By Rich Stevens
MaxPreps.com
The West Virginia All-State football teams have been announced, and it’s no surprise that the two championship combatants in Class AAA – the big school portion of the state – delivered eight players to the first team.
Kanawha Valley rivals South Charleston and George Washington squared off for the second time on Dec. 6 with the Black Eagles also winning for the second time against the Patriots – this time with a 39-8 victory to complete their unbeaten season (14-0).
“That number of players on the first team is a great thing,” South Charleston Coach John Messinger told Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter Derek Taylor. “It’s great to see that kind of football attention and notoriety return to the Kanawha Valley.”
The victory marked the first time since 1993 that two KV teams – schools in Kanawha and Putnam counties – have played for the Class AAA title.
Both teams were loaded with talent, including South Charleston middle linebacker and All-State defensive captain Aaron Slusher – the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year – who had 108 tackles, including 26 tackles for a loss, and an interception.
The offensive captain was George Washington offensive tackle Rodney Hudson, who last year was the first-ever junior and defensive lineman to win the Huff Award – given to the state’s top defensive player.
“Rodney worked real hard to become a better offensive lineman,” said his coach, Steve Edwards Jr. “He had to.”
The other Class AAA KV players to earn first-team All-State offensive plaudits were George Washington 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior quarterback Taylor Norman, South Charleston offensive lineman Blake Brooks (6-3, 300, Jr.), South Charleston senior wide receiver Aaron Dobson (6-3, 190, Sr.), Riverside wide receiver Raheem Waiters (6-1, 180, Jr.), Hurricane do-it-all star Terrell Martin (5-10, 170, Sr.).
On defense, the KV was represented by Slusher, South Charleston defensive lineman Xavier Jones (6-4, 227, Sr.) and George Washington defensive backs Greg Jones (6-1, 165, Sr.) and Mike Tucker (5-8, 155, Sr.).
The Class AA team – announced last week – had only one player from the KV earning All-State recognition.
Running back Caleb Arthur from Poca, a 5-8, 178-pound speedster, was a first-team offensive pick.
The Dots didn’t make the playoffs, while Grafton won the Class AA state title, 56-25 over Magnolia, the Bearcats’ first championship since 1984.
In Class A, Buffalo’s Corey Good, a 5-10, 160-pound senior utility player, earned a spot on the first team defense.
The small school champion in West Virginia was Williamstown. The Yellowjackets, who reached the state title game four consecutive times, won the title 23-7 over Madonna. It was Madonna’s second trip in five years to the state championship. The Blue Dons were turned away by Wheeling Central 34-7 in 2004.
Here are the 2008 All-State football teams, as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association:
CLASS AAA ALL-STATE TEAM
First Team
Offense
QB--Taylor Norman, George Washington, Sr., 5-foot-11, 170 pounds
RB--Keion Wright, Capital, So., 5-8, 180
RB--Wes Tonkery, Bridgeport, Jr., 6-2, 190
RB--Tyler Milton, Preston, Sr., 6-1, 200
OL--Rodney Hudson, George Washington, Sr., 6-3, 280 (Captain)
OL--Cole Bowers, Cabell Midland, Sr., 6-5, 275
OL--Blake Brooks, South Charleston, Jr., 6-3, 300
