Z motion 10 out on 2
12-26-2003, 04:56 PM
Rider duo top paper's team
By Andy NewberryTimes Record News
December 25, 2003
Wichita Falls Times Record News slects "Red River 22"
Mitchell Reece couldn't even have guessed what his 2003 senior football season would turn out like. And no one would have listed him as the preseason favorite to win the Times Record News' Red River 22 Most Valuable Player honor.
After splitting time as a junior, Reece was ready to be the feature attraction in the Raiders' backfield as the superback in new coach Scott Ponder's offense.
Instead, Reece spent much more time in the opposition's backfield than he did his own. Reece was moved to linebacker and became a scoring threat on that side of the ball, too.
Reece's willingness to put the team above himself, and a knack for big plays, was characteristic of a Rider team that won its first district championship in 21 years and added a bi-district title, too.
The big numbers guy for the Raiders was junior quarterback Blake Szymanski, who passed for 2,810 yards and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.
"A great first year in the system for Blake, and he'll continue to get nothing but better," Rider coach Scott Ponder said. "He operated the offense and made good decisions. His knowledge will grow and he was blessed with athletic ability."
The Raiders became known for their ability to adjust during a game and Ponder said Syzmanski could do that, too.
"He always knows what's happening and what needs to take place," Ponder said. "He always had a great idea when he came to the sideline."
One good idea was to throw the ball to 50-catch receivers David Nelson and James Davis, and both made the Red River 22 team, too. And like their quarterback, the Rider receivers will return in 2004.
Reece originally planned to line up behind Szymanski all year, but instead was a key cog in getting the talented Rider offense back on the field in good position. Reece had five fumble recoveries and five interceptions as a play-making linebacker.
"It's easy to hand a kid a ball and see him make plays, but for a kid to make plays on defense is something else," Ponder said. "It says a lot about his character that he put the team first. It was not indicative of his performance (that he was moved to defense). He was probably a deciding factor in us winning a district championship."
Reece still contributed 273 yards of offense, including a long touchdown reception that sparked a victory over Mineral Wells that put Rider in the playoffs.
Junior linebacker Trey Sherman of Wichita Falls High School was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year on the Large School (Class 3A-4A) team.
"The thing that really stood out for Trey was his resiliency," WFHS head coach Chris Ross said. "He had to fight back from injuries and that hampered his play all year long. He was still able to focus his energies and abilities and play at a high level week in and week out."
"We built our defensive game plan around Trey. He has a great work ethic and a great attitude."
The Coach of the Year honor goes to Vernon's Keith Hall, who guided the Lions (12-2) to the Class 3A Division II semifinals in his first year as head coach. His playoff success kept Ponder from winning back-to-back honors after the latter led Petrolia to the Class A state championship in 2002.
But Ponder's club is well represented with seven players. Joining Syzmanski, Reece, Nelson and Davis are offensive linemen Shane Russell, linebacker Brent Gallagher and kicker-punter Jose Calderon.
The Coyotes are next with five selections. Senior quarterback Tommy Henderson, junior running back Robert Newman, senior offensive lineman Patrick Moore, junior defensive lineman David Gross join Sherman on the team.
Hall is joined by three of his players. Defensive backs Matthew Gonzales and Eric Favors, who were both key to the Lions beating passing teams in the playoffs, and running back Anthony Hall (no relation) were picked from Vernon.
Graham, winner of five straight district championships, also placed three on the squad. Offensive linemen Daniel Webb and linebacker Scott Andrews joined defensive lineman Chance Condron, who was the District 5-3A MVP.
Iowa Park had the trio of linebacker Brian Love, defensive back Chase Burgher and lineman Jeremy Pelz selected to the team.
Defensive back Darrious Gilliam, defensive lineman Craig Tarran and running back Rickey Davenport were chosen from Hirschi.
Burkburnett linebacker Mike Williams and offensive lineman Alex Kocurek made the team, too.
Repeats from the 2002 team were Henderson, Moore, Andrews, Love, Holley and Calderon.
Assistant sports editor Andy Newberry may be reached after 4 p.m. weekdays by calling (940) 720-3470 or (800) 627-1646; or e-mail to NewberryA(at)timesrecordnews.com.
