All-Decade All-Eastern Region
The past decade was a strong one for the Eastern Region as, from 2000 - 2009, the
'757' teams dominated the Division Five championships winning seven of ten titles
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and never losing a championship contest in the division while also capturing two Division
Six championships and appearing in five of the 00's ten championship contests.
The Phoebus Phantoms have led the way for the East winning D5 titles in 2001,
2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009 with Heritage grabbing the title in 2000 and Hampton
in 2005. On the D6 level, Oscar Smith won the 2008 championship and
Landstown took home the 2004 honors sandwiched by a pair of runners-up finishes in 2003 and 2005.
Deep Creek rounds out the Division Six title game appearances as the Hornets were toppled in
the 2000 D6 game.
With many team and individual
standouts coming from the Tidewater area over the course of the past
ten years, making picks for an all-decade all-region squad, especially one
limited by such few numbers (twelve players on each side of the ball and four
special teams selections), made for some tough decisions. More than
anything, we attempted to reward players for their high school
productivity more so than what they have accomplished at the college and pro
levels as many of the top stars have gone on to build outstanding athletic
careers.
Some choices were mostly no-brainers (running backs and defensive linemen), others
(linebackers, wide receivers and Division 6 coach)
were discussed at length with differences in productivity being razor-thin so,
without further ado, VirginiaPreps.com is proud to present our All-Decade
All-Eastern Region team starting with our Player of the Decade selections.
Offensive Player of the Decade -
Percy Harvin, Landstown
Defensive Player of the Decade -
Vince Hall, Western Branch
All-Decade Eastern Offense
QB - Phillip Sims, Oscar Smith
If quarterbacks are judged by winning
and their statistics, none from this decade can match Sims whose teams won three
of four regional championships, captured the 2008 state championship and posted
a 47-4 record in his four years as a varsity starter. One look at the
state record books shows his impact as Sims is the only quarterback in the
history of the VHSL to have thrown for over 10,000 yards (finishing with 10,725)
and he holds the record for touchdown passes as well with 119 and is second
all-time with 636 completions.
RB - Elan Lewis, Phoebus
Speaking of record book performances,
Elan Lewis ranks as the top rusher in AAA history with 7,156 yards in his career
which included back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons in 2002 and 2003. His 580
career points including the 242 that he posted in 2003 both rank as Eastern
Region records as the Phantoms standout was one of only four running backs in
the decade to be named first team all-state twice in his career.
RB - Kevin Whaley, Salem
A four-year starter for the
SunDevils, Whaley is the second Eastern Region back from the decade to be named
first team all-state twice as he was selected in both 2006 and 2007. For
his high school career, the standout back totaled 6,301 yards and 85 touchdowns
rushing for over 1,000-yards in all four seasons as Salem posted a 32-5 record
in his final three seasons after finishing 1-9 in his frosh campaign.
WR -
Percy Harvin, Landstown
No player in the decade was a more
dominating performer than Harvin as the Eagles star was ranked the #1 prospect
in the nation by Rivals.com his senior season. In his final two seasons on
varsity, Harvin caught 133 catches for 2,329 yards and 31 touchdowns adding
1,230 rushing yards with 23 scores on the ground and turned in one of the
all-time great performances in VHSL history when he accounted for 476 total
yards and five touchdowns in Landstown's 47-20 win over Robinson in the 2004 D6
title game.
WR - Jeremy Gilchrist, Landstown
Another record-setting wideout from
Landstown, Gilchrist finished his career ranked second all-time in pass
receptions (198) and yards (3,230) and seventh in touchdown catches with 33
including a 2003 season during which he caught 87 passes for 1,399 yards and 18
touchdown receptions with six additional scores coming by way of defensive and
special teams scores in earning first team all-state honors.
TE - Daquan Romero, Phoebus
Named first team all-state by both
VirginiaPreps and the AP his sophomore season, Romero was a key component of a
Phoebus team that won its first of back-to-back championships catching 34 passes
for a team that ended the season ranked #3 in the country by Rivals.com. The
next season (2009), the then-junior earned first team all-state honors as a
defensive end notching an eye-popping 30 sacks.
T - Levi Brown, Granby
A two-way lineman for the Granby
Comets, Brown helped the Norfolk school to an 8-2 record his senior season
earning all-state honors and propelling him into the U.S. Army All-American
game. The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder was ranked the #32 defensive tackle in the
country when he signed with Penn State after being courted by virtually every
major program east of the Mississippi.
T - Vinston Painter, Maury
The Maury Commodore ranked as one of
the top 100 prospects in the country coming out of high school after earning
first team all-state honors in back-to-back seasons in both his junior and
senior years. His teams compiled an 18-5 record over the course of those
two years advancing to the regional championship game in 2006 where they were
toppled by eventual state champion Phoebus.
