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Coach of the year
DaLawn Parrish, Wise
A year after guiding the Pumas to their first 4A South Region title, Parrish led them one step further this fall. After a 9-1 regular season, Wise shut out Eleanor Roosevelt and Charles H. Flowers in the 4A South Region playoffs and beat Thomas Johnson, 24-8, before a 17-16 loss to Old Mill in the 4A state title game. Wise established a state record with eight consecutive shutouts and registered 10 shutouts in 14 games.

Defensive Player of the Year
Anthony McDaniel, Wise, DL
The 6-foot, 240-pound senior defensive lineman is headed to the University of Richmond next fall after helping lead Wise's record-setting effort this season. He registered 77 total tackles including 55 solos and a team-high 12 sacks. He also had 27 tackles for losses as Wise shut out 10 of its 14 opponents.

First team
Rahsaan Moore, Wise, DL
The senior played a key role for the Pumas on both sides of the ball. A University of Maryland recruit, he had 37 tackles, a sack and an interception.

Jerome June, Gwynn Park, DL
June was a force on the Yellow Jackets' defensive line with 62 tackles and 17 sacks. The senior also added five fumble recoveries on a defense that allowed less than 10 points per game.

Austin Bailey, DeMatha, DL
Bailey tallied 79 tackles, two fumble recoveries and six quarterback pressures. The senior is being recruited heavily as a fullback by Virginia Tech and Illinois.

Josh Wade, Bladensburg, DL
The junior was one of the County 4A League's standout pass rushers, recording 43 tackles and 13 1/2 sacks.

Emani Benjamin, Douglass, LB
Benjamin was the heart and soul of the Eagles' defense in his senior season with 127 tackles (105 solo), two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown.

Brian Blue, Gwynn Park, LB
The senior missed the first few games of the season, but still turned in stellar numbers. He finished the season with 72 tackles, seven sacks and six forced fumbles.

Joshua Thorne, Potomac, LB
The sophomore linebacker was a force for the Potomac defense, frequently bringing down ball carriers in the backfield. He had 125 tackles, 18 1/2 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Dominic Shepard, Roosevelt, LB
The senior led the Raiders' defense with 70 tackles and also had an interception.

Curtis Hardy, Gwynn Park, DB
Hardy was a lockdown cornerback, typically covering the opponent's top receiver. The senior had seven interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 51 tackles.

Lorenzo Waters, DeMatha, DB
A two-year starter at safety for the Stags, the senior totaled 101 tackles and four interceptions. He has drawn interest from Division I programs, Wake Forest, Rutgers and California-Berkeley.

William McKenzie, Douglass, DB
The senior safety was a game-changing play-maker, registering 49 tackles and nine interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns.

Devonta Tabannah, Potomac, DB
One of the county's most versatile players, the senior had four interceptions and registered 25 tackles despite missing four games due to injury. He gave a verbal commitment this week to the University of New Mexico.

Jeremiah Johnson, Suitland, DB
A solid contributor on both sides of the ball, the senior University of Maryland recruit had 99 tackles and four interceptions.

Titus Till, Wise, DB

The University of Maryland recruit missed the first three games of the season with a shoulder injury, but registered 64 total tackles and had four interceptions from his safety spot.

Second Team Defense

Defensive line: Rapheal Mbachu, DuVal; Rico Bobo, Fairmont Heights; Chrishon Rose, McNamara; Charles Owens, Wise; Deonte Caldwell, Potomac.

Linebacker: Khari Brown, McNamara; Deontre Johnson, Wise; Rayshaud Shields, Wise; Joe Jolissaint, Pallotti; Keyshawn Ward, Bowie; Tyrell Scott, Parkdale; Brian Hall, Gwynn Park; Terrell McGowan, Potomac; Malik Cross, Oxon Hill.

Defensive back: Ricardo Smith, DuVal; Delante White, Crossland; Travis Thomas, Bowie; Charles Harris, Fairmont Heights; Dontrewell Kelley, Suitland; Jeff Knox, DeMatha.

The Gazette-Star All-County teams are selected by our staff based on our observations, player statistics and nominations from coaches.