Baxter tops Medium Schools All-American Football Team

The awards are beginning to pour in for Mission Bay’s Dillon Baxter.

Just a few days after receiving the Ken Hall Trophy as the national player of the year by the U.S. Army, Baxter is also being honored as the national medium schools player of the year by MaxPreps.

Whether he was throwing the ball or running with it, Baxter was making big plays. He rushed for 2,974 yards despite playing the whole season as the Mission Bay quarterback. He also threw for 1,736 yards and set a state record for most touchdowns accounted for with 76, including 50 rushing and 25 passing.

Named the CIF-San Diego Section player of the year, Baxter led Mission Bay to a 13-0 record and a San Diego Section Division IV championship.

The MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American team consists of players selected from schools that play in state divisions with enrollments of roughly 1,000 to 2,000 students. Some individual schools represented may have less than 1,000 students and some may have more than 2,000, but they play in a classification that falls mostly in that size range.

MAXPREPS MEDIUM SCHOOLS ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Tai-ler Jones, WR, 6-0, 180, Gainesville (Ga.), Senior, Notre Dame

A favorite target of quarterback Blake Sims, the speedy Jones made 76 catches for 1,399 yards and 18 scores. Sims was selected as a member of MaxPreps' Georgia all-classification all-state team, joining fellow All-American Da'Rick Rogers.

Dillon Baxter, Mission Bay

Photo by Kirt Winter

Jarvis Landry, WR, 5-11, 180, Lutcher (La.), Junior

 

In 2009, Landry was a big play waiting to happen. Gavin Webster's favorite target, Landry made 80 receptions for 1,406 yards and 15 TDs in earning first-team all-state honors.

Krisjon Wilkerson, WR, 6-2, 205, St. Stanislaus (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), Senior, Undecided

Dylan Favre’s favorite receiver, Wilkerson was among the national leaders this year with 109 receptions for an amazing 2,114 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was named the Biloxi Sun-Herald’s offensive player of the year and set six state records.

Justin McCay, TE, 6-4, 200, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), Senior, Oklahoma

Besides making 46 catches for 926 yards and 15 touchdowns, McCay was also a standout on defense with 43 tackles and two interceptions. Named first-team all-state by the Topeka Capital Journal, McCay is also one of the top basketball players in the state.

Tyler Grubbs, OL, 6-6, 277, Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.), Senior, Miami (Ohio)

Highlands had an amazing 2009 campaign, and Grubbs was a key factor to the Bluebirds' success. He was an all-state selection, as his work in the trenches allowed Highlands to roll up 3,865 yards on the ground.

James Stone, OL, 6-5, 300, Maplewood (Nashville, Tenn.), Senior, Undecided

A member of the Nashville Tennesseean Dream Team, Stone earned Class AA Mr. Football Lineman honors and had 30 pancake blocks during his senior season.

Kalon Davis, OL, 6-5, 330, Chester (S.C.), Senior, Clemson

One of the top recruits in the state of South Carolina, Davis earned first-team all-state honors. He is headed to play for Clemson next season.

Erik Kohler, OL, 6-5, 285, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), Senior, Washington

The top blocker on a line that produced a 2,500-yard rusher and a 2,700-yard passer, Kohler is regarded as one of the top linemen on the West Coast. He earned all-area honors from the Los Angeles Daily News and the Los Angeles Times.

Alex Crosthwaite, OL, 6-5, 300, Cathedral (San Diego), Senior, California

A member of Cathedral’s state championship team as a junior, Crosthwaite came up big as a senior as well. Helped lead the Dons to a San Diego Section Division III championship and was named to the All-San Diego Section team.

Dylan Favre, QB, 5-11, 195, St. Stanislaus (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), Senior, Undecided

It was an amazing season for Favre, who broke several state records en route to leading St. Stanislaus to a 4A state title. He amassed 341 completions on 539 attempts for 5,511 yards and 63 touchdowns to power the Rock-a-Chaws.

Everett Golson , QB, 6-0, 160, Myrtle Beach (S.C.), Junior

The Carolinas are home to a number of great junior quarterbacks and Golson is one of them. He completed 224 of 356 passes for 3,558 yards and 47 touchdowns, leading the Seahawks to the state finals.

Malcolm Jones, RB, 6-0, 215, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), Senior, UCLA

The Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year, Jones was the workhorse on a successful Oaks Christian squad that lost only once. He rushed 236 times for 2,470 yards and 40 touchdowns while also making contributions as a linebacker on defense.