G - Quest King, Phoebus
The Phantoms standout was a starter his junior and senior seasons for Phoebus
teams that captured both the 2001 and 2002 state championships and posted a 27-1
record during that span. In the course of the two seasons, King anchored
an offensive line for an offense that scored over 500 points in back-to-back
seasons averaging 34.5 per contest earning him all-state honors his senior
campaign.
G - David Thompson, Bayside
An all-state first team selection in 2000, the 6-foot-3, 300-plus pounder was
a starter and leader on an offensive line for a Bayside team that rolled to a
10-0 regular season mark scoring more than 28 points in nine of their ten games
then toppled First Colonial 27-0 in the opening round of the playoffs before
being toppled by Deep Creek in the regional final.
C - Gary Freeman, Deep Creek
The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder was one of only two Eastern Region offensive
linemen (and three in the state) who earned first team all-state honors twice in
their careers as the Hornets standout pulled the feat in both 2000 and 2001
while playing for a Deep Creek program which won back-to-back regional
championships and scored 1,007 points in 27 games (37.2 per game).
ATH - Tyrod Taylor, Hampton
The Crabbers standout earned All-American honors as an all-purpose player and
was ranked the #1 dual threat quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com his senior
season. In his three years as a varsity starter, Taylor accounted for
7,690 yards of offense and 100 touchdowns passing for 5,144 yards and 44 scores
with 2,546 yards and 56 scores on the ground earning all-state honors twice.
All-Decade Eastern Defense
DL - Darryl Blackstock, Heritage
A dominating defensive end who earned first team all-state honors for the
Heritage Hurricanes team that steamrolled opponents en route to winning the 2000
state championship, Blackstock headed up a defense that allowed only 86 points
in 14 games and pitched seven shutouts including four straight to open the
season.
DL - Xavier Adibi, Phoebus
The state's defensive player of the year in 2002 and All-American selection
his senior season, Adibi headed up a Phantoms defense that helped Phoebus
capture their first two state championship in 2001 and 2002 by notching over 100
tackles, 31 for loss and 13.5 sacks in his final high school season.
During his junior and senior seasons, Phoebus held opponents to 5.9 points per
game with only one team scoring over 15 points against them in a contest.
DL - Evan Hailes, Oscar Smith
A two-time all-state selection, Hailes also earned All-American honors his
senior season anchoring an Oscar Smith defense which helped the tigers capture
three regional championships and one state title during his three years on
varsity. In total, the defensive tackle and his teammates surrendered only
8.0 points per game over 43 contests from 2006 - 2008.
DL - Dominik Davenport, Phoebus
A two-time first team all-state honoree, Davenport was twice named the
Eastern Region defensive player of the year. In his four years on varsity,
the Phantoms recorded a 52-3 record, won two state championships and was ranked
the #3 team in the country by Rivals.com as he anchored a 2008 defense that
pitched nine shutouts and scored more defensive touchdowns than they allowed to
opposing offenses. Over the course of his final two seasons, Davenport
notched over 250 tackles and 35 sacks.
LB - Vince Hall, Western Branch
The 2002 State Player of the Year, Hall was named an All-American his senior
season after recording 120 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 10 sacks with three
interceptions. The Bruins standout was named the Eastern Region Defensive
Player of the Year and first team all-state linebacker as both a junior and
senior and was rated one of the top 150 prospects in the country in 2002.
LB - Perry Jones, Oscar Smith
Finished his high school career as the leading tackler in Oscar Smith's
history with 343 tackles and was named a two-time first team all-state
linebacker in both 2007 and 2008 when he was also named the state's defensive
player of the year after leading the Tigers to the Division Six state
championship. In his final two seasons, Jones recorded 260 tackles, 54 for
loss, 20 sacks and five interceptions including one for a touchdown.
LB - Deveon Simmons, Landstown
His senior season, Simmons was ranked one of the top 100 prospects in the
nation, the state's defensive player of the year in 2003 and an All-American
after recording over 100 tackles, 21 for loss and eight sacks as he and his
Eagles teammates allowed only 116 points in fourteen games (8.2 per contest) in
advancing to the Division Six championship game where they were topped by
Westfield.
LB - Lyndell Gibson, Salem
The two-time Beach District defensive player of the year, Gibson was ranked
one of the top 30 linebackers in the nation his senior season after notching
back-to-back seasons with 100-plus tackles and double digit sacks in leading his
SunDevils to a regional championship his junior season and an appearance in the
regional final his senior campaign after which he grabbed a first team all-state
linebacker spot.
DB - DeAngelo Hall, Deep Creek
As a junior, the Deep Creek star grabbed seven interceptions and was
named the Southeastern District's Defensive Player of the year award
then followed that campaign with a senior season during which he snared
nine interceptions and recorded over 100 tackles, 16 for loss earning
first team all-state honors in helping his team advance to the Division
Six championship game.
DB - Todd Harrelson, Oscar Smith
Ranked as one of the top players in the state his senior season, the Tigers
standout was named a first-team all-state player his senior season after
intercepting six passes and breaking up 23 in leading the team to an Eastern
Region title in 2007. Harrelson was twice named an all-region cornerback
earning the honor in both his junior and senior seasons.
