Former Miller Career Academy football standout Raymond Webber has been reaping all kinds of postseason awards after a stellar senior season at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The 6’3″ 220-pound wide receiver was a consensus First Team All-American among FCS Championship Sub-Division Schools (formerly NCAA 1-AA). Webber was only one of four players who earn First Team honors by every Championship Sub-Division media entity, including the AFCA, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, Phil Steele Publications and The Sports Network.
Webber was also an All-Southwestern Athletic Conferene selection after enjoying a record-setting senior year for the Golden Lions. In 2010, Webber led the nation in receiving yards with 1,429 and receiving yards per game at 129.9 and receptions with 101. He put up the best receiving numbers from a SWAC player since the legendary Jerry Rice patrolled the fields at Mississippi Valley State. He became the third receiver in the history of the SWAC to have at least 100 receptions. Webber is also the school’s all-time career leader in receptions.
One of Webber’s biggest performances came in his home town of St. Louis when he was the Most Valuable Player of the St. Louis Gateway Classic. He caught xx passes for xx yards and three touchdowns to lead UAPB to a xx victory over Clark-Atlanta.
I witnessed several other college football players from St. Louis getting it done during the bowl season.
Former Timberland star Montee Ball was one of the bright spots for the University of Wisconsin in its 21-19 loss to TCU in the Rose Bowl. Ball rushed for 132 yards on 22 carries and scored a pivotal touchdown in the fourth-quarter, which set up the Badgers two-point conversion attempt in the closing minutes. Ball his sophomore season with 996 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns.
Former Hazelwood Central standout Marvin McNutt caught two passes for 63 yards for the University Iowa during his team’s 27-24 victory over Missouri in the Insight Bowl. The 6’4″ McNutt finished the season with 53 receptions for 861 yards and eight touchdowns. McNutt was one of the top big-play receivers in the Big Ten, averaging 16.8 yards per reception.
Northwestern linebacker Quentin Davie (Cardinal Ritter College Prep) enjoyed a big day in the Ticket City Bowl against Texas Tech. The 6’4″ 230-pound Davie had 15 tackles, including three for losses in the Wildcats’ 45-38 loss. Davie finished the season with 71 tackles, six tackles for losses and 1.5 sacks.
Miami of Ohio senior tailback Thomas Merriweather (Hazelwood East) played a big part in the Redhawks march to the Mid American Conference championship. Merriweather rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns in Miami’s 26-21 victory over Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game. The Redhawks will face Middle Tennessee State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl tonight. Merriweather enters tonight’s game with 821 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He is averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Former Althoff High standout Jason Ford of Illinois rushed for 54 yards in the Fighting Illini’s 38-14 victory over Baylor in the Texas Bowl. Ford rushed for 480 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging nearly five yards per carry this season.
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