Tiftarea places 20 players on All-State squads

Steve Carter

Tifton December 17, 2005 10:39 pm

— In recent voting of sports writers from around the state, the Georgia Sports Writers Association (GSWA) has selected the public school All-State football teams for each classification.
Led by five players from Tift County, as well as five from Turner County, the Tiftarea placed 20 players on the respective All-State squads.
The Tift County Blue Devil contingent was led by senior defensive back Larry Dean, who was named as a first-team defensive back. It was the second year in a row for the senior as a first-team All-State performer.
In 2005, Dean had 100 total tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups, seven tackles for loss yardage and one fumble recovery. For the second year in a row he was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Region 1-AAAAA and was also selected to play in the GACA North-South All-Star Game on Dec. 29.
Another Blue Devil, Israel Troupe, was named first-team All-State for the second year in a row. After being named as a first-team All-State wide receiver in 2004, Troupe was named first-team All-State kick returner in 2005.
Even though he was injured for most of the second half of the season, Troupe still managed 14 punt returns for 214 yards and four kickoff returns for 194 yards. He returned two of the four kickoffs for touchdowns, as well as one punt.
The 2005 1-AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year, Troupe also caught 36 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns, had seven rushes for 27 yards and was 1-for-1 passing for 18 yards. He touched the ball 61 times for 930 yards, meaning he averaged 15.2 yards every time he handled the ball.
Tift also placed one other player on the first-team as junior Charlie Edwards was named as a place-kicker.
Edwards was 18-for-24 in field goals this past season, just one shy of the state record of 19. He was also 20-for-23 on extra points. Besides his place-kicks, Edwards also had 14 touchbacks on his kickoffs and had 49 punts for a 40 yard average.
Named honorable-mention All-State from Tift County were linebacker Jeffery Searcy and defensive lineman James Carter.
A junior, Searcy had 96 total tackles, including 14 for loss yardage. Carter had 53 total tackles in his senior season with five tackles for loss yardage, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery.
“This is definitely one of the highlights of our season,” Tift County head coach Jay Walls said. “All five of those guys were richly deserving.”
The Turner County Rebels had two players named first-team All-State in Class A, senior wide receiver Shawn Jackson and junior linebacker Lennie Richardson.
A first-team selection last season, Jackson had 47 catches for 737 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Richardson had 110 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss yardage, six sacks and two interceptions.
Named honorable-mention All-State from Turner County were senior quarterback Mikel Soliday, senior running back Chad Walker and junior wide receiver Dontavious Smith.
Soliday was named honorable-mention for the second straight season. He was 102-for-157 passing for 1,501 yards. He threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions and he also had 41 rushes for 236 yards.
Walker rushed for 1,216 yards on 193 carries. He also scored 15 touchdowns. Smith caught 30 passes for 643 yards and six scores.
“Anytime that many kids get recognized, you feel fortunate,” Turner head coach Erik Soliday said. “They are all good kids. I am proud they got the recognition for the good season we had.”
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes had four players named All-State in Class AA.
First-team selections were senior running back Nate Inman, junior offensive lineman Travis Fleming and senior linebacker Kiyati Nicholas. Junior Jarrell Paschal was also selected as an honorable-mention All-State pick.
Named All-State as a returner, Inman rushed for 1,602 yards on 207 carries. He also scored 22 touchdowns. Besides his rushing, Inman also caught 11 passes for 141 yards and one score.
Fleming was named first-team, after being named honorable-mention in 2004.
Nicolas had 119 total tackles, including 10 for loss yardage. He also had two interceptions.
Paschal had 92 total tackles, including 21 for loss yardage. He added seven sacks and three fumble recoveries.
The Cook High Hornets had three players on the Class AA All-State team.
Senior defensive lineman Jeremy Brown was first-team, while senior defensive back Blake Mainor and senior defensive lineman Jamarian Brown were honorable-mention selections.
Jeremy Brown ended 2005 with 100 total tackles, including 12 for loss yardage. He also had three fumble recoveries and one interception. He returned one of the fumbles and the interception for touchdowns.
Mainor had seven interceptions, 50 total tackles and 12 pass break-ups. Jamarian Brown had 98 total tackles, including 14 for loss yardage. He also added two fumble recoveries.
Irwin County’s Justin Anderson was named as a first-team All-State offfensive lineman in Class AA for the third straight season. Joining him from the Indians was honorable-mention pick P.J. Florence, who rushed 136 times for 1,128 yards. Besides his rushing numbers, Florence also had 11 kickoff returns for 313 yards, 52 total tackles, four interceptions and four blocked kicks.
The final All-State selection from the Tiftarea was Worth County’s Nikita Hooks, an honorable-mention pick out of Class AAA.
A senior defensive end, Hooks had 101 total tackles, 11 sacks and 24 quarterback hurries.

