By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
If you like statistics, you’re going to love the MaxPreps Small Schools All-American football team.
The inaugural small schools All-American team is loaded with players who could fill up the stat charts. The three receivers on the team combined for 313 catches, 5,644 yards and 89 touchdowns. The running backs accounted for 25,456 career yards while the two quarterbacks combined for 17,945 career yards.
Leading the way is a running back who led the nation in rushing and scoring, finishing third on the all-time national single-season rushing list. Schuylkill Haven’s (Pa.) Zach Barket became the fifth player in national history to rush for over 4,000 yards in a season as he charged for 4,187 yards on 406 carries while leading his team to a 14-1 record. His season total ranks third behind John Giannantonio of Netcong, N.J., with 4,756 yards (1950) and Tyler Ebell of Ventura, Calif., with 4,495 yards (2000).
Barket’s 65 touchdowns this year also led the nation. That total ranks fourth behind TA. McLendon of Albemarle, N.C., with 71, Michael Hart of Nedrow Onondaga, N.Y., with 67 and Brett Law of Sheridan, Ind., with 66. For his performance this year, Barket has been named the MaxPreps Small Schools National Player of the Year.
Here’s a look at the rest of the teams.
First Team Offense
WR – Kirby Moore, Prosser (Wash.), 6-3, 220, Sr.
Moore became the all-time national leader for receiving touchdowns in a season (34) and a career (95) after helping lead Prosser to the Washington 2A state championship game. He finished the year with 131 catches for 2,126 yards. He will play at Boise State next year. For his career, Moore had 4,854 receiving yards on 303 receptions. Both rank totals rank second in state history.
WR – Cheston Goudge, San Antonio Christian (San Antonio, Texas), 6-0, 165, Sr.
Goudge led the state of Texas in touchdown catches with 29 and also broke the San Antonio city record. He finished the year with 97 catches for 1,775 yards and was named to the TAPPS Division II all-state team.
WR – Chris Gohman, Elizabethtown (Ky.), 6-3, 195, Sr.
Gohman finished the season as the leading receiver in Kentucky and received all-state honors in the process. Gohman caught 85 passes for 1,743 yards and 26 touchdowns and was near the top of the national leaders list throughout the season.
TE – Brian Vogler, Brookstone (Columbus, Ga.), TE, 6-7, 237, Jr.
The top tight end prospect in the country for the class of 2010, Vogler was a Georgia 1A all-state selection. He caught 21 passes for 465 yards and six touchdowns this year.
OL – Quinton Washington, Timberland (St. Stephen, S.C.), 6-4, 305, Sr.
An all-state selection at Timberland, Washington opened holes for 2,000-yard rusher Rockarius King and helped the Wolves to a 13-1 record. He participated in the Under Armour All-American game and is still considering college offers.
OL – Travis Frederick, Big Foot (Walworth, Wisc.), 6-5, 315, Sr.
Headed to Wisconsin next year, Frederick is a two-time all-state selection at Big Foot, which won its first 13 games last season before falling in the state finals. Frederick was also the Wisconsin State Journal small schools player of the year after leading the way for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers.
OL – Dallas Lee, Buford (Ga.), 6-4, 295, Sr.
A force on either side of the line, Lee was an all-state choice for Buford, which won its sixth state championship including its second in a row. The Wolves play a smash-mouth brand of overpowering football with Lee leading a sizeable front line that opened holes for state MVP Cody Getz. He’ll play at Georgia next season.
OL – Carneal Ainsworth, Parkview Baptist (Baton Rouge, La.), 6-4, 300, Sr.
LSU picked up a verbal commitment from Ainsworth, who was an all-state selection at Parkview Baptist this season. Ainsworth’s team, which won the state championship in 2007, reached the third round of the Louisiana 3A playoffs before falling to Redemptorist.
OL – Justin Nixon, Smith Center (Kan.), 6-1, 350, Sr.
Nixon never lost a varsity game while at Smith Center. The Redmen have won 67 games in a row, which is the longest current 11-man win streak in the nation. Nixon has been a big reason why the Redmen have been so successful. He was a Super 11 all-state selection this year by the Wichita Eagle.
QB – Clint Moseley, Leroy (Ala.), 6-3, 192 Sr.
