Ramblin Man Column: Marion County Football Elite 2011

This has been one memorable season of high school football. A new playoff format in Class 2A allowed every team to make the playoffs in the two division classification. However, the Mullins Auctioneers and Marion Swamp Foxes earned their way into the postseason with each winning seven games this season. The two bitter rivals waged war to an even 2-2 in the annual Tobacco Bowl battles, with the Swamp Foxes taking home the trophy blowout fashion to end the regular season.

The Swamp Foxes finished third in Region 8-2A and earned a first round bye in the playoffs. The squad took care of business in the second round home game, defeating 41-14.

The Aucs plowed through their first round opponent Academic Magnet 47-0 and followed up with 18-14 road upset at Woodland.

Although the two teams suffered third round defeats on the road it was still a remarkable run.

On the field, several players throughout Marion County put on an amazing showcase. As usual, I have draft a couple dozens for what I’d like think is the best team ever assembled.

Defense:

Defensive linemen Charles Lacy (Aucs), Nickolas Ammons (Eagles), Keivonte Walters (Aucs), Keon Johnson (Foxes), Da’Shaun Pee (Foxes), Skyler Rich (Aucs), Pat Smith (Eagles)

Linebackers Brogerick Leggette (Warriors), Chris Crawford (Warriors), Brian Davis (Eagles), John Crawford (Foxes), Daquan Reaves (Foxes), C.J. Hopkins (Foxes), Rembert Timmons (Aucs), Tracy Dewitt (Aucs), Arthur March (Aucs).

Defensive backs Shaquan Brown (Aucs), Earnell Legette (Aucs), Stanley Graves (Warriors), D.J Kelly (Foxes), Devante Johnson (Foxes), Caleb Hill (Eagles), Kameron Graham (Aucs)

Offense:

Offensive linemen Blake Perritt (Aucs), Shamel Hemingway (Aucs), Jemel Williamson (Warriors), Dylan Whaley (Eagles), Clinton Reaves (Foxes), Kavonte Moore (Foxes), Charles Williams (Aucs), Derek Surrency (Warriors)

Receivers Chris Washington (Foxes), Tyre Constant (Aucs), Korey Thomas (Eagles), Michael Outlaw (Foxes), A.J. Finklea (Warriors), Marquis Miller (Aucs)

Running Backs Lue Clemmons (Foxes), D.J. Johnson (Aucs), Clay Martin (Eagles), Chandler Tisdale (Eagles), Keyonta Foxworth (Foxes), Ryan Fladger (Aucs), Marvin Braddy (Warriors), Thorn Bacote (Foxes).

Quarterbacks Devante Gilbert (Foxes), Justin Elliott (Aucs), Will Daniels (Eagles)

Special teams: Kickers: Miguel Renteria (Aucs) and Zi Huang (Foxes)

Scouting Report:

On offense, the plan calls for attention to the running game and with Marion rushing for more than 2,500 yards the bulk of the carries go to Swamp Foxes running backs Keyonta Foxworth and Lue Clemmons. The speedy Foxworth rushed for 1,374 yards and 15 touchdowns, while the punishing Clemmons added 1,135 yards and seven touchdowns.  Mullins as a team rushed for more than 1,300 yards with a committee that includes Rembert Timmons’ 345 yards, Tracy Dewitt’s 424 yards, D.J. Johnson with 303 yards and Earnell Legette with 213 yards. Johnson has special change of direction ability and speed and should be a star next year as a senior.

Marion’s Thorne Bacote enjoyed a solid season with 205 yards on just 31 carries to go with a touchdown. Pee Academy wingback Clay Martin proved to be a playmaker for the Golden Eagles. The sophomore led the squad in rushing and also filled in at quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Marion senior Devante Gilbert was fantastic. The star wide receiver switched to the quarterback position this year and led the Swamp Foxes with more than 600 passing yards and 6 touchdowns.

Mullins Sophomore Justin Elliott took the helm for the Aucs with more than 8 total touchdowns on the season and more than 500 yards passing. His favorite target at receiver Tyre Constant led the team with 10 receptions and picked off two passes at safety. Teammate Marquis Miller added 6 receptions and two touchdowns.

Chris Washington led the Swamp Foxes with 11 receptions and 227 yards along with four touchdowns.

Offensive linemen Shamel Hemingway and Blake Perritt help to hold up the Auctioneers’ offensive line. Hemingway was also a force on the defensive side with 76 tackles and four sacks. Clinton Reaves paved the way for a ton of yards for the Swamp Foxes.

Defensively, the Aucs tandem of Dewitt and Timmons strikes again with both players combing for 176 tackles on the season. Teammate Charles Lacy was force on the line with 89 tackles, while senior Keivonte Walters led the pass rush with 7.5 sacks.

Marion’s Da’Shaun Pee registered three sacks on the season. Teammates Keon Johnson, John Crawford, C.J. Hopkins and Daquan Reaves are a core group of players that always surrounds the football.

Swamp Foxes defensive back Devante Johnson and D.J. Kelly make great plays on the football, while Aucs cornerback Shaquan Brown is a lockdown defender.

It’s also great to be able to have some confidence in the kicking game. Marion’s Zi Huang connected on 19 of 26 PAT’s with a season long 25-yard field goal. Mullins freshman Miquel Renteria nailed 11 of 14 PAT’s and a season high 27-yard