wildstangs
01-21-2004, 11:15 PM
January 21, 2004
Coach of the Year — David Flowers, Merkel
OFFENSE
Player of the Year — Case Keenum, Abilene Wylie
LINEMEN
TYLER CRUMP, Abilene Wylie, Jr., 6-2, 320. Two-time all-district, graded 82.7 percent, 87 pancakes, 28 knockdowns
RYAN ESCOBAR, Ballinger, Sr., 6-0, 240. 21 pins, 20 cuts, 12 knockdowns, graded best offensive lineman on the team.
RICKY McNATT, Snyder, Jr., 6-2, 265. All-district first team. 12 Pins, graded over 80 percent six times. Led the way for an
offense that has rushed for 2,279 yards on 386 attempts.
BRYSON OLIVER, Sweetwater, Sr., 5-10, 190. Two-year starter for team that averaged more than 300 yards rushing per game in both years. Graded out at 92 percent. Had 22 cut-blocks and eight double-team pancake blocks.
ERIC WILSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-3, 250. Three-year starter and a two-time all-district selection who graded out at 88.2 percent this season. Had 69 pancake blocks and 45 knockdowns.
GARRETT CARPENTER, Clyde, Sr., 6-5, 270. Graded out at 85.7 percent, 45 pancake blocks, all-district.
BRADLEY GRISSOM, Clyde, Sr., 5-9, 180. Graded out at 74.2 percent, 22 pancake blocks, all-district.
ENDS/RECEIVERS
JUSTIN BOYD, Snyder, Sr., 6-1, 145. 28-672-8 receiving. Set a school wide receiver record with 31 knockdowns.
GILES MONTGOMERY, Sweetwater, Sr., 6-4, 240. Blocking TE that graded out at 95 percent and had 16 pancake blocks. 9-177-1 receiving. All-district first team.
JOHN KING, Ballinger, Sr., 6-0, 175. 29-559-10 receiving. Unanimous all-district both ways. "Best all-around athlete on the team."
AARON PHILPOT, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-0, 175. 25-390-1 receiving
QUARTERBACK
CASE KEENUM, Abilene Wylie, So., 6-0, 175. District Newcomer of the Year. 145-257-2,032-12 for 56.4 completion percentage. 96-420-12 rushing.
TRAVIS McGEE, Ballinger, Sr., 6-3, 190/ 69-184-1,159-14 passing
RUNNING BACKS
CODY LAWSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-9, 180. District 6-3A Offensive MVP. 226-1,295-9 rushing. 35-433-3 receiving.
ANTONIO POSEY, Ballinger, Sr., 5-10, 205. MVP of District 6-3A for last two years. 179-1,125-12 rushing, 6.3 average. (career 4,331 yards rushing, 56 TDs).
WESTON FRANCO, Comanche, Sr., 5-9, 178. 174-1,148-12 rushing.
MALCOME WELLS, Snyder, Sr., 5-11, 185. 147-1,041-15 rushing. All-district first team running back.
RILEY LAMBERT, Merkel, Jr., 5-11, 175. 117-1,000-14, threw for 352 yards, 4 TDs, 7-71-1 receiving, District 3-3A most valuable player.
KICKER
AARON PHILPOT, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-0, 175. 31-of-34 on PATs. 5-of-8 on FGs with a long of 40 yards. 32-of-53 kickoffs went for touchbacks.
DEFENSE
Player of the Year — Michael Straley, Sweetwater
LINEMEN
GILES MONTGOMERY, Sweetwater, Sr., 6-4, 240. Graded out at 96.4 percent, 97 tackles, 7 for loss, 10 sacks, 5 batted passes, 1 safety, 3 caused fumbles, all-district. Also was all-district at tight end (11-235-2 receiving)
BRANDON HEAD, Merkel, Sr., 6-3, 250. 105 tackles (50 unassisted), 19 tackles for loss or no gain, 12 sacks, 18 hurries, 2 caused fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 batted pass, all-district.
