All-Area Football: Hart, Greene earn Player of the Year honors
While most opposing coaches in the area – and the state – knew about Northwestern senior Dupree Hart, York’s Luc Greene didn’t enter the 2014 season with as much notoriety. But both were standouts and irreplaceable catalysts to any success their teams experienced this fall.
Hart is The Herald’s Offensive Player of the Year after seamlessly switching positions early in the season. Hart entered the season as the state’s all-time leader in high school football receptions, and he had an assault on the national record squarely in mind. When things didn’t work out for the Trojans at quarterback after an 0-2 start, the senior shifted into that position and helped the team rattle off eight wins in a row during September and October.
Hart completed 66 percent of his passes, throwing for nearly 2,300 yards, 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The 5-foot-5 Shrine Bowler also ran for 1,470 yards and 25 touchdowns from his QB spot. He accounted for four or more touchdowns in seven of the Trojans’ 13 games, and he produced five or more scores on six different occasions, while producing an endless stream of highlights. Gaffney took the prize as the lone team to slow down Hart this fall.
Greene is the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year following a campaign in which he made 146 tackles with 10 for a loss and 10 sacks. Without the hype or innate athleticism of some of his teammates and opponents, Greene’s game was built on ceaseless motor. When York’s defense lost leading tackler and middle linebacker Jordan Webster eight games into the season, the Cougars needed players to step up if their state title hunt was to stay on course; Greene especially came to the forefront, averaging 10.4 tackles per game over the last seven without Webster, while recording five sacks during that span.
South Pointe coach Strait Herron is the Herald’s All-Area Coach of the Year. Herron helped lead the Stallions’ successful turnaround that resulted in a 3A state title. He and his staff made the tough choice to switch quarterbacks for good after five games, a move that ultimately worked out for the best. They also had to deal with intermittent disciplinary issues, as well as a schedule that included 10 opponents the Stallions had never faced in their brief history. Herron and company had to navigate the 3A playoff system, which plays the most games in the SCHSL system, again against a slew of teams the school had never seen.
Despite it all, Herron ended his season standing in the middle of the field at Williams-Brice Stadium with a smile on his face. The Stallions he finally broke and tamed were the newly crowned 3A state champions.
The Herald’s 2014 All-Area Football Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Dupree Hart, Northwestern
Defensive Player of the Year: Luc Greene, York
Coach of the Year: Strait Herron, South Pointe
First team
Offense
QB – Dupree Hart, Northwestern: Senior had a huge season as a converted quarterback for the Trojans. Hart completed 181-of-275 passes for 2,294 yards, 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He was a dangerous runner out of the backfield, racked up 1,470 yards and 25 touchdowns on 234 carries, an average of 6.3 yards per attempt. And the Mr. Football Finalist, Shrine Bowl selection, Tri-County Coaches Association Player of the Year, and Region 3-4A Player of the Year also returned a pair of punts for touchdowns to boot.
RB – Chandler Kryst, Fort Mill: Senior did it all for the Yellow Jackets, accounting for a team-high 1,559 total yards of offense (counting kick returns). Kryst rushed for 834 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry, and also caught 26 passes for 335 yards. Kryst, an All-Region 3-4A selection, played in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl as a defensive back, highlighting his versatility.
RB – Brandon Croutch, Rock Hill: Senior back was an All-Region 3-4A and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection. Croutch rushed for 636 yards and eight touchdowns, and also caught 41 passes for 480 yards and three more scores.
WR – Hank Tuipulotu, Nation Ford: All-Region 3-4A junior receiver caught an area-high 105 passes for 1,332 yards and 17 touchdowns, all school records achieved in 10 games. Tuipulotu caught 18 passes in the season opener, made double-digit catches in five of his 10 outings, and never caught fewer than six in a game the entire season.
WR – Kyron Schrouder, York: Senior All-Region 3-4A and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection led the Cougars with 98 catches for 1,092 yards and 14 touchdowns. Schrouder was the second-leading receiver in the Herald’s 12-school coverage area, behind Tuipulotu.
WR – Wally Wilmore, York: Dynamic sophomore started and stood out on both sides of the ball for the 4A Division II state finalists. Wilmore caught 97 passes for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had a team-high 13 pass break-ups as a defensive back.
OL – Bryan Binford, South Pointe: Senior center was a beast for the Stallions, grading out at 93 percent with 33 knockdowns this season.