Moseley won three straight Alabama 2A state football championships as the quarterback at Leroy and he earned Alabama state MVP honors as a result. He completed 209 of 313 passes for 3,758 yards and 35 touchdowns this year and finishes his career with 484 completions in 766 attempts for 8,544 yards and 81 scores.
QB – Dez Duron, Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.), 6-0, 170, Sr
Duron earned 2A state offensive player of the year honors in Louisiana and was also the Shreveport area offensive MVP after leading Evangel Christian to the 2A state finals. He set the state record for touchdown passes with 58 and finished the year with 4,428 yards (330 of 492). He finished his career with 9,401 yards through the air.
RB - Zach Barket, Schuylkill Haven (Pa.), 5-10, 205, Sr.
Barket led the nation in rushing, piling up a mindboggling 4,187 yards on 406 carries, good enough for a Pennsylvania state record. He had 14 consecutive games of more than 200 yards rushing and scored a whopping 65 touchdowns, helping to lead the Hurricanes to the Class A semifinals. Barket ended his career with 8,324 rushing yards.
RB – Washaun Ealey, Emanuel County Institute (Twin City, Ga.), 5-11, 210, Sr
Ealey had another spectacular season for Emanuel County Institute, which fell just short of winning its second straight Georgia 1A title. Ealey ran for 2,825 yards on 305 carries with 46 total touchdowns. He was the 1A state MVP again while leading ECI to a 15-1 record. Ealey finished his career as the state’s all-time leading touchdown scorer with 138. He also gained 8,105 yards on the ground. He’ll play at Georgia next season.
RB – Jeremiah Young, Steelton-Highspire (Steelton, Pa.), 5-10, 190, Sr.
In his final high school game, Young became the first player in Pennsylvania history to rush for over 9,000 yards in a career. He finished his career with 9,027 yards and 98 touchdowns. Young gained 2,812 yards on 283 carries this year with 31 total touchdowns while leading the Steamrollers to their second straight state title. It marked the third year in a row Young had rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season.
Ath – Tavon Austin, Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.), 5-8, 170, Sr.
Austin set Maryland state career records for points scored (790), touchdowns (123), rushing yards (7,460) and total offense (9,258) in leading Dunbar to its third straight state title. The Metro player of the year in Baltimore, Austin ran for 2,660 yards and 34 touchdowns on 218 carries. He had 228 points scored on the season. He has yet to decide where he will play next year.
K – Daniel Villafuerte, Buford (Ga.), 5-8, 200, Sr.
One of the most prolific kickers in the country, Villafuerte, an all-state pick, was nearly automatic for Georgia state 2A champion Buford as he made 77 of 80 extra points and was good on 16 of 21 field goals for a total of 125 kicking points.
First Team Defense
DL – Brandon Jenkins, Florida State (Tallahassee, Fla.), 6-3, 218, Sr.
The Florida State Seminoles found a good one in their own backyard when they offered a scholarship to Florida State University High standout Brandon Jenkins. An all-state selection, Jenkins helped lead his team to the state 2B semifinals and finished the year with 81 tackles and 19.5 sacks.
DL – Mister Cobble, Central (Louisville, Ky.), 6-2, 285, Sr.
Cobble led the defense for the two-time Kentucky 3A state champions. Headed to the University of Kentucky, Cobble had 81.5 tackles on the season, including 50 solo tackles. A two-time all-state selection for Central.
DL – Gary Brown, West Gadsden (Greensboro, Fla.), 6-3, 275, Sr.
Brown will stay in state to play his college ball after committing last year to play at Florida. Brown is a two-time all-state selection for West Gadsden and was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game.
DL – Tyrone Ezell, Steel Valley (Munhall, Pa.), 6-4, 256, Sr
Although it was a rough year for Steel Valley High School, Ezell had a strong enough performance to earn all-state honors as well as a spot on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Fabulous 22 team. Ezell will play at Pitt next season.
LB – Ronnell Lewis, Dewar (Okla.), 6-3, 225, Sr.
Despite playing in one of the smallest classifications in Oklahoma, Lewis earned a spot on the all-state first team and was chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game. He finished the season with 89 tackles and also rushed for 1,321 yards on just 104 carries with 23 touchdowns during a 10-2 campaign. Lewis will take his talents to play for the Sooners.
LB – Matt Stansbury, John Curtis (River Ridge, La.), 5-10, 185, Sr.