JUSTIN HEAD, Merkel, Sr., 6-3, 240. 111 tackles (53 unassisted), 18 tackles for loss or no gain, 13 sacks, 15 hurries, 2 caused fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 batted passes, all-district.
J.R. GALVAN, Ballinger, Sr., 5-7, 200. 82 tackles, 9 for loss, 8 sacks.
ERIC WILSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-3, 250. 48 solo tackles, 58 assists, 9 for losses, 4 sacks, 29 hurries, 2 batted passes, all-district.
CHRIS COBB, Merkel, Sr., 5-11, 170. 83 tackles (35 unassisted), 17 for loss or no gain, 12 sacks, 9 hurries, caused 2 fumbles, recovered 3 fumbles, 4 batted passes, all-district.
JOSH GRIFFITH, Breckenridge, Sr., 6-0, 210. Four-year starter. Team leader and role model for young team. Member of District 5-3A all-district squad.
LINEBACKERS
MICHAEL STRALEY, Sweetwater, Sr., 5-9, 165. Led team with 124 unassisted tackles. 7 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 5 caused fumbles, 1 INT. Two-time all-district selection. He led defense that held opponents to 178 yards and 12 points per game.
CHRISTOPHER HART, Merkel, Sr., 6-1, 185. 128 tackles (62 unassisted), 28 tackles for loss or no gain, all-district. Led defense that held opponents to an average of 160 yards and 10 points per game.
SAMMY PRIETO, Merkel, Sr., 5-10, 178. 135 total tackles (65 unassisted), 27 for loss or no gain, 4 broken-up passes, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 6 hurries, all-district.
DERRICK FUCHS, Ballinger, Sr., 6-1, 190. 135 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 sacks. Best defensive player on the team.
BOBBY OWEN, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-11, 185. 81 tackles (65 assisted), 9 for losses, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 batted passes, 4 hurries.
NICK LAFAVE, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-9, 185. 87 tackles (58 assisted), 7 for losses, 2 sacks, 4 hurries.
ISAAC RAMON, Snyder, Sr., 5-7, 165. 97 Tackles (35 assisted), 14 for loss, 3 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 7 forced fumbles, 1 INT. District 3-3A defensive player of the year 2003.
NICK ROSE, Clyde, Sr., 6-1, 200. 95 tackles (44 assisted), 1 fumble recovery, 3 batted passes, all-district.
SCOTT WILKERSON, Clyde, Jr., 6-0, 190. 94 tackles (43 assisted), 2 caused fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 9 batted passes, 2 sacks.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
LANCE MILLER, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-9, 185. 72 tackles (19 assisted), 3 for loss, 5 interceptions, 3 blocked passes, all-district.
RILEY LAMBERT, Merkel, Jr., 5-11, 175. 65 tackles, 31 unassisted, 8 broken up passes, 7 INTs, including one for a 40-yard TD return.
MARCUS VILLARREAL, Snyder, Sr., 5-10, 155. All-state honorable mention last year. Didn’t have many balls thrown to his side of the field this year, allowing just 6 completed passes and no TDs. 19 tackles, 7 deflected passes, 3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, all-district.
SETH HATLEY, Sweetwater, Sr., 5-9, 155. 55 tackles, 4 interceptions, 9 broken up passes, 3 batted passes, 1 INT for TD, 1 fumble caused and recovered, all-district
PUNTER
RUSS VANICEK, Ballinger, Sr., 6-1, 180. 39 punts for 41.5 average. Set up numerous opportunities for team with punts.
CHRIS COBB, Merkel, Sr., 5-11, 170, 47 punts for 40.1 average.
SELECTION PROCESS
Local and area athletes from Class 3A schools who were nominated for consideration on the Associated Press Sports Editors All-State team were automatically considered as All-Big Country nominees, as were ALL athletes whose coaches sent All-Big Country nominations directly to the Reporter-News.
The sports department then selected players from that lengthy list to be honored on the All-Big Country team based upon regular season and playoff statistics, leadership qualities and other intangible athletic attributes recognized during the season by the Reporter-News and/or the athletes’ coaches that contributed to both individual and team success.
