By Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

Two conference MVPs and 19 first-team all-conference selections headline the 2009 Tribune All-Area Football Team.

This year's gridiron elite helped lead our four high schools -- Elkin, Starmount, East Wilkes and Surry Central -- to a combined 30 varsity victories.

Elkin, Starmount and East each finished with winning records and each enjoyed at least one playoff triumph.

Surry Central proved one of the most competitive 2-10 teams in the state, pushing foes like East Surry, West Stokes and Bishop McGuinness to the limit before falling by respectable margins. The Eagles, as a No. 16 seed, nearly swiped a monumental first-round playoff upset at Starmount, leading at the half and having the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie or win.

This year's Tribune All-Area lineup features 24 first-team selections and 19 honorable mention picks

With our first team line-up, we selected 11 offensive players, 11 defensive players, a punter and a placekicker. If someone was selected for offense, they couldn't be picked for defense, and vice-versa.

From our first-teamers, we selected an overall Most Valuable Player, an offensive MVP and a defensive MVP.

There were some interesting and tough decisions to make for sure. Some positions were more stocked than others with all-conference talent. Underclassmen held their own along with a sizable group of senior standouts.

Without further ado, let's meet the team, the best of the best from the 2009 high school gridiron:

Overall MVP

Jake Barr (Starmount): The junior did a little bit of everything to help the Rams to an 8-0 finish in the Mountain Valley 1A/2A Conference, 10-3 overall. Conference coaches voted him all-conference on both sides of the ball and was picked as the league's Offensive Player of the Year.

He started at quarterback most of the way. He shifted to running back at times when injuries or fatigue brought others to the sidelines. When other teams had the ball, he proved a fierce defensive back with a knack for finding the ball, dishing out a monster hit or forcing a turnover.

For two years running, Barr has made some of the biggest plays of Starmount's season. He returned a fumble for a touchdown that set off the romp over Elkin. He picked off a pass that was key to locking up a first-round playoff win over Surry Central. The list could go on and on.

Statistically speaking, Barr was among the leaders in numerous categories on both sides of the ball.

He rushed for 703 yards (third-best on the team) and scored 14 rushing touchdowns (second-best). He completed 35 of 96 passes for 717 yards and five TDs. His one pass reception covered 20 yards and went for six points.

For good measure, Barr even stepped in as a punter occasionally, especially when the Rams were backed into their own end zone and needed a mobile, good-hands player to take care of the snap.

Defensively, Barr graded out higher than any other Starmount player using the team's points system. More on his defensive stats below. But let's just say that he had a resume worthy of conference Defensive Player of the Year consideration. That honor went to a teammate we'll talk more about below.

The best news for Rams fans and coach Scott Johnson (who was the MVP coach of the MVAC by the way): Barr is just a junior.


The Offense

MVP Offense -- Micah Bryan (East Wilkes): The senior has a future in baseball, signing earlier this fall to pitch for the Charlotte 49ers. But Bryan emerged as one of the most electric players on the gridiron this past season.

He set the stage early, recording a six-touchdown, 289-yard rushing performance against Surry Central. That started Tim Tebow references on various message board posts.

Bryan finished the season with 1,230 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He threw for another 835 yards and 10 more scores.

One of Bryan's biggest passes came with nine seconds left against East Surry in the playoffs. That six-yard completion to fellow All-Area standout Aaron Bauguess lifted the Cardinals to a stunning first-round victory.

Opponents learned quick to key on Bryan when East Wilkes had the ball. The teams that were solid in containing him fared much better than those that allowed him to run wild and throw at will. Bryan earned all-conference recognition for both offense and defense, but the coaching staff here at Tribune headquarters definitely would want him under center on our team.

RB Aaron Bauguess (East Wilkes): A knee injury cut Bauguess’ junior season short in 2008. But Bauguess healed up nicely and provided the second part of the Cardinals’ one-two rushing punch this fall.

One of the toughest players pound-for-pound in the area, Bauguess had a knack for scoring in dramatic ways -- including flips into the end zone while facing contact at the goal line. He finished with a team-best 1,350 rushing yards and 14 TDs.

RB Israel Murphy (Starmount): The Rams’ Wing-T offensive approach likes to spread the ball around. But Murphy emerged as the go-to back, finishing the season with 1,082 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. He averaged better than seven yards a carry and led Starmount in receiving for good measure (10 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns).

RB Wade Dawson (Surry Central): The senior developed a reputation for being a hard hitter on defense during the 2008 season. But Dawson became a multi-purpose threat this past fall.

He scored on the ground and through the air in the Golden Eagles’ flexbone attack. Dawson also kept up his play on the defensive side, becoming a feared defensive end as well as an overall team leader.

WR Damon Smith (Elkin): The Buckin’ Elks had more of a grind-it-out, power offensive attack this season. But Smith gave the Elks big play potential.

He led Elkin in catches (24) and receiving yards (554), scoring three touchdowns through the air. His long catch-and-run against Wilkes Central helped turn an expected close game into a rout.

