2008 Game-Night All-Area Football Team

The football season has come and gone and there were plenty of big accomplishments this year.
For the third year in a row the Game Night staff of Cody Dyer of The Carthage Press and Cody Thorn at The Neosho Daily News are honoring the area players. Coaches and fellow media members voted for the players.

The highlights this year included Webb City winning its eighth state championship, and Neosho and Carthage making the playoffs in Class 4. On the individual level, East Newton’s Justin Guinn had a giant year carrying the ball, while Sarcoxie’s Seth Root was a tackling-machine for Jeff Kabance’s squad.

Without further ado, here is the 2008 Game Night All-Area Football Team.

First team offense
QB – Trey Derryberry, Carthage: Derryberry was named to the All-Central Ozark Conference and All-District for his effort this season. The Tigers’ senior signal caller came onto the scene as a sophomore, solidifying the quarterback position for the Tigers and will be missed next season. He passed for 2,222 yards and rushed for 615 to help lead the Tigers back to the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

RB – Braxton Baker, Webb City: Baker, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior, beat the odds this season to help lead the Cardinals’ rushing attack. Baker was named the Central Ozark Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, while being selected to Class 4 All-State first team.

RB – Dillan Webb, Seneca: Webb, Michael Fyock and Allen Frost were all getting carries early in the year for Seneca, but Webb established himself as the go-to-player down the stretch. The junior finished second in the Big 8 Conference in rushing yards with 1,418, scoring 16 touchdowns and finished with 100 points.

RB – Justin Guinn, East Newton: Guinn started to take over the spotlight for the Patriots last fall when he took over for injured Danny Farmer at tailback during East Newton’s run to the state semifinals. This year, Guinn was the featured back and ran for a Big 8 Conference high 1,646 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was named to the Class 3 Coaches All-State first team.

WR – Nick Morrison, Neosho: Used as a running back in the past, Morrison became one of the top receivers in the area this year under Neosho’s spread offense. Morrison caught eight touchdowns and had 576 yards receiving. He was named to All-Central Ozark Conference and All-District first-teams.

WR – Clay Kinman, Carthage: Kinman was named to the All-Central Ozark Conference, All-District and All-State teams this season. He, along with Derryberry, led the Tigers both on and off the field this year. Kinman, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior, led all Carthage receivers with 927 yards this season, while compiling nine touchdowns.

OL – Parker Graham, Webb City: Graham was Webb City’s catalyst up front this season, providing plenty of running room for Baker.

OL – Cody Holland, Neosho: An example of how revered this 6-foot-6, 300 pound lineman is easy to find out – he was named All-State by both the coaches and sportswriters this year. He ends his career as a two-time all-state selection and could be the best lineman to ever play at Neosho.

OL – Jake Triplett, Carthage: Triplett, 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior, anchored Carthage’s offensive line this season. He made the switch from tackle to center this season and was rewarded by earning an All-State selection.

OL – Matt Bridges, Neosho: Bridges took over as the center this year for the Wildcats and had the task of snapping in a shotgun formation almost every down this year. He was named All-Ozark for his efforts this fall by the Springfield News-Leader.

OL –Brent Patterson, East Newton: A stalwart for the Patriots over recent years, Patterson was very versatile this fall. He played at tackle and at center as injuries to the offensive lineman forced the senior to fill voids and he didn’t show any signs of letdown. He was an All-Big 8 Conference selection.

P – Jake Brasfield, Webb City: Kicking and punting are sometimes overlooked at the prep level, but special teams have quickly become an important phase to the high school game. Brasfield took over the kicking duties this season for the Cardinals. He averaged 36.79 yards per punt this year and pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard-line twice.
 
First team defense
DL – Xavier Morrison, Neosho: Morrison recorded 11 sacks this season, tops in the Central Ozark Conference and in the Game Night area as well. He used his speed to get by offensive tackles and either sack the quarterback from behind or deliver a punishing hit that led to fumbles.

DL – Austin Lepper, Webb City: Lepper, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior, was a force on the Cardinals’ defensive line, garnering All-Central Ozark Conference honors. Lepper finished with 53 tackles. Lepper’s play at the Class 4 Show-Me Bowl helped the Cardinals hang on to beat Jefferson City Helias for the team’s eighth state championship.

DL — Raleigh Neher, Jasper: His size and speed off the line has turned Neher into one of the best defensive ends in the Spring River Valley Conference. Jasper Head Coach Korey Gordon will rely on Neher, a junior, next season to be the Eagles’ defensive catalyst. His effort this season earned Neher a spot on the Spring River Valley All-Conference team.

LB – Cody Badgwell, Seneca: A steady linebacker for the Indians was named all-conference for his play this year. He led Seneca in tackles with 94.