2005 Georgia Sports Writers
Association All-State football teams

State player of the year: Antonio Henton, Peach County
Class AAAAA Offensive player of the year: Cameron Smith, Brookwood
Class AAAAA Defensive player of the year: Marcus Ball, Stephenson
Class AAAAA Coach of the year: Randy McPherson, Lowndes

Class AAAA Offensive player of the year: D’Vontrey Richardson, Lee Co.
Class AAAA Defensive player of the year: Reshad Jones, Washington
Class AAAA Coach of the year: Steve Pennington, Statesboro

Class AAA Offensive player of the year: Chris Slaughter, Peach Co.
Class AAA Defensive player of the year: Morrell Jones, Dougherty
Class AAA Coach of the year: Rance Gillespie, Peach Co.

Class AA Offensive player of the year: Josh Nesbitt, Greene Co.
Class AA Defensive player of the year: Kris Durham, Calhoun
Class AA Coach of the year: Rich McWhorter, Charlton County

Class A Offensive player of the year: Chris Clay, Randolph-Clay
Class A Defensive player of the year: Markeith Wylie, Washington-Wilkes
Class A Coach of the year: Larry Campbell, Lincoln County

All-State football team
Class AAAAA
Offense
Position, Name, School, Ht. Wt. Year
QB Thomas Darrah, Newnan 6-5, 200, Jr.
RB Caleb King, Parkview, 5-11, 170, Jr.
RB Cameron Smith, Brookwood, 6-0, 180, Sr.
WR Jonathan Walker, Newnan, 5-11, 170, Sr.
WR Crawford Kilpatrick, North Gwinnett, 6-5, 200, Sr.
TE Michael Palmer, Parkview, 6-4, 240, Sr.
OL Corey O’Shea, Kennesaw Mtn., 6-2, 265, Sr.
OL Tony Barr, Starr’s Mill, 6-4, 280, Sr.
OL Andrew Dunn, Lowndes, 5-9, 240, Sr.
OL T.J. Thames, Camden Co., 6-0, 260, Sr.
OL Will McPherson, Lowndes, 6-1, 245, Sr.
ATH Michael Strickland, Walton, 6-1, 190, Sr.
K Charlie Edwards, Tift Co., 6-0, 190, Jr.
Defense
Position, Name, School, Ht., Wt., Year
DL Ted Laurent, McEachern, 6-2, 280, Jr.
DL Devaris Leonard, Lowndes, 5-8, 240, Jr.
DL Stan Summers, Lowndes, 6-0, 255, Sr.
DL Jermaine Cummingham, Stephenson, 6-3, 215, Sr.
LB Dantley Cline, Tri-Cities, 6-2, 280, Sr.
LB Akeem Dent, Douglass, 6-2, 215, Sr.
LB Marcus Ball, Stephenson, 6-2, 210, Sr.
DB David Coleman, Camden Co., 5-11, 175, Sr.
DB Ghervon Blue, Marietta, 6-1, 190, Sr.
DB Larry Dean, Tift Co., 6-1, 190, Sr.
DB Quinton Banks, Houston Co., 6-3, 200, Sr.
RET Israel Troupe, Tift Co., 6-2, 200, Jr.
P Will Goggans, Coffee, 6-1, 195, Soph.

