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"Obviously, he was our workhorse. He put up some great numbers and we take pride in our running game," said Peck coach Rob Pouch. "But, he's also one of the most unselfish players we've had. He's first to give credit to our offensive linemen. And, he's a true role model. It really showed in his dedication in the weight room...He's a natural leader. The kids look up to him."

While Mann was the force on the Peck offense this fall, Austin Comment was at the center of an explosive Marlette offensive attack. The 6', 165 pound senior quarterback utilized his exciting running ability and a passing game that produced over 2,100 yards of total offense. Comment rushed for 1,020 yards on 117 carries and 15 touchdowns and threw for 1,152 yards, completing 58 of 109, and a school record 14 TDs. He also had just four interceptions on the season. Comment turned around and started in the defensive secondary, too.

"I wouldn't say he was a typical quarterback. He loves the running part, but hates the throwing part of it," noted Marlette coach Dennis Lester. "But, he's just a tremendous athlete, a special athlete. Why I had him at quarterback was because I wanted the ball in his hands every play. At anytime he could go and take it all the way."

One of the fiercest competitors on both sides of the line the last couple of seasons has been Deckerville's Billy Ray Howard. The 6', 280 pound two-way tackle is just one of two repeat selections to the All-County team this season.

"He was definitely a dominant force on defense, teams had to run away from him," Bill Brown, Deckerville coach, remarked. "Basically, he carried us a couple of games on defense this year when we needed it. Offensively, he was a big, physical player. But, the biggest thing about him is his work ethic."

The Peck Pirates were led on both sides of the line this fall by Jesse Germain, the second repeat selection to the All-County team. The senior guard/defensive tackle (6'2, 207) was a big part of the success of the Pirates' Wing-T running attack and was a physical, but quick, down linemen on the defensive side. Germain led Peck in tackles with 25 solos, 78 assists, 20 tackles for a loss and also had four forced fumbles.

Pouch commented, "He's one kid that you would want your own kids to be like. He's very respectful, he's good in school. And, he's a hard-nosed football player Ð it's what Peck football is about." He added, "He's one of the quickest players we have on the team. (On defense) he got double and triple teamed a lot...and he's got a natural nose for the ball."

With such a small and inexperienced offensive line, the Sandusky Redskins turned to an air attack to open up the offense this season. One of the key figures there was senior receiver Derek Neumayer, who set a school record for receptions in a season. The 6'2", 170 pound senior used good hands and athletic ability to grab 52 passes for a total of 698 yards and six touchdowns this fall. Neumayer also captained the defense from a safety spot and was in on 73 tackles. He also returned six punts for 162 yards.

Coach Brad Bays of the Redskins commented on Neumayer. "He really turned in a great year as a leader for us. As a receiver, he was the main focus of our offense and he did a great job in that role. There were a couple of games he didn't get much because teams really went after him. Teams, sometimes, tried to be physical with him, but he proved he could be physical, too. Also, on defense, he was our leader and called the plays."

Another extraordinary athlete on the Marlette Red Raiders this fall was John Bishop. The 6', 165 pound wide receiver/back accounted for 10 touchdowns this fall, either receiving, rushing or on returns. As a wide-out, Bishop caught 19 passes for 389 yards and seven TDs. As a back on counter plays and reverses, he carried 34 times for 384 (11.3 avg.) and two TDs. He averaged 18.8 yards per punt return, scoring one touchdown, and 21.5 yards per kick-off return. Bishop also started on defense in the secondary.

Lester commented, "We had lots of skilled players and we tried to spread it around, but John's a special athlete. He's got breakaway speed and he's elusive enough to get out in the open. When he does, he's gone."

Sandusky was not the best defensive team around, by far, this season, but it wasn't because of the play of Charles Anderson. The 5'11", 160 junior turned in a gritty performance at linebacker all season, finishing with 77 solo tackles and 63 assists. Anderson, who played through a knee injury most of the season, was also one of Sandusky's more effective offensive lineman, despite being out-sized all the time.

"He's one of the toughest kids I've ever coached," lauded Coach Bays. "He's not a real big kid, but he hits like a big kid. He brought everything he had. As a guard, he was one of our best offensive blockers."

Derek Sheridan was a major contributor in Cros-Lex's talent-rich squad in 2005 and 2006 that won consecutive BWAC co-championships and went to the playoffs, but didn't get all the recognition. In this, his senior season with the Pioneers, the 5'8", 160 pound running back/linebacker was a top player on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he rushed for 417 yards and six touchdowns and added 11 pass interceptions for 166 yards and a score. On the other side, he was all over, finishing with 69 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

"He was an exceptional leader and had an outstanding work ethic," praised Cros-Lex coach Pat Connell. "He was one kid that was fun to be around, too, and it rubbed off on others. He did a lot for us."

If there was one player that was truly the heart-and-soul of a team this year, it was probably CPS's Pat Buiting. When the 6'2", 180 pound senior was lost for the season with a knee injury in week seven, it was a big void to fill on offense and defense. Buiting, a four-year varsity player, was the spark on defense at linebacker, where he was in on 54 tackles and one sack. As a first-time running back, he carried the ball 75 times for 445 yards and three TDs.

