 5-11 165
2008 First Team All-State Class 4 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 4 AP
OL – Drew Kerber, Blue Springs, Sr. 6-3 280
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
OL – Kaleb Davis, Jefferson City, Sr. 6-1 250
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
OL – Andrew Mueller, Raymore-Peculiar, Sr. 6-4 265
2008 First Team All-State Class 5 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5 AP
OL – Nick Demien, Timberland, Sr. 6-6 295
2008 First Team All-State Class 5 AP
OL – Joe Burgess, McCluer North, Sr. 6-6 300
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA
All Purpose – Kerry Gibson, Hazelwood Central, sr. 6-2 185
2008 Second Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP

First Team Defense

DL/DE – Zach Fetter, Christian Brothers, Sr. 5-11 205
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
DL/DE – Dan Tapko, Rockhurst, Jr. 6-5 231
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
DL/DE – Joe Windsor, Kearney, Sr. 6-0 220
2008 First Team All-State Class 4 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 4 AP
DL/DE – Chase Rome, Columbia Rock Bridge, Sr. 6-3 290
Oklahoma State commit that was credited with 77 tackles, 4 sacks and 4 fumble recoveries in 2008. Received offers from 13 Division I-A programs, including Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida, Kansas and South Carolina.
DL/DE – Bryan Dale, Park Hill, Sr. 6-2 240
2008 First Team All-State Class 5 AP
LB – Sal Belfonte, Rockhurst, Sr. 5-10 191
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
LB – Yomi Alli, Hazelwood Central, Sr. 6-1 210
Was credited with 165 tackles in 2008, including 91 solo stops
LB – Alex Caito, Lafayette (Wildwood), Sr. 5-11 190
2008 Second Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
LB – Courtland Dunlop, Hazelwood Central, Jr. 6-2 210
2008 Second Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA
DB – Christian Cummings, Jefferson City, Sr. 5-10 185
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA
DB – E. J. Gaines, Fort Osage, Sr. 5-10 170
2008 First Team All-State Class 5 MOFBCA; 2008 First Team All-State Class 5 AP
DB – Don Shumpert, Hazelwood East, Sr. 6-2 185
2008 Second Team All-State Class 5 MOFBCA
DB – Dexter McDonald, Rockhurst, Sr. 6-2 180
Joins former teammate Nathan Scheelhaase at Illinois next season

First Team Special Teams



K – Nick Aussieker, Lafayette (Wildwood), Sr. 5-11 170
2008 Second Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA
P – Christian Brinser, Liberty, Sr. 6-0 170
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 AP
Returner – Sal Belfonte, Rockhurst, Sr. 5-10 191
2008 First Team All-State Class 6 MOFBCA

Second Team Offense

Quarterback – Jared Lanpher, Blue Springs, Sr.
Running Back – Braxton Baker, Webb City, Sr., Evan Campbell, Staley, Jr., Jared Williams, Normandy, Sr.
Receivers – Dominique Wright, Blue Springs South, Sr., DiRion Rambo, Park Hill, Sr., Jake Giljum, DuBourg, Sr.
Offensive Lineman – Zach Curry, Fox, Sr., Cole Chevalier, Lee’s Summit West, Sr., Anthony Gatti, Parkway North, Sr., Kevin Redmond, McCluer North, Sr., Bryan Carroll, Fort Zumwalt West, Sr.
All-Purpose – Mikael Williams, Waynesville, Sr.

Second Team Defense

Defensive Linemen – Ryan Isom, De Smet Jesuit, Sr., Anthony Williams, Gateway Tech, Sr., Adam Bingham, Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Sr., Kenneth McClendon, De Smet Jesuit, Sr., DeMarco Kemp, University City, Sr.
Linebackers – Jayron Robinson, Staley, Sr., Lee Ward, Parkway Central, Sr., Joe Dahman, Harrisonville, Sr., Markus Golden, Affton, Sr.
Defensive Backs – Boo Rodgers, Webb City, Sr., Evan Schnicker, Smith-Cotton, Sr., Ross Sharp, Staley, Sr., Matt Sims, Hannibal, Sr.
Kicker – Matt Sims, Hannibal, Sr.
Punter – Andrew Holt, Lee’s Summit West, Sr.
Returner – Devron Moore, Carthage, Sr.

Other Players to Watch



Quarterbacks – Tyler Gabbert, Parkway West, Sr., Stephen Kaiser, De Smet Jesuit, Sr. Running Backs – Matt Jacobs, Marshall, Sr. Offensive Linemen – Donovan Gordon, Raytown South, Sr., Jason Baker, Pattonville, Sr., Aaron Arnold, Webster Groves, Sr., Josh Vaughn, Farmington, Sr., Brieon Harry, Normandy, Sr.

Defensive Linemen – Jared Williams, Normandy, Sr., Hunter Luna, Webb City, Jr., Alex Bruns, St. Charles West, Sr., Orlando Hill, Staley, Sr. Linebacker – Ben Eskelsen, Parkway West, Sr., Kyle Livingston, Harrisonville, Jr. Defensive Backs – Tyler Funk, Kearney, Sr., Jordan Jenkins, Vashon, Sr.