Although Ursuline (Youngstown, Ohio) plays in one of the smaller enrollment divisions in the state of Ohio, it has become a big-time program, and Akise Teague is a big reason why.
Akise Teague
Photo by Scott Seighman
After finishing the season with a 15-0 record and a Division V state championship, Ursuline ended the season ranked No. 5 in the state by the MaxPreps computer rankings among all schools and also finished No. 44 in the country, regardless of school size.
The play of Teague, a 5-8, 176-pound senior running back, did not go unnoticed either. With 2,492 yards rushing and 48 touchdowns, to go along with 35 receptions for 842 yards, Teague earned the honor of Mr. Football in Ohio, as voted on by the Associated Press.
Teague picks up another award here with his selection as the MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Player of the Year.
Teague edges out the likes of Derek Buganza of Brockway, a record-setting quarterback in Pennsylvania who set state records for passing in a career, season and a game, as well as Brandon Swindall of Millwood, a defensive back-wide receiver who set a national record by returning eight interceptions for touchdowns this season.
The U.S. Air Force Small Schools All-American Team is chosen by the MaxPreps staff and consists of players who played on teams that participated in state enrollment divisions with generally less than 1,000 students. The small school enrollment divisions used are listed below.
First Team OffenseSammie Coates, WR, 6-3, 180, Leroy (Ala.), Senior, Auburn
Coates caught 62 passes for 1,025 yards and 25 touchdowns this year in leading Leroy to the 2A state championship in Alabama. Named the MVP of the state championship game with three touchdowns.
Brandon Swindall, WR, 6-3, 175, Millwood (Oklahoma City), Senior, Undecided
Swindall returned eight interceptions for touchdowns, an astonishing feat for one of Oklahoma's most talented players. He finished with a whopping 17 interceptions and also caught 46 passes for 1,204 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Keyarris Garrett, WR, 6-5, 185, Daingerfield (Texas), Senior, Tulsa
Garrett was the hero who helped Daingerfield complete a threepeat as Texas 2A state champions, catching the game-winning touchdown pass to defeat Cameron Yoe in the state final. Garrett finished the year with 68 catches for 1,399 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had eight interceptions on defense.
David Reeves, TE, 6-5, 246, Greensboro (Ala.), Senior, Undecided
Named the 3A lineman of the year, Reeves was a standout at tight end, where he caught 28 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he had 103 tackles including 39 for loss and seven sacks. Also a devastating blocker, Reeves posted 44 pancake blocks on the season.
Ryne Reeves, OL, 6-3, 310, Crete (Neb.), Senior, Nebraska
A two-time Super State selection in Nebraska, Reeves opened the holes that allowed Crete to win the Class B state title. Headed to Nebraska, Reeves also had 73 tackles on defense.
La'el Collins, OL, 6-5, 310, Redemptorist (Baton Rouge, La.), Senior, LSU
It was the work of Collins that allowed Redemptorist teammate Jeremy Hill to rush for 2,260 yards. A two-time all-state player in Louisiana, Collins was named to the MaxPreps All-American first team.
Vadal Alexander, OL, 6-5, 315, Buford (Ga.), Junior, Undecided
Buford captured the AA state title, and Alexander, an all-state pick, was a big reason why. He figures to be one of the top line recruits out of Georgia next season.
Justin Booth, OL, 6-0, 315, Taylorsville (Miss.), Senior, Undecided
Booth earned all-state first team honors in Mississippi while leading the Tartars to a 13-1 record and the state semifinals. He finished the season with 50 pancake blocks.
Derek Buganza
Photo by Paul Burdick
A two-time all-state player by the Courier Journal, West led Lexington Christian to a 10-4 record and a berth in the state semifinals. A two-time All-Lexington area pick as well.