John Curtis won the 2A state championship in Louisiana with Stansbury leading the way on defense. The 2A state most valuable player on defense, Stansbury had 84 solo tackles on the season, 129 overall, and caused five fumbles.
LB – Brandin Hawthorne, Pahokee (Fla.), 6-1, 181, Sr.
The county’s small school MVP, as selected by the Palm Beach Post, Hawthorne racked up 138 tackles, including 17 sacks, in leading Pahokee to a Class 2B state championship. He has committed to play at Michigan next season.
LB – Tana Patrick, North Jackson (Ala.), 6-3, 236, Sr.
Still undecided about where to attend college next year, Patrick has offers from every top program in the South. A three-time all-state selection, Patrick was in on 140 tackles with three sacks this year.
LB - Carlo Calabrese, Verona (N.J.), 6-3, 235, Sr.
The Star-Ledger anointed Calabrese New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year after he amassed 131 tackles. He also played quarterback for state champion Verona.
DB - Caleb Massey, Sulligent (Ala.), 6-2, 185, Sr.
Following a season where he picked off nine passes and made 80 tackles, Massey was named the Birmingham News State Defensive Player of the Year. He wasn’t too shabby on offense either, accounting for 51 touchdowns.
DB – Jordan Poyer, Astoria (Ore.), 6-1, 180, Sr.
It would be hard to match the type of year Poyer had for Astoria. In leading his team to an undefeated season and a 4A state championship, the first in school history, Poyer was named the state’s offensive AND defensive MVP. Besides passing for 2,362 yards and 23 touchdowns, he also ran for 1,770 yards and 39 TDs. As a safety on defense, he had four interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, and also had 9.5 sacks and 11 caused fumbles.
DB – Nu’Keese Richardson, Pahokee (Fla.), 5-11, 175, Sr.
The most talented player on the Pahokee roster, Richardson did a little bit of everything for his team. He moved to quarterback after playing receiver last season and also played defensive back. He will play at Florida next season.
DB – Rashard Smith, Dublin, (Ga.), 5-10, 165, Sr.
A two-time Georgia 2A state MVP, Smith will play at North Carolina State next season. Smith had 10 interceptions his senior year after picking off nine passes as a junior.
P – David Mothander, St. Margaret’s (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 6-2, 171, Sr
Mothander did a little bit of everything for the state small schools champion St. Margaret’s Tartans. Besides completing 141 of 247 passes for 2,765 yards and 33 touchdowns, Mothander also ran the ball 126 times for 778 yards and 17 scores. He also set a state record, according to the Cal-Hi Sports record book, with 99 extra point kicks on the season. Mothander also booted five field goals and eared All-Orange County second team honors at punter by the Orange County Register.
Second Team Offense
WR – Nolen Smith, Oneonta (Ala.), 6-3, 190, Jr.
Smith tied an Alabama state record with 102 catches this year. His 1,552 yards is third best all-time and his 23 touchdown catches is second best. He was the 4A back of the year and a first team overall all-state selection.
WR – Jake Peterson, Bakersfield Christian (Bakersfield, Calif.), 6-5, 205, Sr
After playing a year at quarterback as a junior, Peterson returned to wide receiver this year thanks to the presence of transfer Derek Carr. Peterson and Carr proved to be one of the most prolific duos in the country with Peterson catching 97 passes for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns. Named to the Bakersfield Californian’s all-area team, Peterson set section records for receptions. He had 21 total touchdowns for the season.
WR – Kevin Weatherspoon, Clairton (Pa.), 5-11, 180, Jr.
A Fabulous 22 selection by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Weatherspoon was one of the top receivers in the state with 47 catches for 1,294 yards and 23 touchdowns for the Bears. He also added seven interceptions on defense.
TE – Dexter Moody, Emanuel County Institute (Twin City, Ga.), 6-2, 210, Sr.
Although he will play linebacker on defense at Georgia, Moody was also a threat at tight end for Emanuel County Institute as he had 16 catches for 271 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named to the Georgia 1A all-state team.
OL – Dominic Mainello, Beechwood (Fort Mitchell, Ky.), 6-5, 265, Sr.
Beechwood coach Noel Rash told the Courier Journal that Mainello is “one of the best linemen in the history of Beechwood football.” The Central Michigan recruit was an all-state pick in Kentucky after playing on a pair of Class A state championship teams.
