font-family:"Verdana";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:

minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'>It's time to present

the annual VirginiaPreps.com All-Eastern Region squad.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Before delving into our roster, we first

should review the methodology that we follow when picking the team.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Though it forces us to make difficult

selections each year, as a staff we lean more towards exclusivity than

inclusion as our team includes only twelve offensive, twelve defensive and four

special teams players, narrowing it down to the best

of the best.

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minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'> 

font-family:"Verdana";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:

minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'>The offense will

include two players at the running back, wide receiver, tackle and guard

positions with one player named at quarterback, tight end and center as would

be the case in a standard offensive huddle.

Our one concession is to add an athlete position which is used primarily

as a "catch-all" where we include a player who, in our opinion, has

to be honored.

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minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'> 

font-family:"Verdana";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:

minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'>The very same rules

apply to the defensive side of the ball where we opt for a 4-4 alignment

choosing four defensive linemen, four linebackers, three defensive backs and

one athlete.

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minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'> 

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minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'>In the

class=GramE>specialists spots, we select one punter, a kicker and two

return men.

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minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'> 

font-family:"Verdana";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:

minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'>Unlike our prospect

lists, the focus of our all-region teams is to reward on-field play paying much

more attention to performance than college potential.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In fact, there will be more than a few 'big-name'

prospects left off the first or second team.

Additionally, we do not name players to multiple positions, which

class=GramE>allows us to honor as many as possible without breaking our

strict 12 players per side of the ball rule.

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minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'> 

font-family:"Verdana";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:

minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black'>Finally, for the

all-region teams, we consider postseason contributions and play through the

regional championship games. And as

stated earlier, there were numerous tough decisions.

Replacing Tigers icon, and current Alabama Crimson Tide QB

Phillip Sims, Williamson did just about everything Oscar Smith could've asked

for out of an heir apparent to the VHSL's career passing leader.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In leading the Tigers to their seventh

straight Southeastern District title and seventh appearance in the regional

final in as many years, Williamson threw for 3304 yards, a new school single

season record, and 36 touchdowns, which ties him with Hampton great Ronald

Curry for tenth on the state list in a season.

The staple of the Phoebus program during their run of

excellence has been having a great back to rely on and Lee certainly gave them

that, doing so with about half the amount of carries most backs get because his

team built such large leads where it allowed the starters to rest and backups

to play some. Entering the Division 5

State Championship game against Stone Bridge, Lee has rushed for 2351 yards,

not only tops in the region, but also only 124 yards away from breaking

class=SpellE>Elan Lewis' school and Peninsula District single season

rushing record. His 27 touchdown runs

are mighty impressive, too.

At times seemingly carrying his team to keep them in the playoff

hunt until the final week of the regular season, Lambert racked up 1698 yards

and 17 touchdowns on 246 attempts. As

strange as it sounds, it was against a sub-.500 team that he probably locked up

an All-Region spot. The eye-opening game

came in a win over Kempsville when he rushed for 333

yards, third most in Beach District history.

Not to mention, Lambert, the Beach's Offensive Player of the Year,

seldom ever came off the field and played defense as well.

The total package at the wide receiver position,

class=SpellE>Funderburk showed why he's headed to Arkansas as he put up

monster numbers, and even shined on the big stage in the season-opening loss on

Labor Day on ESPNU against nationally-ranked Pickerington Central of Ohio.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Named Southeastern District Offensive Player

of the Year, Funderburk was dominant with 63 catches

for 1413 yards and 15 touchdowns, tops in the region in all three of those

receiving categories.

Helping the Wildcats win 10 games for the first time since

1986, Meier was an indispensible player that was named All-Southeastern

District First Team at receiver, defensive back and kick returner. His clutch hands proved to be a major part in

a Great Bridge passing attack that was the second most prolific in the

757. Finishing as the region's touchdown

reception leader for the regular season, Meier had 45 grabs for 881 yards and

11TD's.