Derek Buganza, QB, 5-10, 190, Brockway (Pa.), Senior, Undecided
The AA state player of the year in Pennsylvania, Brockway holds state records for passing yards in a season with 3,824, in a game with 594, and in a career with 9,752. This year he completed 198 passes in 295 attempts for 3,325 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Doug Cooke, QB, 6-0, 152, University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Senior, Undecided
The Broward County Small Schools Player of the Year by the Sun Sentinel, Cook led University to the 2B state championship game before falling to Trinity Catholic. He completed 231 of 363 passes for 3,163 yards and 29 touchdowns and also rushed 136 times for 494 yards and six scores. He set state records for completions and attempts in the state final by completing 43 of 61 passes for 430 yards in the triple-overtime loss.
Kenny Hilliard, RB, 6-0, 228, Patterson (La.), Senior, LSU
A three-time Class 3A offensive player of the year, Hilliard led Patterson to the state finals after missing part of the first month of the season due to injury, according to the Times Picayune. He rushed for 1,804 yards and 22 touchdowns on the year and finished his career with a state-record 8,603 yards.
Montrell Dobbs, RB, 5-8, 185, Ansonia (Conn.), Senior, Undecided
Despite playing in the smallest classification, Dobbs earned state player of the year honors in Connecticut after rushing for 3,445 yards on 406 carries with 40 touchdowns and leading Ansonia to the state championship game. Dobbs finished the season with 45 total touchdowns and 292 points.
Travis Bernard, RB, 5-9, 185, Valley Center (Calif.), Senior, Undecided
Bernard led Valley Center to a 12-0 start before falling to Madison in the San Diego Section finals. Named the San Diego Section Offensive Player of the Year, Bernard ran 313 times for 2,798 yards and 36 touchdowns. He had 39 scores and 234 points for the year.
Drew Farlee, K, 6-1, 175, Norfolk Catholic (Neb.), Junior, Undecided
A member of the Knights' Class C-1 state championship team, Farlee connected on 59 of 60 extra point attempts and also made 11 of 13 field goals, including a 50-yarder and a 57-yarder. He has 19 field goals and 105 extra points in two seasons on the Norfolk Catholic varsity team.
Akise Teague, Athlete, 5-8, 176, Ursuline (Youngstown, Ohio), Senior, Cincinnati
Named Mr. Football in Ohio, Teague led Ursuline to a 15-0 record and the Division V state championship. He ran for 2,492 yards and scored 48 touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for an additional 842 yards. Also named the Division V offensive MVP, Teague will play at Cincinnati.
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First Team DefenseJermauria Rasco, DL, 6-3, 247, Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.), Senior, Undecided
The Shreveport area defensive MVP led Evangel Christian to a 2A state title over rival Curtis. He finished the season with 92 tackles and 21 sacks and was a three-time all-state selection.
Channing Ward, DL, 6-5, 250, Aberdeen (Miss.), Junior, Undecided
Ward earned all-state honors after a sensational junior campaign in which he made 119 tackles and 13 sacks. He should be one of the top recruits in the state next season. Also named the 3A state defensive MVP.
Steve Edmond
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
With more than 70 sacks in his career, Green has led a dominant Clairton defense that produced 10 shutouts en route to a 16-0 record and a Class A state championship. The state defensive player of the year, Green also threw for 1,891 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Marcus Taylor, DL, 6-3, 180, Maplewood-Richmond Heights (Mo.), Senior, Undecided
Taylor earned a spot on the Post Dispatch Team after making 87 tackles, including 28 for loss with 21 sacks. He helped lead Maplewood to a 14-1 record and a berth in the Division 2 state championship game.
Steve Edmond, LB, 6-3, 230, Daingerfield (Texas), Senior, Texas
The 2A state defensive player of the year, Edmond sparked a defense that helped Daingerfield win its third straight state championship. He had more than 150 tackles on the season including 25 for loss.
Chris Pohlman, LB, 6-2, 240, St. John's (Delphos, Ohio), Senior, Undecided
The two-time state Division VI defensive player of the year, Pohlman racked up 130 tackles and three interceptions in leading St. John's to a 15-0 record and the state title. He also earned a spot on the JJ Huddle's All-Ohio first team.
Shannon Brown, LB, 6-2, 225, Cook (Adel, Ga.), Senior, Alabama
Brown earned AA state defensive player of the year honors and was the Valdosta Daily Times Defensive Player of the Year after making 113 tackles with three sacks and two interceptions.