Smith earned all-conference status on both sides of the ball. He played in the secondary on defense.

WR Shane Johnson (Surry Central): The senior returned to the all-conference team for a second year in a row.

He had some long-yardage receptions, including a 55-yarder for a touchdown in the Eagles’ 55-0 blowout of South Stokes on the final night of the regular season. He also hauled in an 80-yard TD catch late against Mount Airy.

OL Luke Rintaniemi (East Wilkes): If your team has two 1,000 running backs, the boys up front certainly are doing their jobs. Rintaniemi, a senior, led the Cardinals' offensive line and earned all-conference recognition for his work on both sides of the ball.

Rintaniemi has started the past three seasons for coach Monty Chipman's team.

OL Tyler Billings (Elkin): The junior made the Elks’ offense go, literally. He was the team’s center all season and earned first-team all-conference for his work.

Billings helped Elkin develop into a power rushing team, capable of keeping the ball for long stretches. Notable late-season games saw the Elks rush for better than 400 yards against North Duplin and Wilkes Central.

OL Nathan Gilliam (Elkin): It all starts up front on offense, and Gilliam was another piece of the Buckin’ Elks line. He played tackle and joined Billings as a first-team all-MVAC selection on the offensive side of the ball.

Gilliam is one of the few seniors on the line.

OL Jake Dellinger (Surry Central): Like Billings, Dellinger played center for his team, earning all-conference honors as a reward.

Dellinger, who also wrestles and plays tennis at Surry Central, wraps up an impressive four-year career with the football Eagles.

OL Dillon Bray (Starmount): It’s one thing for a ninth- or 10th-grader to see the field a lot as a running back or wide receiver. It’s quite another for a sophomore to earn a starting spot on the offensive line, let alone make first-team all-conference for the championship team.

Yet, that’s what Bray (6-0, 185 pounds) achieved this fall. Playing alongside some talented upperclassmen, Bray helped Starmount produce some staggering rushing numbers, like averaging better than seven yards per carry.
PK Steven Hemric (Starmount): The honorable mention all-conference player made 80 percent of his extra point tries this season and hit one of three field goal attempts. He averaged 45.6 yards on kickoffs and sent four for touchbacks.


The Defense

MVP Defense -- LB M.J. Bryant (Starmount) -- The junior helped Starmount complete a clean sweep of the top player awards in the conference for the second year in a row. He was picked as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

Coach Scott Johnson said he considered Bryant the quarterback of his defense. He studied film religiously and proved one of the top tacklers on the team from his middle linebacking spot.

Bryant recorded 59 solos and another 57 assists. His stat line also featured 10 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, an interception, a blocked punt and three fumbles caused.

Bryant, an all-conference performer on defense and offense, may have been used more as a fullback/running back had it not been for his importance on the defensive side. Still, Bryant was second on the team in rushing yards (841) and scored eight touchdowns.

DL Jordan Tanner (Elkin): The Buckin’ Elks had one of the stingiest stopping units in the conference, especially later in the season.

Tanner helped lead the way up front, earning all-conference recognition for his work. Elkin shut out Alleghany, North Duplin and Union Academy. The Elks only allowed eight points against North Wilkes, Forbush and Wilkes Central.

Tanner was Elkin’s lone defensive lineman to make first-team all MVAC.

DL Wayne McCracken (Starmount): Big Wayne graced the cover of The Tribune’s football preview tab back in August and played like a front-page standout all season.

McCracken earned first-team all-conference recognition on both sides of the ball. Statistically speaking he graded out among the highest of anyone on the Rams’ defense, recording 51 solos, 22 hits, seven tackles for loss, two fumbles caused and two sacks.

LB Tre Hayes (Elkin): The sophomore earned all-conference votes on both sides of the ball. He earned many of his newspaper headlines for his work on offense, rushing for better than a 1,000 yards.

But coach Richard Grissom may have considered him just as important, if not more so, on defense.

Hayes is a strong, powerfully built linebacker who can pack a punch. He has two more years to develop and should be even more ferocious in 2010 and ‘11.

LB Aaron Rabin (Elkin): Never flashy but always dependable, Rabin provided another hard-hitting presence at linebacker.

Rabin is a multi-faceted player. He combines speed (part of a silver medal 4x800 relay team in the spring) and power (state qualifier in wrestling) with aggressiveness and a knack for finding the ball.

LB Blaine Nicholson (Starmount): Nicholson was a lot like Rabin, playing a dual fullback/linebacker role for his team.

Defensively, the all-conference pick had seven tackles for loss, 27 solo hits, one fumble caused and three pass break-ups.

LB J.J. Jackson (East Wilkes): This fullback-linebacker combo player proved one of the Cardinals' most reliable starters on defense. He had more than 90 tackles on the season, garnering honorable mention all-conference recognition.

Jackson, who started since his sophomore season, made three sacks and forced a couple of fumbles.