OL – Juantez Hollins, Aliquippa (Pa.), Sr, 6-4, 265, Sr.
Aliquippa advanced deep into the 2A playoffs and finished the year 12-3 thanks largely to the blocking of Hollins. An all-state selection, Hollins has committed to play at Pitt next year.
OL – Tyler Evans, Strafford (Mo.), 6-6, 315, Sr.
An agile and athletic player despite his huge size, Evans will take his talents to Oklahoma next year. Evans was an all-state Class 2 pick in Missouri.
OL – Neil Fuhrmann, Cascade Christian (Puyallup, Wash.), 6-2, 270, Sr.
Despite injuring his knee prior to the season, Fuhrmann played through the pain and managed to earn overall all-state honors in Washington.
OL – Alex Lowry, Caddo Mills (Texas), 6-2, 296, Sr
In three years as a starting offensive lineman at Caddo Mills, Lowry reportedly never gave up a sack. Lowry earned Class 2A all-state honors in Texas while helping the Foxes post an 11-2 record.
QB – Derek Carr, Bakersfield Christian (Bakersfield, Calif.), 6-3, 195, Sr
Carr transferred to Bakersfield Christian after playing in Texas his junior year and led the Eagles to a Central Section Division 5 championship. Carr completed 280 of 413 passes for 4,067 yards and 46 touchdowns. According to Central Section historian Bob Barnett, Carr set section records for attempts in a season, completions in a season, completions in a game (37), and yards in a game (544). His 46 touchdowns and 4,067 yards each rank second in section history. Carr’s best effort came against Arvin when he completed 37 of 44 passes for 544 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw six TD passes against both Parlier and Fowler in the playoffs. Carr, the younger brother of NFL quarterback David Carr, will follow in his brother’s footsteps and play at Fresno State next season.
QB – Wes Wood, Muleshoe (Texas), Sr.
Wood earned state offensive player of the year honors in Texas after leading Muleshoe to the Texas 2A Division 2 state championship. Wood threw for 4,532 yards and 64 touchdowns while completing 278 of 439 passes. He also ran 130 times for 428 yards and 12 scores.
RB – Tim Simon, Cordova (Ala.), 6-2, 216, Sr.
Simon earned state MVP honors from the Birmingham News after rushing for 2,969 yards and 36 touchdowns on 267 attempts. His mark ranks fifth all-time in Alabama history. He ended his career with 8,536 yards and 129 career rushing touchdowns. He’ll play at Ole’ Miss next season.
RB – Channing Fugate, Breathitt County (Jackson, Ky.), 6-2, 225, Jr.
With his senior season still left to play, Fugate may finish his career as one of the state’s all-time leading rushers. He’s off to a good start after gaining 3,025 yards with 36 touchdowns on 279 carries. He also had 1,727 yards and 30 touchdowns as a sophomore to give him 4,802 yards heading into his senior year. The state record is 8,224 career yards. Fugate was a first-team all-state pick by the Courier Journal.
RB – Shad Bride, St. Johns (Ariz.), 5-11, 200, Sr.
Bride finished just 20 yards short of the state career rushing record, but still had a monster season in leading St. Johns to a 14-0 season and a state championship. Bride was a first-team all-state pick in Arizona and rushed for 2,570 yards on 195 carries with 42 touchdowns.
Ath – Ridge Turner, South Plaquemines (Port Sulphur, La.), 5-10, 175, Sr.
Turner had over 4,000 yards of total offense for the second year in a row. After accounting for 5,544 yards and 69 touchdowns his junior year while leading South Plaquemines to a Louisiana 1A state title, Turner completed 160 of 229 passes for 3,240 yards and 42 yards this year to go with 1,137 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns on 103 carries. He was named the New Orleans small schools player of the year and was the state 1A player of the year for leading South Plaquemines to its second straight state championship.
K – Jared White, Trousdale County (Hartsville, Tenn.), Sr, 6-1, 175 12 FG
The kicker of the year in Tennessee, White booted 12 of 15 field goals including a long of 50 yards. He also missed only one out of 75 extra point attempts for Trousdale, which finished the season undefeated at 15-0.
Second Team Defense
DL – Adrian Baker, Muskegon Catholic Central (Muskegon, Mich.), 6-0, 240, Sr.
