Football: First, second team offense

CODY BLUE Wilde Lake, lineman

Blue was a standout on both sides of the football for the No. 12 Wildecats (10-3), who advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals. Committed to the University of Maryland, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound senior two-way tackle nearly was immovable.He clogged up running lanes on the defensive front and laid out foes to clear the way for his running backs.

Blue, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and was a three-year starter, opened lanes and cleared out linemen and linebackers with his brute strength. He can pull, trap and drive block, and played a major role in the Wildecats having two 1,000-yard rushers in Ashton Hayes and Jerrel Epps.

JEFF BRAUN Winters Mill, lineman

A three-year, two-way starting center-defensive lineman for the Falcons, the 6-5, 315-pound senior was a monster in pads. Braun,who has committed orally to play at West Virginia, has been an All- Carroll County and All-Monocacy Valley Athletic League selection for the past three years.

According to coach Ken Johnson, Braun can play on either side of the ball at the next level. With his size, 5.5-time in the 40-yard dash and strength (he set a record for most bench reps at the 2007 Nike Baltimore combine), Braun is very imposing at center.

On defense, Braun, ranked No. 44 at his position by Rivals.com, made 57 tackles.

MICHAEL CAMPANARO River Hill, running back

A second-team pick a year ago, Campanaro emerged as one of the metro area's most feared runners this season as a junior. Campanaro, 5-10 and 175 pounds, is fast (4.4 in the 40), strong and elusive.

Campanaro led the top-ranked Hawks (14-0) to a state championship game for a second straight season, and they beat No. 6 Eastern Tech in the final. A threat to score from anywhere on the field,Campanaro ran for 1,884 yards with four 200-yard games to pace a spread offense that totaled more than 4,300 rushing yards.

He already has received scholarship offers from Maryland, Akron and Northwestern.

JAMES CARMON City, lineman

Carmon, a repeat first-team selection, had another stellar season for the Knights (8-3), according to coach George Petrides.

Undecided on a college, Carmon, 6-7 and 330 pounds, is mulling over several offers. The senior is projected to be a prospect on both sides. This season, the intimidating interior lineman improved his technique on power-blocking and pass-blocking.

On defense, Carmon, a menacing pass rusher, had 53 tackles, nine sacks and three fumble recoveries.He played especially well at the end of the season.

LANE CLELLAND McDonogh, lineman

Clelland, a 6-5, 275-pound senior, is ranked by Rivals.comas Maryland's premier lineman and No. 2 prospect overall behind Ohio State-bound Lamaar Thomas of Friendly in Prince George's County.

A three-year starter for the No.8 Eagles (6-4), Clelland has a football scholarship to Notre Dame.He has wonderful technique with great first-step acceleration and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds.Clelland, who had 20 scholarship offers before settling on Notre Dame,was projected by Rivals.comas "an elite prospect with pro potential."

Clelland, one of the area's most physical players, is fundamentally sound run- and pass-blocking.

NICK ELKO Arundel, quarterback-punter

Anne Arundel County's Offensive Player of the Year, Elko broke several county and state records with his prolific passing in the Wildcats' no-huddle spread offense, and also was the team's leading rusher.

Elko, a 6-2, 190-pound senior, completed 260 of 430 passes for 3,091 yards and a state public school-record 43 touchdown passes, while being intercepted nine times.

Elko was 34-for-52 for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the No. 4 Wildcats' 36-30 loss to Quince Orchard in the Class 4A state final.He finished with a state-record 3,993 yards of total offense.

BRANDON JOHNSON-FARRELL Arundel, wide receiver

Johnson-Farrell had a record-setting season and three-year career as Elko's favorite target in the Wildcats' no-huddle spread offense. The speedy 5-10, 185-pound senior playmaker with great hands and acrobatic moves set state single-season records for receptions (103), yards (1,394) and touchdown catches (23).

In addition, Johnson-Farrell owns state career records for receptions (174) and touchdown receptions (40).

This season, Johnson-Farrell scored 27 touchdowns, including two on kickoffs and two on punt returns.

LONNIE LIGGINS Hereford, running back

The speedy Liggins led a Bulls offense that produced more than 600 points out of its wing T.A 5-9, 185-pound senior, Liggins ran for 1,321 yards and 23 touchdowns. He scored 26 times overall.

His three non-rushing touchdowns came via two kickoffs, one for a team-record 99 yards, and an interception. Liggins, who plays in the secondary when he is not running the football, finished with three interceptions.

Liggins, who bench-presses a team-high 315 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and has a vertical leap of 35 inches, has drawn interest from several Division I schools.He appears to be leaning toward Army, according to coach Steve Turnbaugh.

DOUG SHAW Loyola, lineman

Shaw, a 6-foot, 230-pound junior two-way tackle for the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference co-champions, was considered by the coaching staff to be the top offensive lineman for the No. 3 Dons (9-1).

Strong and quick with superb lateral movement, Shaw is a power-blocker who can pull out if necessary and has good technique as a pass-blocker to keep foes off junior quarterback Leon Kinnard. Shaw's work on the interior line allowed the Dons to get 31.7 points a game in one of the most competitive schedules in the state.

On defense, Shaw made 12 of his 40 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

DAVE STINEBAUGH Perry Hall, tight end

The multi-talented junior and two-year starter led the No. 10 Gators to a 10-2 playoff season as a tight end, running back, linebacker, corner and safety.His versatile play earned him a promotion to first-team All-Metro.

Stinebaugh,who is a solid 6-5 and 205 pounds, caught 55 passes for 1,035 yards and 13 of his 16 total touchdowns.He ran the ball three times for 42 yards and a score and was 2-for-4 passing for 63 yards and a TD.

His touchdown pass came on a hitch route behind the line of scrimmage, as he took Dan Deitz's lateral and threw downfield to Matt Wood to complete a 51-yard touchdown with 1:08 left fora 25-20 win over Franklin.

ADAM YATES Hereford, kicker

Yates consistently boomed his kickoffs into the end zone, denying returns by his opponents. The 5-11 senior converted 78 of 79 extra-point kicks, which was one shy of the state record.

Possessing a potent offense, the Bulls only attempted 10 field goals, and Yates converted six, four inside the 30- to 39-yard range.His longest field goal was 39 yards.

Related topic galleries: Nike Incorporated, Awards and Prizes, Ken Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles, Florida Gators, Chicago Bulls

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