It was another exciting year of high school football in the St. Louis metropolitan area. We now officially bring the year to a close with the 2007 St. Louis “All-American” Large Schools Football Team. We will feature the small schools next week.
Here are capsule summaries of the members of the First Team.
Detchauz Wray (East St. Louis): The sophomore quarterback was at the controls of the most potent offense in the St. Louis area. Wray passed for 2,135 yards and 23 touchdowns to lead the Flyers to an 11-2 record and a berth in the IHSA Class 7A state semifinals.
Montee Ball (Timberland): The 2007 St. Louis American Offensive Player of the Year, the junior running back has put the Timberland program on the area football map with his excellence. The 5’11” 205-pound Ball led the St. Louis area in rushing with 3,077 yards and touchdowns with 32 while averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He led the Timberwolves to a district title and a berth in the Class 4 state quarterfinals.
Jason Ford (Althoff): The 6’0” 220-pound tailback finished his career as the all-time leading rushing in the metropolitan area. Ford finished his four-year varsity career with 6,415 yards, surpassing the great Tony Van Zant for the top spot. As a senior, he rushed for 1,773 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Rayon Simmons (CBC): The outstanding senior tailback rushed for 2,519 yards, giving him back-to-back seasons of more than 2,000 yards rushing. He ended his career with an incredible 533-yard, seven touchdown rushing performance against Parkway South.
Jordan Myles (Parkway Central): The 5’11” 165-pound senior was the workhorse back in leading the Colts to the Class 4 state-championship game. Myles finished the season with 2,326 yards and 31 touchdowns. He put the Colts into a title game with a memorable 236 yards on 41 carries against Vashon in the state semifinals.
Kraig Appleton (East St. Louis): The 6’3” 200-pound junior receiver was a big-play performer for the Flyers, catching 42 passes for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. He will enter the 2008 season as one of the top recruits in the state of Illinios.
Terry Hawthorne (East St. Louis): The 6’1” 185-pound junior teammed with Appleton to form the area’s most dangerons receiving tandem. Hawthorne had 45 receptions for 1,065 yards and 10 toucdowns for the powerful Flyers. Hawthorne was one of the area’s best at turning a short pass into an electrifying long touchdown reception.
Wesley Kemp (DeSmet): The 6’4” 210-pound senior led the Spartans to the Class 6 semifinals. One of the area’s biggest receiving targets, Kemp had 30 receptions for 681 yards and seven touchdowns. He has committed to Wisconsin.
Erione Watson (Vashon): A tremendous athlete who helped lead the Wolverines to the Class 4 state semifinals. Watson had 50 receptions for 911 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense, he had 60 tackles and three interceptions.
Dello Davis (Kirkwood): The diminutive speedster led the Pioneers to a 10-1 record and Suburban West championship with his all-around play. He had 608 receiving yards, 373 rushing yards and scored a team-high 16 touchdowns.
London Davis (Cahokia): The 6’4” 255-pound Davis was one of the top tight ends in the state of Illinios. As a senior, Davis caught seven passes for 160 yards and four touchdowns despite being targeted by all opposing defenses. He is headed to the University of Illinois.
David Young (Edwardsville): The 6’6” 290-pound Young was a three-year starter for the Tigers and the anchor to their line play on both sides of the ball. The All-State performer is still being recruited by several major college programs.
Hulas King (McCluer North): The 6’3” 270-pound King was an All-Suburban North Conference selection at guard. He was the anchor of a very experienced and talented McCluer North offensive line.
James Moore (McCluer North): A 6’4” 270-pound tackle, Moore earned All-Suburban North honors on both sides of the ball. The athletic Moore is still being actively recruited by several major colleges.
Corey Davis (East St. Louis): The 6’2” 295-pound senior was one of the leaders on the Flyers’ offensive line that paved the way for the area’s most potent offensive attack.
Darris Ford (Hazelwood East): The 6’5” 265-pound junior is already establishing himself as one of the top young linemen in the state. Several major colleges are already taking notice.