Michael Dyer, RB, 5-9, 205, Little Rock Christian (Little Rock, Ark.), Senior, Auburn

A four-year varsity standout, Dyer became the all-time leading rusher in Arkansas with 8,097 yards. He rushed 295 times for 2,502 yards and 31 touchdowns his senior year in earning all-state honors.

K. P. Parks, RB, 5-7, 190, West Rowan (Mount Ulla, N.C.), Senior, Virginia

Parks owns the North Carolina state record for rushing yards in a season and in a career, with 3,794 and 10,895, respectively. He found the end zone 59 times this year on 407 carries, as West Rowan captured its second straight 3A title.

Dillon Baxter, ATH, 6-0, 205, Mission Bay (Calif.), Senior, USC

Baxter did it all for Mission Bay, accounting for a state-record 76 touchdowns for the 13-0 Buccaneers. Playing primarily at quarterback, he rushed 261 times for 2,974 rushing yards and 50 TDs, setting a section record for yardage. He completed 102 of 166 passes for 1,736 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Santiago Cuartas, K, 5-8, 180, Staples (Westport, Conn.), Senior, Undecided

Cuartas set a state record in Connecticut with 12 field goals during the season. He also connected on 53 extra points and was a first-team all-state kicker for the Wreckers, who advanced to the state finals.

Corey Crawford, DL, 6-5, 235, Carver (Columbus, Ga.), Senior, Clemson

Crawford was chosen the defensive state player of the year in the AAA division by the Atlanta Journal Constitution after racking up nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss.

Jerome McClain, DL, 6-1, 280, Pensacola (Fla.), Senior

McClain was named the MVP of the Pensacola area by the News Journal after leading his team to the Florida 3A state championship. Spent most of the game clogging up the middle and making it difficult for opponents to run the ball. He finished the season with 82 tackles and eight sacks.

Anthony Johnson, DL, 6-3, 290, O. Perry Walker (New Orleans, La.), Junior

Johnson was the Louisiana 4A defensive player of the year, finishing with 79 tackles and 21 sacks. He forced three fumbles and recovered two others.

Cassius Marsh, DL, 6-5, 288, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), Senior, LSU

The leader of the Oaks Christian defense, Marsh earned All-Southland honors from the Los Angeles Times after finishing the season with 16 sacks and 88 tackles.

Matt Elam, LB, 5-10, 190, Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Senior, Florida State

A difference-maker on both sides of the ball, Elam recorded 75 tackles on defense to go along with his 27 touchdowns from the running back position. He is expected to play safety in college.

Jason Meehan, LB, 6-4, 240, Webster Groves (Mo.), Junior

For 5A state champion Webster Groves, Meehan did it all. Meehan recorded 145 tackles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries and received 5A Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Lamar Dawson, LB, 6-3, 285, Boyle County (Danville, Ky.), Junior

One of Kentucky's top players regardless of class, Dawson accounted for 145 tackles and three forced fumbles. He was one of only two juniors to receive all-state recognition by the Louisville Courier Journal.

Zach Zwinak, LB, 6-2, 230, Linganore (Frederick, Md.), Senior, Penn State

One of the top fullbacks in the country, Zwinak is also an outstanding linebacker. He rushed for 2,109 yards and 25 touchdowns on 164 carries and was in on 70 tackles while leading Linganore to a 14-0 season and a state championship.

Josh Shirley, LB, 6-3, 215 Kaiser (Fontana, Calif.), Senior, Undecided

A three-time all-area selection in San Bernardino, Shirley was the Eastern Division defensive MVP, the Sunkist League MVP and was also a member of the Riverside Press-Enterprise all-area team. Finished with 105 tackles and five sacks and starred in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl with a touchdown on a blocked field goal.

Robert Woods, DB, 6-1, 170, Serra (Gardena, Calif.), Senior, USC

Woods could have made this team as a wide receiver, with 1,115 yards and 15 TDs. However, he was equally dominant on the defensive side of the ball, compiling eight interceptions to go along with 96 tackles.

Santiago Cuartos, Staples

Photo by Jonathan Bloom

Keenan Allen, DB, 6-3, 195, Northern Guilford (Greensboro, N.C.), Senior, Alabama

Offensively, Allen amassed an astounding 53 total touchdowns, but he was a star on defense. He made 145 tackles and eight interceptions in earning all-state honors.

Demarco Cobbs, DB, 6-2, 205, Central (Tulsa, Okla.), Senior, Texas

Cobbs starred at defensive back, quarterback and on special teams as he was named the Tulsa World's Player of the Year. Accounted for 28 touchdowns on the season, including six on kickoff returns. Also had 68 tackles on defense, although he could play a number of different positions at the next level.

