The Laker and the Lutz News has named its All-Laker/All-Lutz News football team for the 2011 high school season. Members of the team were selected based on skill, value to their team, final statistics and head-to-head matchups. Schools in the coverage area include Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood Day, Freedom, Gaither, Land O’ Lakes, Steinbrenner, Sunlake, Wharton, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch.
Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono selected the team. All stats were as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.
Football offensive first team
–Quarterback: Cameron Stoltz, Sr., Sunlake. Led all area athletes with 28 passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions while completing 100 of 173 passes for 1,735 yards. Added another four scores and 191 rushing yards on 65 carries.
–Running back: Robert Davis, Jr., Carrollwood Day. Ran for 1,832 yards on 138 carries, 13.28 per attempt, with 25 touchdowns.
–Running back: Darius Page, Sr., Wharton. Racked up 1,243 yards and 13 touchdowns on 177 carries. Also hauled in 26 catches for 399 yards and two scores to help Wharton make the playoffs.
–Running back: Kendall Pearcey, Jr., Steinbrenner. Ran for 776 yards on 98 carries while adding another 142 yards on 11 catches and 16 total touchdowns.
–Wide receiver: Rashaud Daniels, Sr., Sunlake. Hauled in 22 catches for 451 yards and six touchdowns for the Seahawks’ passing attack. Also ran for 478 yards on 80 carries and four scores.
–Wide receiver: Jamal Jones, Sr., Sunlake. Had a team-high 557 receiving yards on 25 catches, 22.28 per reception, and found the end zone 12 times.
–Wide receiver: Carlo Perello, Sr., Gaither. His 792 yards receiving are more than any other area athlete while adding eight touchdowns. He was even more important for Gaither as his biggest games were in the postseason.
–Tight end: Kent Taylor, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. His 6-foot-5 frame made him open before the ball was snapped. Posted 480 receiving yards on 30 catches and five touchdowns despite missing three games with a broken hand.
–Offensive line: Sunlake. The unit includes senior center Nate McCoole, senior tackles Canon Clark and Brandon Franklin, senior guard Brain Walders and junior guard Aaron Protch. The big five, whose average weight is 269 pounds, helped the Seahawks win a program record 10 games and reach the playoffs for the first time in the squad’s five-year history.
–Utility: Shug Oyegunle, Jr., Gaither. Ran for 526 yards, racked up 265 receiving yards and scored 11 total touchdowns. Also went 15-of-37 passing for 257 yards and another two scores.
Football offensive second team
–Quarterback: Ryan Bird, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Went 119-of-211 passing for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns to six interceptions. Added another four rushing scores to the Gators’ attack.
–Jarrett Harvey, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. Found the end zone 42 times, including 40 rushing, while running for 1,558 yards on 100 carries in six-man football.
–Running back: Jerome Samuels, Sr., Sunlake. The bruising back used all of his 6-foot2, 230-pound frame to smash his way to 536 yards and six touchdowns on 93 carries.
–Running back: Harrison Wood, Jr., Land O’ Lakes. Ran for 789 yards on 141 carries and 10 touchdowns while adding another 159 yards on 18 catches and another two scores.
–Wide receiver: Andy Embody, Jr., Carrollwood Day. The Patriots big-play threat. Posted 554 yards on 26 catches and seven touchdowns.
–Wide receiver: Dillon Floyd, Sr., Carrollwood Day. Grabbed 35 balls for 724 yards and seven scores.
–Wide receiver: Wesley Moore, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Hauled in 30 catches for 522 yards and one touchdown after spending last season mainly on defense.
–Tight end: Nyere Thompson, Sr., Wharton. The 6-foot-3 Thompson snagged 21 catches for 423 yards and two touchdowns.
–Offensive line: Steinbrenner. The unit, which is made up of only seniors, includes tackle Alex Vega, guard Joe Ross, center Matt Borders, guard Tyler Hampton, tackle Tommy Forward and tackle Nick Gaydos. The physically imposing line helped Steinbrenner rack up 187.6 rushing yards per game.
–Utility: Ty Tanner, Fr., Wesley Chapel. Split time between quarterback and running back. Completed 51-of-96 passes for 815 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 249 yards on 69 carries and another six scores.
Football offensive honorable mention
–Quarterback: Chase Litton, So., Wharton. Threw for 1,613 yards and eight touchdowns to nine interceptions on 103-of-179 passing. Also had 146 rushing yards and another score.
–Quarterback: R.J. Perciavalle, So., Bishop McLaughlin. Completed 124 of 220 passes for 1,820 yards and 17 touchdowns to seven interceptions in his first year under center.
