FIRST TEAMOffensive Lineman, STEVE ROSSI, 6-3, 280, sr. (1986) - The biggest player on the team, Rossi "has the feet, the size, and the tools to be an outstanding offensive lineman." said Coach Barry Blackstone
Offensive Lineman, JASON PETERS, 6-7, 275, sr. (1989) - Wildcats coach Barry Blackstone said Peters is one of the best pass-blocking linemen he has ever seen. "He's a complete player." Blackstone said. Offensive Lineman, CHRIS TABACCA, 6-4, 255, sr. (1992) - Tabacca was the force behind the Wildcats' much-improved running game. "He's as good as any lineman we saw all year." coach John Sines said. Quarterback, STEVE BAIRD, 6-3, 190, sr. (1993) - Baird was equally dangerous running (1,162 yards, 17 touchdowns) or throwing (973 yards, 10 TD's) as he helped Hilliard reach the playoffs for the first time. "He's just an incredible athlete." Sines said. (OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR) Linebacker, WILLIE EASTERDAY, 6-0, 200, sr. (1993) - The Wildcats' leading tackler for two seasons, Easterday is not overcoached. Sines said "He has a couple of base fundamental responsibilities, but after that he goes to the football." he said. Offensive Lineman, TOM ERB, 6-4, 275, sr. (1993) - An excellent drive blocker who showed remarkable agility. Erb "was the catalyst and the power of our offensive line." coach John Sines said. "If we had to have it that's where we went." Wide Receiver, MIKE FURREY, 6-0, 160, sr. (1994) - The only two-way regular for the Wildcats, Furrey had 31 catches for 628 yards, 404 yards in punt returns, five interceptions for 200 yards and scored 12 TDs. "He was our big play player." coach John Sines said. Defensive Lineman, ERICH HOPKINS, 6-2, 260, sr. (1994) - "If you tried to single-block him he'd eat you up." coach John Sines said of Hopkins, who had 90 tackles, six sacks. "He was a monster in the games he played well and he usually played well." Offensive Lineman, DEREK PROPST, 6-2, 265, sr. (1996) - Hilliard rushed for a school record 277 yards per game and Propst was a big reason why. "He's the type of kid who blocks 'til the whistle blows." coach John Sines said. "When we started rolling he was the kid we ran behind." Linebacker, CHUCK BERGER, 6-2, 220, sr. (1997) - A Dick Butkus clone who has narrowed his college choices to Stanford and Pitt, Berger led the Wildcats in tackles the past two seasons "He's got great speed and plays the game with a great deal of intensity." coach John Sines said. "There's not a whole lot he doesn't have." Running Back, ERICK PHILLIPS, 5-10, 205, jr. (2000) - Personifying Davidson's gritty work ethic, Phillips used his jackhammer approach and quick feet to rush for 1,923 yards and 20 TDs. "He has the ability to carry the ball inside or outside with the same effectiveness." coach Brian White said. "His talents are second to none, as far as I'm concerned." Running Back, ERICK PHILLIPS, 5-10, 206, sr. (2001) - Although his numbers (1,845 yards and 21 TDs) are impressive in their own right you had to watch Phillips to appreciate how hard earned his yards were. "People geared up to stop him every week, but he still did the job week in and week out." White said. (OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR) Linebacker, BEN STROUP, 6-1, 185, sr. (2001) - The fulcrum of Davidson's small but feisty defense, Stroup led the Wildcats in tackles for the third straight season. "He ran to the ball extremely well and made big tackles at big times for us." White said. Offensive Lineman, KEVIN THOMAS, 6-3, 230, sr. (2001) - The only returning starter up front, Thomas made first team All-Central District as a junior and senior. "Kevin was the foundation of our line, the kid we ran behind almost exclusively at times." Coach Brian White said. Running Back, CHRISTEN HAYWOOD, 5-8, 180, jr. (2004) - Equally effective between the tackles and on the perimeter, Haywood rushed for 1,991 yards and 25 TDs in leading Davidson to a regional final. "He gained more yards in less downs than he did last year and you have to remember that he came out early in a lot of big wins." coach Brian White said. (OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR) Defensive Lineman, BEN MERICK, 6-3, 220, sr. (2004) - With 15 sacks and 20 negative tackles from his end spot, Merick anchored an aggressive defense that yielded 9.1 points per game. "Ben did an equally good job putting pressure on the run as he did the pass." coach Brian White said. "And he was just as vital for us on the offensive side as a tight end." Running Back, CHRISTEN HAYWOOD, 5-8, 192, sr. (2005) - Despite missing 4 1/2 games with a knee injury and sharing backfield duties with Bo Delande (1,308 yards, nine TDs), Haywood still racked up 1,688 yards and 16 touchdowns in leading Davidson to a Division I state semifinal. "Christen did a lot more for us than gain a lot of yards the last two years." coach Brian White said. "He stepped up and took a leadership role on this team." (OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE YEAR) Linebacker, ANDY SENA, 5-11, 195, sr. (2005) - The driving force of Davidson's swarming, hard-hitting defense, Sena finished with 135 tackles, including 10 for minus yardage, and six sacks. "Andy typified the heart, intensity