LB – Anthony Westfield, Neosho: Perhaps the most versatile athlete on the Wildcats roster, Westfield moved around on offense from running back to center to tight end, but on defense he has been a rock at linebacker. He had 79 tackles this year and was named first-team All-Central Ozark Conference and All-District for his play.

LB – Alex Cutbirth, Carthage: Despite missing three games with an injury, Cutbirth garnered an All-State selection this season. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior was among the team leaders in tackles. His drive and commitment to the program made the Tigers’ defense one of the most respected units in the area.

LB — Seth Root, Sarcoxie: Root’s presence will be missed next season. Root totaled an astounding 125 tackles to lead the Sarcoxie defensive unit. His effort earned the senior All-Spring River Valley Conference honors.

DB – Trey Derryberry, Carthage: Derryberry, for the second consecutive season, was selected to the All-State team as a defensive back. Derryberry’s athletic ability made it possible for the senior to play both ways for the Tigers — not an easy task for someone who doubles as the starting quarterback.

DB – Preston Pryce, McDonald County: Perhaps very undervalued as a defensive player, Pryce was a steady force in the secondary. He was an all-conference selection as a junior, but because the Mustangs were independent this year, he wasn’t able to earn as many accolades.

DB – Boo Rodgers, Webb City: Marc “Boo” Rodgers came on late in the season for the Cardinals. Rodgers’ defensive play in the Class 4 semifinal against Kearney helped the Cardinals reach the 2008 Show-Me Bowl. Rodgers amassed a team-high 74 tackles for the state champion Cardinals.

DB — Nathan Freeland, Sarcoxie: Freeland will bring back valuable experience next year to the Bears’ defensive unit, which had its fair share of problems this year guarding against the pass. Freeland finished with 29 tackles and one interception this year to earn All-Spring River Valley Conference honors.

K – Jake Brasfield, Webb City: Brasfield took over the kicking duties for the Cardinals this season with the departure of graduating senior Shane VanStavern. Brasfield, a 6-foot sophomore, tallied 41 touchbacks during the 2008 campaign.

KR – Devron Moore, Carthage: Moore worked for every award he received in 2008. Moor’s versatility allowed the junior to play in all three phases of the game. Moore was selected All-District at three different positions, while earning All-State accolades as a returner.

Below are the ‘big’ awards and each winner will be honored with a trophy at a later date.
Coach of the Year: John Roderique

Player of the Year: Trey Derryberry

Offensive Player of the Year: Braxton Baker

Defensive Player of the Year: Xavier Morrison
 
Second team offense
QB – Mack Kyle, Webb City
RB – Jared Shurley, Neosho
RB – Brian Poston, Carthage
RB – Nate Bloss, Sarcoxie
RB – Cameron Scribner, Diamond
WR – Boo Rodgers, Webb City
WR – Devron Moore, Carthage
WR – Josh Bungitak, McDonald County
TE – Nick Chasten, Seneca
OL – Jeff Burwell, Seneca
OL – Jordan Smith, East Newton
OL – Gage Tiller, Carthage
OL – Addison Rainwater, Neosho
OL — Steven Rice, Webb City
P – Anthony Westfield, Neosho
 
Second team defense
DL – Hunter Luna, Webb City
DL – Josh Taylor, East Newton
DL – Gavin Rainwater, Neosho
LB – Seth Helton, Webb City
LB – C.P. Bycroft, Diamond
LB – Mark Lievens, Neosho
LB – Sam Mansfield, East Newton
LB – Adam Williams, Webb City
DB – Devron Moore, Carthage
DB – Nick Morrison, Neosho
DB — Jeff Piepenbrink, Jasper
K – Logan Burr, Neosho
KR – Jacob Khan, East Newton
 
Honorable Mention
QB – Alex Wise, Neosho
RB – C.P. Bycroft, Diamond; Aaron Bittle, East Newton; Allen Frost, Seneca
WR – Anthony Westfield, Neosho; Steven Ellefsen, Carthage; Mason Seibert, Carthage
OL —Tyler Hall, Sarcoxie; Aaron Ritchhart, Jasper; Addison Rainwater, Neosho; Josh Taylor, East Newton; Jess Whitehead, Seneca; Kenny Newman, Diamond
DL — Cody Caster, Carthage; Addison Rainwater, Neosho; George McKinney, Neosho
LB — Lincoln Cooper, Carthage; Cason Starbuck, East Newton; Allen Frost, Seneca; Jared Moffett, McDonald County
DB – Clayton Miller, East Newton; Riley Brown, East Newton; Scott Roderique, Webb City; Garrett Smallwood, Jasper