Blessed with reliable hands and athleticism and enough speed

where he can occasionally move to the slot, Gostomski

gave opponents in the Peninsula District fits all year long by snaring 48

passes for 646 yards and eight touchdowns, three of which came during the final

game of the season. It was a great

return to the gridiron after sitting out 2009 to concentrate on

basketball. But it looks like he might

have a future in football.

It's pretty rare for an offense to have a 2000-yard passer,

1400-yard rusher and a pair of receivers who get double-digit touchdowns.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That's what Bayside had with Deion

class=SpellE>Stitt, Taquan 'Smoke'

class=SpellE>Mizzell, Anthony Cooper and Demetrious Nicholson.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Not to be forgotten, however, is the Marlins'

offensive line, where each started across the board was 265 pounds or bigger,

and Phillips, a junior, was clearly one of the anchors, earning All-Beach

District First Team honors.

For Phoebus to lead the Eastern Region in rushing and have

yet another 2000-yard back, their sixth in 12 years in which they haven't had a

back rush for fewer than 1000 yards, someone from that awfully good offensive

line has to be tabbed All-Region. McLean

is the choice, giving space for Tyree Lee as well as their second and third

rushing options to run, plus his protection for QB's Jordan Roby and Eric

class=SpellE>Enderson has been solid, keeping them relatively clean from

pass rushers.

Few offensive linemen in the state are as decorated as

Burbank, who'll play his College Football at the University of Virginia and

likely be a guard. Burbank was moved all

over the place for the Falcons, starting out at tackle, then moving to guard

and even lining up in the backfield where he was a blocker as well as a

short-yardage , goal-line option. How

many linemen score seven touchdowns and block at the level that Burbank does?

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The answer might be none.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>

An absolute factor for Eastern District Champion

class=SpellE>Norcom pulling from his right guard spot, Haynes was an

All-Eastern District First Team performer that was a key blocker for a

Greyhounds offense that lit the scoreboard up for most of 2010.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Ask coaches in the Eastern District, Larry

Archie among them, what Haynes meant to Norcom and

they'll tell you a lot. One can easily

make the case the offense isn't as dynamic and balanced as it was, averaging 301.5

yards and 32.3 points per game, without Haynes on the line.

Smart, intelligent and a tenacious football player, Mann was

a fan favorite of all at Ocean Lakes, coaches, teammates, faculty, students and

others. His grittiness from the center

spot was needed for the Dolphins to get out to the 7-0 start that they

did. In terms of run blocking and

snapping ability, Mann is second to none in the region.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He was a no-brainer pick as All-Beach

District and likewise when it came to All-Region.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> This bookwork also has a GPA over 4.0 and

will play somewhere at the next level.

There have been many great Hampton Crabber quarterbacks over

the years, from Ronald Curry, to Tyrod Taylor and

Marques Hagans.

Watford joins the list. Although

the future UVA signal caller didn't win a region title or State Championship,

he did something no Hampton QB has done and that is finish a 10-game regular

season and three-game playoff run without throwing a single interception on 157

pass attempts. Watford went 11-2 as a

starter this year, losing only twice to Phoebus, and threw for 1377 yards and

10TD's to go with 777 yards rushing and 12Td's.

Coming off a junior season in which he posted an incredible

30 sacks, Romero has been the leader of the best defense in the state once

again, recording around 19 sacks with constant double teams and attention from offenses

trying to block him and not allow him to much their quarterback.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> A two-time Peninsula District Defensive

Player of the Year, Romero is a win away from grabbing his third straight state

title and he's been a prominent piece of their defensive success every step of

the way. His game-winning touchdown

catch on offense in the region final vs. Hampton was big, too.

