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Page edited by Derick MossSunday, December 16, 2001 • The Gaston Gazette9C2 0 0 1 ALL-GAZETTE FOOTBALL TEAMFIRST-TEAM OFFENSE Justin ClarkQB, Sr., North GastonClark, the Wildcats’ MVf? was by far the most prolific passer in the area. Clark toppedthe 200-yard passing mark in two games, finishing with 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns. He completed 48 percent of his passes and was intercepted seven times out of 197 throws. His effectiveness was maybe best displayed when he returned from a shoulder injury in a week to guide the Wildcats to a season-ending victory over South Point.Mario DyeRB, Sr., ForestviewDye’s coach knew he had to get him the ball in the Jaguars’ new offense, and the senior didn’t let him down. Dye led the area with 1,760 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. His final season as a Jaguar placed him second in Gaston County career rushing (4,232) and tied for first in career scoring (378).Dayco GlennRB, Sr., North GastonGlenn took the pressure off the Wildcats’ star quarterback by running for an area-best162.7 yards per game. He was also a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching a pass in all but one game for 330 yards. Glenn ran for 20 touchdowns, caught three touchdown passes and was named Gazette player of the week a season-high three times. Among Glenn’s highlights was his 262-yard, five-touchdown performance against Cherryville.Frank PattersonRB. Sr., Hunter HussPatterson ran for at least 100 yards in all but the season opener to finish with 1,442 yards. Patterson’s best individual season helped guide the Huskies to their best record since 1996. “Shug, as his teammates call him, scored exactly 100 points on the season and gained 144.2 yards per game. That made him Hunter Huss' all-time leading rusher.Rafael CorollaWR, Sr., LincolntonCorella, who mostly lined up as a tight end, led the area with 604 yards on 28 catches. His best game was a 116-yard, two-touchdown performance in a critictal win over Bandys. The senior finished with nine touchdowns on the season.Lewico SandersWR, Jr., Bessemer CitySanders didn't catch a pass in the season opener, but made up for it in a hurry. The junior caught at least one pass in the next 10 games to finish with 502 yards, second-best in the area. Sanders also ran the ball occasionally and finished with 10 touchdowns.Bryan ShipmanOL, Jr., North GastonShipman is heralded by some to be an eventual Division I prospect. He was a key ingredient in the Wildcats' ability to average 225 rushing yards per game. He was also responsible for giving the area’s leading passer time to throw.Cedric Byrd0L, Sr., Hunter HussByrd anchored a line that had its way against most of its opponents. The Huskies rushed for more than 400 yards in twogames, and the 310-pound Byrdgets a lot of the credit. One of the strongest players in the area, Byrd now focuses on college.Jesse WhitleyOL, So., South PointWhitley isn't exactly a veteran, but he was an integral part to an overall young team that advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Whitley and his line helped the Red Raiders rush for 255 yards per game.He also served as long snapper.Adam HodgeOL, So., South PointHodge was another player on the Red Raiders’ line that proved that age doesn't always matter. Hodge, a center, also received all-conference honors.Richard LockiinOL, Sr., LincolntonLockiin was one of several experienced players who made a difference on the Wolves’ line. The 6-2, 250-pound tackle played a vital role in the Wolves’advancement to the state semifinals.Lincolnton linebacker Charlie Stroup packs a wallopBy Philup GardnerGazette Sports ReporterLINCOLNTON — Each week during the football season, Charlie Stroup would ask his coach for game film on the team’s next opponent.The Lincolnton senior linebacker would take the film home, study it and formulate his own game plan for what he needed to do to guide the Wolves to victory.It worked.Stroup, a relentless worker and diligent student of the game, had a monstrous season on his way to becoming The Gazette defensive player of the year.At 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, Stroup isn’t the biggest middle linebacker in the area, but the stat sheet shows he made up for his size. He finished the season with 139 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries while leading the Wolves to the state semifinals.“When the clock starts, Charlie is going full speed,” Lincolnton coach Scott Cloninger said. “The boy goes full speed all day long. It’s interesting. We took him out a couple times this year when we knew the game was over, we had a big lead and everything was under control and he gets mad. He was mad when we’d bring him off the field with a couple of minutes to go. He just wants to play every play. He wants to be in there as much as he can.” The Lincolnton defense ranked second-stingiest in the area behind Kings Mountain, allowing 237 yards and 17 points per game.Stroup, who joined the varsity team as a sophomore, began studying film as a junior. He said doing so gave him the extra edge he needed. By game time, he was always ready to go.