Baker started four years for Muskegon Catholic Central, registering 109 tackles and four sacks in his senior year while leading his team to a Division 8 championship.
DL – Jermauria Rasco, Evangel Christian (Shreveport, N.O.), 6-4, 230, Soph.
A 2A all-state player in Louisiana, Rasco also earned Shreveport all-area defensive player of the year honors after helping Evangel reach the 2A state championship game.
DL – Jamel Turner, Ursuline (Youngstown, Ohio), 6-3, 212, Jr.
Scholarship offers are already flowing in for Turner, who was named to the Ohio all-state team. Turner followed up a 23-sack effort as a sophomore with another 18.5 this year. Already committed to play at Ohio State, Turner is considered the No. 1 prospect in Ohio for the class of 2010.
DL – Jordan Hill, Steelton Highspire (Steelton, Pa.), 6-2, 288, Sr.
Hill anchored the defensive for the Steamrollers as he collected a state-best 40 tackles for loss during Steel-High’s second straight Pennsylvania 1A state championship season. He was the 1A state player of the year along with Barket and he has committed to play at Penn State next season.
LB – Carl Moore, Daingerfield (Texas), 6-0, 200, Sr.
The Tiger senior led his team to the Texas 2A state championship and earned state defensive MVP honors in the process. Moore had averaged 12 tackles a game and finished with 170 tackles on the season.
LB – Cody Ledford, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.), 5-11, 207, Sr.
With over 500 tackles in his three-year varsity career at North Florida Christian, Ledford helped his team win the Florida 1A state championship. Headed to Tulane next season, Ledford had 128 tackles this year and registered 184 last season.
LB – Cody Wilson, Lincoln Christian (Tulsa, Okla.), 6-1, 215, Sr.
Wilson found a spot on the Tulsa World News all-state team after leading Lincoln Christian to the 2A semifinals. He racked up 167 tackles and six sacks and will play at Tulsa next year.
LB – Jordan Hall, Jeannette (Pa.), 5-11, 190, Sr.
The Jayhawks lost last year’s national MVP Terrelle Pryor, but they still had Jordan Hall in the lineup and his presence was good enough to lift Jeannette to a 10-2 season. Hall was a member of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Fabulous 22 team. He will play at Ohio State next year.
LB – Josh Carter, Fort Campbell (Ky.), 6-2, 230, Sr.
Fort Campbell won the 2A state championship in Kentucky for the second straight season, in large part due to the contributions of Carter, who had 126 tackles and 10 sacks. The Western Kentucky recruit was a member of the Courier Journal all-state team.
DB – Ben Cunningham, Goodpasture (Madison, Tenn.), 5-10, 195, Sr.
The 2A state player of the year in Tennessee, Cunningham had over 100 tackles on the season at safety and also rushed for 1,743 yards. He will play at Middle Tennessee State next year.
DB – Bert White, Redemptorist (Baton Rouge, La.), 6-0, 190, Sr.
Redemptorist reached the state finals the past two season thanks to White, who was named the 3A state MVP in Louisiana. He had 87 tackles on the season with three interceptions and tackles for loss.
DB – Deon Randall, Parker (San Diego, Calif.), 5-9, 170, Jr.
Randall did it all for the Lancers. Besides throwing for 1,523 yards (98-149) and 21 touchdowns, Randall also rushed for 1,575 yards and 35 scores during Parker’s 12-1 season. On defense, Randall had 76 tackles and nine interceptions and was named to the San Diego Union Tribune all-county team.
DB – Jemea Thomas, Fitzgerald (Ga.), 5-10, 185, Sr.
Thomas was a tackling machine in the secondary for Fitzgerald. Headed to Georgia Tech next year, Thomas led his team with 140 tackles and also had four interceptions. He earned a spot on the Georgia 2A all-state team.
P – Dakota Harris, Prague (Okla.), 6-1, 204, Sr.
An all-around athlete, Harris was an All-Little-City selection after averaging 42.9 yards per punt. He also had 1,080 yards rushing with 19 touchdowns and threw for 2,025 yards and 13 scores
Editor’s Note: The MaxPreps Small Schools All-American team is comprised of schools from enrollment division with approximately 700 or fewer students. Some schools may have under 700 students but were not eligible for the team because their state’s enrollment division included a majority of schools with over 700 students.