A relatively unknown before this season, Blindside certainly

made his presence felt around the Eastern District and the region before the

2010 campaign came to a close for the Greyhounds.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Earning Eastern District Defensive Player of

the Year honors , Ross recorded 13 sacks and was the

main up front pushing the pocket all season long.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> About Blindside, Hampton Coach Mike Smith

said, "Lord, that's a big boy. He don't

have Blindside; he just run over you. I've

got to check my center and make sure I can try to get life insurance on him."

style='font-size:9pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana"'>

An All-Beach District pick on both the offensive line and

defensive line, the UVA-bound Dean was an unblockable

force often times as well as opening up holes for the region's leading rusher

during the regular season. Dean finished

with roughly 62 tackles and 10 sacks to lead the Green Run defense, and this

three-year starter has proven to be one of the truly influential pieces to the

Stallions' football program these last few years.

Perhaps the biggest snub of all by the coaches was

class=SpellE>McGougan being selected Second Team All-Peninsula

District. One assistant coach of a team

who has played Phoebus said, "Da-Da [Romero] and Caleb [Taylor] are great

players, going to be playing big time College Football and have been the known

names of that defense, but #58 has been their best player on defense this year

to me." McGougan

was a constant threat to get after the quarterback and make plays behind the

line of scrimmage.

Arguably the most valuable two-way player on a Bookers team

that won eight games for the first time since 2002, Capers, otherwise known as

Truck, delivered for Booker T. Washington when they needed him to most.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> To go with his exploits on the offensive side

of the ball, which included 183 attempts for 1393 yards and 15 touchdown runs,

Capers was also an All-Eastern District First Team selection at linebacker.

Every year the Tigers have a candidate that's All-Region

material from the linebacker position.

In years past it was Jerrod Askew (Tennessee) and Perry Jones

(Virginia). When they graduated in 2008,

Richardson took over the leadership role the past two years and few athletes

will ever be able to say what he can.

That is three region titles, four region final appearances, a State

Championship and 56 starts out of a possible maximum of 60 for this All-Southeastern

District First Team performer.

When the Hampton defense needed a momentum changing play or

turnover, the guy that usually rose to the occasion was Bellamy, a junior who

was chosen All-Peninsula District First Team.

Even in the playoff loss to Phoebus, Bellamy he made seven

class=GramE>tackles, an interception and fumble recovery.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> On offense he wasn't too shabby either,

rushing for over 900 yards and 17 touchdowns, proving he's one of the top

two-way players in all of Tidewater.

Part of a Salem defense that pitched four shutouts in the

regular season and held seven foes to seven points or less, Lawson fit the bill

as that nasty, workmanlike linebacker who provided leadership and hard-hitting

to the SunDevils.

On the year, the junior posted 88 tackles and seven sacks, but his

biggest play of all came in the team's 27-17 playoff upset of Ocean Lakes, when

he intercepted Lafonte Thourogood

in the fourth quarter to preserve a win of a team that blanked

class=GramE>them 22-0 earlier in the year.

Selected the Gatorade Virginia Football Player of the Year,

Nicholson capped off one of the best careers ever in Bayside

history. In addition to being the

senior captain and catalyst to their region title run, scoring 3TD's in the Championship

game, Nicholson raised his game another level in the postseason.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> This Beach District Defensive Player of the

Year took away one side of the ball field with 20 pass breakups and a couple of

interceptions, plus hauled in 44 passes for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns (13

total TD's) with seven scores coming in the postseason alone.

One of the most dangerous athletes around, in more ways than

one, Smallwood terrorized Great Bridge late in the first half in the Bookers'

playoff loss. In that game alone, he

caught three passes for 33 yards, made two interceptions, one he raced 75 yards

back for a touchdown and had two pass breakups.

An All-Eastern District performer, Smalwood

routinely deflected passes and checked the other team's best receiver, serving

as one of several speedsters for resurgent Booker T.

You can't have an All-Eastern Region team without a

defensive player from Lake Taylor, can you?

One wouldn't think so, and Moore is the pick as he helped the Titans

hold eight opponents under 100 yards passing during the regular season,

including a Booker T. with a pretty fine air attack.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Moore didn't just break-up passes and play

solid coverage, he also got his hands on some picks, five

to be exact. Playing some freshmen and

sophomores quite a bit on defense, the Titans turned to Moore for experience

and he provided that as they returned to the playoffs.

