Best of Fall Football: Senior class leads Holy Spirit to N.J. title

From: Press of Atlantic City | Date: December 13, 2007| Author: McGARRY, MICHAEL | Copyright information

Holy Spirit High School had a nice football program four years ago.

The Spartans were competitive and every now and then would post an impressive win.

But long-gone were the days of the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Spartans were the region's preeminent team.

Many in the local high school sports community believed Spirit would never reach those heights again.

But in 2004, a freshman class led by Chris Mancuso, Marcus Witherspoon and William Washington...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles from HighBeam Research

Power-packed lineup has area's top teams League includes Catholic Memorial, Arrowhead; PLAYERS TO WATCH Michael Bennett, sr., Milwaukee Tech: The 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons and is a four-year starter at linebacker. Also owns state track records in the 100 and 200 meters and is one of the top sprinters in the country. Ryan Blake, sr., Kenosha Tremper: Registered 91 solo tackles from his spot at linebacker last season. Will be the heart of a defense that returns eight starters. Stands 6 feet and weighs 215 pounds. Kendall Burnett, jr., Milwaukee Washington: The 5-7, 170-pound running back rushed for a City Conference-best 1,333 yards last season and a 7-yard average. Will miss two games due to appendicitis. Antoine Burns, sr., Milwaukee North: Air Force, Iowa and Iowa State have already visited North to see the 5-11, 187-pound receiver and defensive back. Caught 36 passes for 775 yards (a 21.5 average). P.J. Cannon, sr., Waukesha Catholic Memorial: A University of Wisconsin recruit who received second-team honors on the Journal Sentinel's all-state team as a junior. Will also play fullback this season. Stands 6-2 and weighs 230 pounds. Scott Carlson, sr., Wisconsin Lutheran: A 5-11, 205- pound running back who averaged 8.8 yards per carry and finished with 1,119 yards in an offense that produced another 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard passer. Joe Doyle, sr., Waukesha Catholic Memorial: Major colleges are interested in the 6-4, 239-pound guard defensive tackle but are taking a wait-and-see approach. His play this season will determine where he plays next year. Lamar Gordon, sr., Cudahy: At 6-1, 175 pounds, he is best at making defenders miss. Rushed for 1,217 yards in 176 carries last season. Tyler Greenebaum, sr., Arrowhead: Coaches from Northwestern and Iowa have visited. The 6-3, 225-pound defensive tackle gets the job done with quickness. Named second-team all-state by the Journal Sentinel last season. Eric Hamilton, sr., Racine Park: The only returning player from the first-team of the Journal Sentinel's all-state team. The 5-9, 180-pound running back rushed for 2,481 yards and an average of 8 yards per carry. Mike Horne, sr., Arrowhead: At 6-4, 288 pounds, the nose guard's power game is the perfect complement to teammate Tyler Greenebaum's quickness. Needs a big senior year to land a scholarship from a major Division I program. Roland Kelly, sr., Homestead: Shed 20 pounds during the off-season and now has 235 pounds over his 6-foot frame. With a 350-pound bench press and a 600-pound squat, he's capable of bowling over most linemen from his spot at defensive tackle. Tim Kincaid, sr., Homestead: Moves extremely well for a linebacker, standing 6-2 and weighing 210 pounds. Named second-team all-area by the Journal Sentinel as a junior. Nick Knox, sr., Wisconsin Lutheran: The faster half of the Vikings' inside-outside combination in the backfield. Averaged 7.2 yards per carry and finished with 1,084 yards as a 5-11, 185-pound running back last season. Justin Maki, sr., Kettle Moraine: Passed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. At 6-6, he is one of the tallest quarterbacks in the area. Kyle Mayhugh, sr., Milwaukee Pius: A running back with a throw-back style. At 6-2, 205 pounds, he proved to be more than capable of running through tacklers. Averaged 9 yards a carry on the way to 1,750 yards rushing. Dray Norwood, sr., Milwaukee Washington: A two-way player who has been a linebacker first and a running back second. With teammate Kendall Burnett sidelined, the 6-1, 195-pound player will be counted on to pick up the slack for the Purgolders offensively. John Ray, sr., St. Francis: Excelled as a two-way starter for the defending Parkland Conference champion. Named first-team all-conference at linebacker and second-team at running back. Stands 6-1 and weighs 185 pounds. Tony Romo, sr., Burlington: Arguably the top passer in the area. The 6-2, 200-pound quarterback ranked sixth in the state last season with 1,851 yards, c
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; On paper, the Classic 8 appears to be a classic combination. Name one of the area's top prep football programs and there is a chance it has been aligned into the Classic 8. That is true of powerhouses Arrowhead, Waukesha Catholic Memorial and Mukwonago as well as up-and-coming teams like Milwaukee
RB Adrian Hull Liberty, Sr. ...
The Washington Post ; RB Adrian Hull Liberty, Sr. An honorable mention All-Met, Hull led the Eagles in rushing, receiving and scoring this season. He carried 183 times for 1,420 yards and 15 touchdowns, caught 24 passes for 301 yards and two scores, and returned 31 punts and kickoffs for a combined 762 yards and four
Tasty proposition: BHS QB delivers on his promise ; Beavercreek linemen enjoy a steak dinner on Domicone after he rushed for more than 1,000 yards this year.
Dayton Daily News ; BEAVERCREEK -- Well done may not be how all the offensive linemen on the Beavercreek High School football team took their steaks. But it definitely is the best term to describe how they blocked this season for senior quarterback Zach Domicone. With two games left in the regular season, the Beavers
Hynoski at head of Tigers' list of accolades: Rushing for over 2,000 yards in his junior season, Henry Hynoski is the All-Anthracite Small School Offensive Player of the Year and one of seven Southern Columbia players on the first team.
Reading Eagle (Reading, PA) ; ... five interceptions to help the Hurricanes. Copyright (c) 2005, Reading Eagle, Pa. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-65 ...
PREP FOOTBALL: DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA TEAM AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA DEFENSE JOSH CUMMINGS, P, HART, SR.(Sports)(Statistical Data Included)
Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) ; ... Williams, DL, Paraclete Derrick Williams, DB, Campbell Hall DAILY NEWS 2001 PRESEASON TOP 10 1. Hart 2. Crescenta Valley 3. Westlake 4 ... 1) COACH OF THE YEAR: Jeff Cortez, Paraclete (see text) (2) DAILY NEWS 2001 PRESEASON TOP 10 (see text)
RB Dana Earley, Park View, Sr. ...
The Washington Post ; RB Dana Earley, Park View, Sr.: Ran for 162 yards and three fourth- quarter touchdowns in the Patriots' 28-7 victory over Loudoun Valley. Has rushed for 972 yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season. RB Mike Hull, Liberty, Jr.: Rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a 21-yard
Brian Taylor, Long Reach, Sr ...
The Washington Post ; Brian Taylor, Long Reach, Sr. For the second straight season, no one in the county was better than the Lightning's middle linebacker. Taylor had a team-high 130 tackles -- 74 unassisted -- to go along with an interception and a fumble recovery to lead one of the county's best units. Taylor, who
It's Larry Johnson Day as Penn State wins, 61-7; he gains 279 yards rushing in first half.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) ; Byline: Ray Parrillo STATE COLLEGE, Pa. _ There was the long, heartfelt bear hug he received from his teary-eyed younger brother before the game. There was the embrace he received from his proud, smiling father. And during play there were pats on the back and fist bumps from numerous teammates.
It's Larry Johnson Day as Penn State wins, 61-7; he gains 279 yards rushing in first half.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service ; STATE COLLEGE, Pa. _ There was the long, heartfelt bear hug he received from his teary-eyed younger brother before the game. There was the embrace he received from his proud, smiling father. And during play there were pats on the back and fist bumps from numerous teammates. Otherwise, no one laid a
DL Robert Appel, Broad Run, Sr ...
The Washington Post ; DL Robert Appel, Broad Run, Sr. -- Second-team all-Region II selection at offensive and defensive line was also a unanimous all- Dulles choice. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder totaled 72 tackles, including seven for a loss. DL Alex Field, Broad Run, Sr. -- First-team all-Dulles pick is area's most