OL – Demontre Buckson, Northwestern: Junior graded out at 90 percent and was named All-Region 3-4A for the Trojans.
OL – Ryan Enniss, York: Junior was an imposing offensive tackle for the Cougars, grading out at 93 percent with 32 knockdown blocks.
OL – Jimmy Reeves, Fort Mill: Senior was the best lineman on a Yellow Jackets team that excelled running the ball. Reeves graded out 83 percent.
OL – Harrison Gibson, Clover: All-Region 3-4A lineman was top blocker for the Blue Eagles’ wing-t rushing attack.
ATH – Daurice Simpson, York: Senior made All-Region 3-4A and was selected to the Shrine Bowl as a defensive back. Simpson did it all this year for the Cougars, catching 69 passes for 837 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 17.2 yards per punt return with one touchdown, and also making 75 tackles, eight pass break-ups and two interceptions on defense.
K/P – Shea Rodgers, Indian Land: The 2A Specialist of the Year, according to the S.C. Football Coaches Association, Rodgers booted 30 of his 42 kickoffs for touchbacks, hit 7-of-9 field goals with a long of 50, and also made all 21 point-after attempts he tried. Rodgers was equally effective as a punter, punting 39 times for a 37.4 average with 17 downed inside the 20. Rodgers was an All-Region 4-2A player and was also selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Defense
DL – Brandon Fisher, South Pointe: Senior defensive lineman had a huge year for the 3A state champs, recording 114 tackles, including an area-best 21 tackles-for-loss. Fisher was an All-Region 3-3A selection and added four sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to his ledger.
DL – Chris Bouyer, Northwestern: Senior defensive end made All-Region 3-4A and was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl. Bouyer recorded 66 tackles, with 6.5 sacks and two addition tackles-for-loss, and 10 quarterback pressures.
DL – Luc Greene, York: Senior made 146 tackles, including 10 for a loss and 10 sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered four fumbles and also intercepted two passes for the Cougars. Greene made All-Region 3-4A and was the Tri-County Coaches Association’s Defensive Player of the Year.
LB – Gabe Gresham, Northwestern: All-Region 3-4A senior recorded 160 tackles, including 10 for a loss, forced a pair of fumbles, recovered one fumble, had six quarterback pressures, four pass break-ups and two sacks in a very active season.
LB – DeMon Davis, South Pointe: Davis, and All-Region 3-3A selection, didn‘t play in the Stallions’ first six games, but returned with a vengeance, racking up 127 tackles, including 10 for a loss, five sacks, two QB hurries and two forced fumbles, in 10 appearances.
LB – Trae’von Hinton, Northwestern: Junior made a big impact on the Trojan defense this season as a full-time linebacker, part-time fourth pass-rusher, racking up 118 tackles, including nine for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
LB – D’Nylijah Williams, Rock Hill: Senior was the leader of an excellent Bearcat defense, making 125 tackles, recovering three fumbles, intercepting two passes and breaking up four more. Williams was named All-Region 3-4A.
DB/LB – Marveon Mobley, South Pointe: senior strong safety followed up his huge junior season with 98 tackles, six interceptions and five passes defended. Mobley was an All-Region 3-3A choice.
DB – Will Jackson, Lancaster: Senior defensive back made All-Region 3-3A after leading The Herald’s coverage area in interceptions with seven. Jackson returned four of those picks for touchdowns.
DB – Chris Smith, South Pointe: Junior defensive back made 70 tackles, intercepted five passes and defended a team-high 10 passes. Smith, an All-Region 3-3A pick, also recovered a pair of fumbles and averaged 23 yards on 15 kick returns. Smith also averaged 22 yards on seven receptions, scoring a pair of touchdowns.
DB – Ali Shockley, Northwestern: Sophomore had a really good first season of varsity football for the Trojans, making 110 tackles, intercepting four passes, breaking up three more and forcing two fumbles, with one recovered.
ATH – Brandon Plyler, Fort Mill: All-Region 3-4A senior led the Yellow Jackets with four interceptions, nine passes defended and made 39 tackles as a defensive back, while also leading the team in receiving with 57 catches for 886 yards and seven touchdowns.
Second team
Offense
QB – Deshaw Andrews, York: Senior was an All-Region 3-4A and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection. Andrews complete 357-of-483 passes for 3,894 yards and 33 touchdowns, with just nine interceptions. He also ran the ball for 776 yards and 17 more touchdowns.
