TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

A Happy Note

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: January 28, 2009

Nature Coast's dream season may have ended in a nightmare, but on Wednesday the program received some welcome good news.

Three players were named to the Class 3A All-State Team, as selected by Florida sports writers, including running back Tevin Drake, defensive back Mike Fields and offensive lineman Chad Dampier.

"First of all we've very excited for those three guys," Nature Coast Head Coach Jamie Joyner said. "Anytime you're honored for being the best in the state at what you do, it's an incredible accomplishment. Those three are very deserving.

"…It's satisfying. We take a lot of pride in that. It's been five years since we started. It's been a tough road to hoe but as a coaching staff we've had a lot of fun building the program. We're very happy and very excited for these young men to get that.

"It helps us build the program, get Nature Coast out there. It let's them know who we are and what we're about."

Encore performance

For the Sharks, 9-0 on the field in 2008 before forfeiting their final regular-season game against Central and a regional quarterfinal against Williston, this is the second straight year of three All-State selections.

Last season offensive lineman Tim LaRose was named second-team All-State, Fields third-team and Drake honorable mention.

This time the seniors Dampier and Fields both earned a second-team nod, while the junior Drake made the third team.

The 6-foot, 204-pound Drake, who played in only eight games missing one due to injury, ran for 1,196 yards on 166 carries, an average of 7.2 yards, and posted 20 rushing touchdowns.

That followed his sophomore campaign of 1,527 yards and 22 scores in 11 games. He currently stands at 3,580 yards and 53 rushing touchdowns for his prep career.

"It means a lot to me because it let's me know that I am doing something out there, that I'm working hard and reaching my goals," Drake said. "I wasn't really thinking about (All-State). I was thinking about going undefeated and winning a state championship.

"I knew if I worked hard and pushed myself, I'd make the All-State Team."

While Joyner tabbed Fields as the team's do-everything MVP, he pointed to Drake as the face of the program.

"He understands his role well," Joyner said. "He knows he'll be the one that gets his name in the paper and in our offense he'll get the lion's share of the touches. I'm happy with the way he's handled that.

"He has a tremendous work ethic. He never misses the weight room in the offseason. He doesn't miss track when he's out there getting ready for football. He's extremely dedicated and committed to what he wants to accomplish and it shows up on the field."

Fields didn't post the eye-popping numbers he did in 2007, when he recorded a county-record tying 10 interceptions, as opposing teams became more aware of his ball-hawking prowess.

Still, the 6-foot, 158-pounder managed to pick off five passes, recovered two fumbles and scored an impressive three defensive touchdowns.

"It's a big accomplishment," Fields said of repeating as All-State. "It shows I can compete. I really wanted first (team) but I'm happy with second. I've got to work harder.

"It shows I can go back-to-back and that my junior year wasn't just a fluke. It was the real deal. It shows I'm real good."

Fields also led the team in receiving with 22 catches for 386 yards and five scores.

"Mike kind of burst on the scene last year," Joyner said. "He did everything in the offseason to improve even if his numbers didn't say that. Obviously people were aware of him. We had to move him from corner to safety.

"He'll be missed in everything he's done. You always worry a little bit about guys who have bigger numbers throughout the year, so I'm glad he gets the respect we felt he deserved."

Dampier (6-foot, 207 pounds) became a full-time starter for the first time and was the only player on the line that came into the season with some starting experience.

Led by Dampier at right guard the unit paved the way for a Shark ground attack that averaged 7.1 yards per carry and scored 32 touchdowns.

"There's a lot of satisfaction, especially for a guy in his first year starting," Joyner said. "He's one of those guys that comes to the program and makes you think the program is working.

"He was a great leader for us up front. He took the reins, took the challenge and was a great influence on the guys coming up behind him."

Looking to pursue a career as a paramedic/firefighter, Dampier feels that his playing days are probably behind him. So this news provided a cherry on the top of his time on the gridiron.

"It means a lot to me," Dampier said. "I'm the only one being recognized on the offensive line. We're all a group. We work together.

"It's nice to be named all this stuff. I've been working for four years to achieve all this. It's good to end off the season on a happy note."