“I can read the line and instead of hesitating to watch the backs I can make my first step and be full speed,” he said.Of all of Stroup’s accomplishments this season, the one thing he’s most proud of is the team’s advancingDexter Pepperman/The GazetteLincolnton linebacker Charlie Stroup led the Wolves with 139 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries.DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARto the fourth round of the playoffs.“It tops everything,” he said. “It’s the greatest experience of my life so far.”In the previous game, he made a key play that helped the Wolves advance. It’s a play he won’t forget for a while: “The sack against Shelby on third down,” he said, describing a crucial fourth quarter defensive stand in the third-round playoff game. “I believe we scored the next drive. It forced them to punt and we scored on the next drive.” Stroup did more than enough to gain the respect of his teammates.“He goes hard every play,” senior receiver Lee Woody said. “That’s what makes him so good. He’s not afraid of anybody and he’ll hit you harder than anybody on the team.”Said tight end Rafael Corella: “He did everything he could. He had most of the heart on the team. He led us in everything.”Cloninger said Stroup would be downright scary with a little more size.“I’m going to tell you something. If Charlie was 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, I don’t think anybody would want to play against him because he’d hurt everybody,” Cloninger said.Stroup admits he’sthought of what could have been had he been a little taller and a little bigger.“I’ve been waiting to grow for four years, but I use what God gave me the best I can,” he said.That positive attitude is what will make it hard for Cloninger to say goodbye to Stroup at the end of the year.“He’s just a really enjoyable person to be around,” he said. “I know we’ll miss him.”ALL-GAZETTE SECOND TEAMOffenseQuarterbackWilliam Llneberger, senior, Lincolnton — passed for 14 touchdowns and ran for 11 more in leading the Wolves to the state semifinalsRunning backs Rasharde Reid, senior, South Point — Reid battled through injury for 1,491 yards and 19 touchdowns. Damien Forney, senior, Lincolnton — The Midwest Conference player of the year rushed for 1,340 yards and 19 touchdowns.Aquino Simmons, junior, Kings Mountain — Simmons racked up 1,301 yards in only 10 games.ReceiversBritt Bates, junior, North Gaston — Bates had 29 catches for 348 yards and caught six touchdown passes.Alvin Williams, senior, South Point — Williams was the Red Raiders’ biggest receiving threat with 358 yards.Offensive linemen Cameron Falle, senior, Ashbrook — Faile graded out more than 70 percent of the Wave’s offensive line play. William Clemmer, senior, East Lincoln — Clemmer was part of the reason East Lincoln was able to put points on the board late in the season.Antoine Faw, senior, Lincolnton — The 255-pound senior opened up running room for the Wolves all season.Jacobi Oates, senior, Kings Mountain — Oates was part of an offense that averaged nearly 300 yards of offense. Shane Smith, senior, Forestview — At 290 pounds,Smith was a force for the potent Jaguar offense.DefenseDefensive linemen Andrew Erickson, junior, Ashbrook — In nine games, Erickson made 84 tackles, forced four fumbles, recovered three fumbles and returned an interception for touchdown.Marqee Williams, senior, Ashbrook — Williams, who missed a game to injury, logged 82 tackles, three caused fumbles and two recovered.Josh Whitesides, junior, Forestview — Whitesides made 32 tackles, including six sacks and nine tackles for loss.LinebackersJeremyaca Connor, junior, North Gaston — Connor recorded 74 tackles, three fumble recoveries and nine tackles for loss.Reggie Connor, sophomore, East Gaston — Connor, also a running back, played a key role on the Warrior defense. Steven Peeler, senior, West Lincoln — Peeler made 67 tackles and intercepted a pass.Darren Eaker, senior, Lincolnton — Eaker recorded 136 tackles, three sacks, one interception and three fumble recoveries.Defensive backs Derrick Nixon, junior, Lincolnton — Derrick Nixon logged 38 tackles on the season and returned two interceptions for touchdown in the Bandys game.Jerard Reid, senior, Forestview He had 40 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and three tackles for loss.Cody Moore, senior, Forestview — Moore finished with 75 tackles, two interceptions and eight tackles for loss. Junior Bailey, senior, Lincolnton — Bailey had 51 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.KickarsBJ. Richmond, Sr., South Point — Richmond converted on 27 PATs and six field goals, including the game-win-ner against Forestview.Britton Thomas, Sr., Ashbrook — Thomas made five field goals and four PATs before Julian Rauch assumed some of the kicking duties.Honorable mention offenseJarnard Abernathy, junior RB. East Gaston; Tyler Adams, senior WR, Kings Mountain; Charles Ashley, senior TE/WR, North Gaston: Cory Carpenter, senior RB. West Lincoln: Chris Craft, junior WR, Cherryville; Adam Crane, senior RB/WR, Cherryville; Demario Crosby. senior QB, Forestview; Derek Curl, senior OL, Lincolnton; Aaron Forney, junior WR, East Gaston; Chris Froneberger, junior OL, East Gaston; Breon Hagans, senior WR, East Gaston; AJ. Hunter, senior QB, East Lincoln; Darius James, senior WR, Ashbrook; Kanawha Johnson, senior