OL--Devin Hilling, University, Sr., 5-10, 324
OL--Danny Longerbeam, Musselman, Sr., 6-0, 270
WR--Aaron Dobson, South Charleston, Sr., 6-3, 190
WR--Raheem Waiters, Riverside, Jr., 6-1, 180
Util--Terrell Martin, Hurricane, Sr., 5-10, 170
Util--Alec Wood, Wheeling Park, Sr., 5-11, 185
Util--Chanz Jarrell, Parkersburg South, Sr., 5-11, 180
K--George Brody, Spring Valley, Jr., 6-2, 210
Defense
DL--Xavier Jones, South Charleston, Sr., 6-4, 227
DL--Bodie Grass, Cabell Midland, Jr., 5-10, 220
DL--Derek Stahl, Wheeling Park, Sr., 6-0, 210
LB--James Jordan, Martinsburg, Jr., 6-0, 235
LB--Dominique Dixon, University, Sr., 6-1, 224
LB--Richard Hall, Wheeling Park, Jr., 6-2, 230
LB--Ryan Stafford, Woodrow Wilson, Sr., 6-4, 235
LB--Hunter Ferguson, Parkersburg South, Jr., 5-11, 210
DB--Greg Jones, George Washington, Sr., 6-1, 165
DB--Brandon Tucker, University, Sr., 5-8, 178
DB--Mike Tucker, George Washington, Sr., 5-8, 155
Util--Casey Cochran, Musselman, Sr., 5-9, 145
Util--Aaron Slusher, South Charleston, Sr., 5-11, 217 (Captain)
Util--Tyler Anderson, Morgantown, Sr., 6-3, 225
P--Derek Wenzel, Parkersburg, Jr., 6-0, 185
Second Team
Offense
QB--Logan Moore, Fairmont Senior, Sr., 6-0, 185
RB--Ryan Rowland, Martinsburg, Sr., 6-1, 190
RB--C.J. Rahming, Lewis County, So., 5-10, 175
RB--Jeff Allen, Morgantown, Jr., 6-3, 245
OL--Tyler Riddle, University, Sr., 6-1, 260
OL--Mike Nolet, Martinsburg, Sr., 6-0, 310
OL--Josh Kay, Capital, Sr., 6-0, 240
OL--Kyle Smith, Parkersburg, Sr., 6-4, 250
OL--Colin Casselman, Morgantown, Sr., 6-3, 275
WR--Jacob Lucas, Lincoln County, Sr., 6-1, 175
WR--Jeff Walls, Ripley, Jr., 5-10, 165
Util--Pat O'Dell, Nicholas County, Sr., 5-9, 150 (Captain)
Util--VaShawn Wood, Woodrow Wilson, Sr., 6-3, 212
Util--Roland Willis, George Washington, Sr., 5-10, 150
K--Ian Anderson, Wheeling Park, Sr., 5-10, 150
Defense
DL--Bryan Staten, Princeton, Sr., 6-0, 250
DL--Ryan Small, Parkersburg South, Jr., 6-3, 225
DL--Joey Voithofer, Morgantown, Sr., 6-0, 235
LB--Mike Henderson, Brooke, Sr., 6-1, 225
LB--Jake Kelly, Capital, Sr., 6-2, 215
LB--Zack Wellman, Spring Valley, Jr., 6-1, 220
LB--Alex Sutton, Bridgeport, Jr., 6-0, 190
LB--Kyle Cooper, Hurricane, Sr., 6-1, 215 (Captain)
DB--Joey McComas, Spring Valley, Sr., 6-5, 218
DB--Daniel Strosnider, Morgantown, Sr., 6-0, 180
DB--Dewey McDonald, Jefferson, Sr., 6-1, 188
Util--Tyler Harris, South Charleston, So., 5-11, 210
Util--Michael Brumfield, Cabell Midland, Jr., 6-2, 210
Util--Tevin Allen, Princeton, So., 5-11, 185
P--James Eminger, Hurricane, Sr., 6-1, 189.
Special Honorable Mention
Todd Battle, George Washington; Steven Bohon, University; Brandon Booker, Preston; Tyler Browning, Lincoln County; Richard Campbell, South Charleston; Mark Chandler, Nitro; C.J. Crawford, Huntington; Taylor Farley, Winfield; Ricardo Farrow, Wheeling Park; Andy Fields, Hurricane; Marcus Fox, St. Albans; Colby Goldstrom, Preston; Jesse Hanes, Musselman; Jordan Hogan, Nicholas County; Jordan Holiday, Parkersburg South; Justin Houck, Cabell Midland; Brandon Hyler, Jefferson; Brad Jenkins, Cabell Midland; Kevin Lawrence, Spring Valley; Ryan Lazear, Brooke; Zach Losh, Robert C. Byrd; James Mascaro, East Fairmont; Seth Morris, Spring Valley; Dylan Nick, Washington; Seth Parsons, Ripley; Kam Puller, Martinsburg; Ryan Sengewalt, Wheeling Park; Remington Skarzinski, Fairmont Senior; Stephen Stout, Bridgeport; James Woods, Capital.