CLASS 3A ALL STATE TEAMS

1ST TEAM
Offense
QB A.J. Graham, Tallahassee Godby, 6-4/195, Sr.
RB Adrian Golden, New Port Richey Gulf, 5-8/183, Jr.
RB Jeremy Hester, Panama City Arnold, 5-8/165, Jr.
RB Marcus Shaw, Arcadia DeSoto County, 5-10/185, Jr.
OL Henry Orelus, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-4/290, Sr.
OL Rupert Bryant, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-2/275, Sr.
OL Nick Alajajian, Naples, 6-4/290, Sr.
OL Corey Gaines, Tallahassee Godby, 6-2/275, Sr.
OL Johnathan Ragoo, Miami Pace, 6-7/325, Jr.
WR Rantavious Wooten, Belle Glade Glades Central, 5-10/165, Sr.
WR Willie Downs, Tallahassee Godby, 6-3/200, Sr.
PK Brandon Tarpley, Palmetto, Jr.
UT Josh Johnson, Dade City Pasco, 6-0/180, Sr.
UT Carlos Hyde, Naples, 6-1/230, Sr.

Defense
DL Bernard Dawson, Jacksonville Jackson, 6-1/200, Sr.
DL Kedric Johnson, Palmetto, 6-4/210, Sr.
DL Mark Christmas, Dade City Pasco, 6-2/200, Sr.
DL Devouris Means, Fort Myers Dunbar, 6-2/185, Sr.
LB Anthony Session, Cocoa, 5-10/205, Sr.
LB Justin Jones, Tallahassee Godby, 6-0/205, Sr.
LB LaRoyal Beard, Sparr North Marion, 5-9/210, Sr.
LB Cazavious Ray, Sarasota Booker, 6-1/210, Sr.
DB Winfred Strickland, Cocoa, 6-0/175, Sr.
DB Kayvon Webster, Miami Pace, 5-11/190, Sr.
DB Jordan Fulford, Sparr North Marion, 5-8/165, Sr.
P Puma Nuredini, Naples, 5-10/165, Sr.
UT Travis Evans, Williston, 5-11/175, Sr.
UT Sterling Griffin, Miami Pace, 6-1/175, Sr.

2ND TEAM
Offense
QB L.J. Thomas, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-2/175, Jr.
RB Travaughn Brooks, Crystal River, 5-11/200, Jr.
RB Chevelle Buie, Cocoa, 5-9/165, Soph.
OL Damon Germany, Williston, 6-0/240, Sr.
OL Chad Dampier, Brooksville Nature Coast, 6-0/207, Sr.
OL Nick Gaines, Bradenton Braden River, 6-1/225, Sr.
OL Cody Adams, Sparr North Marion, 6-1/220, Sr.
TE John Plasencia, Tampa Jesuit, 6-5/240, Sr.
WR Kessey Graham, Tallahassee Godby, 5-10/160, Sr.
WR Shawn Corker, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 6-1/180, Jr.
PK Mark Sturgis, St. Augustine, 6-2/170, Soph.
UT Darion Hall, Naples Lely, 5-11/180, Jr.
UT James Boone, St. Cloud, 6-1/170, Jr.

Defense
DL Desmond Kearse, Fort Myers Dunbar, 6-0/150, Jr.
DL Altavious Dowdell, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-4/230, Sr.
DL Courtland Thomas, Sparr North Marion, 6-0/240, Jr.
DL Cullen Thompson, Panama City Arnold, 5-10/190, Jr.
DL Emmanuel Rackard, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-3/230, Sr.
LB Tim Saylor, Dade City Pasco, 5-10/185, Sr.
LB Hygens Succes, Belle Glade Glades Central, 5-11/205, Sr.
LB Jose Davila, Naples, 5-11/200, Jr.
LB Billy Nobles, Cocoa Space Coast, 6-2/195, Sr.
DB Mike Fields, Brooksville Nature Coast, 6-0/158, Sr.
DB Corey Addison, Jacksonville Jackson, 6-2/200, Sr.
DB JaJuan Harley, Tallahassee Rickards, 6-2/199, Sr.
P Brian Bennett, Ocala West Port, 6-0/200, Jr.
UT Erick McGriff, Tampa Jesuit, 6-4/195, Sr.

