The 2012 high school football season was as unpredictable as ever. Blytheville and Gosnell both were under the leadership of new head coaches, Osceola moved down a classification and joined Rivercrest in the 3-3A, the Colts looked to get back to championship contending form and Manila looked to take a step forward in coach Castor's second year. With all of the activity around the county, two players, from opposite ends of the county, managed to emerge with superb seasons and are at the top of our 2012 All-Courier News Team.
Osceola's Korliss Marshall is this year's Offensive Player of the year and Blytheville's Carlton Lee has been named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite being nagged by injury for most of the year, Marshall still managed to rack up nearly 2,000 total yards and 27 touchdowns in just eight and a half games. Marshall did it all for the Seminoles. He kicked, returned kickoffs and punted as well as play running back and the defensive secondary. His efforts earned him a spot on the 3A All-State team and 3-3A All-Conference teams as well and was a nominee for the State Farm Offensive Player of the year.
Lee led the Chicks with 91 tackles from the linebacker position and seemed like he was in on every defensive play. He forced three fumbles and had 13 tackles for losses. Lee earned All-Conference and All-State honors for his play. His leadership on and off the field was priceless for a team learning a new system with a new coach. Here's a look at the rest of the All-Courier News Team.
Tyron Mitchell, Blytheville --- The 300-pound lineman helped anchor an offensive line that assisted in the Chicks averaging 5.2 yards per carry during the season. On defense, he had 26 tackles with four for a loss, a forced fumble and even an interception.
K-Mel Goins, Blytheville -- Goins played both sides of the line helping the Chicks pick up yards on offense and take away yards on defense. He had 36 tackles with nine going for losses and one sack. Goins earned All-conference honors for his accomplishments.
Jonathon Dougan-Banks, Blytheville -- One of a host of sophomores that were called on to play a significant roll for coach Vince McCrosky, Dougan-Banks collected 30 tackles in the Chicks secondary and picked off one pass earning All-conference honors along the way.
DeQuan Young, Blytheville -- The senior tight end averaged nearly 10 yards per reception this season. On defense, he collected 60 tackles with six of them counting for losses and forced two fumbles.
DeMadre Clark, Blytheville -- Stats do not tell the story for Clark's season. The sophomore signal caller played admirably behind center as the Chicks learned a new system. Clark showed plenty of positive attributes as the Chicks move into the future.
Tre Rucker, Blytheville --Rucker came up with three of the biggest plays of the year for the Chickasaws. His late fumble recovery followed by an interception on the final series helped secure a win at Nettleton. One week later, the senior safety nearly duplicated the feat with another late interception to defeat Greene County Tech.
Marcus Mullins, Gosnell -- An all-conference selection, the junior was Gosnell's leading rusher. He just missed the 1,000-yard mark, though he had several big games for the Pirates, especially in conference play. Mullins scored seven touchdowns in the seven conference games and averaged 103 yards per game against 3-4A competition.
Ethan Ballard, Gosnell -- Also, an all-conference selection, Ballard was the leader on the Pirate defense from his linebacker spot. The junior was a ballhawk and one of the better tacklers for Gosnell.
Richard Razor, Gosnell -- The senior all-conference pick was versatile, making big plays in the running game and at receiver. Razor was quarterback Dwight Griffin's favorite target. In 7 conference games, Razor rushed for 497 yards and 11 touchdowns, while catching 3 touchdown passes. Against Brookland, he accounted for five Pirate touchdowns, rushing 20 times for 168 yards and four TDs, while also hauling in a touchdown catch. Razor was also solid at defensive end.
Ricky Gable, Gosnell --The junior receiver/defensive back was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He was one of the Pirates best at defending the pass.
Dwight Griffin, Gosnell -- The sophomore is a dual threat that is sure to give defenses headaches next season. During seven league games, Griffin completed 31 of 74 for 429 yards, 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, while rushing for 275 yards. He had several key runs late in games on scoring drives.
A.J. Jones, Gosnell -- An honorable mention all-conference selection, Jones was one of the most explosive Pirates, getting long touchdowns on runs and returns. He had an 80-yard punt return touchdown against Trumann in Week 6 and an 81-yard touchdown run against undefeated conference champion Highland in Week 7. The junior was a threat to take it to the house any time he touched the ball.
Colten Godsey, Gosnell -- Godsey had a solid junior season at receiver and defensive back, earning honorable mention all-conference. His best game was against Pocahontas in Week 8. Godsey got three of the Redskins six turnovers, including a 70-yard scoop and score and a key interception.
Jake Westmoreland, Gosnell -- An all-conference selection, the senior linebacker made some big plays on the defensive side of the ball. He also helped open holes as a blocking back when the Pirates went to their power package.
Colby Williams, Manila --Williams came up with big plays as a running back and return man for the Lions this season. His play helped earn him All-State honors in the 3A as Manila continues to improve.
Phillip Porter , Rivercrest -- A Class 3A all-state selection, Porter had an outstanding senior season as the Colts' quarterback. He led the team in all-purpose yards with 1,436, throwing for 803 and 11 scores; and rushing for 603 and 8 touchdowns.
Clayton Carlton, Rivercrest -- Rivercrest's other all-stater, Carlton played several key roles for the Colts. Along with playing running back and linebacker, Carlton was the team's punter, averaging 34 yards a punt and often helping the Colts in the battle for field position. He had 45 tackles on defense and found paydirt five times on offense.
Chris Parker, Rivercrest -- The Colts' best running back was also their best defensive player. Parker (5-7, 135, SR) had 94 tackles on the season. On offense, the all-conference pick rushed for 510 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rakeem Stewart, Rivercrest -- Stewart made plays from his linebacker and running back spots for the Colts. The 6-foot, 180-pound all-conference selection had 68 tackles -- nine for losses -- and a scoop and score this year. The senior also had three touchdowns on offense.
Ethan Brown, Rivercrest -- The 5-9, 160-pound junior safety had a team-high six interceptions for the Colts this season. Brown also had 40 tackles and recovered a fumble. As Porter's backup, he had 346 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.
Anfernee Jones, Osceola--The heart of the Seminole defense, Jones collected 68 tackles with 15 coming for a loss despite an injured right shoulder for most of the season. Jones was one of three Seminoles named to the 3A All-State team as well as All-Conference.
Jamal Jackson, Osceola--The third of three All-State/All-Conference Seminoles and a nominee for the State Farm Defensive Player of the Year, Jackson collected 97 tackles as a linebacker in a much improved Seminole defense. He rushed for over 700 yards while scoring eight touchdowns and he also returned one for a score as well.
Lajaylen Anderson, Osceola--Anderson picked up nine sacks this season and finished his Seminole career with 24 in two seasons to go along with 53 tackles.
Etienne Tramble, Osceola--The three year starter on the offensive line was a huge reason why the Seminoles have had so much success running the ball in recent years.
Shaquille Lockhart, Osceola--The Seminoles didn't lose much when Marshal went down to injury thanks to Lockhart. The "back-up" running back rushed for 800 yards and nine touchdowns including 260 yards and three touchdowns in two playoff games.
Tevin James, Osceola--The sophomore defensive back gave the Seminoles plenty to look forward to over the next two years. In a four game stretch, James intercepted six passes and picked off one in the playoffs as well earning him All-Conference honors.
Maurian Carr, Osceola -- The senior QB/defensive end was an all-conference pick this year.
Michael Cody, Osceola--A 3-3A All-Confernce member, Cody racked up 35 tackles as a linebacker and forced seven fumbles.