Mike Caputo, DB, 6-1, 195, West Allegheny (Imperial, Pa.), Junior

Although he was a game-changing player on offense, Caputo was also irreplaceable on West Allegheny's defense, registering 89 tackles and four sacks. He was the Post-Gazette Player of the Year, the first junior to win the award since Terrelle Pryor.

Joe Mansour, P, 6-3, 180, LaGrange (Ga.), Senior, Kentucky

Besides earning all-state honors as a kicker, Mansour was also one of the top punters in the nation, averaging 42.7 yards per kick on 29 punts. He also had 41 touchbacks as a kicker with seven field goals. He had three field goals over 50 yards, including a 59-yarder.

SECOND TEAM

Dorial Green, WR, 6-5, 200, Hillcrest (Springfield, Mo.)

With 1,616 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns on 66 catches, Green may have deserved a spot on the overall All-American team as a sophomore. He was a first-team 4A selection in Missouri, and is shaping up to be a mega-recruit.

Dee Williams, WR, 5-11, 185, South Johnston (Four Oaks, N.C.), Senior

An all-state selection, Williams helped lead the Trojans to a 14-2 record and the 3A state finals by catching 92 passes for 1,581 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Mark McDonagh, WR, 6-1, 175, Riverside-Brookfield (Riverside, Ill.), Senior

McDonagh set a national record by catching 165 passes in just 10 games for 1,492 yards and eight touchdowns. He had a high of 25 catches in a 48-7 win over Elmwood Park. Earned all-state honors by the state coaches association.

Nick O'Leary, TE, 6-4, 220, Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Junior

O'Leary was a huge part of Dwyer's 4A title run. He caught 25 passes for 437 yards and six touchdowns.

Paul Jorgensen, OL, 6-7, 278, DeWitt (Mich.), Senior, Northwestern

Landed a spot on the Detroit Free Press Dream Team after helping DeWitt reach the state semifinals and average eight yards per carry.

Ben Riva, OL, 6-6, 275, O’Dea (Seattle, Wash.), Senior, Washington

One of the top offensive line prospects in the Northwest, Riva received all-state honors from the Seattle Times and will play at Washington next year.

Travis Jackson, OL, 6-5, 265, DeSales (Columbus, Ohio), Senior, Michigan State

Named the defensive player of the year on the Ohio Division 3 all-state team, Jackson was also an outstanding offensive lineman and earned all-state honors on that side of the ball by Ohio Magazine.

Sean Hickey, OL, 6-6, 290, Franklin Regional (Murrysville, Pa.), Senior, Undecided

Hickey was an all-state pick by the Pennsylvania Football News and made the all-city team by the Greensburg Tribune Review.

Anthony Gatti, OL, 6-6, 285, Parkway North (St. Louis), Senior, Missouri

Gatti made the all-state team and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro team after an outstanding season that saw him earn offensive player of the year honors in the Suburban South Conference.

Quentin Williams, QB, 6-2, 185, Jefferson (Tampa, Fla.), Junior

Named the 3A state player of the year by the Florida Dairy Farmers, Williams was also the MVP of the All-Hillsborough County team after completing 195 of 301 passes for 3,377 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also rushed 121 times for 442 yards and eight scores.

Blake Bell, QB, 6-6, 215, Carroll (Wichita, Kan.), Senior, Oklahoma

The state player of the year in Kansas, Bell completed 237 of 356 passes for 2,752 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also was a threat on the ground, rushing 149 times for 839 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Oklahoma commit led Carroll to an 11-1 record with the only loss coming against Hutchinson.

Deontae Cooper, RB, 6-1, 205, Citrus Hill (Perris, Calif.), Senior, Washington

The leading rusher in the state of California as a junior, Cooper would have likely done so again as a senior if not for a first-round playoff upset loss to Summit. Cooper still managed to gain 2,863 yards on 316 carries with 34 touchdowns. Had over 50 carries in two games, including a 59-carry, 412-yard game against Great Oak.

Austin Collinsworth, RB, 6-1, 195, Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.), Senior, Notre Dame

The winner of the Paul Hornung Award as the best player in Kentucky, Collinsworth led Highlands to a state championship by rushing for 1,502 yards and 23 touchdowns on 172 carries. The son of NFL broadcaster Chris Collinsworth, Austin will play at Notre Dame.