By Andy NewberryTimes Record News
December 25, 2003
Wichita Falls Times Record News slects "Red River 22"
Mitchell Reece couldn't even have guessed what his 2003 senior football season would turn out like. And no one would have listed him as the preseason favorite to win the Times Record News' Red River 22 Most Valuable Player honor.
After splitting time as a junior, Reece was ready to be the feature attraction in the Raiders' backfield as the superback in new coach Scott Ponder's offense.
Instead, Reece spent much more time in the opposition's backfield than he did his own. Reece was moved to linebacker and became a scoring threat on that side of the ball, too.
Reece's willingness to put the team above himself, and a knack for big plays, was characteristic of a Rider team that won its first district championship in 21 years and added a bi-district title, too.
The big numbers guy for the Raiders was junior quarterback Blake Szymanski, who passed for 2,810 yards and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.
"A great first year in the system for Blake, and he'll continue to get nothing but better," Rider coach Scott Ponder said. "He operated the offense and made good decisions. His knowledge will grow and he was blessed with athletic ability."
The Raiders became known for their ability to adjust during a game and Ponder said Syzmanski could do that, too.
"He always knows what's happening and what needs to take place," Ponder said. "He always had a great idea when he came to the sideline."
One good idea was to throw the ball to 50-catch receivers David Nelson and James Davis, and both made the Red River 22 team, too. And like their quarterback, the Rider receivers will return in 2004.
Reece originally planned to line up behind Szymanski all year, but instead was a key cog in getting the talented Rider offense back on the field in good position. Reece had five fumble recoveries and five interceptions as a play-making linebacker.
"It's easy to hand a kid a ball and see him make plays, but for a kid to make plays on defense is something else," Ponder said. "It says a lot about his character that he put the team first. It was not indicative of his performance (that he was moved to defense). He was probably a deciding factor in us winning a district championship."
Reece still contributed 273 yards of offense, including a long touchdown reception that sparked a victory over Mineral Wells that put Rider in the playoffs.
Junior linebacker Trey Sherman of Wichita Falls High School was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year on the Large School (Class 3A-4A) team.
"The thing that really stood out for Trey was his resiliency," WFHS head coach Chris Ross said. "He had to fight back from injuries and that hampered his play all year long. He was still able to focus his energies and abilities and play at a high level week in and week out."
"We built our defensive game plan around Trey. He has a great work ethic and a great attitude."
The Coach of the Year honor goes to Vernon's Keith Hall, who guided the Lions (12-2) to the Class 3A Division II semifinals in his first year as head coach. His playoff success kept Ponder from winning back-to-back honors after the latter led Petrolia to the Class A state championship in 2002.
But Ponder's club is well represented with seven players. Joining Syzmanski, Reece, Nelson and Davis are offensive linemen Shane Russell, linebacker Brent Gallagher and kicker-punter Jose Calderon.
The Coyotes are next with five selections. Senior quarterback Tommy Henderson, junior running back Robert Newman, senior offensive lineman Patrick Moore, junior defensive lineman David Gross join Sherman on the team.
Hall is joined by three of his players. Defensive backs Matthew Gonzales and Eric Favors, who were both key to the Lions beating passing teams in the playoffs, and running back Anthony Hall (no relation) were picked from Vernon.
Graham, winner of five straight district championships, also placed three on the squad. Offensive linemen Daniel Webb and linebacker Scott Andrews joined defensive lineman Chance Condron, who was the District 5-3A MVP.
Iowa Park had the trio of linebacker Brian Love, defensive back Chase Burgher and lineman Jeremy Pelz selected to the team.
Defensive back Darrious Gilliam, defensive lineman Craig Tarran and running back Rickey Davenport were chosen from Hirschi.
Burkburnett linebacker Mike Williams and offensive lineman Alex Kocurek made the team, too.
Repeats from the 2002 team were Henderson, Moore, Andrews, Love, Holley and Calderon.
Assistant sports editor Andy Newberry may be reached after 4 p.m. weekdays by calling (940) 720-3470 or (800) 627-1646; or e-mail to NewberryA(at)timesrecordnews.com.