RB – Malik Long, Fort Mill: Powerful senior back ran the ball 160 times for the Yellow Jackets, picking up 880 yards and 14 touchdowns.
RB – Brandon Garvin, York: Junior switched from linebacker to running back three games into the season, but still finished with 869 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 194 carries. The hard-charging smasher is a definite 1,000-yard rushing candidate next fall.
WR – Jay Hood, Lancaster: All-Region 3-3A and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection led the Bruins with 45 catches for 747 yards and seven touchdowns while playing some of his best ball late in the season.
WR – Cody Montgomery, Lewisville: All-Region 3-1A senior switched to receiver this year from quarterback and set school records for receptions (70), receiving yards (943) and receiving touchdowns (nine).
WR – Deshaun McFadden, Rock Hill: Versatile senior made All-Region 3-4A and was selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl as a defensive back. As a receiver, McFadden led the Bearcats with 53 catches for 720 yards and 11 touchdowns.
OL – Civic Campbell, Rock Hill: Big junior graded 89 percent with 19 knockdowns for the Bearcats.
OL – Danny Warren, York: Sophomore graded 91 percent this season, with 28 knockdown blocks on his register.
OL – Andrew Hinson, South Pointe: Senior lineman graded out at 91 percent for the season with 28 knockdown blocks.
OL – Tevin Watts, Lancaster: All-Region 3-3A offensive tackle was the top o-lineman for the Bruins this fall.
OL – Ty Ross, Great Falls: All-Region 3-1A offensive lineman graded out at 90 percent blocking for the Red Devils. Ross, who benches 420 pounds and squats 540, was also a force on the defensive line.
ATH – Tommy Sanders, Chester: Senior All-Region 3-3A and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection did it all offensively for Chester, rushing for 556 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 96-of-168 passes for 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns, with just five interceptions.
K/P – Buddy Anderson, York: Strong-legged senior hit 72-of-94 kickoffs for touchbacks, as well as 7-of-13 field goals, with a long of 40 yards. Anderson, the Region 3-4A Special Teams Player of the Year, also punted for a 33.6-yard average with 12 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line.
Defense
DL – Tyler Langley, Great Falls: Senior stood out on both the offensive and defensive lines for Great Falls. All-Region 3-1A selection made 55 tackles, including seven for a loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Langley also scored a defensive touchdown.
DL – Dontae Thompson, South Pointe: Senior edge rusher led the Stallions with 8.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. Thompson was South Pointe’s third-best tackler, with 126.
DL – Jene Thompson, Lewisville: All-Region 3-1A sophomore edge rusher had a monster season for the Lions, recording 12 sacks and 20 tackles-for-loss, to go with 69 tackles.
LB – Taylor Foster, Clover: Senior made 88 tackles, including 11 for a loss, and also intercepted a pass and broke up three more.
LB – Patch Edwards, York: Senior was the Cougars’ second-leading tackler, piling up 124 with seven for a loss. Edwards was also solid in pass coverage, making two interceptions, four pass break-ups and also forcing and recovering a fumble.
LB – Ty Barber, South Pointe: All-Region 3-3A senior who was at the heart of the Stallion defensive unit made 152 tackles, with five for a loss and two interceptions.
LB – Cameron Meadows, Lancaster: All-Region 3-3A choice made 101 tackles, with eight for a loss, two sacks and two interceptions as the lead dog in a tough Lancaster defense.
DB/LB – Nick Sturgill, York: Junior strong safety/outside linebacker made 123 tackles, with 10 for a loss, two sacks, four pass break-ups and an interception, and really came on as the season progressed.
DB – Desmond Leak, Northwestern: Senior made 99 tackles, picked off two passes and broke up four more. Leak, an All-Region 3-4A selection forced and recovered a fumble, blocked a kick, recorded a sack and notched six tackles-for-loss.
DB – Devion Williams, South Pointe: Senior defensive back made six interceptions, defended five passes and notched 48 tackles. Williams also
DB – Mitchell Trotter, York: Senior safety made 121 tackles, intercepted four passes and broke-up nine more and forced two fumbles for the Cougar defense.
ATH – Shy Kelly, Great Falls: Senior athlete made 45 tackles, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries, with one defensive touchdown, for the Red Devils. All-Region 3-1A selection also made 23 catches for 505 yards (22 yards per catch) and five touchdowns.