Honorable mention: Vandaral Shackleford, LB, Riverdale; Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Kell; Mike Brown, RB, South Cobb; T.J. Yates, QB, Pope; Zach MacDowall, QB, Harrison; Perry Riley, LB, Stephenson; Kelvin Shephard, LB, Stephenson; Rennie Curran, LB, Brookwood; Terrance Farris, LB, South Cobb; Rock Robinson, RB, Collins Hill; Bradd Schlosser, QB, North Gwinnett; Dontrelle Johnson, DB, Colquitt Co.; Orion Ponder, RB, Colquitt Co.; James Carter, OL, Tift Co.; Steve Dawson, WR, Valdosta; Darriett Perry, RB, Lowndes; Randall Bell, RB, Roswell; Daniel Beamon, LB, Starr’s Mill; Jeffrey Searcy, LB, Tift Co.; Andre Anderson, RB, Stephenson.

Class AAAA
Offense
Position, Name, School, Ht. Wt. Year
QB D’Vontrey Richardson, Lee Co., 6-1, 205, Sr.
RB Darius Marshall, Baldwin, 5-10, 190, Jr.
RB Byron Hunter, Northside-WR, 5-11, 180, Sr.
WR Josh Albert, Lee Co., 6-1, 195, Sr.
WR Stephun Raines, Dalton, 6-0, 170, Sr.
TE Larry Woodard, Americus-Sumter, 6-4, 210, Sr.
OL Maurice Hurt, Baldwin, 6-4, 340, Sr.
OL Ryan Broadhead, Lee Co., 6-7, 270, Sr.
OL Ward Cooper, Bainbridge, 6-2, 255, Sr.
OL Tyler Ogletree, Griffin, 6-1, 300, Sr.
OL Adam Scott, Warner Robins, 6-3, 260, Sr.
ATH Eric Berry, Creekside, 6-1, 180, Jr.
K Phillip Jordan, Ware Co., 6-0, 170, Jr.
Defense
Position, Name, School, Ht., Wt., Year
DL Brandon Wood, Haralson Co., 6-1, 255, Sr.
DL Sam Robinson, Northside-WR, 6-2, 220, Sr.
DL Alex Dekle, Statesboro, 6-2, 270, Sr.
DL Lorenzo Osborne, Mays, 6-3, 205, Sr.
LB Toryn Smith, Rome, 6-1, 235, Sr.
LB Kashif Spear Griffin, 5-11, 200, Sr.
LB Tony Huntley, Bainbridge, 5-10, 205, Sr.
DB Reshad Jones, Washington, 6-3, 190, Sr.
DB Corey Earls, Central Macon, 5-10, 195, Sr.
DB Maurice Gray, Warner Robins, 5-11, 175, Sr.
DB Maurice Mann, Americus-Sumter, 6-2, 180, Sr.
RET Carson Hill, Baldwin, 5-10, 180, Sr.
P Kevin Millward, Evans, 6-0, 225, Soph.
Honorable mention: Jacobi Rodriguez, QB, Northside; Joey Harris, RB, Lee Co.; Ricky Dobbs, QB, Douglas Co.; Bobby Rainey, RB, Griffin; Kayman Sutton, LB, Creekside; Torrey Ball, DE, Cedar Shoals; Chris Drayton, Lakeside-Evans; Erik Smith, LB, Greenbrier; Debrale Smiley, RB, Thomas Co. Central; Myke Compton, RB, Tucker; Michael Gann, DL, Marist; Clark Bishop, Lee Co.; Kelton Brenton, DB, Bainbridge; Andrew Wickers, DE, Washington; Brian Holder, DB, Warner Robins; Brian Buford, LB, Warner Robins; Deonta Jordan, LB, Northside; David Cone, QB, Statesboro; Charles Rock, RB, Statesboro; Leon Berry, RB, Griffin; Kareem Jackson, Westside-Macon.