Coach of the Year — David Flowers, Merkel
OFFENSE
Player of the Year — Case Keenum, Abilene Wylie
LINEMEN
TYLER CRUMP, Abilene Wylie, Jr., 6-2, 320. Two-time all-district, graded 82.7 percent, 87 pancakes, 28 knockdowns
RYAN ESCOBAR, Ballinger, Sr., 6-0, 240. 21 pins, 20 cuts, 12 knockdowns, graded best offensive lineman on the team.
RICKY McNATT, Snyder, Jr., 6-2, 265. All-district first team. 12 Pins, graded over 80 percent six times. Led the way for an
offense that has rushed for 2,279 yards on 386 attempts.
BRYSON OLIVER, Sweetwater, Sr., 5-10, 190. Two-year starter for team that averaged more than 300 yards rushing per game in both years. Graded out at 92 percent. Had 22 cut-blocks and eight double-team pancake blocks.
ERIC WILSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-3, 250. Three-year starter and a two-time all-district selection who graded out at 88.2 percent this season. Had 69 pancake blocks and 45 knockdowns.
GARRETT CARPENTER, Clyde, Sr., 6-5, 270. Graded out at 85.7 percent, 45 pancake blocks, all-district.
BRADLEY GRISSOM, Clyde, Sr., 5-9, 180. Graded out at 74.2 percent, 22 pancake blocks, all-district.
ENDS/RECEIVERS
JUSTIN BOYD, Snyder, Sr., 6-1, 145. 28-672-8 receiving. Set a school wide receiver record with 31 knockdowns.
GILES MONTGOMERY, Sweetwater, Sr., 6-4, 240. Blocking TE that graded out at 95 percent and had 16 pancake blocks. 9-177-1 receiving. All-district first team.
JOHN KING, Ballinger, Sr., 6-0, 175. 29-559-10 receiving. Unanimous all-district both ways. "Best all-around athlete on the team."
AARON PHILPOT, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-0, 175. 25-390-1 receiving
QUARTERBACK
CASE KEENUM, Abilene Wylie, So., 6-0, 175. District Newcomer of the Year. 145-257-2,032-12 for 56.4 completion percentage. 96-420-12 rushing.
TRAVIS McGEE, Ballinger, Sr., 6-3, 190/ 69-184-1,159-14 passing
RUNNING BACKS
CODY LAWSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-9, 180. District 6-3A Offensive MVP. 226-1,295-9 rushing. 35-433-3 receiving.
ANTONIO POSEY, Ballinger, Sr., 5-10, 205. MVP of District 6-3A for last two years. 179-1,125-12 rushing, 6.3 average. (career 4,331 yards rushing, 56 TDs).
WESTON FRANCO, Comanche, Sr., 5-9, 178. 174-1,148-12 rushing.
MALCOME WELLS, Snyder, Sr., 5-11, 185. 147-1,041-15 rushing. All-district first team running back.
RILEY LAMBERT, Merkel, Jr., 5-11, 175. 117-1,000-14, threw for 352 yards, 4 TDs, 7-71-1 receiving, District 3-3A most valuable player.
KICKER
AARON PHILPOT, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-0, 175. 31-of-34 on PATs. 5-of-8 on FGs with a long of 40 yards. 32-of-53 kickoffs went for touchbacks.
DEFENSE
Player of the Year — Michael Straley, Sweetwater
LINEMEN
GILES MONTGOMERY, Sweetwater, Sr., 6-4, 240. Graded out at 96.4 percent, 97 tackles, 7 for loss, 10 sacks, 5 batted passes, 1 safety, 3 caused fumbles, all-district. Also was all-district at tight end (11-235-2 receiving)
BRANDON HEAD, Merkel, Sr., 6-3, 250. 105 tackles (50 unassisted), 19 tackles for loss or no gain, 12 sacks, 18 hurries, 2 caused fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 batted pass, all-district.
