All-Gazette football: Offense
Player of the Year
Ben Sasu,Quince Orchard, Senior, Running back
Despite being focus of opposing defenses, powerful back rushed for county-high 1,622 yards, carrying Cougars to Class 3A West Region final. Found end zone county-best 25 times, including four in overtime win at Clarksburg.
First team
Andrew Veith, Clarksburg, Sr., Quarterback
Magical in emergency role. Accoun-ted for 1,669 total yards, 23 TD.
Wes Brown, Good Counsel, Soph., Running back
Starred in WCAC debut with 1,290 yards (7.5 per carry), 18 TD.
Crusoe Gongbay, Rockville, Jr., Running back
Total package (1,583 rushing yards, 23 TD) in Rams' best-ever season.
Pernell Brantley, Quince Orchard, Sr., Wide receiver
Lightning-fast playmaker finished with 7 TD, 16.3 per-catch average.
Ivan Tagoe, Paint Branch, Sr., Wide receiver
One of county's best players ranked at top of every receiving category.
Paul Phillips, Georgetown Prep, Sr., Tight end
Huge Division I recruit caught 12 passes for 228 yards, 2 TD.
Matthew Bracho, Quince Orchard, Sr., Offensive line
Dominant blocker led veteran unit that paved way for Sasu.
Julian Green, Georgetown Prep, Sr., Offensive line
Miami-Ohio commit anchored line that led backs to 6.5-yard average.
Oliver Pettenati, Sherwood, Sr., Offensive line
Three-year stalwart at tackle for well-drilled regional title unit.
Kyle Shafer, Clarksburg, Sr., Offensive line
Four-year starter at center far tougher than his 210-pound frame.
Ryan Watson, Good Counsel, Soph., Offensive line
All-WCAC first-team tackle paved way for 2,553 rushing yards.
Michael Pitsenberger, Walter Johnson, Sr., All-around
Team's top rusher (1,068 yards, 12 TD), receiver (557 yards, 5 TD).
John Macomber, Georgetown Prep, Sr., Kicker
Made 7 of 9 field goals, had 27 touchbacks in 43 opportunities.
Second team
Zach Dancel, Good Counsel, Jr., Quarterback
Had 1,283 passing yards, 10 TD.
Kwabena Asante, Blake, Sr., Running back
Rushed for 1,094 yards, 11 TD.
Devon Pestano, Springbrook, Jr., Running back
Rushed for 1,172 yards, 19 TD.
Michael Flack, Whitman, Soph., Wide receiver
Fluid 6-1 athlete became top target.
Brandon Phelps, Damascus, Jr., Wide receiver
Had 38 catches, 473 yards, 6 TD.
Luke Howard, Landon, Jr., Tight end
Elite pass-catcher scored 4 TD.
Jonathon Cortes, Gaithersburg, Sr., Offensive line
FBS programs eyeing 300-pounder.
John Dankos, Georgetown Prep, Sr., Offensive line
All-MIAA A Conference pick at center.
Jon Levin, Quince Orchard, Sr., Offensive line
Key cog in protection, run blocking.
Hamzah Lodge, Einstein, Sr., Offensive line
Reliable, talented road grader.
Patrick Walsh, Good Counsel, Jr., Offensive line
Stalwart at guard in young front five.
Tracy Martin, Paint Branch, Sr., All-around
Toughed out injuries to score 19 TD.
Bryan Crutchfield, Churchill, Sr., Kicker
Hit 6 of 8 field goals, 26 PAT.
Honorable mention
QB Casey Fitzgerald, B-CC, Sr., QB; Connor Frazier, Damascus, Jr., QB; Jimmy Hessler, Northwood, Sr., QB; Alex Kantor, Churchill, Sr., QB; Ricardo McLeod, Wheaton, Sr., QB
RB Cyrus Britt, Sherwood, Jr., RB; Kevin Cecala, Whitman, Sr., RB; Hassan Dixon, Northwest, Sr., RB; Marquis Morgan, Magruder, Sr., RB; Bene't Willis, Paint Branch, Soph., RB
WR Ben Hessels, Poolesville, Sr., WR; Anatoly Moschkin, Northwood, Sr., WR; Brandon Swepson, Churchill, Sr., WR; Gary Vaughn, Northwood, Jr., WR
TE Matt Risk, Churchill, Sr., TE; Alex Walker, Paint Branch, Sr., TE
OL Ian Banson, Paint Branch, Sr., OL; Brandon Bryant, Rockville, Sr., OL; Sean Harmon, Watkins Mill, Jr., OL; Josh Hertz, Sherwood, Sr., OL; Oswaldo Velasquez, Magruder, Sr., OL