Honorable Mention
Seth Angell, Princeton; Jacob Ashworth, Lincoln County; Tyler Bartley, Cabell Midland; Marvin Belcher, Riverside; Aaron Bowyer, Riverside; Justin Carey, Bridgeport; Kyle Cook, Lewis County; Demetreus Cunningham, University; Gavin Donathan, Hurricane; Barry Dressel, Morgantown; Aaron Fetty, Fairmont Senior; Markus Guy, St. Albans; Andrew Harper, University; Zach Harrison, Spring Valley; Alex Holehouse, Morgantown; Tyler Hutchison, Huntington; Drew Jenkins, East Fairmont; Casey Johnson, Jefferson; Matt Johnson, George Washington; Kevin Lee, Capital; Jack Lester, Brooke; Jake Lilly, Brooke.
Eric Mendenhall, Wheeling Park; Mike Molinari, Parkersburg South; Felix Mollett, George Washington; Ronnie Mullins, Ripley; Dane Niday, Spring Valley; Derrick Perrin, Logan; Josh Poling, Buckhannon-Upshur; Christian Powers, Winfield; Steven Roush, Parkersburg; Dakota Rowe, Morgantown; Ryan Shine, University; Ryan Tennant, Fairmont Senior; Dylan Turner, South Charleston; Scotty Ullom, Ripley; Chris Vance, George Washington; Clinton Van Horn, Woodrow Wilson; Stefan Varner, John Marshall; Jared Weatherholtz, Musselman; Jeremy Wiggs, Robert C. Byrd; Mike Workman, Bridgeport.
CLASS AA ALL-STATE TEAM
First Team
Offense
QB--Will Cole, Bluefield, Sr., 6-foot-1, 185 pounds (Captain)
RB--Allan Wasonga, Point Pleasant, So., 5-9, 186
RB--Caleb Arthur, Poca, Sr., 5-9, 178
RB--Damon Waters, Grafton, Sr., 5-8, 175
OL--Michael Davis, Wayne, Jr., 6-2, 269
OL--Travis Smith, Wyoming East, Sr., 6-3, 265
OL--Tom Moss, Ravenswood, Sr., 6-2, 240
OL--Tyler Hanna, Magnolia, Sr., 6-2, 250
OL--Artie Chappell, Weir, Sr., 5-10, 225
WR--Marcus Patterson, Bluefield, Jr., 5-10, 165
WR--Deandre Leonard, Oak Hill, So., 6-1, 160
WR--R.J. Johnson, Philip Barbour, Jr., 5-10, 165
Util--Cameron Gallaher, Grafton, Sr., 6-0, 195
Util--Bryant Davidson, Weir, Sr., 6-1, 205
K--Wayne Dickey, Grafton, Sr., 6-3, 207
Defense
DL--Nick Kisiel, James Monroe, Sr., 5-11, 187
DL--Cullen Grover, Tyler Consolidated, Sr., 6-4, 210
DL--Derrick Rovira, Weir, Sr., 6-1, 230
DL--Clay Krebs, Point Pleasant, Jr., 6-4, 278
LB--Dustin Shreve, Wayne, Sr., 5-11, 190
LB--Jake Young, Ravenswood, Sr., 6-4, 225
LB--Taige Redman, Keyser, Sr., 6-2, 215
LB--Traeh Keller, Magnolia, So., 5-9, 175
LB--Jake Justice, Independence, Sr., 5-7, 175
DB--Taylor Robertson, James Monroe, Sr., 6-1, 185
DB--Jeremy Green, Keyser, Sr., 6-2, 190