JUSTIN HEAD, Merkel, Sr., 6-3, 240. 111 tackles (53 unassisted), 18 tackles for loss or no gain, 13 sacks, 15 hurries, 2 caused fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 batted passes, all-district.
J.R. GALVAN, Ballinger, Sr., 5-7, 200. 82 tackles, 9 for loss, 8 sacks.
ERIC WILSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-3, 250. 48 solo tackles, 58 assists, 9 for losses, 4 sacks, 29 hurries, 2 batted passes, all-district.
CHRIS COBB, Merkel, Sr., 5-11, 170. 83 tackles (35 unassisted), 17 for loss or no gain, 12 sacks, 9 hurries, caused 2 fumbles, recovered 3 fumbles, 4 batted passes, all-district.
JOSH GRIFFITH, Breckenridge, Sr., 6-0, 210. Four-year starter. Team leader and role model for young team. Member of District 5-3A all-district squad.
LINEBACKERS
MICHAEL STRALEY, Sweetwater, Sr., 5-9, 165. Led team with 124 unassisted tackles. 7 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 5 caused fumbles, 1 INT. Two-time all-district selection. He led defense that held opponents to 178 yards and 12 points per game.
CHRISTOPHER HART, Merkel, Sr., 6-1, 185. 128 tackles (62 unassisted), 28 tackles for loss or no gain, all-district. Led defense that held opponents to an average of 160 yards and 10 points per game.
SAMMY PRIETO, Merkel, Sr., 5-10, 178. 135 total tackles (65 unassisted), 27 for loss or no gain, 4 broken-up passes, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 6 hurries, all-district.
DERRICK FUCHS, Ballinger, Sr., 6-1, 190. 135 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 sacks. Best defensive player on the team.
BOBBY OWEN, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-11, 185. 81 tackles (65 assisted), 9 for losses, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 batted passes, 4 hurries.
NICK LAFAVE, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-9, 185. 87 tackles (58 assisted), 7 for losses, 2 sacks, 4 hurries.
ISAAC RAMON, Snyder, Sr., 5-7, 165. 97 Tackles (35 assisted), 14 for loss, 3 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 7 forced fumbles, 1 INT. District 3-3A defensive player of the year 2003.
NICK ROSE, Clyde, Sr., 6-1, 200. 95 tackles (44 assisted), 1 fumble recovery, 3 batted passes, all-district.
SCOTT WILKERSON, Clyde, Jr., 6-0, 190. 94 tackles (43 assisted), 2 caused fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 9 batted passes, 2 sacks.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
LANCE MILLER, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 5-9, 185. 72 tackles (19 assisted), 3 for loss, 5 interceptions, 3 blocked passes, all-district.
RILEY LAMBERT, Merkel, Jr., 5-11, 175. 65 tackles, 31 unassisted, 8 broken up passes, 7 INTs, including one for a 40-yard TD return.
MARCUS VILLARREAL, Snyder, Sr., 5-10, 155. All-state honorable mention last year. Didn’t have many balls thrown to his side of the field this year, allowing just 6 completed passes and no TDs. 19 tackles, 7 deflected passes, 3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, all-district.
SETH HATLEY, Sweetwater, Sr., 5-9, 155. 55 tackles, 4 interceptions, 9 broken up passes, 3 batted passes, 1 INT for TD, 1 fumble caused and recovered, all-district
PUNTER
RUSS VANICEK, Ballinger, Sr., 6-1, 180. 39 punts for 41.5 average. Set up numerous opportunities for team with punts.
CHRIS COBB, Merkel, Sr., 5-11, 170, 47 punts for 40.1 average.
SELECTION PROCESS
Local and area athletes from Class 3A schools who were nominated for consideration on the Associated Press Sports Editors All-State team were automatically considered as All-Big Country nominees, as were ALL athletes whose coaches sent All-Big Country nominations directly to the Reporter-News.
The sports department then selected players from that lengthy list to be honored on the All-Big Country team based upon regular season and playoff statistics, leadership qualities and other intangible athletic attributes recognized during the season by the Reporter-News and/or the athletes’ coaches that contributed to both individual and team success.