Michael Holmes, RB, 6-0, 195, Harrisonburg (Va.), Junior

Holmes led the state of Virginia in rushing, gaining 2,749 yards on 250 carries with 41 touchdowns. He was named the Group AA state player of the year and had a high game of 397 yards and eight touchdowns, all in the first half.

Gavin Webster, ATH, 5-10, 200, Lutcher (La.), Senior

Webster put up video-game numbers in his senior season, completing 191 of 279 passes for 2,962 yards and 38 scores. He added 171 rushing attempts for 1,350 yards and 26 scores on the ground, as Lutcher enjoyed a fine season in 2009.

Jack Coorts, K, 5-11, 195, Lone Oak (Paducah, Ky.), Junior

Just a junior, Coorts already owns the Kentucky state record for career extra points with 234. He converted 78 of 83 PATs this year and had 13 field goals. Named all-state by the Courier Journal.

Kaleb Eulls, DL, 6-4, 255, Yazoo County (Yazoo City, Miss.), Senior, Mississippi State

Eulls did a little bit of everything at Yazoo County. Besides playing quarterback and doing the punting, Eulls alternated between linebacker and defensive end and earned 4A state defensive player of the year honors. Eulls also received national recognition when he tackled and disarmed a girl who had brought a gun onto a school bus.

Justin Goetz, DL, 6-1, 205, Hutchinson (Kan.), Senior, Undecided

Goetz helped lead the Salt Hawks to a top 25 national ranking and an undefeated season in winning the Kansas 5A state championship. An all-state selection, Goetz had 79 tackles, 23 for loss, and 9.5 sacks. He also returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

Jibreel Black, DL, 6-3, 260, Wyoming (Cincinnati, Ohio), Senior, Cincinnati

A first-team all-state player by Ohio Magazine, Black was also the Division III defensive player of the year and the Southwest District player of the year. He had 61 tackles and 9.5 sacks and will play at Cincinnati next season.

Kenneth Carter, DL, 6-5, 275, Greenville (Ala.), Senior, Auburn

The 5A state lineman of the year in Alabama, Carter helped his team to a 10-0 regular season while racking up 90 tackles, three sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Colt Lyerla, LB, 6-4, 200, Hillsboro (Ore.), Junior

It was quite a season for the extremely gifted Lyerla, who garnered both 5A Offensive Player of the Year honors as well as first team defense recognition for state champion Hillsboro.

Jamie Byrd, LB, 6-0, 180, Pasco (Fla.), Junior

A first-team all-county selection, Byrd was extremely consistent for Pasco, recording at least seven solo tackles in each game.

Chase Williams, LB, 6-3, 240, Loudoun County (Leesburg, Va.), Senior, Virginia Tech

Williams registered 173 tackles, 23 for loss, with 11 sacks and 12 forced fumbles in earning state defensive player of the year honors in Group AA. He has 336 tackles the past two seasons. He is the son of New Orleans defensive coordinator Greg Williams.

Kevin Nelson, LB, 6-2, 225, Gainesville (Fla.), Senior, Miami

Nelson earned Gainesville area MVP honors and will play at Miami next year. He had 141 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

Zach Stout, LB, 6-2, 220, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), Senior, Brigham Young

Stout was the leading tackler for the Lions with 113 and found a spot on the All-Northwest Division team as well as the Los Angeles Daily News’ All-Area squad.

DeAndre Hopkins, DB, 6-2, 175, Daniel (Central, S.C.), Senior, Clemson

Hopkins earned all-state honors and was the Mountain Lakes area player of the year. One of the state’s top ballhawks, Hopkins had six interceptions this year and finished his career with 29.

Tre Porter, DB, 6-1, 180, Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.), Senior, Texas Tech

Did a little bit of everything for the 5A state champions as he ran for 665 yards and 11 scores, caught 22 passes for 652 yards and eight touchdowns and also returned three kickoffs for scores. However, at defensive back, where he will likely play in college, he had 115 tackles and two interceptions.

Jonathan Dowling, DB, 6-3, 185, Southeast (Bradenton, Fla.), Senior, Florida

Regarded as one of the top defensive back prospects in the state, Dowling had four interceptions while earning all-area honors from the Bradenton Herald.

Isaiah Johnson, DB, 6-2, 175, Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.), Senior, Georgia Tech

The 4A state defensive player of the year, Johnson led the Patriots to the 4A state championship and a 14-1 record. He had over 100 tackles on the season with six interceptions.

Derek Longoria, P, 6-2, 200, Brownwood (Texas), Junior

The Texas 3A all-state punter averaged 41.8 yards per kick with a long of 55. He booted 11 kicks inside the 20.