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Breaking down Barriers

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Hernando Christian Academy sophomore Ian Townsend

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: January 26, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Tiny Class 1B Brooksville-Hernando Christian Academy, with its 200 students from kindergarten through 12th grades, enjoyed a football season for the ages.
It's 2008 10-0 football team – the county's first perfect season since the 1949 Hernando High squad turned the trick – continues to rack up accolades.
Sports writers from around the state were polled and Class 1A and 1B All-State gridiron teams were released today.
For the first-time ever, the HCA Lions were included as sophomore defensive back/wide receiver Ian Townsend was feted as one of three DBs on the second team defense.
Townsend, 15, was the lone local representative to the squad.

Townsend 101

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Townsend is a multi-faceted student/athlete. Besides being the Lions' basketball team's leading scorer this winter, he's also a stout baseball player.
During football season, Brooksville's Townsend ranked eighth overall in rushing (82 carries, 549 yards, 4 touchdowns), was tied for third in the county (23 reps., 649 yards, almost a 29.0 yard average and 6 TDs).
On defense, where HCA allowed seven points or less points six times, Townsend ranked fourth in tackles (33) and swiped a county-best five passes – including returning two picks for touchdowns.
"This (making All-State) is amazing," said HCA Head Coach David Raley, who is 16-2 after two seasons. "It's incredible. After all the stuff we've been through, it's great to have someone selected. Ian is not only a great football player, he's a terrific kid. Honestly, I don't think he knows how good he really is."
How solid a season did Townsend enjoy?
"Truthfully, he could have had 5-6 more interceptions," admitted Coach Raley. "He had a few drops; otherwise he has 11-12 picks. If you look at us, Ian was one of the main reasons we went 10-0. We like to run the ball and we like to stop the other teams. Ian excelled in both areas. We try to kinda hide him on offense to use his versatility."
What about Townsend breaking the barrier of HCA's first-ever state pick?
"Guys like Ian (Townsend), Josh (Romeo) and David (Rotteveel) could play for any school," added Raley. "But Ian is the team's leading scorer in basketball and his best sport may be baseball. He's a terrific athlete and has a terrific support system with his parents."
Reached for comment, Ian's mother Debbie, said, "We've very proud of him. But he couldn't have done this without the rest of the team. It was a great season that kinda all came together."
"This is amazing," admitted Townsend. "I'm kinda speechless. This (All-State) is exciting. I know I worked real hard. But I've got to give credit to our D-line they shut the other teams down and forced them to pass. And I wouldn't be here without the support from (Defensive Coordinator Scott) Coach Knight or Coach Raley.
"Coach Raley deserves the most credit," he added. "He was the one that put together a great team."
HCA Athletic Director Mike Drummond said Monday's announcement was special in many ways.
"We've tried to get our athletes recognized for years," said Drummond. "But when you play in 1B, you tend to get overlooked. What Ian did is remarkable. We feel like we have a good athletic foundation but every year, we know we're gonna lose kids to other schools. Today's announcement is like winning the Super Bowl for us. And yeah, it couldn't have happened to a better person.
What sets Townsend apart?
"He's not done yet, he'll have a chance to possibly be the greatest athlete we've ever had on this campus," replied Drummond on his honor roll three-sport athlete. "His athleticism stands out. I've never seen a guy who wants to win more than Ian Townsend does. And he's determined to get his teammates involved. He's a special kid. And he's not even old enough to drive yet."

By the Numbers: HCA's Ian Townsend
Compiled by TONY CASTRO

DEFENSIVE STATS
YEAR SOLO  ASST    TTK   TFL SK      QBP     CF        FR  BLK    PB       INT
2008 25  08 33  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  5**
** Denotes two touchdowns

FINAL 2008 Hernando County Offensive Top 10 Stats
TOP 10 RUSHING
RK.   PLAYER, SCHOOL  ATT YDS AVG. TD LG
8.  Townsend, HCA   82  549 6.70  04 69

FINAL TOP 10 RECEIVING
RK  PLAYER, SCHOOL   REP  YDS YPC    TD  LG
3. Townsend, HCA 23   649 28.2   06  80 

FINAL TOP 10 INDIVIDUAL SCORING
RK. PLAYER, SCHOOL   TD    PAT    2-PT.    FG        SF TP
3. Townsend, HCA 13 0        1/1 0 0 80
4. Kautsky, N. HCA 8 0        3/4 0 0 54
4. Greco, SPG  9 0 0 0 0 54
6. Roberson, SPG 8 0          0 0 0 48
6. Noury, SPG  8 0          0 0 0 48
6. Mahla, SPG  8 0 0 0 0 48
6. Fields, NCT  8 0 0 0 0 48
10. Read, CEN  7 0 0 0 0 42
 
CLASS 1B ALL STATE TEAMS

1ST TEAM
Offense
QB Will Indianos, Gainesville Oak Hall, 5-10/190, Sr.
RB Breon Allen, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-8/150, Soph.
RB Frainy Alfrena, Hollywood Sheridan Hills Christian, 5-9/185, Sr.
RB Frantanzy Bryant, Jacksonville Eagle's View, 5-8/175, Jr.
WR Matt Slack, Maitland Orangewood Christian, 6-0/160, Sr.
OL Andy Hackett, Jupiter Christian, 6-2/220, Sr.
OL David Delsoin, Hollywood Sheridan Hills Christian, 6-2/281, Jr.
OL Tyler Ayers, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-10/190, Jr.
OL Dean Baptiste, Orlando Pine Castle Christian, 6-1/309, Sr.
OL L.J. Kelley, South Daytona Warner Christian, 6-3/240, Jr.
PK Gene Rodrick, Gainesville Oak Hall, 6-2/185, Sr.
UT Marshyl Rothman, Jupiter Christian, 5-9/160, Jr.