With 12 touchdown runs, over 600 yards rushing and another

600 or so yards receiving to go with six touchdown catches, three coming in the

postseason, Cogdell was a weapon on the offensive

side of the ball. As much as meant to

the offense, was just as important to the defense, serving as a wrecking ball

and hitting machine. Versatile enough to

play defensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker or inside linebacker,

class=SpellE>Cogdell is worthy of his All-Peninsula District selection

and not many players to do as much on both sides of the ball as him.

Last year as a sophomore, Enderson

made 12 field goals and two enormous game-winners en route to being selected

All-State and helping the Phantoms win their second state title in a row.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He now has 19 career field goals, including drilling

a pivotal one in the 12-7 regional final triumph over Hampton. His leg has come into play quite a bit during

their run, whether it's in regards to field position, getting three points on

the board, plus he's automatic when it comes to extra point attempts.

Some of the Hawks' improvement from 3-7 to 6-4 overall this

year can be attributed to Miller, who also played some on defense at linebacker

and came up with the game-clinching fumble recovery in the team's season finale

victory over Indian River. But Miller's

best asset to the team came in the punting department, where the

All-Southeastern District First Team choice averaged around 41 yards per punt

and routinely pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line.

Give him an inch and he'll take it a mile.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In his career, Cooper has already scored 12

touchdowns that have measured at least 40 yards, one of which came on a 50-yard

kickoff return in Bayside's 42-40 Eastern Region

Championship win over Oscar Smith. He

was especially dangerous in the open field and on special teams.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> On the year Cooper scored 12TD's and finished

with 40 receptions for

Committed to play College Basketball at Old Dominion, Key

had some wondering if he'd come out for football this fall, and the Phantoms

are sure glad he did. The versatile

athlete that was chosen All-Peninsula District First Team as a receiver,

defensive back and return man, Key finds the end zone any way he can, coming up

biggest in the team's regular season rivalry game with Hampton when he returned

a kickoff 80 yards and a punt 90 yards for touchdowns.

A two-time state title winner at Wilson in 1989 and 1991,

Moore proved, if anyone doubted whether he could or not, lead another team to

the State Playoffs, and did at a Bayside program with many more sophomores and

juniors than seniors. An underdog to

both Ocean Lakes and Oscar Smith, all the Marlins did was win each of those

games close to capture a second straight Beach District title, first regional

crown since 1992 and defeat 11 other teams by double-figures, five of which

made the playoffs.

Heading into the State Championship game against Stone

Bridge, Sexton has a career record of 29-0 as the Phoebus Head Football Coach.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Following what Bill Dee, now an assistant at

Christopher Newport, accomplished is certainly no easy act to do, and Sexton's

squad has been both dominant when needed and fortunate too, surviving a couple

close calls to keep their season going.

And by the way, this nationally-ranked powerhouse owns the VHSL record

for consecutive wins with 44.

Ocean Lakes QB/ATH Lafonte

class=SpellE>Thourogood

Menchville QB/ATH Clifton Richardson

Bayside QB Deion Stitt

Salem QB Bucky Hodges

Norcom RB/LB Chavelle Atkins

Warwick RB Cardon Johnson

Bethel RB Sam Bennett

Green Run TE/ROV Mark Hall

First Colonial OL Connor Mewbourne

Phoebus LB Caleb Taylor

Lake Taylor OT Tevin Fitchett

Lake Taylor FS/WR Mike Tyson

Bethel DE Chris Copeland

Oscar Smith DL/OL Michael Wyche

Hampton LB Tyrell Miller

Booker T. Washington LB Calvert Cook

Cox DL Alston Smith

Norcom WR/DB Hakiem Swann

Woodside QB/DB Donnell Lewis

Grassfield FS James Faircloth