Tanner Burch, LB, 6-3, 225, Savannah Christian (Ga.), Senior, Gardner-Webb
Burch was named the state 1A defensive player of the year and the Greater Savannah Defensive Player of the Year while racking up 133 tackles, including 20 for losses, with seven quarterback sacks.
C.J. Johnson, LB, 6-3, 230, Philadelphia (Miss.), Senior, Undecided
A two-time all-state pick by the Clarion Ledger, Johnson had 149 tackles and two interceptions.
Jonathan Rose, DB, 6-1, 180, Leeds (Ala.), Senior, Auburn
A Super 12 Player on the Alabama Sportswriters Association All-State Team, Rose had 73 tackles and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Helped lead Leeds to the 3A state championship and a 16-0 record.
Nick Marshall, DB, 6-2, 188, Wilcox County (Rochelle, Ga.), Senior, Georgia
The two-time Macon Telegraph Middle Georgia Offensive Player of the Year, Marshall threw for 2,728 yards (139 of 253) and 41 touchdowns and set a state record with 102 career touchdown passes. Also the Class A state player of the year, Marshall added 684 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also had six interceptions on defense, returning two for touchdowns.
Valdez Showers, DB, 6-0, 178, Madison (Madison Heights, Mich.), Senior, Florida
The Detroit News Dream Team Player of the Year, Showers rushed for 2,024 yards and 29 touchdowns and also had three interceptions and 28 tackles on defense.
Jack Rhoades
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
An impact player since his freshman season, Washington made 111 tackles and six interceptions while leading Trinity Christian to the state finals. A two-time all-state pick, Washington was also the Jackson Sun Player of the Year.
Jack Rhoades, P, 6-2, 165, Cameron Yoe (Cameron, Texas), Senior, Undecided
The Player of the Year by the Austin Statesman, Rhoades averaged 43.5 yards per punt and also completed 239 of 357 attempts for 3,553 yards and 48 touchdowns while leading Yoe to the 2A state championship game.
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Second Team Offense
Mark Laird, WR, 6-2, 178, Ouachita Christian (Monroe, La.), Junior, Undecided
The state 1A player of the year in baseball last year as a sophomore, Laird was an all-state pick in football this year with 78 catches for 1,755 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has 140 receptions for 3,064 yards and 34 touchdowns in three varsity seasons.
Akeem Woodson
Photo by Steven Silva
Klenke helped Coldwater reach the Ohio Division V championship game by catching 96 passes for 1,625 yards and 21 touchdowns. Named to the All-Ohio First Team by JJ Huddle and was an All-Division V first-team pick.
Taylor Haines, WR, 6-1, 175, McComb (Ohio), Senior, Undecided
An all-Ohio Division VI selection, Haines led the nation in touchdown receptions with 30 while catching 110 passes for 1,822 yards.
Akeem Woodson, TE, 6-3, 185, Madison (San Diego), Senior, Undecided
Woodson, an All-San Diego Section selection, helped Madison reach the California Division III bowl game. He caught 42 passes for 863 yards and 11 scores.
Stephen Shoemaker, OL, 6-2, 265, Bronxville (N.Y.), Senior, Yale
Shoemaker was named the state Class C player of the year in New York. The Yale-bound lineman led Bronxville to the school's first state championship.
Robert Olive, OL, 6-2, 297, Murray (Ky.), Senior, Undecided
Olive earned a spot on the Courier-Journal's all-state team in Kentucky after helping lead Murray to the Class 2-A semifinals. He is a three-year starter and a two-time member of the All-Western Kentucky Team by the Paducah Sun.
David Andrews, OL, 6-3, 295, Wesleyan (Norcross, Ga.), Senior, Georgia
One of the top linemen in Georgia regardless of school size, Andrews was the region lineman of the year and earned Class 1A all-state honors.
James Elliott, OL, 6-4, 285, Pensacola Catholic (Fla.), Senior, Undecided
A three-year starter for Catholic, Elliott earned all-area honors and helped lead Pensacola to the Class 2B semifinals the past two seasons.