–Running back: Jordan Betancourt, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Racked up 642 yards on 100 carries while scoring 11 touchdowns.
–Running back: Tyrel Nunn, Sr., Freedom. Led the Patriots with 393 rushing yards on 98 carries and added two touchdowns.
–Running back: Devin Piper, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Ran for 479 yards and four touchdowns before breaking his ankle before the Wildcats’ sixth game.
–Wide receiver: Evan Barhonovich, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. The Hurricanes went to the senior by the goal line. He picked up 459 yards on 30 catches and a team-high seven receiving scores.
–Wide receiver: Eddie Burgos, Jr., Sunlake. Snagged 22 catches for 369 yards and five touchdowns.
–Wide receiver: John Marc Carrier, Jr., Steinbrenner. The Warriors’ leading receiver with 305 yards on 16 catches and three touchdowns.
–Wide receiver: Demarcus Sexil, So., Gaither. The sure-handed Sexil caught 20 passes for 360 yards and six touchdowns.
–Tight end: Sasha Mentor, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Stepped up his game in his final campaign, posting 305 yards on 17 catches and five touchdowns.
–Utility: Ahkill McGill, So., Academy at the Lakes. Lined up all over the field for the Wildcats. Ran for 624 yards on 39 carries while scoring eight touchdowns.
–Utility: Keegan Tanner, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Did whatever the Wildcats needed. Threw for 488 yards and nine touchdowns on 26-of-56 passing and added 322 yards on 52 carries and another three scores.

Offensive Player of the Year: Kendall Pearcey. Exploded onto the scene after taking over as Steinbrenner’s starting running back in Week 6 after the squad lost several other backs to injury. He ran for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns in the Warriors’ run-heavy wing-T offense, but also caught 11 passes for 142 yards and another two scores. Pearcey also showed versatility by mixing in another 441 yards and three trips to the end zone on kick and punt returns. Scary to think what his numbers could have been if he was the main back from Day 1.
Football defensive first team
–Linebacker: Logan Marshall, Jr., Gaither. Led all area athletes with 153 tackles while adding two sacks and three fumble recoveries including one returned for a touchdown.
–Linebacker: Nick Morrison, Sr., Sunlake. The leader of the Seahawks’ defense recorded 146 tackles to set a program record for a season while adding five sacks and five fumble recoveries.
–Linebacker: Josh Scarberry, Sr., Gaither. Fought through an ankle injury to post 118 tackles while leading Hillsborough County with 14 sacks.
–Linebacker: Matt Williams, So., Gaither. The first-year starter was an instant impact player for the Cowboys, recording 118 tackles, causing three fumbles and notching two sacks.
–Defensive line: Shaheed Salmon, So., Land O’ Lakes. Used his speed off the end to post three sacks, 54 tackles and recover four fumbles.
–Defensive line: Nick Sampson, Sr., Gaither. The senior notched 11.5 sacks, 123 tackles, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
–Defensive line: Earnest Suttle, Jr., Gaither. The junior used his speed to get quick penetration into the opponent’s backfield. Recorded 80 tackles, five sacks and one interception.
–Defensive line: Alex Vega, Sr., Steinbrenner. The massive Vega transferred from Plant and made a huge impact on the Warriors line. Posted 40 tackles, six sacks and forced three fumbles.
–Defensive back: Andrew Feldhaus, Sr., Steinbrenner. Picked off a team-high six passes and had eight passes defensed. Was also one of Steinbrenner’s top tacklers with 75.
–Defensive back: Tyler McCollum, Sr., Gaither. The lockdown cover cornerback picked off five passes, including one returned for a score, while adding 52 tackles and one sack.
–Defensive back: Eddie Pastrana, Sr., Gaither. The safety made the most of his one year of high school football. Recorded seven interceptions, including five in one game against Steinbrenner to match a state record, while adding 50 tackles.
–Defensive back: Nico Watts, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Led the Gators with six interceptions and three passes defensed while adding 27 tackles.
–Utility: Jackson Cannon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Can play near the line or drop into coverage. Had a team-high 3.5 sacks, 89 tackles and four fumble recoveries.
Football defensive second team
–Linebacker: Ray Busbee, Jr., Sunlake. Recorded 97 tackles, three passes defensed and one sack.
–Linebacker: Amiri Brown, Jr., Steinbrenner. Tied for a team-high seven sacks while recording 93 tackles, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
–Linebacker: Rocky Enos, Jr., Wharton. Led all Wildcats with 118 tackles while adding two sacks.