DB--Joey Ferguson, Wayne, Sr., 6-2, 175
Util--Jake Lilly, Bluefield, Jr., 6-0, 190
Util--Asa Coplin, Grafton, Sr., 6-3, 196 (Captain)
P--Justin Fox, Magnolia, So., 5-9, 160
Second Team
Offense
QB--Preston Hartman, Keyser, Sr., 6-3, 195 (Captain)
RB--Jordan Simon, Philip Barbour, Sr., 6-0, 175
RB--Raymond Boggess, Sissonville, Sr., 6-0, 170
RB--Corey Damron, Wayne, Jr., 5-9, 151
OL--Chris James, Roane County, Sr., 5-11, 235
OL--Aaron Thompson, Scott, Sr., 6-2, 270
OL--Gary Pritt, PikeView, Sr., 6-2, 285
OL--Keegan Knapp, Greenbrier West, Sr., 6-2, 235
OL--Kerry Casto, Poca, Sr., 6-3, 238
WR--Jason Utt, Magnolia, Sr., 6-0, 175
WR--Jacob Rollo, Sherman, Sr., 6-4, 185
Util--Chance Rowland, Oak Glen, So., 6-0, 180
Util--Eric Bailey, Westside, Sr., 6-3, 175
Util--Eric Lucas, Shady Spring, Sr., 5-11, 190
K--Justin Horstman, Weir, Jr., 6-0, 165
Defense
DL--John Gibson, Bluefield, Jr., 6-1, 211
DL--Chad Small, Ravenswood, So., 6-0, 240
DL--Ray Cox, Grafton, Sr., 5-11, 229
DL--Ryan Price, Scott, Sr., 6-0, 265
LB--Lee Triplett, James Monroe, Sr., 5-10, 185
LB--Derek Basadre, Chapmanville, Sr., 6-0, 235
LB--Russell Bailey, Liberty Raleigh, Sr., 6-2, 170
LB--Joe Amtower, Keyser, Sr., 6-2, 235
LB--Beau Bartlett, Grafton, Sr., 6-1, 170
DB--David Wiley, Chapmanville, Sr., 5-9, 185
DB--Matt Wilmer, Keyser, Sr., 5-11, 185
DB--Stingray Bates, Magnolia, Jr., 5-8, 165 (Captain)
Util--Tyler Parsons, Tolsia, Sr., 6-1, 155
Util--Nate Zills, Tyler Consolidated, Sr., 6-1, 190
P--Aaron Baker, Liberty Harrison, Sr., 6-2, 210.
Special Honorable Mention
Jacob Albright, Shady Spring; Jeremy Buchanan, Independence; Braiden Fahey, Liberty Harrison; Keith Ferguson, Bluefield; Scotty Fry, Wayne; Brian Gray, Greenbrier West; Thadd Grogg, Wyoming East; Josh Hart, Herbert Hoover; Chris Heinzman, Grafton; Adam Holmes, Sissonville; Davey Howell, Magnolia; Eric Jarvis, Roane County; Chris Lawson, Oak Hill; Chris Ledsome, Webster County; Jacob Meade, Summers County; Tim Miller, Webster County; Derek Mitchell, Point Pleasant; Chris Muller, Grafton; James Piggott, Ravenswood; Ryan Richards, Ritchie County; Derrick Robertson, Tolsia; Roger Ryan, Frankfort; Zac Shriver, Ravenswood; Jewel Short, Philip Barbour; Joey Stevens, Chapmanville; Todd Terry, Chapmanville; Braxton Thompson, James Monroe; Jason Thompson, Wayne; Colby Treadway, Sherman; Zech Turner, Brandon Wilson, Keyser.
