2002: players, teams and coach of the year

Player of the Year

Tyler Wallek, sr., RB-LB, Skidmore-Tynan

Maybe one of the most versatile players the area has seen, Wallek rushed for over 2,000 yards at running back and came close to 200 stops as a linebacker. Wallek, who also did the team’s punting, rushed for 2,203 yards and scored 27 touchdowns on offense, including an area season-best 329-yard showing against Bloomington. The District 31-2A MVP made 181 tackles (55 solo) with six for loss to go with three fumbles caused and two interceptions.

Offensive MVP

Tommy Blake, sr., RB, Aransas Pass

The big (6-4, 215), bruising running back showed a knack for running all over defenses. Blake, who has offers from numerous Division I colleges to play football, finished with 2,037 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Showing he could perform against any defense, Blake, a first-team Associated Press all-state pick, scorched Sinton, one of the area’s best defenses for 268 yards on 26 carries, one of four 200-yard efforts by Blake.

Defensive MVP

Chance Schmidt, sr., S, Sinton

A pro-sized (6-2, 205) free safety, Schmidt had a nose for the ball, picking off 12 passes, giving him 23 interceptions over the past two seasons. Schmidt, a first-team All-South Texas choice last year, also returned three picks each season for scores. A sure tackler, Schmidt, who was named the Associated Press Class 3A State Defensive Player of the Year, also had 90 stops.

Coach of the Year

George Harris, Gregory-Portland

Harris capped a great season at G-P by leading the Wildcats to a state semifinal showing in the Class 4A Division II playoffs. Among the highlights for G-P: Unbeaten in district and wresting away the district title from Calallen, which had held it seven years in a row.

Newcomer of the Year

Connell Davis, soph., RB, Gregory-Portland

Davis flashed a lot of promise as the main tailback in G-P’s offense. At 6-foot-3, the tall, lean Davis was the only Wildcat rusher to crack the 1,000-yard barrier, with 1,156 yards. Davis, also named the All-Metro Newcomer of the Year, was second on the team with 16 touchdowns and 100 points scored.

First Team

Offense

QUARTERBACK
Brian Bonner, sr., Beeville

Almost a one-man offensive show, Bonner was the most dangerous run-pass threat this area had at quarterback. The senior rushed and passed for over 1,000 yards. Bonner completed exactly half of 206 passing attempts for 1,412 yards and nine scores. He rushed for 1,179 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns on 154 carries.

RUNNING BACK
Bio Bilaye-Benibo, sr., Calallen

Benibo provided a lot of speed for the Calallen offense. The track standout raced through defenses for 1,489 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 153 carries. In winning the 30-4A Offensive MVP award, Benibo cracked the 100-yard mark in nine of the Wildcats’ 13 games.

RUNNING BACK
Chris Owen, jr., King

The multi-dimensional Owen was a running and receiving threat for the Mustangs this season. Owen totaled 200 carries and 1,244 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, while catching 14 passes for 104 yards and four more scores. Included in Owen’s performances was a 190-yard effort in a playoff win over Donna.

RUNNING BACK
Charles Perry, sr., Miller

District 29-5A’s leading rusher makes a return appearance on the All-South Texas first team. Perry, who also anchored the Bucs’ secondary as a cornerback, rushed for 1,510 yards and 15 touchdowns on 239 carries. The district’s Offensive Player of the Year ran for at least 100 yards in eight of Miller’s 10 games this season.

WIDE RECEIVER

James Brown, sr., King

Brown broke through this season as the area’s leading receiver. The fleet senior had 43 receptions for 825 yards and seven scores. Defenses knew the ball was headed to Brown; 11 times in 13 games he was the Mustangs’ leading receiver in terms of yards. Twice Brown cracked the 100-yard mark for receiving yards during a game.

WIDE RECEIVER
Nathaniel Dunn, jr., Moody

Dunn did a little bit of everything for the Trojans, but found his niche at receiver. Dunn started the season alternating reps at quarterback, saw serious action as a defensive back, but, using his 6-4 frame, grabbed 36 receptions for 591 yards as a receiver. He also rushed for 524 yards. Dunn had three 100-yard rushing games, while twice breaking the 100-yard mark in receiving.

TIGHT END
Chad DeLaune, jr., Orange Grove

The 6-2, 205-pound DeLaune was not only the second-leading blocker for the Bulldogs offense, but also a strong receiving threat. DeLaune hauled in 28 passes for 469 yards and, showing that he was the go-to receiver, he grabbed seven touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Tony Byrnes, sr., Aransas Pass

There’s a reason a lot of Tommy Blake’s 2,000-plus rushing yards developed on plays going up the middle. Byrnes, the Panthers’ center, paved the way for Blake’s big games, while giving protection to quarterback John David Heard. The 6-2, 265-pound Byrnes was a three-year starter, and two times first-team all-district.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Robert McChester, sr., Miller

McChester has been the benchmark for area pulling guards over the past two seasons. The 5-11, 228-pound team captain earned a share of the 29-5A Offensive Lineman of the Year honor for the way he opened holes for 1,500-yard rusher Charles Perry. A standout leader, McChester, twice an All-Metro first-team member, was also a tough player on special teams.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Bear Myers, sr., Calallen

The 6-1, 278-pound tackle helped clear the way for Calallen’s offense, which put up over 37 points per game and 362 yards of total offense per game. Myers was largely responsible for the 304 rushing yards per game by the offense, as the team averaged 7.18 yards per carry.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Jason Tyson, sr., Gregory-Portland

The Wildcats’ tackle anchored the strong side of the offensive line, allowing G-P to roll up over 331 yards of offense per game. While Tyson, a first-team pick on the All-Metro squad, used size (6-3, 280) and strength, the senior displayed mobility for G-P, getting downfield on his blocks.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Travis Whitehead, sr., Orange Grove

The 6-0, 265-pound tackle helped clear the way for the Bulldogs’ offense, which averaged 302.3 yards per game. Whitehead led the offensive line with a blocking score of 605 points produced, and averaged a 91% grade for the entire season.

UTILITY
Julian Ruiz, sr., Sinton

On a Sinton team loaded with talent, it was hard to top Ruiz’s versatility. Ruiz was a strong cornerback on defense, but more dangerous as a running back or contributor on special teams. Ruiz, also an All-South Texas utility pick last year, had five returns for touchdowns - three punts and two kicks taken back, one from 96 yards, another from 95 - and 839 rushing yards and seven scores to go with 27 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns receiving.

KICKER
Jerry Jurach, sr., Sinton

Jurach makes a return appearance as the All-South Texas kicker. Jurach, who also had 101 tackles as an inside linebacker, hit 51 of 56 point-after attempts and four of seven field goals. His 50-yard field goal against Rice Consolidated was the longest by an area kicker this season.

Defense

DEFENSIVE LINE David Garza, sr., Gregory-Portland

The All-Metro Defensive MVP was a pain for opponents to face. Garza rolled up 141 tackles, 70 solo, while forcing three fumbles and recovering three more. Garza, twice picked to the All-Metro first team, by far and away led his team in sacks (10) and quarterback hurries (34).

DEFENSIVE LINE
Brent Hoskins, sr., Calallen

Hoskins provided the push up front from his tackle position. The 6-3, 235-pounder made a total of 88 tackles, with five stops coming for losses. Hoskins added a sack, two quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Curt Jones, sr., Sinton

Jones hounded opposing quarterbacks into submission. Despite the fact that offenses shied away from Jones’ side of the field, the senior end recorded 85 tackles, with nine of them sacks. Showing he knows where to find the ball, Jones recovered six fumbles.