Freddie Tagaloa, OL, 6-8, 270, Salesian (Richmond, Calif.), Junior, Undecided
Tagaloa's masterful work on the offensive line helped Salesian finish with an 11-2 record. He earned all-East Bay honors and has also been a starter on the team's state championship basketball team.
Andrew Dee, QB, 5-11, 195, McComb (Ohio), Senior, Undecided
Dee earned Ohio Division VI offensive player of the year honors after completing 219 of 415 passes for 4,267 yards and 56 touchdowns while leading McComb to the Division VI semifinals.
Christian Brumbaugh, QB, 6-4, 200, South Fayette (McDonald, Pa.), Senior, Undecided
Brumbaugh set a state record with 52 touchdown passes while leading South Fayette to the AA state championship game. He completed 237 of 367 passes for 3,726 yards. His 7,164 career yards is a WPIAL career record. He earned Class 2A all-state honors.
Kelvin Taylor, RB, 5-11, 205, Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.), Sophomore, Undecided
Taylor got off to a slow start due to a spring knee surgery, but rushed for more than 1,000 yards during the playoffs in leading Glades Day to the 1B state championship in Florida. Taylor completed the season with 2,517 yards on 288 carries with 35 touchdowns, including 437 yards and five touchdowns against Jupiter Christian. He was named the Small Schools Player of the Year by the Sun Sentinel.
Kelvin Taylor
Photo by Stuart Browning
A first-team all-state pick by the Courier Journal, Wales rushed for 2,994 yards on 297 carries with 40 touchdowns in leading Central to the 3A state championship. He came up big against large school opponents, rushing for 1,049 yards against seven 6-A teams, according to the Courier Journal. He already has 5,429 career yards and 79 touchdowns.
Rueben Duckworth, RB, 5-10, 205, Mount Olive (Miss.), Senior, Undecided
Duckworth led Mount Olive to the 1A state championship and an 11-4 record by rushing for 2,965 yards on 268 carries with 39 touchdowns. He earned all-state first team honors by the Clarion Ledger.
Kyle Caldwell, K, 5-8, 150, Dadeville (Ala.), Senior, Undecided
A Super 12 pick in Alabama, Caldwell was also the Opelika-Auburn Now Offensive Player of the Year. Besides completing 170 of 242 passes for 2,790 yards and 25 touchdowns, Caldwell also booted 11 of 14 field goals with a long of 44 yards. He added 55 of 58 extra point attempts and averaged 46 yards on punts.
Alex Niznak, Ath, 6-3, 226, Ithaca (Mich.), Senior, Central Michigan
Niznak led his team to the Division 6 state championship and was named to the Detroit News Dream Team as the first team quarterback. He completed 150 of 219 passes for 2,728 yards and 31 touchdowns and also ran 153 times for 1,173 yards and 21 touchdowns. Niznak accounted for 102 touchdowns over his final two varsity seasons.
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Second Team Defense
Phillip Dukes, DL, 6-3, 295, Manning (S.C.), Senior, Undecided
Dukes earned all-state honors in South Carolina and helped lead Manning to a 10-4 record and the state semifinals. Ranked as one of the top defensive linemen in the country.
Travis Linser, DL, 6-4, 253, Northwest Christian (Phoenix), Senior, Undecided
Named to the all-state team by the Arizona Republic, Linser led Northwest Christian to a 2A state championship while posting 8.5 sacks and 53 tackles.
Tom Bove, DL, 6-0, 250, Parkview Baptist (Baton Rouge, La.), Senior, Undecided
Bove played in the middle of the defense for Parkview Baptist and helped lead his team to the Class 3A state championship in Louisiana. Bove had 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks while earning Class 3A state defensive player of the year honors.
Jim Lynch, Jr., DL, 6-4, 210, West Catholic (Philadelphia), Senior, Undecided
The state 2A defensive player of the year, Lynch led West Catholic to a state championship while racking up 90 tackles, 10 sacks and 26 tackles for losses.