DB Jake Barr (Starmount): Take Barr out of Starmount's offense, and there are still enough weapons to direct a solid Wing-T attack. Take Barr out of the Rams' defense, and that group takes a huge hit.

While being the starting QB is the more glamourous position, Barr certainly delivered his share of big hits on defense. He matched Bryant with a team-high 59 solo tackles and had 31 more hits.

Barr forced seven fumbles, intercepted eight passes and broke up five more attempts. Barr scored twice on defense, returning a fumble and an interception back for TD’s.

DB Nick Kimmer (Starmount): In addition to serving as Jake Barr’s backup at quarterback, Kimmer joined Barr in the defensive backfield.

The junior picked off four passes and broke up five more attempts. He recovered two fumbles and caused two more. Kimmer finished with 20 solos and 14 hits.

DB Christian Hurt (Starmount): The sophomore looks to be one of the Rams’ stars of the future. His present was pretty solid. While he didn’t garner any all-conference recognition, he had a solid resume: two interceptions, seven pass break-ups, 27 solo tackles, two tackles for loss.

Hurt also led Starmount in what the team calls “Big Hits,” recording three for the season. He has the perfect last name for those kind of licks.

DB Jesse White (East Wilkes): One of the quickest Cardinals gave Monty Chipman's defensive unit a true fly-to-the-ball threat at safety.

White, who earned honorable mention all-conference recognition, made 90 tackles and dashed into opposing backfields for six sacks.

The junior, who rushed for 600 yards as well, will be one to watch next season, especially with the offense set to graduate Bryan and Bauguess.

P Ethan Creed (Elkin): The junior took over a number of starting roles this season. In addition to being the Elks’ starting quarterback, Creed handled a lot of the punting chores. He was a dependable kicker, though coach Grissom chose to take some of the duties off his plate later in the season.

Many fans remember a booming punt Creed got off against Alleghany. It sailed 67 yards, covering most of that distance in a tight spiral.


Honorable Mention Picks

Josh Stover (Surry Central): The all-conference pick in the Northwest 1A/2A was a senior leader in the Eagles' linebacking corps.

Dave Wilmoth (Surry Central): The dual-threat quarterback rushed for more than 1,000 yards on the season. He earned nearly 200 and scored four touchdowns in a big win over South Stokes.

Alex Wilmoth (Surry Central): Dave Wilmoth’s cousin found the end zone as a rusher and receiver en route to honorable mention all-conference status.

Ben Earnest (Surry Central): A reliable kicker for PATs and short field goals.

Clay Renegar (Starmount): The honorable mention all-conference pick proved one of the area's top blocking tight ends. He also had three sacks on defense.

Drew Vestal (Starmount): The junior honorable mention all-conference pick gave the Rams' good size and strength on the line.

Matthew Gordon (Starmount): The 6-foot-5 junior defensive lineman recorded six tackles for loss and three sacks. He earned honorable mention all-conference in the MVAC.

Houston Myers (Starmount): The senior defensive lineman, an honorable mention all-MVAC selection, disrupted a lot of plays. He caused a fumble, recovered a fumble, made three tackles for loss and earned a sack.

Grayson Kimrey (Elkin): The junior became one of the Elks' featured running backs after a senior left the team at midseason. Kimrey finished with 535 rushing yards and five touchdowns, garnering honorable mention all-MVAC status.

Alex Ratley (Elkin): One of the Elks' most dependable blockers, the junior usually lined up at guard. Ratley made honorable mention all-conference for the second year in a row.

Jordan Coe (Elkin): The two-way player helped anchor the Buckin' Elks front line on defense, collecting honorable mention all-MVAC status for his work.

Drew Lovette (East Wilkes): The senior served as one of the captains on the Cardinals' offensive line. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors.

Jesse Hall (East Wilkes): The honorable mention all-MVAC lineman helped pave the way for one of the highest-scoring teams in East Wilkes history.

Jermaine Hayes (Elkin): The sophomore proved one of the most versatile players on the Elks' roster. He played quarterback, running back, receiver, kick returner and defensive back. His elusive running style will make him one to watch the next two years.

Cody Brown (Elkin): The junior proved a dependable pass-catching tight end in addition to his blocking duties.

Ethan Creed (Elkin): The junior deserves credit for managing the Elks' offense en route to 11 victories. As a quarterback, he threw for more than 1,000 yards and was a threat to tuck-and-run as well.

Fondae McDaniel (Starmount): The Rams' most prolific kick returner averaged 20 yards per return. He also rushed for 388 yards and three TDs. He caught eight passes.

Kyle Weatherman (Starmount): The junior had a nose for the ball, causing two fumbles, picking off one pass and breaking up four other pass attempts. He made 23 solo tackles and was in on 26 other hits (including a sack).

Casey Felts (Surry Central): Had some big plays for the Golden Eagles this season, including a 46-yard TD run to give Central the halftime lead against Starmount in the playoffs.