DB - Phillip Brown, Phoebus
Ranked the #1 prospect in the state from the Class of 2003 and one of the top
ten cornerbacks in the nation, Brown was a first team all-state selection as he
led a Phoebus secondary that proved to be nearly impenetrable as the Phantoms
defense allowed only 69 points in fourteen games (4.9 per contest) in winning
the 2002 state championship, the school's second in as many seasons.
ATH - Travis Williams, Lake Taylor
Ranked one of the top fifteen linebackers in the nation from the Class of
2010, Williams helped the Titans reach back-to-back Eastern Region championship
games as he anchored a defense that surrendered less than ten points per game in
both his junior and senior seasons when he was named a first team all-state
performer.
All-Decade Eastern
Specialists
K - Drew Jarrett, Cox
With 29 successful field goals in his high school career, Jarrett ranks first
among AAA kickers in the decade for most field goals converted. During his
senior season in 2008, the Cox Falcons special teamer connected on 12
three-pointers, more than any other kicker in the state at any level, including
a 54-yarder.
P - Chris Mahalick, Cox
A two-time all-region punter in 2001 and 2002, the Cox Falcons special teamer
earned all-state honors his senior season.
KR - Tavon Gatlin, Green Run
An all-state returner in 2008, the Green Run Stallions standout returned two
kicks for scores his junior season and two more his senior year in helping lift
the Virginia Beach program to a 20-4 record in his final two varsity seasons
after the school had won only a total of two games in the previous seven years
combined.
PR - Justin Hunter, Ocean Lakes
If not the best all-around athlete on this team, Hunter is no doubt in the
top three, at worst. Though most of his biggest plays came from the wide
receiver spot, Hunter took great advantage of the rare opportunities that he got
when teams kicked to him often shaking four or five guys, reversing field
multiple times, Hunter had a gift for making people miss and the athleticism to
make it look easy.
All-Decade Eastern Coaches
Division Five - Bill Dee, Phoebus
The Phantoms head man for the first nine seasons of the decade, Dee captured
state championships in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008 as his four state titles double
his next closest competitor this decade. His 2008 team finished the season
ranked #3 in the nation and, over the course of his nine years this decade, his
teams notched two undefeated seasons and four one-loss campaigns in recording a
105-12 record from 2000-2009.
Division Six - Chris Beatty,
Landstown
No Beach District team had won the Division Six state championship until
Beatty's team pulled the feat off in 2004, their second of three consecutive
appearances in the state title contest. His three-year 40-2 record at
Landstown during which his only losses came in the 2003 and 2005 state
championship games were preceded by a two-year run at Salem where the coach
guided the team to a 16-5 record coming off consecutive 2-8 campaigns.
All-Decade Eastern Programs
Division Five Program - Phoebus
Phantoms
The Peninsula District program dominated the Division Five championship scene
throughout the decade capturing titles in 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009 while
making regional title game appearances nine straight years winning six of those
including the last four. Over the course of the ten seasons, the Phantoms
have posted an overall record of 120-12 (.909 winning percentage) and incredible
28-4 mark in the postseason (.875).
Division Six Program - Oscar Smith
Tigers
The decade started slowly for Oscar Smith as they opened with 5-5 and 4-6
seasons but their fortunes changed with the hiring of coach Rich Morgan who has
led the program to a 89-11 (.890) record since 2003 with six straight regional
title game appearances from 2004-2009 capturing the last three with one leading
to a Division Six state championship in 2008 when the Tigers completed a perfect
15-0 campaign.
Second Team Offense
QB - Tajh Boyd, Phoebus
RB - Trayce McPherson, Nansemond
River
RB - Shawne Alston, Phoebus
WR - Tim Smith, Oscar Smith
WR - Brent Vinson, Phoebus
TE - Josh Baker, Western Branch
T - Corey Davis, Kecoughtan
T - Michael Wood, Western Branch
G - Vernon Eason, Deep Creek
G - Maurice Hampton, Phoebus
C - Anthony Robinson, Phoebus
ATH - Greg Boone, Oscar Smith
Second Team Defense
DL - Steven Friday, Phoebus
DL - Antonio Hill, Oscar Smith
DL - Darryl Tapp, Deep Creek
DL - Sherman Logan, Kempsville
LB - Jerod Mayo, Kecoughtan
LB - Jerod Askew, Oscar Smith
LB - Jacobi Fenner, Hampton
LB - Kai Parham, Princess Anne
DB - Aaron Rouse, First Colonial
DB - Carlos Campbell, Hampton
DB - C.J. Fayton, Princess Anne
ATH - Mike Privott, Lake Taylor
Second Team Specialists
K - Brandon Pace, Kellam
P - Brian Jackson, Tallwood
KR - Dion Futch, Hampton
PR - Charlie Ricks, Oscar Smith