–Linebacker: Logan McKnight, Jr., Steinbrenner. Had a team-high 96 tackles while adding seven sacks and three forced fumbles.
–Defensive line: Will Fairchild, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Racked up 57 tackles and also had one sack.
–Defensive line: Nick Hoffman, Jr., Sunlake. Posted 70 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
–Defensive line: Mikhail Reece, Sr., Gaither. The team captain recorded 87 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
–Defensive line: Paul Scott, Sr., Sunlake. Totaled 63 tackles and three fumble recoveries while tying for a team-high five sacks.
–Defensive back: Andy Embody, Sr., Carrollwood Day. Had three interceptions and a team-high 15 passes defensed. Also added 68 tackles.
–Defensive back: Amani Oruwariye, So., Gaither. Became a big part of Gaither’s secondary in the second half of the year. Picked off five passes and added 31 tackles.
–Defensive back: Larry Thorpe, Sr., Freedom. The safety led the Patriots with 81 tackles while adding three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
–Defensive back: John Tyler, Jr., Wharton. Picked off four passes and defensed another four while adding 61 tackles.
–Utility: Angel Ramos, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Led his squad with eight sacks and added 65 tackles.
Football defensive honorable mention
–Linebacker: Luke Fisher, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Had a team-high 77 tackles and also sacked the quarterback 2.5 times.
–Linebacker: Kyle Fraser, Sr., Sunlake. Totaled 60 tackles while kicking in a pair of sacks and two passes defensed.
–Linebacker: Donovan Lovelock, Sr., Bishop McLaughlin. Had a team-high 106 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
–Linebacker: Isaac Tanner, Jr., Freedom. Had 75 tackles and a team-high seven sacks for Freedom.
–Linebacker: Shadow Williams, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Missed a couple of games with a broken hand, but still managed 62 tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
–Defensive line: A.J. Brown, Sr., Steinbrenner. Posted 75 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
–Defensive line: Justin Scamardo, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch. Led the Bulls with 3.5 sacks while posting 43 tackles.
–Defensive line: Dominiq Sicardo, Jr., Carrollwood Day. Added six sacks and 54 tackles to Carrollwood Day’s defense.
–Defensive back: Rashaud Daniels, Sr., Sunlake. Picked off three passes and defensed another five while adding 62 tackles.
–Defensive back: Robert Davis, Jr., Carrollwood Day. The two-way player had 72 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed and one sack.
–Defensive back: Danny Fernandez, Sr., Steinbrenner. Fernandez was the Warriors’ lock-down cornerback. Opposing teams rarely threw his way, so he only had one interception and three passes defensed.
–Defensive back: Josias Vizcano, So., Wesley Chapel. Led Wesley Chapel with four interceptions and four passes defensed.
–Defensive back: Patrick Ward, Sr., Carrollwood Day. His 93 tackles were more than any other Patriot.
–Utility: Darin Patmon, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Posted 55 tackles two fumble recoveries.

Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Scarberry. Scarberry claims the award for the second straight season. The senior moved to outside linebacker from the inside spot this year and quickly adapted to the new position with eye-popping plays. He led all athletes in Hillsborough or Pasco counties with 14 sacks. Scarberry also added 118 tackles, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries including returning one 12 yards for a touchdown. The senior did all that while playing with a badly sprained left ankle that limited him in the second half of the year.
Football special teams
–Kicker: Andrew Garcia, Sr., Land O’ Lakes. Led all area kickers with 23 touchbacks, nearly half of his 50 attempts.
–Kick returner: Jarrett Harvey, Sr., Academy at the Lakes. Racked up 420 yards on 11 returns, including an 80 yarder for a touchdown.
–Kick returner: Zack Jones, Sr. Steinbrenner. Returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns while adding 353 yards on 10 attempts.
–Punter: Larry Thorpe, Sr., Freedom. Led all area punters by dropping 18 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line while averaging 41.95 yards per attempt.
–Punt returner: Kendall Pearcey, Jr., Steinbrenner. Had 206 yards on eight punt returns, an average of 25.75.
–Punt returner: Keegan Tanner, Sr., Wesley Chapel. Recorded 176 yards on four returns, including an 80-yard touchdown.

Coach of the Year: Jason Stokes, Gaither. The first-year Gaither coach took over a program that had won just eight games in the previous three years combined. Stokes, who spent the previous two seasons at Middleton, came in and turned the culture around about as quickly as humanly possible. The Cowboys went 9-4 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The squad made it to the regional finals for just the second time in the school’s 27-year history. Gaither also averaged 27.2 points per contest after Stokes took over play calling in Week 2.
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