Honorable Mention
Seth Barnhart, Oak Glen; Jared Blatt, Magnolia; Shayne Butcher, Scott; Jon Casto, Chapmanville; Blake Cunningham, Sissonville; Jordan Drake, Roane County; Caleb Greathouse, Roane County; Lucas Hershman, Grafton; Tanner Hunter, Ravenswood; James Jones, Frankfort; Boone Kehrer, Tyler Consolidated; Luke Kleman, Clay County; John Lawson, Independence; Rick Martin, Philip Barbour; Aaron Matthews, Tyler Consolidated; Marcus McFarland, Oak Hill; Kyle McGraw, Wyoming East; Shawn McKinney, Independence; Vance Miller, Weir; Josh Meddings, Wayne; Josh Mills, Wayne; Josh Morris, Philip Barbour; Cole Mullett, Magnolia; Michael Muovich, Liberty Raleigh; Shay Noss, Liberty Harrison; Derek Pinson, Point Pleasant; John Purdy, Keyser; Nick Pugh, Liberty Raleigh; Jarrell Ross, Keyser; Ryan Skidmore, Braxton County; Hardin Spaulding, Tolsia; Tyler Stire, Lincoln; Nate Taylor, Tyler Consolidated; Cedric Thomas, Mount View; Zach Thompson, Independence; Cody Taylor, Webster County; Zech Turner, Berkeley Springs; Cody Wassum, Bluefield; Josh Weeks, Shady Spring; Aaron Wood, Grafton.
CLASS A ALL-STATE TEAM
First Team
Offense
QB--Brendan Miller, Tucker County, Jr., 6-foot-2, 233 pounds
RB--Da'Von Marion, Mount Hope, Sr., 6-0, 185 (Captain)
RB--Randy Fluharty, Calhoun County, Jr., 5-7, 165
RB--A.J. Klein, Madonna, Jr., 5-7, 145
OL--Chase Lafferty, Fayetteville, Jr., 6-2, 265
OL--Ryan Zide Williamstown, Sr., 5-10, 246
OL--Bryan Casto, St. Marys, Sr., 5-10, 209
OL--Shane Hicks, Big Creek, Sr., 5-10, 215
OL--Robbi Wigal, Williamstown, Sr., 5-10, 201
WR--Alek Marinaro, Notre Dame, Sr., 5-9, 150
WR--Troy Hopkins, Fayetteville, Sr., 6-0, 175
Util--Wes Cosper, Paden City, Sr., 5-11, 187
Util--Derek Spitzer, St. Marys, Sr., 6-0, 178
Util--Dexter Skidmore, Pocahontas County, Sr., 5-9, 170
K--Joe Palm, Williamstown, Jr., 6-0, 177
Defense
DL--Dante Greco, Madonna, Sr., 6-0, 295
DL--Joe Thornquest, Mount Hope, Sr., 6-0, 255
DL--Cody Matheny, Williamstown, Jr., 6-0, 235
DL--Cody Gooslin, Matewan, Jr., 6-2, 240
LB--Dan Gordon, Wheeling Central, Sr., 6-2, 230 (Captain)
LB--Lou Comis, Madonna, Jr., 5-11, 205
LB--Kurtis Rickles, South Harrison, Sr., 6-1, 210
LB--Zac Anderson, St. Marys, Sr., 6-2, 225
DB--Drew Weis, Fayetteville, Jr., 5-10, 185
DB--Khris Tolliver, Man, Sr., 5-8, 156
DB--Josh Sammons, Matewan, Sr., 6-0, 172
DB--Cameron Powell, Williamstown, Sr., 6-0, 184
Util--DeVaughn Gordon, Wheeling Central, Sr., 5-10, 210
Util--Corey Good, Buffalo, Sr., 5-10, 160
P--Nick Whytsell, St. Marys, Sr., 6-2, 178
Second Team
Offense
QB--William Zuspan, Wahama, Jr., 5-10, 155 (Captain)
RB--Matt Schrumpf, Bishop Donahue, Sr., 5-11, 190
RB--Tyler Brill, East Hardy, Sr., 6-0, 165
RB--Eric Halstead, Meadow Bridge, Sr., 6-2, 172
OL--Chris Thompson, Mount Hope, Sr., 6-0, 205
OL--Michael Scott, Cameron, Sr., 5-10, 195
OL--Robert Stenger, South Harrison, Sr., 6-0, 190
OL--Robert Hall, St. Marys, Sr., 6-4, 239
OL--Mark Williamson, Pocahontas County, Sr., 5-10, 235