Coach Eric Frank of the Tigers commented on Buiting. "He was an outstanding leader. The whole team looked up to him. It really hurt us when he went down. You could see the energy go out of the team. He's a very physical, aggressive player and was a real vocal leader for us."

Perhaps one of the most unheralded players, but certainly one of the most productive, this season was Tony Santana of Deckerville. At 5'10", 175, the senior was not the most imposing figure but delivered both as a running back and on defense from several positions. He moved into the starting fullback slot halfway through the season and rushed for 432 yards on 55 carries and scored six touchdowns. Santana likely led the Eagles in tackles on defense where he went from a back position, to linebacker, and,finally, as a nose tackle.

Coach Brown commented, "He played multiple places for us on defense, but nose tackle became his best position. He had multiple times he was in the backfield (in the playoff games). He was making big plays all year. He was one of our most valuable players on defense, and maybe on both sides of the ball."

Nick Jex was simply a playmaker for the Cros-Lex Pioneers this past season. A second-year starter, Jex (6-2, 155) contributed heavily as a wide receiver on offense and a safety on defense. He was one of the leading tacklers on the team before seeing his season end because of injury in the second-to-last game. His stats there included 55 tackles, three interceptions, four pass break-ups, and five forced fumbles, a likely team record. On offense, Jex had 19 receptions for 338 yards, with four TDs, and also ran the ball occasionally and added two more touchdowns.

Connell commented. "Opposing teams had to try to take Nick away - he was a big offensive threat. He was a great kid and a great leader. Defensively, he made sure everybody was in the right coverage. Offensively, he made sure the rest of the receivers were in the right sets and the right formations."

One of the most pleasant surprises for the Deckerville coaching staff was the emergence of Marcus Kemp. The 6', 175 pound running back led the Eagles Wing-T rushing attack this fall, carrying 142 times for 917 yards and 14 touchdowns. Kemp also came on and played consistently in the defensive secondary.

"He was a workhorse for us. He carried the ball quite a lot Ð he's a tough runner and a slashing runner. There were a couple of games he didn't have a lot of yards (games when the Eagles had big, early leads), or he would have been over 1,000 yards." Coach Brown then added, "He's a great kid. We just want him to put a little more muscle on him for next year. He could get a lot of carries."

Basically the only veteran lineman on the team, Andy Warner had to help along the younger Marlette Red Raider trench players. A three-year starter, the 6'3", 270 pound senior anchored the line on both sides of the ball.

"He's very athletic for his size," said Coach Lester. "He had to protect Austin's blind side and was a solid offensive tackle. He knew he had to get the job done in the trenches because he was the only senior and had to show a lot of leadership." As a defensive lineman, Lester said of Warner, "He was our biggest run stuffer. We weren't very big, so he was very important to us in that role."

The Deckerville Eagles were tinkering with ways to use Brett Ross on offense this year, but were fairly set with what they were going to do. Coach Bill Brown then decided to cut the 6'2", 235 pound junior loose on defense. Ross, who has great speed for his build, proved to be a major factor for the Eagles' defense as the season progressed. And, next year he will be a full-time, two-way player.

"'ll take him as an athlete against anybody else in the area," spurted Coach Brown. "He's a leader in the weight room and he had a great year on defense. Next year he'll be in the offensive line, too. He could play just about anywhere."

Injuries early in the season took away some playing time for Chas Phipps of Cros-Lex, but by midway into the season he was near 100%. From there, he dominated on defense from his linebacker spot. The C-L senior (6-3, 220), who did also see some playing time in the offensive line, went on to record 74 tackles, second on the team.

"He's a fun guy out there," said Coach Connell. "He pretty much was the emotional leader on defense. When he played hurt early, some others picked him up, but he still played through it. When he was healthy, he was all over the field."

Coach Pouch from Peck believes that Bryan Carrier could have gained more individual recognition playing on a team with a wide-open offense. Instead, the 6'5", 210 pound senior, a three-year starter, starred a little more quietly at tight end and defensive end for the Pirates this fall. Carrier was a talented receiver, in a run-oriented Wing-T attack, but did catch 12 passes for 204 yards and four TDs this fall. In an outside containment responsibility on defense, he still totaled 46 tackles, including six-and-a-half for a loss, and forced three fumbles.

Coach Pouch commented on Carrier. "He was an outstanding blocking tight end, and he was everything you wanted in a wide receiver with his height and size. Unfortunately for him, he was not in a spread offense." Then, as a defensive player, Pouch noted, "We moved and bounced him around from end to linebacker. He's a guy that has really grown as a player in three years."

The News' choice for Coach of the Year is Rob Pouch of Peck. In his third season with the Pirates, he has taken them from 1-8 (the win was a forfeit) in his first year, to 6-3 and a playoff spot last year, and to an NCTL championship (7-0) and 8-1 regular-season this fall. Pouch has preached discipline and hard work to his team and the players have responded.

"This season was a step in the right direction for the program," remarked Pouch. "We want to be consistent, year-in and year-out, and we look forward to continuing a tradition down the road

"The kids bought into the weightlifting program," added Pouch, who noted it started with this year's seniors that played for him y ears ago. "We have to make sure daily, as coaches, we model what we want the players to do, and that helps establish leadership. They put in a lot of time over the last three years, went through the good and bad, and this was really a reward year for them. They found out that hard work pays off."