RB, Cherryville; Bryan Kernodle, senior OL, East Lincoln; Ben Lastra, sophomore QB, Cherryville; Justin Pearson, senior QB, West Lincoln;Steven Peeler, senior OL, West Lincoln; Tyrone Rendle-man, senior RB, East Lincoln; Cortney Smith, junior WR, Kings Mountain; Trey Trlmnal, junior OL, North Gaston; Matt Varner, senior OL, Kings Mountain; Matt Weaver, junior OL, Bessemer City; Javar Williams, sophomore QB, South Point; Andy Wilson, junior OL, Bessemer City; Johntae Woods, freshman QB, Hunter Huss.Honorable mention defense:Joe Brown, sophomore LB, South Point; Brian Christopher, junior DL, Bessemer City; Travis Clark, senior DB, Kings Mountain; Dion Coxton, junior DB, Bessemer City; Adam Crane, senior LB, Cherryville; Nate Crawford, senior LB, Forestview; Nicholas Curry, senior DL, Kings Mountain; Justin Early, senior DL, Kings Mountain; Brooks Gardner, senior LB, Cherryville; LaDrecus GIngles, senior DB, Kings Mountain; Tim Holder, senior DB, Forestview; Darius James, senior LB, Ashbrook; Dejuan Jones, senior LB, Kings Mountain; Alex Martin, junior DL, East Lincoln; Brandon Mayhew, senior LB, Cherryville; Willie Moore, junior LB, Forestview; Chris Moss, senior DL, Cherryville; Daniel Neal, senior DL, West Lincoln; Morris Rendleman, junior DB, East Lincoln; Brandon Roberts, senior DB, Kings Mountain; Terrell Roberts, junior DL, North Gaston; Junior Smith, senior DL, Lincolnton; Larrie Thomas, junior DL, Hunter Huss; Jon Tucker, junior LB, East Lincoln; Jake Vance, junior LB, Forestview.Honorable mention kickingJason Browne, sophomore punter, Cherryville; Justin Clark, senior punter, North Gaston; Hunter French, senior kicker/punter, Lincolnton; Justin Goins, junior kicker, Cherryville; Chris Jolly, senior punter, Kings Mountain; Julian Rauch, junior, Ashbrook.FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE Charles AshleyDL, Sr., North GastonAshley, voted Big South defensive player of the year, led a very physical Wildcat defense. The 187-pound senior logged 91 tackles and 14 sacks and is being recruited by NC AT and Wake Forest. The two-way player caught two touchdown passes as a tight end.Joe CostnerDL. Jr.. South PointOpponents often felt Costner’s presence behind the line of scrimmage, as the junior made 75 tackles. He also caused 11 fumbles and recovered eight.Clarence CurryDL. Sr., LincolntonCurry was all over the field for the Wolves. The senior made 83 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Maybe his biggest play was a blocked punt return for touchdown in a 35-34 doubleovertime win over North Gaston.Charlie StroupLB. Sr., LincolntonStroup, Gazette defensive player of the year, was an emotional leader for the Wolves both on and off the field. The senior recorded 139 tackles, five sacks andthree fumble recoveries to lead one of the area's best statistical defenses. He played a major role in Lincolnton’s ability to hold a powerful Burlington Cummings team to its lowest point total of the year.Michael BriggsLB. So., AshbrookBriggs had an excellent year despitedealing with a host of injuries. He posted 121 tackles, five caused fumbles and five recovered fumbles. He also batted down six passes and had one interception. Briggs is one of only two players to be named first team All-Gazette last year and this year.Jamery McElhaneyIB, Sr., North GastonMcElhaney was the difference in many games as opponents were seldom able to establish a running game. The senior made 108 tackles — 58 solo. He also caused four fumbles and recovered four fumbles.John AlexanderLB, junior, South PointAlexander made some of the biggest plays for the Red Raiders’ defense. The junior recovered six fumbles and intercepted two passes. Amid the forced turnovers were 75 tackles.Meko WatsonDB, Jr., North GastonWatson did what he could to prevent other teams from passing and intercepted six passes. He also made 47 tackles.Mitch LowranceDB, Sr., Hunter HussLowrance broke up multiple passes for the Huskies, who allowed less than 50 passing yards per game. The senior recorded three interceptions in the first four games of the year.How the teams wore chosenThe All-Gazette team was selected by members of The Gazette sports staff and based on coaches’ nominations and season stats. All stats are accurate through each team’s final game.Justin PearsonDB, Sr., West LincolnPearson, who also played quarterback, made 48 tackles as the team's most active secondary defender. The senior also grabbed six interceptions.Arrington LittlejohnDB, Sr., AshbrookThe all-conference defensive back led an Ashbrook defense that among the best in the area for much of the season. Littlejohn broke up at least 10 passes and made three interceptions.FIRST-fEAI^krCKERSChris HalubkaKicker/punter, Sr., West LincolnHalubka enters the NCHSAArecord book with field goals of 57 and 56 yards in a win over Cherryville. The 57-yarder ties for fourth-longest in state history.Jonathan HovisKicker/punter, Sr., ForestviewHovis kicked 41 extra points and 10 field goals. His longest field goal of 46 yards was one of three from at least 40 yards away. Hovis also pinned opponents deep with his long punts.
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The Gaston Gazette
Gastonia, North Carolina, US
Sun, Dec 16, 2001
Page 49
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