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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