Class AAA
Offense
Position, Name, School, Ht. Wt. Year
QB Antonio Henton, Peach Co., 6-2, 205, Sr.
RB Rosco Walls, Washington Co., 5-10, 180, Sr.
RB Xavier Cheevers, Dougherty, 5-10, 195, Sr.
WR Lamontray Williams, Monroe, 5-10, 175, Sr.
WR Chris Slaughter, Peach Co., 6-3, 165, Sr.
TE Joseph Sheffield, Dougherty, 6-2, 220, Sr.
OL Ben Harden, Perry, 6-3, 290, Sr.
OL Dustin Chancellor, Peach Co., 6-3, 250, Sr.
OL Tavoris Clinton, Dougherty, 6-0, 175, Sr.
OL Arcephus Jones, Thomson, 6-3, 305, Sr.
OL David Noel, Monroe, 6-3, 280, Soph.
ATH Ronnye Nelson, Dougherty, 5-10, 168, Sr.
K Chandler Anderson, Shaw, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Defense
Position, Name, School, Ht., Wt., Year
DL D.J. Stafford, LaGrange, 6-4, 254, Jr.
DL Robert Sanders, Dougherty, 6-6, 230, Sr.
DL Demetrious Kendrick, Dougherty, 5-10, 210, Sr.
DL Emanuel Dudley, Shaw, 6-2, 245, Sr.
LB Kevin Dix, Carrollton, 6-2, 230, Sr.
LB Morrell Jones, Dougherty, 6-2, 220, Sr.
LB Anthony Blackmon, LaGrange, 5-10, 195, Sr.
DB Chavirus Jackson, Monroe, 5-10, 180, Sr.
DB Terrell Johnson, Cartersville, 6-0, 185, Sr.
DB Cameron Jones,Dougherty, 5-9, 165, Sr.
DB Thomas Cunningham, Jefferson Co., 5-10, 160, Sr.
RET Orlando Johnson, Thomson, 5-8, 160, Sr.
P Brett Upson, Spalding, 5-11, 175, Sr.
Honorable mention: Kiante Tripp, DL, Westlake; Steve Jacobs, DL, Shaw; Daniel Chester, DL, Peach Co.; Quinton Nelson, LB, Dougherty; Demetrius Goode, RB, Troup; Tay Ogletree, RB, Mary Persons; Russ Callaway, QG, Oconee Co.; Ladi Ajiboye, DL, Banneker; Robert Thornton, DL, Cairo; Kendrick Lewis, WR, Gainesville; Michael Kirk, RB, Carrollton; Eulis Taylor, QB, Washington Co.; Lance Helton, OL, Washington Co.; Kyle Padgett, QB, Central Carroll; Cordaro Gardner, DB, Northside Columbus; Tony Forney, McNair; Jaybo Shaw, QB, Flowry Branch; LaBrandon Hu dson, RB, Thomson; Tim Nelson, DE, Jefferson Co.; Nikita Hooks, DE, Worth Co.

Class AA
Offense
Position, Name, School, Ht. Wt. Year
QB Josh Nesbitt, Greene Co., 6-2, 205, Jr.
RB Lemuel Walker, Charlton Co., 5-8, 185, Jr.
RB Adam Urbano, Calhoun, 5-10, 180, Soph.
WR Justin Williams, Charlton Co., 6-2, 185, Sr.
WR Demaryius Thomas, W. Laurens, 6-4, 215, Sr.
WR Walter Hill, East Hall, 6-4, 210, Jr.
OL Justin Anderson, Irwin Co, 6-4, 315, Sr.
OL Steven Singleton, Buford, 6-2, 290, Sr.
OL Lionel Mapp, Greene Co., 6-9, 365, Sr.
OL Travis Fleming, Fitzgerald, 6-3, 235, Jr.
OL Tyler Morgan, Charlton Co., 5-9, 240, Sr.
ATH Dwight Dasher, Charlton Co., 5-10, 185, Jr.
K Chase Nienken, Walker, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Defense
Position, Name, School, Ht., Wt., Year
DL Ryan McMahon, Darlington, 6-3, 275, Sr.
DL Brandon Thurmond, Grady, 6-2, 195, Sr.
DL Jeremy Brown, Cook, 6-1, 285, Sr.
DL Tim Wright, Laney, 6-4, 240, Jr.
DL Chopper Foskey, Dublin, 6-3, 215, Sr.
LB Malcom Murphy, Vidalia, 6-1, 235, Jr.
LB P.J. Hughes, Macon Co., 6-1/2, 200, Sr.
LB Kiyati Nicholas, Fitzgerald, 5-10, 195, Sr.
DB Kris Durham, Calhoun, 6-6, 200, Sr.
DB David Pender, Charlton Co., 6-1, 175, Sr.
DB Randy Butler, Vidalia, 6-1, 185, Jr.
RET Nate Inman, Fitzgerald, 5-9, 195, Sr.
P Chad Cunningham, Dawson Co., 6-2, 215, Sr.
Honorable mention: Jarrell Paschal, OL, Fitzgerald; Brian Wilcher, LB, Dublin; Ben Cochran, QB, Dublin; Cody Worley, QB, Calhoun; Okeem McClendon, RB, Macon Co.; Terrance Hall, Greene Co.; Emanuel Drake, WR, Greene Co.; Tony Plagman, QB, Wesleyan; Justin Roper, QB, Buford; Matt Pridemore, RB, Buford; Shawn Sosebee, WR, Dawson Co.; Jamarian Brown, DL, Cook; Blake Mainor,DB, Cook; Haggan Specter, LB, Calhoun; P.J. Florence, DB, Irwin Co.; D.J. Donley, WR, Charlton Co.; Scott Fambrough, TE, Greater Atlanta Christian; Cameron Kiplinger, FB, Morgan Co.; Chris Thomas, QB, Laney.