and the passion that our defense played with all year." White said. Linebacker, J.B. STRAHLER, 6-1, 215, sr. (2006) - Davidson's leader in negative yards tackles and sacks, Strahler was a consistent force in the Wildcats' back-to-back deep tournament runs. "J.B. has a tremendous impact in every game because he makes big plays." coach Brian White. (DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Offensive Lineman, JOSH SUCHECKI, 6-2, 265, sr. (2008) - Also a center, Suchecki served as the point man for Davidson's run-oriented offense. "Another coach commented that on film Josh stood out as our best player, and for someone to say that about a lineman just about says it all," coach Brian White said. "He plays with great tenacity and ferociousness." Defensive Lineman, TYLER BACKSTROM, 6-5, 210, sr. (2008) - Davidson's only full-time two-way starter, Backstrom sparked a defense that allowed 7.6 points per game with 64 tackles (10 for minus yardage), six sacks, three forced fumbles and 10 bat-downs at end. He also returned an interception for a touchdown. "Tyler was in just about every play for us all season, and at the Division I level that's almost unheard of anymore." coach Brian White said. Offensive Lineman, PHIL HUFF, 6-3, 250, sr. (2009) - The catalyst of Davidson's punishing triple-option attack, Huff started at tackle as a sophomore and guard as a junior before switching to center. "That's where we try to put our best kid because he's responsible for all of our line and protection calls," coach Brian White said. Linebacker, KENNY KLATT, 6-0, 190, sr. (2009) - A third-year starter with an uncanny nose for the ball, Klatt entered the Division I state final with 156 tackles (10 for loss), four sacks, three caused fumbles, three recovered fumbles and four batdowns. "Kenny has a motor that never stops, not even in practice, and that's why he's been our leading tackler for three years now," coach Brian White said. Kicker, JD DETMER, 5-10, 169, sr. (2010) - A key component of a Davidson team driven by defense, field position and ball control, Detmer led the area in kick scoring. He made 13 of 16 fieldgoal attempts - including one of 58 yards and six of 40 or longer - and was 53 of 55 on extra points for 92 points. "What JD has done for this program the past three seasons is invaluable," coach Brian White said. Defensive Lineman, KEITH HEITZMAN, 6-4, 250, sr. (2010) - A unanimous choice as the Central District Division I Defensive Player of the Year, Heitzman used his brute strength and athleticism to overwhelm opponents. He also was one of Davidson's top blockers at tight end. "He was a game-changer on both sides of the ball," White said. (DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Defensive Lineman, SAM COLES, 5-11, 190, sr. (2011) - A first-team all-Ohioan and Central District defensive player of the year, Coles played an invaluable role for the Wildcats. He had 70 tackles, 16 for minus-yardage, and 11 sacks at end for a defense that allowed only 58 points. Rotating between tight end and fullback, he was a punishing blocker at the point of attack in Davidson’s option offense. Offensive Lineman, JARED JOHNS, 5-10, 211, jr. (2012) - Projected as a defensive lineman, Johns willingly moved to center and played a vital role in Davidson’s unlikely return to a regional championship game. “Most of our best athletes prefer to play defense, but Jared realized that center is a very high priority in our offense and he bit the bullet,” coach Brian White said. “I anticipate him excelling two ways next year.” Defensive Lineman, ALEX BACKENSTOE, 6-1, 230, sr. (2013) — A dynamic playmaker as a hybrid end/outside linebacker, Backenstoe finished with 14 sacks and 23 tackles for loss and was chosen Division I state defensive player of the year. He also was a vital blocker at tight end in the Wildcats’ run-oriented triple option. (DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Running Back, D.D. CLARK, 5-10, 184, sr. (2013) — The primary threat in Davidson’s prolific triple-option, Clark rushed for 2,007 yards on 298 carries (6.7 average) with 20 touchdowns. He topped 100 yards in all but one game, a blowout in which he sat out the second half. Defensive Back, NICK STULL, 6-1, 178, sr. (2013) — Anchoring the back of a Davidson defense that allowed 9.1 points a game, Stull made three interceptions, 90 tackles and five forced fumbles. He totaled four touchdowns on defense and special teams. Linebacker, MARKUS BAILEY, 6-1, 217, sr. (2014) - Fighting through injuries all season, Bailey still managed to collect 92 tackles - six for loss - with two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. The Purdue recruit scored two defensive touchdowns. Linebacker, RYAN TUCHOW, 5-11, 205, sr. (2015) - One of many standouts on a defense that allowed just 6.2 points per game, Tuchow had 120 tackles (10 for loss), with three interceptions and two forced fumbles for a regional finalist. Linebacker, ETHAN ROYER, 6-2, 215, sr. (2018) A focal point of a Davidson defense that allowed just 10.5 points per game, Royer made 132 tackles (five for loss), three interceptions and four pass knockdowns. SECOND TEAM
HONORABLE MENTION
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