WR--Devan Wright, Clay-Battelle, Sr., 5-9, 150
WR--Cole Cwynar, Parkersburg Catholic, Jr., 6-0, 175
Util--Cody Johnson, Big Creek, Sr., 5-10, 165
Util--Coty Pierson, Midland Trail, Sr., 6-2, 158
Util--Connor Arlia, Madonna, Soph., 5-8, 165
K--MichaelAngelo Hernandez, Fayetteville, Sr., 5-11, 165
Defense
DL--Sam Walters, Parkersburg Catholic, Jr., 5-10, 205
DL--Allen Corder, Clay-Battelle, Sr., 5-10, 190
DL--Nathan Slider, Calhoun County, Sr., 6-3, 205
DL--Steve McDonald, Cameron, Sr., 6-0, 215
LB--Tommy Brunoni, Parkersburg Catholic, Sr., 6-1, 210 (Captain)
LB--Trevor Sites, Moorefield, Jr., 6-1, 200
LB--Roger Slone, Matewan, Sr., 5-10, 180
LB--Zach Foose, Wheeling Central, Sr., 5-11, 210
DB--Kendall Beverage, Pocahontas County, Sr., 6-0, 205
DB--Tucker Smith, Moorefield, Sr., 5-11, 185
DB--K.C. Dempsey, Fayetteville, Sr., 5-11, 170
DB--Mike Shaw, Notre Dame, Jr., 6-0, 180
Util--Max Nogay, Madonna, Jr., 5-10, 168
Util--Nick Hurley, Wheeling Central, Sr., 5-11, 170
P--Nolan Tucci, Notre Dame, So., 5-11, 160
Special Honorable Mention
Jonathan Bell, Montcalm; Dustin Bishop, Iaeger; Mike Callison, Pocahontas County; Jeremy Conley, Calhoun County; Sal Conti, Madonna; Cameron Cummings, Clay-Battelle; Joey Dean, Midland Trail; Jacob Fernandez, Fayetteville; Joey Fields, Matewan; Schuyler Frazier, Buffalo; Jeremy Fultz, Moorefield; Loren Harshbarger, Van; Cody Harvey, Man; Cody Hashman, St. Marys; Zach Hood, Wheeling Central; Austin Johnson, Big Creek; David Johnson, Man; Chris Kiedaisch, Linsly; Derek Kiner, Pocahontas County.
Ryan Lester, Mount Hope; Steve McDonald, Cameron; Rodney Mullins, Meadow Bridge; Josh Radabaugh, Williamstown; Aaron Schneid, Wheeling Central; Allen Summerfield, Tucker County; Mike Umstot, St. Marys; Garrett Underwood, Wahama; Josh Valentine, Wirt County; Thomas Wallace, South Harrison; Max Whitt, Matewan; Jason Williams, Parkersburg Catholic.
Honorable Mention
Tyler Bennett, Meadow Bridge; Brian Blankenship, Iaeger; Micaiah Branch, Wahama; Jacob Brunoni, Parkersburg Catholic; Stephen Burns, Pocahontas County; Marcus Clifford, Wheeling Central; Colton Copley, Matewan; Cody Craig, Buffalo; Jake Crist, Midland Trail; Ryan Crum, Man; Nathan Cunningham, St. Marys; Justin Davis, Matewan; Will Deskins, Midland Trail; Derrick Earnest, Man; Josh Evans, Tucker County; Matt Fahey, Linsly; Matt Henrickson, Williamstown; Zack Holden, Doddridge County; Phillip Hopkins, Iaeger; Morgan Long, Valley Wetzel; Chris Loy, Paden City; Logan McDiffitt, Hundred.
Trent Moots, Pendleton County; Vance Miller, South Harrison; Brandon Newbrough, South Harrison; Daniel Parsons, Tucker County; Seth Pifer, Tucker County; Jon Przelenski, Bishop Donahue; B.J. Puckett, Mount Hope; Dylan Reifsteck, Parkersburg Catholic; Jay Riffle, Clay- Battelle; Jared Roberts, Iaeger; John Runyon, Notre Dame; Jack Simms, Valley Fayette; Cory Spence, Man; Tanner Whyte, Cameron; Josh Wilson, Wheeling Central; Micah Wood, Williamstown; Kyle Zerkle, Wahama.