Class A
Offense
Position, Name, School, Ht. Wt. Year
QB Matt Moody, Landmark Christian, 6-3, 210, Jr.
RB Chris Clay, Randolph-Clay, 5-9, 160, Soph.
RB Jeremy Marshall, Hawkinsville 5-8, 170, Sr.
WR Miles King, Landmark Christian, 5-11, 180, Sr.
WR Cedric Rawlings, Johnson Co., 6-2, 185, Sr.
WR Shawn Jackson, Turner Co., 5-9, 160, Sr
OL Casey Nickels, Wash.-Wilkes, 6-4, 235, Sr.
OL Chase McGill, Lincoln Co., 5-7, 205, Sr.
OL Scott Yates, Bowdon, 5-10, 170, Sr.
OL Jon George, Temple, 6-5, 285, Sr.
OL Jeremy Martin, Johnson Co., 6-3, 235, Sr.
ATH Marquis Williams, Social Circle, 5-10, 180, Jr.
K Ret Tolleson, Bremen, 6-2, 175, Sr.
Defense
Position, Name, School, Ht., Wt., Year
DL Markeith Wyle, Wash.-Wilkes, 6-0, 275, Sr.
DL Robert Hall, Hawkinsville, 6-3, 225, Sr.
DL Jeremy Gastin, Sav. Ctry. Day, 6-3, 265, Sr.
DL Quencey Patrick, Pacelli, 6-2, 285, Sr.
LB Demarcus Dobbs, Calvary Day, 6-4, 260, Sr.
LB Michael Adams, Randolph-Clay, 6-1, 220, Jr.
LB Lennie Richardson, Turner Co., 6-4, 215, Sr.
DB Demario Harvey, Terrell Co., 6-2, 175, Jr.
DB Josh Grooms, Bowdon, 6-0, 170, Sr.
DB Dusty Sticher, Bremen, 6-2, 185, Sr.
LB Allen Bailey, McIntosh Co., 6-4, 255, Jr.
RET Jo Jo Cox, Twiggs Co., 5-10, 225, Sr.
P Tommy Seals, Warren Co. , 5-10, 170, Soph.
Honorable mention: Mikel Soliday, QB, Turner Co.; Chad Walker, RB, Turner Co.; Cordelle Johnson, Johnson Co.; A.J. Cooley, FB, Bowdon; Sebastian Garfield, OL, Terrell Co.; Jarrett Edmondson, LB, Gordon-Lee; Stavon Gadson, RB, Portal; Edric Tolbert, DL, Clinch Co.; Brad Jefferson, LB, Johnson Co.; Shawntavius Jennings, RB, Lincoln Co.; Jerbar Moss, DE, Washington-Wilkes; Zach Glaize, LB, Landmark Christian; Ryan Hill, OL, Randolph-Clay; Justin Rios, QB, Twiggs Co.; Kelvis Whitley, RB, Jackson Co.; Mark Walsh, RB, Brookstone; Jeremy Height, McIntosh County Academy; Lorenzo Dennard, QB, Wilcox Co.; Rontavious Ford, WR, Wilcox Co.; Dontavious Smith, WR, Turner Co.