Defense
DL James Foster, Jupiter Christian, 6-1/205, Sr.
DL Alex Williams, Tallahassee FAMU High, 6-5/215, Sr.
DL Jamari Daniels, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-10/215, Soph.
LB Matt Hukill, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-8/180, Sr.
LB Taylor Marsh, Jupiter Christian, 6-2/210, Sr.
LB Willie Ferrell, Tallahassee FAMU High, 6-3/220, Sr.
LB Will Powers, Jupiter Christian, 5-9/180 Jr.
DB Westin Pedersen, Jupiter Christian, 6-2/175, Jr.
DB Justin Miles, Graceville, 5-11/165, Sr.
DB Chavon Mackey, Jacksonville Eagle's View, 5-8/175, Sr.
DB Austin Lewis, Jupiter Christian, 5-9/185, Sr.
P David Alls, Orlando Pine Castle Christian, 5-9/167, Sr.
UT David Wilson, Lakeland Victory Christian, 6-0/180, Sr.

2ND TEAM
Offense
QB Eric Fridenberg, Bradenton Christian, 6-3/205, Sr.
RB D'onte Payne, Tallahassee FAMU High, 5-8/200, Sr.
RB Rashod Byers, Jacksonville Eagle's View, 5-8/155, Soph.
RB Cody Large, Orlando Pine Castle Christian, 5-10/187, Sr.
OL Arlen Foster, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-9/180, Jr.
OL Devonte King, Gainesville St. Francis, 6-1/235, Jr.
OL Sean Babb, Gainesville Oak Hall, 5-11/216, Sr.
OL Triston Welch, Jacksonville Eagle's View, 6-3/285, Jr.
OL Tom Brandon, Jupiter Christian, 5-11/225, Sr.
TE Charlie Cowley, Boca Raton Christian, 6-4/260, Jr.
WR Rashad Greene, South Daytona Warner Christian, 6-2/160, Jr.
WR Casey Anderson, Monticello Aucilla Christian, 5-8/155, Sr.
PK Aaron Gendreau, Maitland Orangewood Christian, 5-11/175, Jr.
UT Anthony Bruder, Orlando Lutheran, 5-11/165, Jr.

Defense
DL Hunter Weaver, Deltona Trinity Christian, 6-2/210, Jr.
DL Jamie Onufrak, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, Sr.
DL Thomas Hernandez, Hollywood Sheridan Hills Christian, 6-0/165, Sr.
LB Grady Morrell, Lakeland Victory Christian, 6-0/225, Sr.
LB Ron Britzius, Orlando Lutheran, 6-1/220, Sr.
LB Leron Hoover, Graceville, 5-10/200, Jr.
LB Jeremy Bailey, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-9/185, Sr.
LB Spencer Buck, Maitland Orangewood Christian, 6-1/205, Sr.
DB Printence Dunkley, South Daytona Warner Christian, 5-9/140, Sr.
DB Anthony Mosely, Jacksonville Arlington Country Day, 5-10/170, Sr.
DB Ian Townsend, Brooksville Hernando Christian, 6-2/185, Soph.
P Brian Henley, Lakeland Santa Fe, 5-10/210, Sr.
UT Seth Roberts, Tallahassee Maclay, 6-0/175, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION
QB Tony Gurry, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, Sr.
QB Kyle Campbell, Lakeland Santa Fe, 6-0/205, Sr.
QB Michael Slack, Maitland Orangewood Christian, 5-11/160, Jr.
QB Tim Davis, Merritt Island Christian, 5-10/180, Jr.
QB Cameron Hadley, Ormond Beach Calvary Christian, 5-8/165, 8th
QB Alex McGriff, Deltona Trinity Christian, 5-11/175, Jr.
RB A.J. Strong, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, Jr.
RB Matt Bishop, Monticello Aucilla Christian, 5-10/180, Sr.
RB Cody Watson, Quincy Munroe, 6-1/175, Sr.
RB Josh Mansingh, Winter Garden Foundation, 5-10/180, Sr.
RB Demetrio Edwards, Deltona Trinity Christian, 5-10/180, Sr.
WR Chris Taylor, DeLand Lighthouse Christian, 6-4/190, Sr.
TE Brannen Huckery, Lakeland Santa Fe, 6-5/185, Sr.
LB Anthony Brown, Gainesville St. Francis, 5-10/190, Soph.
LB Stuart Cobb, Bradenton Christian, 5-10/195, Sr.
LB Donald Heath, Ormond Beach Calvary Christian, 6-1/185, Jr.
LB Jared Adams, Ocala St. John, 6-2/200, Jr.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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