Rock Hill's Stewart, Montgomery named to Palmetto Champions team

By Barry Byers - bbyers@heraldonline.com

The South Carolina Football Coaches Association (SCFCA) has announced the members of the 2009 Palmetto Champions All-Star Team and the list includes a player and a coach inside The Herald's circulation area.

Rock Hill's Jatavius Stewart, who was selected to play in this year's Shrine Bowl, was chosen Class AAAA Upper State Back of the Year.

Bearcats' Joe Montgomery was named Class AAAA Upper State Coach of the Year. He has led Rock Hill to an 11-0 record and a No. 2 ranking in the state-wide McClatchy Prep Writers poll.

The Palmetto Champions, consisting of 25 high school football players and 10 high school football coaches, will be honored at a banquet on Dec. 3 at Seawell's on Rosewood Drive in Columbia.

From this list, a Palmetto Champions All-Star Lineman, Back, Specialist Team Player, and Coach of the Year will be announced live at the banquet. Also, an award for Distinguished Service will be presented for the non-football coach who supports South Carolina high school football.

Winners

BACKS, LINEMEN IN EACH DIVISION

Big 16 Upper State: Back, Marcus Lattimore, Byrnes; Lineman, Corey Miller, Byrnes. Lower State: Back, Stephen Curtis, Sumter. Lineman, Justin Oxendine, Sumter. Class AAAA Upper State: Back, Jatavius Stewart, Rock Hill; Lineman, Kelcy Charles, Greenwood. Lower State: Back, Malcolm Howard, Goose Creek; Lineman, Chad Hamilton, James Island

Class AAA Upper State: Back, DeAndre Hopkins, Daniel. Lineman, Matthew Ashley, Belton-Honea Path. Lower State: Back, Elliot Alford, Marlboro County; Lineman, Clifton Benjamin, Marlboro County

Class AA Upper State: Back, Jake Lambert, Woodruff; Lineman, Keagen Funderburk, Central. Lower State: Back, Cody Craig, Timberland; Lineman, William Morant, Manning.

Class A Upper State: Back, Quantel Mack, Williston-Elko; Lineman, Delarius Edwards, Chesterfield. Lower State: Back, Quinton Singleton, Scott's Branch; Lineman, Eric Mack, Calhoun County.

SPECIALISTS

Big 16: N/A. Class AAAA: Kicker, Ruben Perez, Laurens. Class AAA: Kicker, Ray Early, Darlington. Class AA: Punter/Kicker, Jeremy Tommie, Emerald. Class A: N/A.

COACHES

Big 16 Upper State: Doug Shaw, Mauldin. Lower State: Bob Hanna, Irmo. Class AAAA Upper State: Joe Montgomery, Rock Hill, Lower State: Chuck Reedy, Goose Creek. Class AAA Upper State: Randy Robinson, Daniel. Lower State: Kirk Burnett, Airport. Class AA Upper State: Brian Lane, Woodruff. Lower State: Al Lown, Silver Bluff. Class A Upper State: Jerry P. Jackson, C.A. Johnson. Lower State: Wayne Farmer, Allendale Fairfax.

BEARCATS TICKETS : Tickets for Friday's first-round playoff game between Rock Hill and Spartanburg will be on sale in Rock Hill's A-Building lobby from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $6 each.

Everyone who enters must have a ticket. The only passes excepted will be those issued by the South Carolina High School League. That applies to season-ticket holders, who must purchase a ticket.

SHOPPING TIP: Looking for that something-extra Christmas stocking stuffer for your favorite high school football fan?

Try a copy of former Indian Land football coach Mike Pope's biography titled: “Do They Play Football in Heaven?”

Wilt Browning, an author and former sportswriter, is writing the book about Pope and his coaching career. The S.C. Football Coaches Association, which will receive a portion from the sales, is helping to sponsor the book and is making it available for pre-sale.

Pre-sale books are $15 or $18 if you would like an autographed edition. Browning will also sign the book. The pre-sale is through June 2010. Books bought off the shelf are $20.