Logan Genz, LB, 6-2, 190, West Fork (Ark.), Senior, Undecided
Besides rushing for 1,425 yards and 23 touchdowns, Genz also had 139 tackles, 19 for loss, with two interceptions while earning NWA Media Small Schools Football Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Tyrone Sauls, LB, 6-2, 225, Christian (El Cajon, Calif.), Senior, Undecided
An all-San Diego Section pick, Sauls had 93 tackles and 4.5 sacks, but he was also a force on offense with 1,759 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns.
Cardell Silas, LB, 5-10, 220, Curtis (River Ridge, La.), Senior, Undecided
Named the Small Schools Defensive Player of the Year by the Times Picayune, Silas had 78 tackles, two sacks and an interception in helping to lead Curtis to the 2A state championship game.
Traveon McKinzie, LB, 6-1, 190, Wallace-Rose Hill (Teachey, N.C.), Senior, Undecided
McKinzie racked up 179 tackles in helping Wallace-Rose Hill go 16-0 and win the Class 1A state championship. Named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Wilmington Star News and was also the Class 1A defensive player of the year.
Nathanael Moore, LB, 5-11, 215, Chesnee (S.C.), Junior, Undecided
Moore racked up 210 tackles on the season and earned defensive MVP honors by the Spartanburg Herald Journal. He had 18 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Josh Miguel
Photo by David Hood
Dominant on both sides of the ball, Brown was the state 3A offensive MVP but also had eight interceptions and 61 tackles on defense. He combined for 2,173 yards rushing and receiving and scored 28 touchdowns while earning all-state honors by the Clarion Ledger.
Josh Miguel, DB, 5-9, 175, Escalon (Calif.), Senior, Undecided
The Modesto All-District Player of the Year, Miguel led Escalon to a state championship while rushing 191 times for 1,748 yards and 27 touchdowns, 38 touchdowns total. On defense, Miguel had 53 tackles and intercepted five passes.
Chris Johnson, DB, 5-10, 185, Trinity Catholic (Ocala, Fla.), Senior, Florida
Johnson helped lead Trinity Catholic to a 14-0 record and a Class 2B state championship in Florida. A two-time all-area selection, Johnson racked up 87 tackles on the season and has committed to Florida.
Tyler Hunt, DB, 6-0, 210, Westran (Huntsville, Mo.), Senior, Undecided
Hunt did a little bit of everything in earning Missouri Division I MVP honors. He completed 101 of 171 passes for 1,821 yards and 27 touchdowns and also rushed 234 times for 1,790 yards and 35 scores. He also had 75 tackles on defense in leading Westran to a 14-1 record.
Sheldon Wilson, P, 5-11, 170, Anadarko (Okla.), Junior, Undecided
In addition to averaging more than 53 yards per punt, Wilson rushed for 2,798 yards and 49 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the Oklahoman all-state team.
Small School Enrollment Divisions
Alabama 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A; Arizona 2A, 1A; Arkansas 3A, 2A, 1A; California – Division III, Small Schools; Colorado 3A, 2A, 1A; Connecticut M, S; Delaware Div. 2; Florida 2B, 1A, 1B; Georgia 2A, 1A; Idaho 3A, 2A, 1A; Illinois 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A; Indiana 2A, 1A; Iowa 2A, 1A, A; Kansas 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A; Kentucky 3A, 2A, 1A; Louisiana 3A, 2A, 1A; Maryland A; Massachusetts Div. 3; Maine B, C, D; Michigan Div. 6, 7, 8; Minnesota A; Mississippi 3A, 2A, 1A; Missouri Class 2, 1; Montana A; Nebraska B; Nevada Class 3A, 2A, 1A; New Hampshire Class V, VI; New Jersey Public Group 1; New Mexico 3A, 2A, 1A; New York B, C, D; North Carolina 1A; North Dakota B; Ohio Div. 5, 6; Oklahoma 3A, 2A, 1A, B; Oregon 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A; Pennsylvania 2A, 1A; Rhode Island Div. 2; South Carolina 2A, 1A; Tennessee 2A, 1A; Texas 2A, 1A; Utah 2A, 1A; Vermont Div. 2, 3; Virginia A; Washington 1A, 2B, 1B; West Virginia 2A, 1A; Wisconsin Div. 3, 4.