3RD TEAM
Offense
QB E.J. White, St. Cloud, 6-1/170, Sr.
RB Jamall Haynes, Dade City Pasco, 5-8/175, Sr.
RB Eddie Rocker, Sparr North Marion, 5-8/170, Sr.
RB Tevin Drake, Brooksville Nature Coast, 6-0/204, Jr.
OL Michael Vannucci, Sparr North Marion, 6-2/296, Jr.
OL Casey Gross, Sarasota Booker, 6-0/287, Soph.
OL Greg Summers, Arcadia DeSoto County, Sr.
OL Ronald Patrick, Cocoa, 6-2/275, Jr.
OL Chris Gipson, Panama City Arnold, 6-2/300, Sr.
WR Chris St. Hilaire, Tallahassee Godby, 5-9/165, Jr.
WR Damian Copeland, Palmetto, 6-3/175, Sr.
PK Robbie Anthony, Orlando Bishop Moore, 5-10/170, Sr.
UT Greg Pratt, Naples, 5-8/165, Sr.
UT Brodrick Jenkins, South Fort Myers, 5-10/177, Sr.

Defense
DL Jordan White, Williston, 6-3/305, Sr.
DL Jarrod Carmody, Dade city Pasco, 6-1/185, Sr.
DL Darryl Lee, St. Augustine, 6-2/190, Sr.
DL Robert Ferguson, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-3/210/Sr.
LB Brandon Hover, Tallahassee Godby, 5-11/195, Sr.
LB Tim Johnson, Palatka, 5-10/185, Sr.
LB Vernon Jenkins, Alachua Santa Fe, 5-11/195, Sr.
LB Aramis Calloway, Fort Myers Dunbar, 6-1/205, Sr.
DB Phillip Thomas, Miami Edison, 6-0/185, Sr.
DB Javarious Riley, Lake Wales, 5-11/185, Sr.
DB E.J. Johnson, Cocoa, 6-2/180, Jr.
DB Derek Owens, Jacksonville Jackson, 5-11/180, Jr.
P Marshall Morgan, Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy, 6-0/157, Fr.
UT Deonte Welch, Williston, 6-0/185, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION
QB Zack Wynn, Hudson, 6-3/190, Jr.
QB Chris Schirripa, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 6-4/189, Sr.
QB Brett Whitmire, Jacksonville Bishop Kenny, 6-2/200, Sr.
QB Jamaica Moore, Havana East Gadsden, 5-9/159, Sr.
RB Mike James, Davenport Ridge Community, 6-0/215, Sr.
RB Jeremy Willis, Tallahassee Rickards, 5-7/145, Sr.
RB Bubba Black, Dunnellon, 5-8/180, Jr.
OL George Davila, Naples, 6-2/280, Sr.
OL Denzel Bonner, Tallahassee Godby, 6-3/275, Sr.
OL Josh Garvin, Bartow, 6-3/240, Sr.
WR Lance Ray, Havana East Gadsden, 6-3/200, Sr.
WR Willie McNeal, Bradenton Braden River, 6-2/190, Sr.
WR Marterricus Thomas, Havana East Gadsden, 5-9/170, Sr.
DL Darius Cummings, Titusville Astronaut, 6-2/255, Jr.
DL Mike Mayoral, St. Augustine, 6-2/230, Sr.
DL Jake Bowen, Panama City Arnold, 6-3/245, Sr.
DL Tanner Motta, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 6-0/190, Soph.
LB Rodney Williams, Riverview Spoto, 6-0/235, Soph.
LB Ben Ferry, Orlando Bishop Moore, 6-0/200, Sr.
LB Issac Dixon, Miami Pace, 6-0/185, Jr.
LB Kyle Allen, St. Augustine Menendez, 6-0/190, Sr.
DB Vantrez Yarn, Palmetto, Sr.
DB Pablo Alvarez, Miami Belen Jesuit, 6-3/190, Jr.
DB Lee Smalls, Crawfordville Wakulla, 5-10/180, Sr.
PK Brennan Allen, Dade City Pasco, 6-1/190, Jr.
UT David Campbell, Live Oak Suwannee, 6-1/200, Sr.
UT Madison Burr, New Port Richey Gulf, 6-1/185, Jr.

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT