First-team kicker Jeremy Ross among three Pioneer players on All-State list
DETROIT (AP) — Pioneer High School placekicker Jeremy Ross was named Associated Press first team Division 1-2 All-State, one of three Pioneer players honored by a 10-person panel of sports writers statewide.
Pioneer wide receiver Ricardo Miller made the special mention list, which means he received two or more votes from the panel. Pioneer lineman Esham Farha and Huron wide receiver Jeremy Jackson were named to the honorable mention list; as was Lincoln quarterback/defensive back/punter Andrew Dillon, who was honored as an all-purpose "specialist."
Detroit Southeastern's William Gholston, a 6-foot-7, 255-pound linebacker/tight end, was named the state's Player of the Year after recording 115 tackles, 27 sacks, two fumble recoverines and and an interception return for a touchdown.
Gholston committed to Michigan State before the start of the season, but Southeastern coach Donshell English said it's likely he will take two, possibly more, official visits to other schools. English said those other schools, other than MSU, are Alabama, Florida and Southern California.
The 2009 Associated Press Division 1-2 All-State football team, selected by Michigan sports writers:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR William Gholston, Detroit Southeastern, 6-7, 255, Sr.
QUARTERBACKS Devin Gardner, Inkster, 6-4, 195, Sr. Jason Fracassa, Sterling Heights Stevenson, 5-9, 175, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS Ben Brown, Romeo, 6-0, 190, Sr. Jeremy Langford, Westland John Glenn, 6-1, 190, Sr. Aaron Bailey, Woodhaven, 5-9, 180, Sr. Austin Graham, Lowell, 6-0, 205, Sr. Charlie Leffingwell, Midland, 5-9, 195, Sr.
RECEIVERS Pat Lancaster, Gibraltar Carlson, 6-3, 200, Sr. D.J. Mershman, Sterling Heights Stevenson, 5-11, 175, Sr. Tony Jones, Grand Blanc, 6-1, 180, Sr. Keontre' Miskel, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-2, 175, Sr.
LINEMEN Connor Kruse, Lowell, 6-5, 315, Sr. Corey Stone, Sterling Heights Stevenson, 6-1, 275, Sr. Niko Palazeti, Detroit Catholic Central, 6-2, 245, Sr. Jordan Goetz, Grand Haven, 6-0, 255, Sr. Alvin Fletcher, Muskegon, 5-9, 240, Sr. Jordan Sanders, Rochester Adams, 6-2, 275, Sr.
LINEBACKERS William Gholston, Detroit Southeastern, 6-7, 255, Sr. Randy Hogan, Lowell, 6-2, 225, Sr. Justin Cherocci, Birmingham Brother Rice, 6-0, 221, Sr. Nores Fradi, Dearborn, 5-11, 205, Sr. Brett Egnatuk, Rockford, 6-1, 205, Jr.
DEFENSIVE BACKS Greg Wickliffe, Muskegon, 5-7, 175, Sr. Chris Laneaux, Portage Northern, 6-0, 175, Jr. Kevin King, Dearborn Edsel Ford, 5-11, 195, Sr.
SPECIALIST Ryan Darby, Rockford, 6-1, 180, Sr.
PUNTER Kyle Brindza, Plymouth, 6-1, 190, Sr.
PLACEKICKER Jeremy Ross, Ann Arbor Pioneer, 5-5, 145, Sr.
COACH OF THE YEAR Mike Farley, Grand Haven.
SPECIAL MENTION (nominees receiving two or more votes from the 10-member panel)
RUNNING BACKS: Bryce Lindberg, Howell; Austin White, Livonia Stevenson.
RECEIVERS: Ricardo Miller, Ann Arbor Pioneer; Dominick Todd, Holt; Baquer Sayed, Dearborn Fordson.
LINEMEN: Johnathan Hankins, Detroit Southeastern; Carter Staffeld, Canton; Jeff Dean, Clarkston.
LINEBACKERS: Steve O'Shell, Warren De La Salle; David Kolanek, Bay City Western; Mike Kinville, Detroit Catholic Central.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Justin Ford, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills.
SPECIALIST: Dior Mathis, Detroit Cass Tech.
KICKER: Robbie Flinn, Romeo.
HONORABLE MENTION (nominees receiving one or no votes from the 10-member panel)
QUARTERBACKS: Ben Filimon, Warren Mott; Ryan Morley, Grand Blanc, Tyler Hamilton, Fenton; Ali Baidoun, Dearborn Fordson; Tyler Scarlett, Clarkston; Luke Wiest, Caledonia.
RUNNING BACKS: Justice Wright, Sterling Heights Stevenson; Justice Hayes, Grand Blanc; Spencer Munson, Portage Central; Paris Powell, Detroit Southeastern; Deonte Hurst, East Kentwood.
RECEIVERS: Jeremy Jackson, Ann Arbor Huron; Kevonte Martin-Manley, Birmingham Brother Rice.
LINEMEN: Esham Farha, Ann Arbor Pioneer; Dan Gear, Southgate Anderson; Bruce Tebelman, Dearborn Edsel Ford; Joe Snyder, Detroit Catholic Central; Sterlin Griffin, Inkster; Nick DiMiro, Rochester Adams; Josh Leys, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills; Kelsey Kilby, Grand Haven; Craig Wilson, Traverse City West.
LINEBACKERS: Dontavius Bryant, Detroit King; Ryan Spicuzzi, Macomb Dakota; Alex Davison, Grand Ledge; D.J. Lynch, Auburn Hills Avondale; Maurice Davenport, Southfield; Jack Quigley, Birmingham Seaholm; Joey Holton, Howell; Desmond Morgan, Holland West Ottawa; David Churchwell, Muskegon; Payton McCallum, Lapeer East; Preston Haggadone, Lapeer West.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Daniel Easterly, Detroit Cass Tech; Travis Kamstra, Grandville; Joe Hines, Jackson; Daniel Lindsey, Inkster.
SPECIALISTS: Andrew Dillon, Ypsilanti Lincoln.
KICKERS: Mason Krysinski, Utica Eisenhower; Paul Mudgett, Rockford.
PUNTERS: Jimmy Allen, Fenton; Corey Smith, Detroit Catholic Central.
COACHES: Tom Mach, Detroit Catholic Central; Noel Dean, Lowell; Rick Bye, Sterling Heights Stevenson.