Brandon Harold (East St. Louis): The 2007 St. Louis American Defensive Player of the Year. The 6’7” 275-pound Harold was a dominant defensive end for the Flyers. Despite facing double and triple-team blocking all season, Harold still had 55 tackles and five sacks, including the game-ending sack that clinched the Flyers’ victory over Geneva in the Class 7A state-quarterfinals.
Brandon Kirksey (Hazelwood East): The 6’3” 250-pound defensive end was a top defensive player in the Suburban North. Kirksey had 58 tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries for the 8-2 Spartans. He has committed to Minnesota.
Sheldon Richardson (Gateway Tech): The 6’4” 275-pound junior registered 13 sacks during the season. He was also a talented tight end with 22 receptions for 312 yards. He has already given a verbal commitment to the University of Missouri.
Maurice Alexander (Eureka): The 6’0” 170-pound defensive end used superior speed and quickness to sack the quarterback 13 times. He also had a total of 93 tackles (48 solos.).
Broderick Sargent (Parkway Central): The 6’2” 200-pound senior linebacker had 50 solo tackles and 11 sacks as one of the defensive leaders for the Colts’ Class 4 state finalist.
Brandon Clark (Mehlville): The leader of Mehlville’s speed defense that earned a berth in the Class 6 state-championship game. Clark led the St. Louis area with 17 sacks. He was the Suburban West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Nicholas Beaver (East St. Louis): The 6’0” 240-pound Beaver was the Flyers’ leader in total tackles with 90, including 51 solos. He was an All-Southwest Conference First Team selection.
Robert Steeples (DeSmet): The 6’1” 190-pound Steeples was one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in the area. A three-year starter, Steeples had five interceptions as a senior. He is headed to the University of Missouri.
Tyrone Clark (Mehlville): An all-around performer on the Panthers’ Class 6 state runners-up team, Clark had 50 solo tackles and two interceptions. He also scored a team-high 20 touchdowns on offense.
Exzabion Jackson (Cahokia): The 5’10” 175-pound senior was one of the Comanches’ fastest and most consistent performers. He was Cahokia’s leading rusher and top defensive back.
Alexus Reedus (Mehlville): The talented 6’1” 170-pound senior excelled on both sides of the ball for Mehlville. He had five interceptions on defense and had more than 1,900 yards of total offense as the Panthers’ starting quarterback.
Lonnie Boga (McCluer): The 6’3” 200-pound junior averaged 40 yards per punt. He was also an All-Suburban North defensive back and an excellent tight end on offense.
St. Louis “All-American” Large Schools Football Team
First Team Offense
POY: Montee Ball (Jr.) Timberland
QB: Detchauz Wray (Soph.): East St. Louis
RB: Rayon Simmons (Sr.): CBC
RB: Montee Ball (Sr.): Timberland
RB: Jason Ford (Sr.): Althoff
WR: Terry Hawthorne (Sr.): East St. Louis
WR: Kraig Appleton (Sr.): East St. Louis
WR: Wesley Kemp (Sr.): DeSmet
TE: London Davis (Sr.) Cahokia
OL: David Young (Sr.) Edwardsville
OL: Hulas King (Sr.) McCluer North
OL: James Moore (Sr.) McCluer North
OL: Corey Davis (Sr.): East St. Louis
OL: Darris Ford (Jr.) Hazelwood East
AP: Dello Davis (Sr.) Kirkwood
Ath: Erione Watson (Sr.) Vashon
First Team Defense
DL: Brandon Harold (Sr.) East St. Louis
DL: Brandon Kirksey (Sr.) Hazelwood East
DL: Sheldon Richardson (Jr.) Gateway Tech
DL: Maurice Alexander (Sr.) Eureka
LB: Broderick Sargent (Sr.) Parkway Central
LB: Brandon Clark (Sr.) Mehlville
LB: Nicholas Beaver (Sr.) East St. Louis
DB: Robert Steeples (Sr.) DeSmet
DB: Tyrone Clark (Jr.) Mehlville
DB: Exzabion Jackson (Sr.) Cahokia
DB: Alexis Reedus (Sr.) Mehlville
P: Lonnie Boga (Jr.) McCluer