Honorable mention
Offense
QB – Cole Martin, Nation Ford: Junior quarterback excelled in an offense that threw the ball around 80 percent of the time. Martin completed 348-of-545 passes for 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns (all school records), with 17 interceptions. He also completed 63 percent of his passes.
RB – Jerry Howard, Northwestern: Sophomore had a promising first season of varsity play, rushing for 725 yards and seven touchdowns on just 105 carries, while also catching 36 passes for 309 yards and three more scores. Howard’s efforts earned him an All-Region 3-4A nod.
RB – Austin Gordon, Indian Land: All-Region 4-2A fullback rumbled for 779 yards and eight touchdowns on 170 carries, while also playing linebacker for the Warriors.
WR – Jordan Helms, Nation Ford: Junior tight end was Cole Martin’s second-favorite receiving target. Helms caught 95 passes for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns.
WR – Quay Brown, South Pointe: All-Region 3-3A selection caught 42 passes for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns, including two each in the Stallions’ 3A state playoff semifinal and state championship victories. Brown’s teammates, Deshawn Davis and Josh Wilkes, easily could have made this spot as well, but Brown’s contributions in the final two games gave him a narrow advantage.
WR – Julian Shockley, Northwestern: Junior switched from running back to wide receiver early in the season and finished with 51 catches for 580 yards and seven touchdowns. Shockley also ran back a pair of punts for touchdowns.
OL – Tyrone McCullough, Lewisville: All-Region 3-1A senior three-year starter graded out at 88 percent, while also playing defensive line for the Lions.
OL – Jacob Williams, Indian Land: All-Region 4-2A junior helped the Warriors rush for over 2,000 yards as a team.
OL – Myles Lathan, Lancaster: All-Region 3-3A blocker was a force in the middle of the Bruins’ offensive line.
OL – Kyle Rapoza, Fort Mill: Senior graded out 81 percent for the Yellow Jackets, the second-best rushing team in the area.
OL – Barrett Courtwright, Clover: All-Region 3-4A senior led the Blue Eagles’ offensive line, which helped the team rush for 2,996 yards and 28 touchdowns.
ATH – Chris Culp, Great Falls: All-Region 3-1A senior completed 57-of-119 passes for 1,020 yards, 12 TDs, and three interceptions. He also had 50 carries for 423 yards and six touchdowns and also played linebacker on defense.
K/P – Alan Taylerson, Northwestern: All-Region 3-4A senior hit 11-of-12 field goals, 54-of-57 point-after attempts and booted 70 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks.
Defense
DL – Devionne Chalk, York: Junior made 96 tackles, with 10 for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and eight big hits.
DL – Alan Salgado, Rock Hill: Junior made 86 tackles, three sacks and five tackles-for-loss. Salgado forced two fumbles as well.
DL – Ethan Whitesides, York: Senior made 109 tackles, with seven for a loss and 5.5 sacks.
LB/DE – Wayne Simmons, Rock Hill: Senior made 94 tackles, with 12 for a loss, three quarterback hurries, one sack and two pass-breakups.
LB- Kobe Tate, Northwestern: Junior made 101 tackles, recovered two fumbles, blocked two kicks, broke up two passes and made five tackles-for-loss as part of a very good Northwestern linebacking group.
LB – Emanuel Jones, Rock Hill: Senior made 87 tackles, with eight for a loss, broke up nine passes, intercepted one and forced a fumble.
LB – Dan Marr, Fort Mill: Senior finished with 72 tackles, including seven for a loss, with four sacks, an interception, a recovered fumble and three passes defended.
DB/LB – Alex Stennett, Nation Ford: Sophomore showed promise in a defense that struggled this season. Stennett led the Falcons with 76 tackles, intercepted three passes, broke-up four passes and forced and recovered one fumble.
DB – Jon-Michael Sanders, Chester: Promising sophomore made three interceptions for the Cyclones, including one returned for a touchdown.
DB – Donnell Williams, Rock Hill: Senior made All-Region 3-4A with 84 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and 11 pass break-ups.
DB – T.J. Freeman, Clover: Junior made 52 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack, intercepted two passes, broke up two more and forced and recovered a fumble for the Blue Eagle defense.
ATH – Mike Hill, Lewisville: All-Region 3-1A sophomore made 55 tackles, three interceptions and broke-up five passes as a defensive back, while also rushing for 326 yards and four touchdowns and catching 13 passes for 160 yards and two more scores.
This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 5:35 PM with the headline "All-Area Football: Hart, Greene earn Player of the Year honors."